Etymology Explorer › Old English

Where does “clǣne” come from?

clǣne (Old English) comes from Proto-Germanic klainiz, from Proto-Indo-European g(e)lēi-, from Proto-Indo-European ǵel- — to swallow; swallow.

clǣne (Old English): pure, clear; clean, pure

Definitions

  1. pure, clear; clean, pure

Ancestry of “clǣne”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Proto-Germanicklainizshining, fine, splendid; tender, precious
2Proto-Indo-Europeang(e)lēi-gleaming
3Proto-Indo-Europeanǵel-to swallow; swallow

Words derived from “clǣne”

  • clean
  • cleaner
  • cleanup
  • cleanest
  • cleanshaven
  • cleantech
  • cleanroom
  • cleanable
  • housecleaner
  • overclean
  • kleenex
  • cleanability
  • ultraclean
  • cleanish
  • superclean
  • cleanskins
  • reclean
  • cleanskin
  • uncleanable
  • houseclean
  • nonclean
  • cleaneth
  • preclean
  • streetcleaner
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ǵel- →