Where does “semantic bleaching” come from?
semantic bleaching (English) comes from English bleaching, from English bleach, from Middle English bleche, from Old English blǣċ, from Proto-Germanic blaikaz, from Proto-Indo-European bʰloyǵ-os, from Proto-Indo-European bʰleyǵ- — to shine.
semantic bleaching (English): The process of a term losing its intensity over time
Definitions
- The process of a term losing its intensity over time
Ancestry of “semantic bleaching”, step by step
semantic bleaching traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English bleaching
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | bleaching | present participle of bleach; The process of... |
| 2 | English | bleach | Pale; bleak; To treat with bleach, especially so... |
| 3 | Middle English | bleche | — |
| 4 | Old English | blǣċ | — |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | blaikaz | pale, white |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰloyǵ-os | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰleyǵ- | to shine |
via English semantic
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | semantic | Of or relating to semantics or the meanings of... |
| 2 | French | sémantique | semantic; semantics |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | σημαντικός | significant, giving signs |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | -ικός | of or pertaining to, in the manner of; -ic |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | -κός | forms adjectives with the sense of 'of or... |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | -ḱos | -y, -ic |