Where does “twelf” come from?
twelf (Scots) comes from Middle English twelve, from Old English twelf, from Proto-Germanic twalif, from Proto-Germanic -lif, from Proto-Indo-European leyp-, from Proto-Indo-European lēy- — to leave, let; to want, desire; to let; leave...
twelf (Scots): Alternative form of twal
Definitions
- Alternative form of twal
Ancestry of “twelf”, step by step
twelf traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Middle English twelve
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | twelve | twelve |
| 2 | Old English | twelf | twelve |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | twalif | twelve |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | -lif | left over |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | leyp- | to stick; fat or sticky substance |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | lēy- | to leave, let; to want, desire; to let; leave... |
via Middle English twelf
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | twelf | Alternative form of twelve |