Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “reeling” come from?

Reeling comes from Middle English reel, Old English hreol, and Proto-Germanic hrehulaz, ultimately referring to something that spins or turns.

reeling (English): present participle of reel; The motion of...

Definitions

  1. present participle of reel; The motion of...

Ancestry of “reeling”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishreelA shaky or unsteady gait; A lively dance...
2Middle Englishreel—
3Old Englishrēol—

Words derived from “reeling”

  • reelingly
Every word from Old English rēol →