Where does “elf” come from?
elf (German) comes from Middle High German eilef, from Old High German einlif, from Proto-Germanic ainalif, from Proto-Germanic -lif, from Proto-Indo-European leyp-, from Proto-Indo-European lēy- — to leave, let; to want, desire; to let; leave...
elf (German): eleven
Definitions
- eleven
Ancestry of “elf”, step by step
elf traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.
via Middle High German eilef
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle High German | eilef | — |
| 2 | Old High German | einlif | eleven |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | ainalif | eleven |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | -lif | left over |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | leyp- | to stick; fat or sticky substance |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | lēy- | to leave, let; to want, desire; to let; leave... |
via Middle High German elf
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle High German | elf | — |
via Middle High German einlif
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle High German | einlif | — |