Where does “klein” come from?

klein (Limburgish) comes from Middle Dutch cleine, from Old Dutch cleini, from Proto-West Germanic *klainī, from Proto-Germanic klainiz, from Proto-Indo-European g(e)lēi-, from Proto-Indo-European ǵel- — to swallow; swallow.

klein (Limburgish): small

Definitions

  1. small

Ancestry of “klein”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Dutchcleinesmall; short; unimportant
2Old Dutchcleinismall
3Proto-West Germanic*klainīfine, small
4Proto-Germanicklainizshining, fine, splendid; tender, precious
5Proto-Indo-Europeang(e)lēi-gleaming
6Proto-Indo-Europeanǵel-to swallow; swallow
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ǵel- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European g(e)lēi- →Every word from Proto-Germanic klainiz →
klein — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer