Where does “rushlight” come from?

rushlight (English) comes from English Light, from Middle English light, from Old English lēoht, from Proto-West Germanic leuht, from Proto-Germanic leuhtą, from Proto-Indo-European lewktom, from Proto-Indo-European lewk- — bright; to shine; to see.

rushlight (English): A type of inexpensive candle formed by soaking...

Definitions

  1. A type of inexpensive candle formed by soaking...

Ancestry of “rushlight”, step by step

rushlight traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English Light

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishLightA place name
2Middle EnglishlightThe radiation which allows for vision by...
3Old Englishlēohtluminous, bright, light, clear, resplendent,...
4Proto-West Germanicleuhtlight, bright; light
5Proto-Germanicleuhtąlight
6Proto-Indo-Europeanlewktom
7Proto-Indo-Europeanlewk-bright; to shine; to see

via English rush

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishrushAny of several stiff plants of the genus...
2Middle Englishruschen
3Old Englishhrysċanto jolt, startle
4Proto-Germanichurskijanąto be quick; rush; drive
5Proto-Germanichurskazfast; quick; lively
6Proto-Indo-Europeanḱers-to run
Every word from Proto-Indo-European lewk-
rushlight — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer