English
Leek
Leek comes from Proto-Celtic *ɸlikkā ‘stone’, from Proto-Indo-European *pl̥k-eh₂ ‘flat surface’, and ultimately from *pleh₂-.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*pleh₂-‘flat’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*pl̥k-eh₂‘flat surface’reconstructed
- Proto-Celticc. 1300–800 BCE*ɸlikkā‘stone’reconstructed
- EnglishtodayLeek
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*pleh₂-‘flat’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*pl̥k-eh₂‘flat surface’reconstructed
- Proto-Celticc. 1300–800 BCE*ɸlikkā‘stone’reconstructed
- EnglishtodayLeek
The story
Perhaps of pre-Anglo-Saxon (non-Old English) origin and instead from Celtic; compare Welsh llech and Irish leac (‘stone’), both from Proto-Celtic *ɸlikkā. Recorded as Lec in 1086 (DB).
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂- ‘flat’
field, floor, explain, plane, explanation, plain, palm, clan, archipelago, explanatory, playa, fluke, placenta, planar, parma, palatine, esplanade, flounder, placate, plantar, pelagic, flay, polonium, implacable, veld, llano, floe, planta, purdah, 49 more
through Proto-Celtic *ɸlikkā ‘stone’
Today it means
name A town and civil parish with a town council in Staffordshire Moorlands district, Staffordshire, England (OS grid ref SJ9856).
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂- / Leek