Where does “linch” come from?

linch (English) comes from Middle English linche, from Old English hlinc, from Proto-West Germanic hlink, from Proto-Germanic hlinkaz, from Proto-Indo-European kleng- — to turn, bend; to bend, turn, wind, twist.

linch (English): A ledge, a terrace; a right-angled projection; a...

Definitions

  1. A ledge, a terrace; a right-angled projection; a...

Ancestry of “linch”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishlinche—
2Old Englishhlinchill, rising ground, slope; a bank separating...
3Proto-West Germanichlink—
4Proto-Germanichlinkaz—
5Proto-Indo-Europeankleng-to turn, bend; to bend, turn, wind, twist
Every word from Proto-Indo-European kleng- →Every word from Proto-Germanic hlinkaz →Every word from Proto-West Germanic hlink →