English
lineage
Lineage comes from Latin linea ‘line’, from līneus ‘flaxen’, and ultimately from Proto-Italic *līnom.
- Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*līnomreconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CElīnum‘flax’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CElīneus‘flaxen’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CElinea‘line’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400linage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form
- Englishearliest quotation 1531lineage
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*līnomreconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CElīnum‘flax’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CElīneus‘flaxen’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CElinea‘line’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400linage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form
- Englishearliest quotation 1531lineage
Earliest quotation: 1531, Of the Byrth and Lygnage of Marke Aurele Anthony Emperour: “Theſe Anius Ueres [Marcus Annius Verus, father of Marcus…”
Formed from line + -age
Proto-Germanic *līną ‘flax’
Proto-Germanic *līnǭ ‘line’
Proto-West Germanic *līnā ‘line’
Old English līne ‘line’
Middle English line ‘rope’
English line
Linked words
through Latin līnum ‘flax’
through Latin līneus ‘flaxen’
through Latin linea ‘line’
Today it means
noun Descent in a line from a common progenitor; progeny; descending line of offspring or ascending line of parentage.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Italic *līnom / lineage