Where does “kleinbaas” come from?
kleinbaas (Afrikaans) comes from Afrikaans klein, from Dutch klein, from Middle Dutch cleine, from Old Dutch cleini, from Proto-West Germanic *klainī, from Proto-Germanic klainiz, from Proto-Indo-European g(e)lēi-, from Proto-Indo-European ǵel- — to swallow; swallow.
kleinbaas (Afrikaans): little master
Definitions
- little master
Ancestry of “kleinbaas”, step by step
kleinbaas traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Afrikaans klein
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Afrikaans | klein | small, little |
| 2 | Dutch | klein | small, little; almost |
| 3 | Middle Dutch | cleine | small; short; unimportant |
| 4 | Old Dutch | cleini | small |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | *klainī | fine, small |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | klainiz | shining, fine, splendid; tender, precious |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | g(e)lēi- | gleaming |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵel- | to swallow; swallow |
via Afrikaans baas
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Afrikaans | baas | boss |
| 2 | Dutch | baas | boss, chief, superior; employer, manager; strong... |
| 3 | Middle Dutch | baes | master of a household, friend |
| 4 | Old Dutch | baso | uncle, kinsman |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | *baswō | — |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | baswô | uncle; kinsman |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | baswǭ | father's sister, aunt, cousin; father's sister;... |