Etymology Explorer › Middle English

Where does “leor” come from?

leor (Middle English) comes from Old English hlēor, from Proto-Germanic hleuzą, from Proto-Indo-European ḱlews-, from Proto-Indo-European ḱlew-, from Proto-Indo-European ḱel- — to cover; to incline.

leor (Middle English): face, cheek

Definitions

  1. face, cheek

Ancestry of “leor”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Englishhlēorcheek, countenance, complexion; face, cheek,...
2Proto-Germanichleuząear; temple; side of the head or face; profile;...
3Proto-Indo-Europeanḱlews-temple of the forehead, cheek; side of the head,...
4Proto-Indo-Europeanḱlew-to hear
5Proto-Indo-Europeanḱel-to cover; to incline
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ḱel- →