Where does “clean” come from?
Clean comes from Middle English clene, from Old English clǣne, from Proto-Germanic klainiz, from Proto-Indo-European gley-, gel-, gewl-, and ultimately gū-.
clean (English): "Free of dirt or impurities or protruberances.";...
Definitions
- "Free of dirt or impurities or protruberances.";...
Ancestry of “clean”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | clene | clean |
| 2 | Old English | clǣne | pure, clear; clean, pure |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | klainiz | shining, fine, splendid; tender, precious |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | g(e)lēi- | gleaming |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵel- | to swallow; swallow |
Words derived from “clean”