Where does “sightline” come from?

sightline (English) comes from English line, from Middle English line, from Old English līne, from Proto-West Germanic *līnā, from Proto-Germanic līnǭ, from Proto-Germanic līną, from Proto-Indo-European līno- — flax.

sightline (English): A line between an observer or a piece of optical...

Definitions

  1. A line between an observer or a piece of optical...

Ancestry of “sightline”, step by step

sightline traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English line

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlineA path through two or more points (compare ‘segment’); a continuous mark, including as made by a pen; any path, curved or straight
2Middle Englishlinerope, cord; line, rule, ruler, measure; rule,...
3Old Englishlīneline, rope, cord; line, cable, rope, hawser,...
4Proto-West Germanic*līnāline, chord, rope, string
5Proto-Germaniclīnǭthat which is made of flax; line, chord, rope,...
6Proto-Germaniclīnąflax
7Proto-Indo-Europeanlīno-flax

via English sight

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsightThe ability to see; The act of seeing; perception...
2Middle Englishsightesight
3Middle Englishsiken
4Old Englishsīcanto sigh
5Proto-West Germanic*sīkanto sigh, take a deep breath
Every word from Proto-Indo-European līno-
sightline — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer