Where does “vacuum cleaner” come from?
vacuum cleaner (English) comes from English cleaner, from English clean, from Middle English clene, from Old English clǣne, from Proto-Germanic klainiz, from Proto-Indo-European g(e)lēi-, from Proto-Indo-European ǵel- — to swallow; swallow.
vacuum cleaner (English): A device that uses suction, and often agitation, in order to remove dirt and other debris from carpets and hard floors
Definitions
- A device that uses suction, and often agitation, in order to remove dirt and other debris from carpets and hard floors
Ancestry of “vacuum cleaner”, step by step
vacuum cleaner traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English cleaner
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | cleaner | A person whose occupation is to clean floors,... |
| 2 | English | clean | "Free of dirt or impurities or protruberances.";... |
| 3 | Middle English | clene | clean |
| 4 | Old English | clǣne | pure, clear; clean, pure |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | klainiz | shining, fine, splendid; tender, precious |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | g(e)lēi- | gleaming |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵel- | to swallow; swallow |
via English vacuum
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | vacuum | A region of space that contains no matter; A... |
| 2 | Dutch | vacuüm | a vacuum |
| 3 | Latin | vacuum | accusative neuter singular of vacuus; an empty... |
| 4 | Latin | vacuus | empty, vacant, unoccupied; devoid or free of,... |
| 5 | Latin | -uus | forms adjectives on verbal stems |
| 6 | Proto-Italic | *-wos | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | -wós | Creates adjectives from verb stems |