Where does “swerf” come from?
swerf (Middle English) comes from Old English ġeswearf, from Proto-Germanic swarbą, from Proto-Germanic swerbaną, from Proto-Indo-European swerbʰ- — to turn; wipe; sweep.
Ancestry of “swerf”, step by step
swerf traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Old English ġeswearf
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old English | ġeswearf | — |
| 2 | Proto-Germanic | swarbą | that which is rubbed off; shavings |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | swerbaną | to rub; wipe; polish; to file |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | swerbʰ- | to turn; wipe; sweep |
via Old English ġesweorf
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old English | ġesweorf | iron filings; rust |