Where does “småbarn” come from?

småbarn (Norwegian Nynorsk) comes from Norwegian Nynorsk små, from Old Norse smár, from Proto-Germanic smēhaz, from Proto-Indo-European smēk-, from Proto-Indo-European smē- — to rub; smear.

småbarn (Norwegian Nynorsk): a small or young child; a toddler

Definitions

  1. a small or young child; a toddler

Ancestry of “småbarn”, step by step

småbarn traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Norwegian Nynorsk små

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Norwegian Nynorsksmåsmall; plural of liten
2Old Norsesmársmall
3Proto-Germanicsmēhazsmall; little
4Proto-Indo-Europeansmēk-beard; chin
5Proto-Indo-Europeansmē-to rub; smear

via Norwegian Nynorsk barn

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Norwegian Nynorskbarna child
2Old Norsebarnchild
3Proto-Germanicbarnąchild
4Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰēr-shiny, light brown
Every word from Proto-Indo-European smē- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European smēk- →Every word from Proto-Germanic smēhaz →