to strike, hit → reed (in loom) 1 realization Unique
ACCEPTED Realization 1
type Semantic evolution
language 1 Old English
language 2 Middle English
lexeme 1 sleġe
lexeme 2 sleie, slai
meaning 1 blow, hit; death blow, murder mid ānum sleġe; sārsleġe
with one blow; a painful blow
direction →
meaning 2 reed (in loom)
reference MED
comment From Proto-West Germanic *slagi 'blow, strike', from Proto-Germanic *slagiz 'blow, strike'. Modern English sley 'reed (in loom)'

© Anna A. Zalizniak et al. 2000-2026