How did the word “eleven” originate or evolve?

It doesn’t seem to relate to “one more that 10″ Even though “twelve” isn’t a “teen” word, it does at least begin with the same 2 letters as “two”.

Chosen Answer:

Word Origin & History

eleven

O.E. endleofan, lit. “one left” (over ten), from P.Gmc. *ainlif- (cf. Goth. ain-lif), a compound of *ain “one” + PIE *leikw- “leave, remain” (cf. Gk. leipein “to leave behind;” see relinquish). Viking survivors who escaped an Anglo-Saxon victory were daroþa laf “the leavings of spears,” while hamora laf “the leavings of hammers” was an O.E. kenning for “swords” (both from “The Battle of Brunanburgh”). Eng. twelve reflects the same formation; outside Gmc. the only instance of this formation is in Lith., which uses it all the way to 19 (vienio-lika “eleven,” dvy-lika “twelve,” try-lika “thirteen,” keturio-lika “fourteen,” etc.) Phrase eleventh hour is from Matthew xx:1-16.
by: mondaysgirl
on: 16th March 10

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3 Responses to “How did the word “eleven” originate or evolve?”

  1. Wilson L says:

    It comes from the root, elven, meaning of or relating to elves.

  2. mondaysgirl says:

    Word Origin & History

    eleven

    O.E. endleofan, lit. “one left” (over ten), from P.Gmc. *ainlif- (cf. Goth. ain-lif), a compound of *ain “one” + PIE *leikw- “leave, remain” (cf. Gk. leipein “to leave behind;” see relinquish). Viking survivors who escaped an Anglo-Saxon victory were daroþa laf “the leavings of spears,” while hamora laf “the leavings of hammers” was an O.E. kenning for “swords” (both from “The Battle of Brunanburgh”). Eng. twelve reflects the same formation; outside Gmc. the only instance of this formation is in Lith., which uses it all the way to 19 (vienio-lika “eleven,” dvy-lika “twelve,” try-lika “thirteen,” keturio-lika “fourteen,” etc.) Phrase eleventh hour is from Matthew xx:1-16.

  3. Empire539 says:

    Er… what?

    The word “eleven” comes from the Germanic compound *ainlif meaning “one left”.

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