clinker etymology

Etymology

The word "clinker" derives from the Middle Dutch word "klinkert," which referred to a type of hard brick or tile used for paving streets.

Meaning

In English, "clinker" has several meanings, including:

• Building material: A hard, vitrified brick used for paving, roofing, or making fireboxes.
• Metallurgy: A waste product of the iron-making process, consisting of molten slag that solidifies into a glassy mass.
• Slang: A mistake or failure, especially in a betting or gaming context.
• Informal: A person who is unconventional or eccentric.

Origin

The Middle Dutch word "klinkert" evolved from the Proto-Germanic root "*klinkan-," meaning "to ring or sound." This root is related to the English word "clink," which refers to a sharp, metallic sound.

The use of the term "clinker" to describe a type of brick or tile is likely due to the hard and brittle nature of the material, which produces a ringing sound when struck. The term "clinker" can also refer to the waste product of iron-making because of its glassy, brittle texture.

clinker relate terms

• clench

  Etymology and Meaning The word clench has multiple origins and meanings Origin 1 Mid

• cling

  Etymology The word cling comes from the Old English word clingan which means to ad

• clinch

  Etymology The word clinch derives from the Middle English word clenchen which is it

• clinch

  Etymology The word clinch derives from the Middle English word clenchen which is it

• clench

  Etymology and Meaning The word clench has multiple origins and meanings Origin 1 Mid

• clink

  Etymology The word clink is derived from the Middle English word clinken which likel

• clank

  Etymology Origin Onomatopoeia imitating the sharp sound of a metallic object hitting

• cinder

  Etymology The word cinder is derived from the Middle English word cynder which in t

• tongue in cheek

• brick

  Etymology The word brick comes from the Middle English word brike which itself is d

• change

  Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and development of words It traces words

• magpie

  Etymology The word magpie comes from the Middle English word magpye which is thoug

• discreet

  Etymology of Discreet The word discreet originates from the Latin word discretus

• rehabilitation

  Etymology The word rehabilitation originates from the Latin verb rehabilitare which

• contrite

  Etymology Latin contritus past participle of conterere to rub together crush grind

• hector

  Etymology The name Hector has ancient Greek origins It is derived from the Greek word

• oblique

  Etymology Origin Latin obliquus slanting transverse Root Proto Indo European lab