Advertisement
Entries linking to toothbrush
tooth (n.)
Old English toð (plural teð), from Proto-Germanic *tanthu- (source also of Old Saxon, Danish, Swedish, Dutch tand, Old Norse tönn, Old Frisian toth, Old High German zand, German Zahn, Gothic tunþus), from PIE root *dent- "tooth." Plural teeth is an instance of i-mutation.
The loss of -n- before spirants is regular in Old English, Old Frisian, and Old Saxon: compare goose (n.), five, mouth (n.). Also thought, from stem of think; couth from the stem of can (v.1); us from *uns.
Application to tooth-like parts of other objects (saws, combs, etc.) first recorded 1520s. Tooth and nail as weapons is from 1530s. The tooth-fairy is attested from 1964.
brush (n.1)"instrument consisting of flexible material (bristles, hair, etc.) attached to a handle or stock," late 14c., "dust-sweeper, a brush for sweeping," from Old French broisse, broce "a brush" (13c., Modern French brosse), perhaps from Vulgar Latin *bruscia "a bunch of new shoots" (used to sweep away dust), perhaps from Proto-Germanic *bruskaz "underbrush." Compare brush (n.2). As an instrument for applying paint, late 15c.; as an instrument for playing drums, 1927. Meaning "an application of a brush" is from 1822.
Share toothbrush
‘cite’
Page URL:
https://www.etymonline.com/word/toothbrush
HTML Link:
<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/toothbrush">Etymology of toothbrush by etymonline</a>
APA style:
Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of toothbrush. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved $(datetime), from https://www.etymonline.com/word/toothbrush
Chicago style:
Harper Douglas, “Etymology of toothbrush,” Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed $(datetime), https://www.etymonline.com/word/toothbrush.
MLA style:
Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of toothbrush.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/toothbrush. Accessed $(datetimeMla).
IEEE style:
D. Harper. “Etymology of toothbrush.” Online Etymology Dictionary. https://www.etymonline.com/word/toothbrush (accessed $(datetime)).
Advertisement
Advertisement
Definitions of toothbrush
toothbrush (n.)
small brush; has long handle; used to clean teeth;
toothbrush (n.)
slang for a mustache;
Synonyms: soup-strainer
Dictionary entries near toothbrush
toon
toot
toot sweet
tooth
tooth-ache
toothbrush
toothless
toothpaste
toothpick
toothsome
tootle