Where does “cleansing” come from?
Cleansing comes from Old English clǣnsian, from Proto-West Germanic klainisōną, from Proto-Germanic klainiz meaning "small" or "smooth," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots gewl-, gel-, and gley-.
cleansing (English): That cleanses; The process of removing dirt,...
Definitions
- That cleanses; The process of removing dirt,...
Ancestry of “cleansing”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | cleanse | To free from dirt; to clean, to purify; To... |
| 2 | Middle English | clensen | To clean or purify |
| 3 | Old English | clǣnsian | — |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | klainisōną | — |
| 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 |