crawl etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English: crawlen, from Old English: crawlian
  • Proto-Germanic: *krawlijaną, from Proto-Indo-European: *(s)ker- ("to move")

Meaning:

  • To move slowly on the ground, dragging one's body or limbs.
  • To move or progress with great difficulty or effort.
  • To search or explore in a thorough and meticulous manner.
  • To gather or collect by moving on the ground.
  • (slang) To beg or solicit for something.

Origin:

The word "crawl" originated from the Proto-Indo-European root *(s)ker-, which means "to move." This root is also found in other Indo-European languages, such as Sanskrit śrnoti ("to hear"), Greek κρατεω (krateo, "to hold"), and Latin cerno ("to sift").

The Proto-Germanic form *krawlijaną was derived from this root and developed into the Old English word crawlian. Crawlian initially referred to the movement of reptiles or insects, but over time it came to be applied more generally to any form of crawling.

The modern English word "crawl" continues this broad meaning, encompassing a range of movements from slow, cautious creeping to laborious progress or exhaustive searching.

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