Where does “gnatworm” come from?
gnatworm (English) comes from English Worm, from Middle English worm, from Old English wyrm, from Old English lēah, from Proto-West Germanic lauh, from Proto-Germanic lauhaz, from Proto-Indo-European lówkos, from Proto-Indo-European lewḱ- — bright; to shine; to see.
gnatworm (English): The aquatic larva of a gnat
Definitions
- The aquatic larva of a gnat
Ancestry of “gnatworm”, step by step
gnatworm traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English Worm
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Worm | A generally tubular invertebrate of the annelid phylum; an earthworm |
| 2 | Middle English | worm | A worm or similar small wormlike animal that... |
| 3 | Old English | wyrm | creeping insect; maggot, grub, worm; snake,... |
| 4 | Old English | lēah | meadow; clearing with a pigsty; woodland,... |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | lauh | clearing; meadow |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | lauhaz | clearing; meadow |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | lówkos | clearing; open space, clearing; field, meadow |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | lewḱ- | lynx |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | lewk- | bright; to shine; to see |
via English Gnat
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Gnat | A type of jet fighter aircraft |
| 2 | Middle English | gnat | A gnat or similar insect; Something of little... |
| 3 | Old English | gnætt | a small flying insect or midge; gnat |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | *gnatt | gnat, mosquito |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | gnattaz | A bite or scratch; A biting insect; mosquito |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | gʰneHdʰn- | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | gʰen- | to gnaw; bite; scratch; grind; to gnaw; bite;... |