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

  1. to clean, cleanse; to purify; to absolve, clear...

Ancestry of “clænsian”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Proto-Germanicklainisōną—
2Proto-Indo-Europeang(e)lēi-gleaming
3Proto-Indo-Europeanǵel-to swallow; swallow
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ǵel- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European g(e)lēi- →Every word from Proto-Germanic klainisōną →