spindle etymology

Etymology

The word "spindle" comes from the Old English word "spindel," which in turn derives from the Proto-Germanic word "spindilą." The Proto-Germanic word likely originated from the Proto-Indo-European root "spend-," meaning "to stretch, draw out, or twist."

Meaning

A spindle is a narrow, rotating rod used in spinning fibers, such as wool or cotton, into yarn. It consists of a shaft with a pointed or hooked end and a whorl, a weighted disk that helps to create momentum and keep the spindle spinning.

Origin

The use of spindles for spinning dates back to prehistoric times. The earliest known spindles were weighted with stones or clay and were used to spin fibers into threads for weaving. Over time, spindles became more elaborately designed and were made from a variety of materials, including wood, bone, and metal.

Additional Information

• In ancient times, spindles were often used as symbols of fate and destiny. The three Fates, who controlled the lives and destinies of mortals in Greek mythology, were often depicted spinning thread on spindles.
• Spindles are still used today in some parts of the world for traditional spinning methods. However, they have largely been replaced by modern spinning machines in commercial yarn production.

spindle relate terms

• sound

  Etymology From Middle English sound from Old English sund from Proto Germanic sunðaz

• gender

  Etymology The word gender derives from the Latin word genus which means kind or t

• thunder

  Etymology The word thunder comes from the Old English word þunor which is derived f

• spindle

  Etymology The word spindle comes from the Old English word spindel which in turn der

• kindred

  Etymology Old English cynnræden Proto Germanic kunja raðjaz Meaning Family

• strand

  Etymology The English word strand has Germanic origins and is related to the Proto Germ

• runnel

  Etymology Old English rinnel stream brook Middle English rinell Modern English runne

• swoon

  Etymology Middle English swonen from Old English swōgan meaning to sigh sound roa

• powder

  Etymology The word powder originates from the Old French word poudre which itself de

• meddle

  Etymology Middle English medelen from Old English medeltōn from Proto Germanic m

• tender

  Etymology The word tender comes from the Old French verb tendre meaning to stretch

• remainder

  Etymology The word remainder derives from the Latin word remaneō which means to r

• riband

  Etymology Old French riban Late Latin ribanus Possibly from Medieval Latin ribandum

• jaundice

  Etymology The word jaundice is derived from the Old French word jaune meaning yell

• spider

  Etymology The word spider originates from the Middle English spither c 1200 deri

• lender

  Etymology Middle English lendere from Old Norse lendari from lenda loan Germanic

• distaff

  Etymology of distaff The word distaff comes from the Old English distæf which in

• bedizen

  Etymology Middle English bedizen from Anglo Norman French bederisser from Old French

• staff

  Etymology The word staff comes from the Old English word stæf which meant a stick

• handle

  Etymology of Handle The word handle originates from the Middle English word handelen

• spin

  Etymology The word spin has Germanic roots Old English spinnan German spinnen

• tender

  Etymology The word tender comes from the Old French verb tendre meaning to stretch

• fuse

  Etymology French fusel fuseau fusée Latin fusus spindle Proto Indo European p

• ratchet

  Etymology The word ratchet originates from Old French rachete meaning a catch or de

• spike

  Etymology The word spike originates from the Old English word spica meaning a sharp

• stopper

  Etymology The word stopper has its origins in the Middle English term stoppere whic

• wood

  Etymology and Origin The word wood comes from the Middle English word wude which is

• drive

  Etymology The word drive has its roots in Old English deriving from the verb drīfan

• shaft

  Etymology Middle English schafte schafte from Old English sceaft sceaft shaft of