Where does “gladhand” come from?

gladhand (English) comes from English Hand, from Middle English hond, from Old English hand, from Proto-West Germanic handu, from Swedish hand, from Old Swedish hand, from Old Norse hǫnd, from Proto-Germanic handuz — hand.

gladhand (English): Alternative spelling of glad-hand

Definitions

  1. Alternative spelling of glad-hand

Ancestry of “gladhand”, step by step

gladhand traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English Hand

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishHandThe part of the forelimb below the forearm or wrist in a human, and the corresponding part in many other animals
2Middle Englishhondhand; Alternative form of hound
3Old EnglishhandA hand
4Proto-West Germanichanduhand
5SwedishhandA hand; A hand; the set of cards held by a player
6Old SwedishhandA hand; A direction; A behalf
7Old Norsehǫndhand
8Proto-Germanichanduzhand

via English glad

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishgladPleased, happy, gratified; Having a bright or...
2EnglishgladiolusThe center part of the sternum; Any of several...
3LatingladiōlusLittle sword, knife
4Latingladiussword; murder, death; a gladiatorial contest
5Gaulishkladyossword
6Proto-Celtickladiwossword
7Proto-Indo-Europeanḱelh₂-to pierce, strike; to stick; prick; stab
Every word from Proto-Germanic handuz
gladhand — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer