elbow
UK[ˈelbəʊ]US[ˈelboʊ]
n
the joint between the upper and lower parts of the arm where it bends in the middle.
n
a part of a piece of clothing that covers the elbow.
v
to push someone with your elbow, especially in order to move past them or get their attention.
Etymology
the word "elbow" originates from the old english "elnboga," a compound formed from "eln" (meaning "forearm" or "ell," a unit of length) and "boga" (meaning "bow" or "arch"). the "ell" component itself traces back to proto-germanic alinō and ultimately to the proto-indo-european root h₁el- meaning "elbow" or "forearm." the "bow" component refers to the joint's bent, arching shape. over time, the old english compound simplified phonetically to "elbow," preserving the core concept of the forearm's bending joint, a meaning that has remained remarkably stable for over a millennium.
Analysis
the word is a simplex, derived from a single, indivisible old english root.
Examples
she grazed her elbow when she fell off her bicycle.
his jacket was worn thin at the elbows.
he had to elbow his way through the dense crowd to reach the exit.