Where does “air cleaner” come from?
air cleaner (English) comes from English cleaner, from English clean, from Middle English clene, from Old English clǣne, from Proto-Germanic klainiz, from Proto-Indo-European g(e)lēi-, from Proto-Indo-European ǵel- — to swallow; swallow.
Ancestry of “air cleaner”, step by step
air cleaner traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English cleaner
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | cleaner | A person whose occupation is to clean floors,... |
| 2 | English | clean | "Free of dirt or impurities or protruberances.";... |
| 3 | Middle English | clene | clean |
| 4 | Old English | clǣne | pure, clear; clean, pure |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | klainiz | shining, fine, splendid; tender, precious |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | g(e)lēi- | gleaming |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵel- | to swallow; swallow |