User talk:2001:8003:345B:8600:3CCB:93E6:DDA8:89EE

At the moment OE flēam, 'escape, flight' is shown as derived from PGmc *flaumaz, 'stream; current'. I would suggest a derivation from PGmc *flauhmaz, 'escape, flight'. In synchronic terms, *flauhmaz is a formation based on PGmc *fleuhaną, to flee. Viewed in diachronic terms, *flauhmaz < PIE *plowk-mos, based on the verb *pléwk-e-ti. In contrast PGmc *flaumaz < PIE *plow-mos, from the verb *pléw-eti, to flow.

If *flauhmaz is recognised as a legitimate etymology, several derived terms could also be suggested: OE flīema, 'fugitive', the related agent-noun, < PGmc *flauhmijô; OE flīeman, 'to put to flight', a causative, < PGmc *flauhmijaną; and OE flīeme, 'fugitive', an adjective, < PGmc *flauhmijaz.

2001:8003:345B:8600:3CCB:93E6:DDA8:89EE 04:12, 13 September 2021 (UTC)David Patrick