Where does “clene” come from?
clene (Middle English) comes from Old English clǣne, from Proto-Germanic klainiz, from Proto-Indo-European g(e)lēi-, from Proto-Indo-European ǵel- — to swallow; swallow.
clene (Middle English): clean
Ancestry of “clene”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Old English | clǣne | pure, clear; clean, pure |
| 2 | Proto-Germanic | klainiz | shining, fine, splendid; tender, precious |
| 3 | Proto-Indo-European | g(e)lēi- | gleaming |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵel- | to swallow; swallow |
Words derived from “clene”