Where does “knifesmith” come from?
knifesmith (English) comes from English knife, from Middle English knyf, from Old English cnīf, from Old Norse knífr, from Proto-Germanic knībaz, from Proto-Germanic knīpaną, from Proto-Indo-European ǵneybʰ-.
knifesmith (English): A cutler who makes knives
Definitions
- A cutler who makes knives
Ancestry of “knifesmith”, step by step
knifesmith traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English knife
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | knife | A utensil or a tool designed for cutting,... |
| 2 | Middle English | knyf | A knife as a tool or instrument; the following... |
| 3 | Old English | cnīf | knife |
| 4 | Old Norse | knífr | knife |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | knībaz | pincers; shears; knife |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | knīpaną | to pinch |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵneybʰ- | — |
via English Smith
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Smith | (the most common in Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) |
| 2 | Middle English | smiþ | Alternative form of smyth |
| 3 | Middle English | smyth | A blacksmith; one who works with iron; A... |
| 4 | Old English | smiþ | smith |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | *smiþ | craftsman, smith |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | smiþaz | craftsman, smith |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | smēy- | — |