Where does “clinking” come from?
Clinking derives from Middle English clinken, Old English clincan, Proto-Germanic klinganą, and Proto-Indo-European roots gley- and gel- relating to sound and resonance.
clinking (English): present participle of clink; A noise that clinks
Definitions
- present participle of clink; A noise that clinks
Ancestry of “clinking”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | clink | The sound of metal on metal, or glass on glass;... |
| 2 | English | clench | To grip or hold fast; To close tightly; Tight... |
| 3 | Middle English | clenchen | — |
| 4 | Old English | clenċan | to clinch; hold fast |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | klangijaną | to make stick, to make cling |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | gleh₁y- | to smear, putty; to stick, glue |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | gleh₁- | ball, lump |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | gewl- | vessel; ball; vessel, bowl, ball; ball, bowl,... |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | gēw- | to bend, arch |