Where does “float switch” come from?

float switch (English) comes from English float, from Middle English flote, from Old French flote, from Old Norse floti, from Proto-Germanic flutô, from Proto-Indo-European plewd-, from Proto-Indo-European plew- — to fly, flow, run.

float switch (English): A sensor that detects the level of liquid in a tank and can react to changes in the measurement

Definitions

  1. A sensor that detects the level of liquid in a tank and can react to changes in the measurement

Ancestry of “float switch”, step by step

float switch traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English float

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishfloatOf an object or substance, to be supported by a...
2Middle EnglishfloteAlternative form of floute; Something that...
3Old Frenchflotefleet
4Old Norseflotifleet
5Proto-GermanicflutôA float; flotation device; A raft; boat; ship
6Proto-Indo-Europeanplewd-to fly, flow, run
7Proto-Indo-Europeanplew-to fly, flow, run

via English switch

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishswitchA device to turn electric current on and off or...
2Middle Dutchswijchtwig
Every word from Proto-Indo-European plew-Every word from Proto-Indo-European plewd-Every word from Proto-Germanic flutô