Where does “clean-limbed” come from?
clean-limbed (English) comes 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.
clean-limbed (English): Having a slender, athletic body; lithe
Definitions
- Having a slender, athletic body; lithe
Ancestry of “clean-limbed”, step by step
clean-limbed traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English clean
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | clean | "Free of dirt or impurities or protruberances.";... |
| 2 | Middle English | clene | clean |
| 3 | Old English | clǣne | pure, clear; clean, pure |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | klainiz | shining, fine, splendid; tender, precious |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | g(e)lēi- | gleaming |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵel- | to swallow; swallow |
via English limbed
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | limbed | simple past tense and past participle of limb |