Where does “freckled” come from?
Freckled comes from Middle English freckled, from Old English frecled, from Proto-Germanic *freklōdaz, from Proto-Indo-European *spherg- meaning to sprinkle or spread.
freckled (English): Having freckles; covered with freckles
Definitions
- Having freckles; covered with freckles
Ancestry of “freckled”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | freckle | A small brownish or reddish pigmentation spot on... |
| 2 | Middle English | freken | — |
| 3 | Old Norse | freknur | speckles |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | sprekalą | freckle |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | sp(h)er(e)g- | to strew, sprinkle |