clough

clough · noun¹

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*gel-“to form into a ball”
2. Proto-West Germanic · inherited from*klą̄h“cleft, sluice, abyss”
3. Old English · inherited from*clōh
4. Middle English · inherited fromclough
5. English todayclough

From Middle English clough, clow, cloȝ, from Old English *clōh, from Proto-West Germanic *klą̄h (“cleft, sluice, abyss”), of uncertain origin, possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gel- (“to form into a ball”). Cognate with Scots cleuch (“gorge; ravine”), Old High German klāh (in placenames), Old High German klingo, klinga (“brook, cataract, gulf, rapids”). Perhaps conflated or influenced by Old Norse klofi (“a cleft or rift in a hill, ravine”); compare Dutch kloof (“a slit, crevice, chink”). See also cling, clove.

Clough · proper noun²

1. Late Latin · derived fromcloppus
2. English todayClough

* As an English surname, from the noun clough. * As a Welsh surname, from cloff (“lame”), from Late Latin cloppus, perhaps ultimately imitative of a limping person. * As an Irish place name, from Irish an Chloch, "the stone".

Words from the same roots