Where does “lightest” come from?
Lightest comes from Old English lēoht, from Proto-Germanic liuhtijaną, from Proto-Indo-European lewk-, a root meaning to shine or be bright.
lightest (English): superlative form of light: most light;...
Definitions
- superlative form of light: most light;...
Ancestry of “lightest”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | light | Visible electromagnetic radiation. The human eye... |
| 2 | Middle English | liht | Alternative form of light |
| 3 | Middle English | light | The radiation which allows for vision by... |
| 4 | Old English | lēoht | luminous, bright, light, clear, resplendent,... |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | leuht | light, bright; light |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | leuhtą | light |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | lewktom | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | lewk- | bright; to shine; to see |