sill etymology

Etymology:

The English word "sill" has two distinct etymologies:

1. Threshold (Architectural):

  • Middle English: "sulle"
  • Old English: "syl"
  • Proto-Germanic: "*sulijoz" (related to "sole")
  • Ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*swei-" (to swell, increase)

2. Rock Formation (Geological):

  • German: "Sill" (from Middle High German "selj")
  • Scandinavian: "sill" or "sell" (meaning "layer" or "shelf")
  • Unknown ultimate origin, possibly related to the Proto-Germanic root "sal" (to fill) or "sil" (to flow)

Meaning:

1. Threshold (Architectural):

  • The horizontal piece of wood or stone at the bottom of a doorway or window opening, over which one steps to enter.

2. Rock Formation (Geological):

  • A sheet-like body of intrusive igneous rock that has concordant contacts with the surrounding country rock. It occurs parallel to the layering or bedding of the surrounding rock.

Origin:

The word "sill" originally referred to the wooden or stone threshold at the bottom of a doorway or window opening. This usage dates back to the Old English period. The geological meaning of the word, referring to a sheet-like igneous rock formation, is derived from the German word "Sill," which was introduced into English in the 18th century.

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