Where does “leam” come from?

Leam comes from Middle English leme, from Old English lemian, from Proto-Germanic leuhmô, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots leuk- and lem- meaning to shine or glow.

leam (English): To gleam; shine; glow; A gleam or flash of light;...

Definitions

  1. To gleam; shine; glow; A gleam or flash of light;...

Ancestry of “leam”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishlemeAlternative form of lyme
2Old Englishlēomaray of light, beam, radiance, gleam, glare,...
3Proto-West Germanicleuhmōlight
4Proto-Germanicleuhmôlight; lustre; brightness, radiance
5Proto-Indo-Europeanleuk-light, bright; light; white; to shine; to shine,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European leuk- →Every word from Proto-Germanic leuhmô →Every word from Proto-West Germanic leuhmō →