Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “clip” come from?

Clip comes from Middle English clippen, from Old Norse klippa, from Proto-Germanic klupjaną, from Proto-Indo-European gleb(ʰ)-, ultimately traced to Proto-Indo-European gel-.

clip (English): To grip tightly; To fasten with a clip; To hug,...

Definitions

  1. To grip tightly; To fasten with a clip; To hug,...

Ancestry of “clip”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishclippen—
2Old Englishclyppanto hug, embrace; cherish; to clasp
3Proto-Germanicklupjanąto grip, grasp, clasp
4Proto-Indo-Europeangelb(ʰ)-—
5Proto-Indo-Europeangel-to be cold, to freeze

Words derived from “clip”

  • clips
  • clipping
  • clipboard
  • unclip
  • clipless
  • hairclip
  • subclip
  • hemoclip
  • noseclip
  • endoclip
  • clippie
  • reclip
  • microclip
  • clippable
  • clipsome
  • clippeth
  • toeclip
  • autoclip
  • clipsheet
  • clip joint
  • clipcock
  • clippest
  • clipbook
  • clippock
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gel- →