Where does “leen” come from?
leen (Dutch) comes from Middle Dutch leen, from Old Dutch lēn, from Proto-Germanic laihną, from Proto-Indo-European leykʷ- — to leave.
leen (Dutch): fief, feudal estate; loan
Definitions
- fief, feudal estate; loan
Ancestry of “leen”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle Dutch | leen | — |
| 2 | Old Dutch | lēn | — |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | laihną | that which is lent, loan; fief |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | leykʷ- | to leave |
Words derived from “leen”