Where does “greensward” come from?
Greensward comes from English green and Middle English sward, which derives from Proto-Germanic swarduz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning to turn or grow.
greensward (English): A tract of land that is green with grass
Definitions
- A tract of land that is green with grass
Ancestry of “greensward”, step by step
greensward traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English sward
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | sward | A layer of earth into which grass has grown;... |
| 2 | English | sword | A long-bladed weapon with a hilt, and usually a... |
| 3 | Middle English | sword | sword, sabre; Military might or power |
| 4 | Old English | sword | Alternative form of sweord |
| 5 | Old English | sweord | a sword |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | swerdą | sword |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | swēr- | heavy |