Where does “gristbitian” come from?
gristbitian (Old English) comes from Old English grist, from Proto-Germanic gredaną, from Proto-Indo-European gʰrew- — to grind, rub; to rub, grind; to weep, be sad.
gristbitian (Old English): to gnash or grind the teeth
Definitions
- to gnash or grind the teeth
Ancestry of “gristbitian”, step by step
gristbitian traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Old English grist
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old English | grist | grinding; a grinding |
| 2 | Proto-Germanic | gredaną | to crunch |
| 3 | Proto-Indo-European | gʰrew- | to grind, rub; to rub, grind; to weep, be sad |
via Old English *bitian
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old English | *bitian | to bite, take a bite |