English
litheness
Litheness comes from Old English līþnes ‘softness’, from līþe ‘gentle, mild’, and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *lént-o-s.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*lént-o-sreconstructed
- Proto-Germanicc. 500 BCE–200 CE*linþaz‘bendsome’reconstructed
- Proto-West Germanicc. 200–500 CE*linþ(ī)‘gentle’reconstructed
- Old Englishc. 450–1150līþe‘gentle, mild’
- Old English, derivedc. 450–1150līþnes‘softness’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500lithnesse
- Englishtodaylitheness
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*lént-o-sreconstructed
- Proto-Germanicc. 500 BCE–200 CE*linþaz‘bendsome’reconstructed
- Proto-West Germanicc. 200–500 CE*linþ(ī)‘gentle’reconstructed
- Old Englishc. 450–1150līþe‘gentle, mild’
- Old English, derivedc. 450–1150līþnes‘softness’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500lithnesse
- Englishtodaylitheness
Formed from lithe + -ness
Proto-Indo-European *lentos
Proto-Germanic *linþaz ‘bendsome’
Proto-West Germanic *linþ(ī) ‘gentle’
Old English līþe ‘gentle, mild’
Middle English lithe
English lithe
Linked words
through Proto-Germanic *linþaz ‘bendsome’
through Old English līþe ‘gentle, mild’
Today it means
noun The property of being lithe.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *lént-o-s / litheness