Where does “earmuff” come from?
earmuff (English) comes from English muff, from Dutch mof, from Dutch moffel, from Middle French moufle, from Old French mofle, from Medieval Latin muffula, from Frankish molfell, from Middle High German mol — to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange.
earmuff (English): A garment to keep the ears warm; A garment or...
Definitions
- A garment to keep the ears warm; A garment or...
Ancestry of “earmuff”, step by step
earmuff traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English muff
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | muff | A piece of fur or cloth, usually with open ends,... |
| 2 | Dutch | mof | muff; Piece to protect pipes where they are... |
| 3 | Dutch | moffel | — |
| 4 | Middle French | moufle | — |
| 5 | Old French | mofle | thick glove |
| 6 | Medieval Latin | muffula | a muff; muff |
| 7 | Frankish | molfell | soft garment made of hide |
| 8 | Middle High German | mol | — |
| 9 | Old High German | mol | — |
| 10 | Proto-Germanic | mulô | muzzle |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | molh₂-o- | — |
| 12 | Proto-Indo-European | melh₂- | to grind, to crush |
| 13 | Proto-Indo-European | mel- | soft; tender; weak; to deceive; to rub |
| 14 | Proto-Indo-European | mey- | to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange |
via English ear
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | ear | The organ of hearing, consisting of the pinna,... |
| 2 | Middle English | ēre | The ear organ that receives sound |
| 3 | Old English | ēare | ear |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | auʀā | ear |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | ausô | ear |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂ṓws | ear |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂ew- | to enjoy; to consume; to perceive, see, to be... |