Where does “clænsian” come from?
clænsian (Old English) comes from Proto-Germanic klainisōną, from Proto-Indo-European g(e)lēi-, from Proto-Indo-European ǵel- — to swallow; swallow.
clænsian (Old English): to clean, cleanse; to purify; to absolve, clear...
Definitions
- to clean, cleanse; to purify; to absolve, clear...
Ancestry of “clænsian”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Proto-Germanic | klainisōną | — |
| 2 | Proto-Indo-European | g(e)lēi- | gleaming |
| 3 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵel- | to swallow; swallow |