Where does “saltspoonful” come from?
saltspoonful (English) comes from English saltspoon, from English spoon, from Middle English spoon, from Old English spōn, from Proto-West Germanic spanu, from Proto-Germanic spenô, from Proto-Indo-European psten-os-, from Proto-Indo-European pstḗn — to stand.
saltspoonful (English): As much as will fit in a saltspoon
Definitions
- As much as will fit in a saltspoon
Ancestry of “saltspoonful”, step by step
saltspoonful traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English saltspoon
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | saltspoon | A small spoon used for serving or measuring salt,... |
| 2 | English | spoon | An implement for eating or serving; a scooped... |
| 3 | Middle English | spoon | Alternative form of spone |
| 4 | Old English | spōn | piece of wood, chip; sliver, chip of wood,... |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | spanu | piece of wood, chip, shaving |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | spenô | nipple |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | psten-os- | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | pstḗn | breast, teat |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | ph₂ǵ-sth₂-ḗn | — |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | steh₂- | to stand |
via English ful
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | ful | — |