Where does “clothing” come from?
Clothing derives from Middle English clathing, formed from the Old English verb clāthian with the suffix -ing, which comes from Old English -ung, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots gley- and gel-.
clothing (English): present participle of clothe; Any of a wide...
Definitions
- present participle of clothe; Any of a wide...
Ancestry of “clothing”, step by step
clothing traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English clothe
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | clothe | To adorn or cover with clothing; to dress; to... |
| 2 | Middle English | clothen | To use clothing; To hide or make undiscoverable;... |
| 3 | Old English | clāþian | to clothe |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | klaiþōną | to clothe |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | *gley- | — |
via Middle English clothing
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | clothing | What one wears; clothing, outfit, garments; Linen... |
| 2 | Middle English | -ynge | Alternative form of -ing |
| 3 | Old English | -ung | forming nouns from verbs, denoting verbal action... |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | -ungō | -ing, -ion. "Forms gerund nouns from verbs." |