Where does “gearknob” come from?

gearknob (English) comes from English gear, from Middle English gere, from Old Norse gervi, from Proto-Germanic garwijaną, from Proto-Germanic garwaz, from Proto-Germanic ga-, from Proto-Indo-European ḱóm, from Proto-Indo-European ḱe — to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

gearknob (English): A knob that forms the handle for the gear lever...

Definitions

  1. A knob that forms the handle for the gear lever...

Ancestry of “gearknob”, step by step

gearknob traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English gear

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishgearEquipment or paraphernalia, especially that used...
2Middle EnglishgereAlternative form of gery; Alternative form of...
3Old Norsegervigear
4Proto-Germanicgarwijanąto prepare
5Proto-Germanicgarwazready, prepared
6Proto-Germanicga-Indicates association or togetherness; co-;...
7Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
8Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
9Middle Englishkyt
10Germankittputty certain kinds of cement used for fixing e.g. window panes
11Old High Germankuti
12Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
13Proto-Germanickweduzresin
14Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
15Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

via English knob

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishknobA rounded protuberance, especially one arising...
2Middle Englishknobbeknob; lump, bump
3Middle Low Germanknobbelump, knot; knob; knot in wood
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū-