Where does “elbowroom” come from?
elbowroom (English) comes from English elbow, from Middle English elbowe, from Old English elnboga, from Proto-Germanic alinabugô, from Proto-Germanic bugô, from Proto-Indo-European bʰugʰ-, from Proto-Indo-European bʰewgʰ- — to bend; curve, arch.
elbowroom (English): Sufficient space to have freedom of movement;...
Definitions
- Sufficient space to have freedom of movement;...
Ancestry of “elbowroom”, step by step
elbowroom traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English elbow
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | elbow | The joint between the upper arm and the forearm;... |
| 2 | Middle English | elbowe | elbow; A tassel suspended from the elbow |
| 3 | Old English | elnboga | elbow |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | alinabugô | elbow |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | bugô | bow |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰugʰ- | bow; arch |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰewgʰ- | to bend; curve, arch |
via English room
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | room | Opportunity or scope; Space "for" something, or... |
| 2 | Middle English | roum | A space or area; A room |
| 3 | Old English | rūm | room, space; roomy, spacious, ample, extensive,... |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | rūm | roomy, spacious; room, open space |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | rūmaz | roomy, spacious, open |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | rewh₁- | free space |