Where does “hearthrug” come from?

Hearthrug derives from English hearth, from Middle English herth, from Old English heorþ, from Proto-West Germanic herþ, tracing to Proto-Indo-European kerh₃-, meaning to burn or heat.

hearthrug (English): A rug placed in front of a fireplace, on the...

Definitions

  1. A rug placed in front of a fireplace, on the...

Ancestry of “hearthrug”, step by step

hearthrug traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English hearth

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishhearthA brick, stone or cement floor to a fireplace or...
2Middle EnglishherthA hearth; a place where a fire is lighted; A...
3Old Englishheorþhearth
4Proto-West Germanicherþhearth, fireplace
5Proto-Germanicherþaz
6Proto-Indo-Europeankérh₃-to-s
7Proto-Indo-Europeankerh₃-to burn; to praise; to burn; fire, heat

via English rug

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishrugA partial covering for a floor; A piece of...
2Middle Englishruggeridge
3Old Norserǫggshagginess; tuft; tuft, shagginess; tuft;...
4Proto-Germanicrūhazrough
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₃rewk-to dig; to till
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₃er-to move, to stir; to rise, to spring; to quarrel,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European kerh₃-Every word from Proto-Indo-European kérh₃-to-sEvery word from Proto-Germanic herþaz