Where does “clench” come from?
Clench comes from Middle English clenchen, from Old English clenċan and Old English clenġan, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European gel- meaning to ball up or contract.
clench (English): To grip or hold fast; To close tightly; Tight...
Definitions
- To grip or hold fast; To close tightly; Tight...
Ancestry of “clench”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | clenchen | — |
| 2 | Old English | clenċan | to clinch; hold fast |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | klangijaną | to make stick, to make cling |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | gleh₁y- | to smear, putty; to stick, glue |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | gleh₁- | ball, lump |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | gewl- | vessel; ball; vessel, bowl, ball; ball, bowl,... |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | gēw- | to bend, arch |