Where does “unclinch” come from?
unclinch (English) comes from English clinch, from English clench, from Middle English clenchen, from Old English clenċan, from Proto-Germanic klangijaną, from Proto-Indo-European gleh₁y-, from Proto-Indo-European gleh₁-, from Proto-Indo-European gewl- — to bend, arch.
unclinch (English): Alternative form of unclench
Definitions
- Alternative form of unclench
Ancestry of “unclinch”, step by step
unclinch traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English clinch
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | clinch | To clasp; to interlock; To make certain; to... |
| 2 | English | clench | To grip or hold fast; To close tightly; Tight... |
| 3 | Middle English | clenchen | — |
| 4 | Old English | clenċan | to clinch; hold fast |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | klangijaną | to make stick, to make cling |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | gleh₁y- | to smear, putty; to stick, glue |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | gleh₁- | ball, lump |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | gewl- | vessel; ball; vessel, bowl, ball; ball, bowl,... |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | gēw- | to bend, arch |
via English un
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | un | One |