Where does “плен” come from?
плен (Serbo-Croatian) comes from Serbo-Croatian plěnъ, from Proto-Slavic pelnъ, from Proto-Indo-European pel- — to cover, to wrap; skin, hide, cloth; to fold.
плен (Serbo-Croatian): booty, plunder
Ancestry of “плен”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Serbo-Croatian | plěnъ | — |
| 2 | Proto-Slavic | pelnъ | loot, spoils; captivity |
| 3 | Proto-Indo-European | pel- | to cover, to wrap; skin, hide, cloth; to fold |