ainalif (Proto-Germanic)

Where does "ainalif" come from?

The Proto-Germanic term 'ainalif' is a compound signifying 'eleven', literally translating to 'one left over'[1]. It is formed by combining 'ainaz', which traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root 'h₁óynos' meaning 'one'[3], and 'lif', derived from the verb 'lībaną' meaning 'to remain' or 'to be left'[1]. This numerical construction suggests a concept of counting where eleven is viewed as ten plus one left over.

Open questions

The appearance of the voiced consonant in the verb 'lībaną' is unexpected according to Verner's law. [2]
It is proposed that the verb may be a back-formation from an earlier root such as 'libjaną'. [2]
A connection to the Proto-Indo-European root 'leykʷ-' meaning to leave is considered less likely than the primary derivation. [2]

Full etymology tree

*ainalif (Proto-Germanic), 'eleven'
- compound *ainaz (Proto-Germanic), 'one'
  - inherited *h₁óynos (Proto-Indo-European), 'one'
- compound *-lif (Proto-Germanic), 'Used in Proto-Germanic *ainalif and Proto-Germanic *twalif by compounding with *ainaz (“one”) and *twai (“two”), in the sense of how many are left over after counting ten.'
  - derived *lībaną (Proto-Germanic), 'to remain, to be left'

Descendants and derived words

𐌰𐌹𐌽𐌻𐌹𐍆 (Gothic)
endleofan (Old English)
endlufon (Old English)
andlova (Old Frisian)
einlif (Old High German)
ellifu (Old Norse)
ellevan (Old Saxon)

Sources

Updated August 2026

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Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris