L
< ancient greek
Λ, λάμδα
| lamdha <
semitic
lamed (=
goad).
label
< middle english label
<
old french
la(m)bel
/ labeau
(= ribbon, fringe) < frankish
*labba
/ old high
german
lappa
(= flap) <
proto-germanic
*lapp-.
labor
< middle english labor
<
old french
labor
(= toil, work, task) <
latin
labor
(= toil, exertion, hardship, work).
labyrinth
< middle english laberynthe
< latin
labyrinthus
< ancient
greek λαβύρινθος
| labhyrinthos
(= maze, large building with intricate passages).
lace
< middle english laz
< old
french laz
(= net, noose, string, cord, snare) <
vulgar
latin
*lacium
< latin
laqueus
(= a
noose, snare).
ladder
< old
english
hlæder
(= ladder, steps) <
proto-germanic
*hlaidri
< I.E.
*klei-
(= to lean).
lady
< middle english lafdi
/ lavede
< old
english
hlæfdige
(= one who kneads bread, mistress of a household, wife of a lord) <
hlaf
(= bread, loaf) + -dige
(= maid) [cf. lord].
lager
< american
english lager
< a shortening of lager
[beer]
< german
Lagerbier
(= beer brewed for keeping) <
Lager
(= storehouse) + Bier
(= beer).
lagoon
< lagune
< laguna
<
french
lagune
< italian
laguna
(= pond, lake) <
latin
lacuna
(= pond, hole) <
lacus
(= pond) <
I.E.
*laku-
(= lake, sea).
lake
< middle english lake
< old
french
lack
< latin
lacus
(= pond, lake) <
I.E.
*laku-
(= lake, sea).
lamb
< old
english
lamb
/ lemb
/ lomb
(= lamb) <
proto-germanic
*lambaz.
laminate
< latin
lamina
(= thin slice, plate, leaf).
lamp
< middle english lamp
<
old french
lampe
< latin
lampas
(= light, torch) <
ancient greek
λαμπάς
| lampas
(= torch, oil-lamp) <
λάμπω
| lampō
(= to shine) < I.E.
*lap-
(= to light, burn).
Lancelot
< old
french Lancelot
< a diminutive of frankish
Lanzo.
land
< old
english
land
/ lond
(= ground,
soil, region, territory) <
proto-germanic
*landja-
{> middle
dutch
land, gothic
land, german
Land} < (?) I.E.
*lendh-(2)
(= land,
heath) {> old
irish
land, french
lande, czech
lada, old
church slavonic
ledina}.
landau
< 1.
german Landau,
a town in Bavaria [where this kind of carriage was first made] or 2.
spanish
lando,
a kind of carriage <
arabic
al-andul.
landscape
< dutch
landschap
< middle
dutch
landscap
(= region) <
land
(= land) (<
proto-germanic
*landja-)
+ -scap
(= -ship, condition).
lane
< old
english
lane
/ lanu
(= narrow hedged-in road) < germanic
source.
language
< middle english langage
< old
french
langage
<
vulgar
latin
*linguaticum
< latin
lingua
(= tongue, speech, language) <
I.E.
*dnghu-
(= tongue).
lantern
< middle english lantern
<
old french
lanterne
< latin
lanterna
(= lantern, lamp, torch) [by influence of lucerna
(= lamp)] < ancient greek
λαμπτήρ
| lamptēr
(= torch, beacon fire) <
λάμπω
| lampō
(= to shine) < I.E.
*lap-
(= to light, burn).
Laos
<
laotian
Lao,
a legendary founder of this country.
lap
< old
english
læppa
(= skirt
of a garment) [with
the sense of that the lower
part of a skirt reaches the upper
legs of seated person] < proto-germanic
*lapp-.
laparoscopy
< ancient greek
λαπάρα
| lapara
(= flank, loins) (<
λαπαρός
| laparos
(= soft, loose) + σκοπώ
| skopō
(= watch,
examine).
lapideous
< latin
lapideus
(= stony)
< lapis
[gen. lapidis]
(= stone, pebble) <
proto-italic
*laped-.
lapis
lazuli <
middle english lapis
lazuli
< middle
latin
lapis
lazuli
(= stone
of azure) <
latin
lapis
(= stone, peddle) + medieval
latin
lazulum
[gen. lazuli]
/ lazur(i)
(<
persian
lazaward
(= the stone lapis lazuli) <
Lajward,
a place in Turkestan [where this stone was collected]).
lapse
< middle english lapse
<
middle
french
laps
< latin
lapsus
(= a landslide, a falling into error) <
labor
[inf. labi]
(= to slide, sink, fall).
lap-top
< [1983] lap
(= the upper
leg) (q.v.) + top
[on model of desktop].
large
< middle english large
<
old french
large
< latin
largus
(= abundant, plentiful).
Larry
< Lawrence
< old
french
Lorenz
< latin
Laurentius
(= of
Laurentum) < Laurentum,
a Roman town <
laurus
(= laurel
tree).
larva
< larve
< latin
larva
< larua
(= ghost, evil spirit, mask).
larynx
<
middle
french
larynx
< latin larynx
<
ancient greek
λάρυγξ
| larygx
(= the
upper windpipe) < (?) a compound of λαιμός
| laemos
(= throat) + φάρυγξ
| pharygx
(= throat, windpipe)
lasagna
<
italian
lasagna
< vulgar
latin
*lasania
< latin
lasanum
(= a cooking pot) <
ancient greek
λάσανον
| lasanon
(= pot with feet, trivet).
laser
< an
acronym of light
amplification
by stimulated
emission
of radiation
[(1960), on model of maser].
lassie
<
scottish lassie
(= small
girl, young girl), a diminutive of lass
(= young
woman, girl) < (?) scandinavian
source.
lasso
<
american
english lasso
<
spanish
lazo
(= snare, slipknot) <
latin
laqueus
(= noose,
snare).
last
(= final) <
middle
english
last
< old english latost
(= latest), superlative of læt
(= slow, slack) <
proto-germanic *lata-.
last
(= eldure) <
old
english
læstan
(= continue, endure, follow) <
proto-germanic
*laistjan
(= follow a track).
late
< old
english
læt
(= slow, slack) <
proto-germanic *lata-.
lateral
<
middle
english
lateral <
old french
latéral
< latin
lateralis
(= belonging to the side) < latus
[gen. lateris]
(= the
side, flank, lateral surface).
latex
< latin
latex
(= liquid,
fluid) < (?) ancient greek
λάταξ
| latax (=
dregs).
lather
< old
english
leaþr
(= foam, soap) <
proto-germanic
*lauthran.
Latin
< old
english
Latin
< latin
Latinus
(= belonging to Latium, Roman, in latin) < Latium,
the region of Italy around Rome.
latitude
< middle
english latitude
< old
french
latitude
< latin
latitudo
(= breadth, width, size) <
latus
(= wide,
broad, extensive).
lattice
<
middle
english lattice
<
old french
latiz
(= lattice) <
late
(= lath, board, plank) <
germanic
source.
laud
<
middle
english laud
<
old french
lauder
(= to praise, extol) <
latin
laudo
[inf. laudare]
(= to praise, commend, honor) <
laus
[gen. laudis]
(= praise,
fame, glory).
laugh
< middle
english laugh
<
old
english
hlæhhan
< hli(e)hhan
(= to laugh, rejoice) <
proto-germanic *klakhjan
{> old
norse
hlæja, dutch
lachen, german
lichen} <
I.E.
*kleg-.
launch
< middle
english launch
<
old french
lancher
/ lancier
(= to fling, hurl, throw) <
late latin
lanceo
[inf. lanceare]
(= wield a lance) <
latin
lancea
(= light spear).
laundry
< middle
english laundry
< lavendrie
< old
french
lavanderie
(= wash-house) <
vulgar
latin
*lavandaria,
plural of lavandarium
(= that to be washed) <
latin lavo
[inf. lavare]
(= to wash).
Laura
<
italian Laura
< latin Laurentia,
female of Laurentius
(= of
Laurentum) < Laurentum,
a Roman town <
laurus
(= laurel
tree).
Laurence
< old
french
Lorenz
< latin
Laurentius
(= of
Laurentum) < Laurentum,
a Roman town <
laurus
(= laurel
tree).
lava
<
italian
lava
(= torrent, stream) < 1. latin
lavo
[inf. lavare]
(= to wash) or 2. latin
labes
(= a fall) <
labor
[inf. labi]
(= to fall, slip).
lavation
< latin
lavatio
(= a
bathing, bath) < lavo
[inf. lavare]
(= to wash).
law
< old
english
lagu
(= ordinance,
regulation, right) <
old norse
*lagu
(= law), plural of lag
(= layer, measure, stroke) < proto-germanic
*lagam
(= put, lay) <
I.E.
*legh-
(= to lie down, lay).
lay
< old
english
lecgan
(= to place on the ground, put down) <
proto-germanic
*lagojanan
< I.E.
*legh-
(= to lie down, lay).
lazaretto
<
italian
lazareto
[a building, in Venetia, set apart for quarantine, an old policy for
ships from plague-stricken countries to wait off its port for 40
days, to protect its people from contagious diseases] <
Lazarus
[(?) by influence of a hospital associated with the church of Santa
Maria di Nazaret]
< late latin Lazarus
< ancient greek
Λάζαρος |
Lazaros <
hebrew
El’azar
(= God has helped him).
Lazarus
< late latin Lazarus
< ancient greek
Λάζαρος |
Lazaros <
hebrew
El’azar
(= God has helped him).
lazy
< laysy
(= averse
to action or effort) < (?) germanic
origin.
LCD
< [1973] an acronym of Liquid
Crystal
Display
[1968].
leach
< (?)
old
english
leccan
(= to moisten, water, wet).
lead
< old
english
lædan
(= march at the head of, go before as a guide) < liðan
(= to travel) <
proto-germanic
*laidjanan
< I.E.
*leit-(2)
(= go forth).
leaf
< old
english
leaf
(= leaf, foliage, sheet, page) <
proto-germanic
*lauba-
{> old
norse
lauf, dutch
loof, german
Laub} < (?) I.E.
*leub(h)-
(= peel off, break off).
league
< middle
english ligg
< middle
french
ligue
(= confederacy, league) <
italian
lega
< legare
(= to tie, to bind) <
latin ligo
[inf. ligare]
(= to bind).
leak
<
middle
english leak
<
[1. middle
dutch
leken
(= to drip, leak) or 2. old
norse
leka]
< proto-germanic
*lek-
(= deficiency).
lean
(= recline) < middle
english lean
<
old
english
hlinian
(= to recline, lie down, rest) <
proto-germanic
*hlinen
< I.E.
*klei-
(= to lean).
lean
(= thin)
< middle
english lean
<
old
english
hlæne
(= thin) < (?) hlænan
(= cause to bend) <
proto-germanic
*khlainijan.
leap
< middle
english leap
<
old
english
hleapan
(= to jump, run, go) <
proto-germanic
*hlaupanan.
learn
< old
english
leornian
(= get knowledge, study, read) <
proto-germanic
*lisnojanan
{> dutch
leren, german
lernen} <
I.E.
*lois-
(= furrow, track).
lease
< middle
english lease
(= take a lease) <
anglo-french
lesser
/ old
french
laissier
(= to let, leave) <
latin laxo
[inf. laxare]
(= loosen, open) <
laxus
(= loose).
least
< old
english
læst
< læsest
(= smallest, lowest), superlative of little
<
proto-germanic
[superlative] *laisista-
< I.E.
*leis-(2)
(= small).
leather
< old
english
leðer
<
proto-germanic
*lethran
{> old
norse
leðr, dutch
leder, german
Leder} <
I.E.
*letro-
(= leather).
leave
< old
english
læfan
(= let remain, allow to survive) <
proto-germanic
*laibjanan.
Lebanon
<
semitic
ləbn
(= white) [(?) in reference to snow-capped top of mountain Lebanon or
to its limestone cliffs].
lecture
< middle
english lecture
<
medieval
latin
lectura
(= a reading) <
latin
lectus,
past participle of lego
[inf. legere]
(= collect, read) <
I.E.
*leg-(1)
(= collect, gather).
LED
< an
acronym of Light-Emitting
Diode
[1968].
lee
< middle
english le
/ leoh
< old
english
hleo
(= shelter, protection) <
proto-germanic
*khlewaz.
leech
< old
english
læce
(= leech) < (?) old
danish
læke
< proto-germanic
*lekjaz (=
enchanter, healer).
left
< middle
english left
< old
english
*lyft
(= weak, foolish).
leg
< middle
english leg
<
(?) old
norse
leggr
(= leg) <
proto-germanic
*lagjaz.
legal
< middle
english legal
<
old french
légal
< latin
legalis
(= pertaining to the law) <
lex [gen.
legis] (=
principle, rule, law).
legend
< middle
english legal
<
old french
legende
< medieval
latin
legenda
(= legend, story) <
latin
legendus,
gerundive of lego
[inf. legere]
(= select, read) <
I.E.
*leg-(1)
(= collect, gather).
legion
< middle
english legion
<
old french
légion
< latin
legio
(= Roman
legion) <
lego
[inf. legere]
(= select, read) <
I.E.
*leg-(1)
(= collect, gather).
legionnaire
< french
légionnaire
< légion
< latin
legio
(= Roman
legion) <
lego
[inf. legere]
(= select, read) <
I.E.
*leg-(1)
(= collect, gather).
leisure
< middle
english leisir
< old
french
leisir,
variant of loisir
(= capacity, ability, freedom) < leisir
(= be permitted) <
latin
licet
[inf. licere]
(= it is allowed).
lemma
< ancient greek
λήμμα
| lēmma
(= something
taken, argument) <
*λήπ-μα
| lēp-ma
< stem
λήπ-
| lēp- of
λήψομαι
| lēpsomae,
future tense of λαμβάνω
| lambhanō
(= take).
lemon
< middle
english lymon
< old
french
limon
< italian
limone
< arabic
laimun
< persian
limun
(= citrus fruit, lime).
length
< old
english
lengðu
(= distance along a line) <
proto-germanic
*langitho
< *langaz
(= long) + [suffix] *-itho.
Lent
<
middle
english Lent
< Lenten
(= the
forty days of fasting before Easter) <
old
english
lencten
(= spring, the fast of Lent) <
west
germanic
*langitinaz (=
long-days) < (?) *langaz
(= long) + *tina-
(= day).
Leo
< latin leo
(= lion) < ancient greek λέων
| leōn (=
lion).
Leonard
<
french
Léonard
/ old
french
Leonard
< german
Leonhard
< old high
german
*Lewenhart
< lewo
(< latin
leo
< ancient greek
λέων
| leōn (=
lion)) + hart
(= hard).
leopard
< middle
english leopard
< old
french
lebard
/ leupart
< late
latin
leopardus
<
ancient greek
λεόπαρδος
| leopardhos <
λέων
| leōn (=
lion) + πάρδος
| pardhos
(= panther).
Leopold
<
french
Léopold
< old
high german
Leutpald
/ Liutbald
< leudi
/ liut (=
people) +
bald
(= bold).
less
< old
english
læs
< læssa
(= less,
smaller, fewer) <
proto-germanic
*laisizan
< I.E.
*leis-(2)
(= small)
+ [comparative suffix] -izan.
lesson
< middle
english lesson
<
old french
leçon
< latin
lectio
(= a
reading) < lego
[inf. legere]
(= select, read) <
I.E.
*leg-(1)
(= collect, gather).
let
< old
english
lætan
(= allow, depart from, rent) <
proto-germanic
*letan
{> dutch
laten, german
lassen} <
I.E. *led-
< *lē-
(= let go, slacken).
lethal
< late
latin
lethalis
< latin
letalis
(= deadly, fatal) <
let(h)um
(= death).
Letitia
< latin
laetitia
(= joy, gladness, pleasure) <
laetus
(= glad, happy).
letter
< middle
english letter
< old
french
letre (=
character, letter, note) <
latin
lit(t)era
(= letter,
epistle, writing, document).
lettuce
< middle
english letuse
< (?) old
french
laitues,
plural of laitue (=
lettuce) <
latin
lactuca
(= lettuce) <
lac
[gen. lactis]
(= milk)
[because this plant has a milky juice] < I.E.
*g(a)lag-
(= milk).
Levant
< middle
english Levant
< middle
french
levant
(= the Orient) <
levant,
present participle of lever
(= to rise) [because this region is in the direction of sunrise] <
latin levo
[inf. levare]
(= to raise).
level
< middle
english level
<
old french
livel
(= a level) < latin
libella
(= a balance, level), a diminutive of libra
(= balance, scale, unit of weight <
proto-italic
*leithra-
(= pound).
Levi
<
hebrew
lewi
(= joining,
pledging, attached) <
lawah
(= he joined).
Lewis
< anglo-french Lewis
< french
Louis
< old
french
Loois
< (?) medieval
latin
Ludovicus
< old high
german
Hlud(o)wig
(= famous
in war) <
proto-germanic
*hluda-
(= heard of, famous) + *wiga
(= war).
lexicon
< middle
french
lexicon
/ modern
latin
lexicon
< ancient
greek λεξικόν
[βιβλίον] | lexikon
[bhibhlion]
(= word [book]) <
λεξικόν,
neuter of λεξικός
| lexikos
(= pertaining to words) <
λέξις
| lexis (=
word) < λέγω
| leghō
(= speak) <
I.E.
*leg-(1)
(= collect, gather, speak).
Lhasa
< tibetan
Lhasa
(= city of
the gods) <
lha
(= god) + sa
(= city).
libel
< middle
english libel
< old
french
libelle
(= small
book, written report) <
latin
libellus
(= little book), a diminutive of liber
(= book).
liberal
< middle
english liberal
<
old french
liberal
< latin
liberalis
(= of freedom, noble, gracious) <
liber (=
free).
Liberia
< latin
liber
(= free) [the country was a resettlement of freed American slaves
from 1822].
liberty
< middle
english liberty
<
old french
liberte
< latin
libertas
(= freedom) <
liber
(= free).
libido
< latin
libido
/ lubido
(= desire, eagerness, lust) <
libero
[inf. libere]
(= be pleasing, to please) <
I.E.
*leubh-
(= to care, desire, love).
Libra
< latin
libra
(= a balance, pair of scales, pound) < proto-italic
*leithra-
(= pound).
library
< middle
english library
<
anglo-french
librarie
/ old
french
libra(i)rie
<
medieval
latin
libraria
(= library)
< latin
librarius
(= concerning books) <
librarium
(= chest for books) <
liber
[gen. libri]
(= book,
paper).
licence
< middle
english licence
<
old french
licence
< latin
licentia
(= freedom, liberty, presumption) <
licens,
present participle of licet
[inf. licere]
(= it is allowed).
lick
< old
english
liccian
(= lap, lick up) <
proto-germanic
*likkon
< I.E.
*leigh-
(= to lick).
lie
(= speak
falsely) < middle
english lie
< old
english
legan
/ ligan
< leogan
(= deceive, belie, betray) <
proto-germanic
*leuganan.
lie
(= rest
horizontally) < middle
english lie
< old
english
licgan
(= be
situated, be at rest, lie down) <
proto-germanic
*legjan
< I.E.
*legh-
(= lie down, lay).
Liechtenstein
< german Liechtenstein
< Liechten (=
light, not heavy) +
stein (= stone).
liege
< middle
english liege
<
anglo-french
lige
/ old
french
lige
(= liege-lord) < (?) late
latin
laeticus
(= cultivated by serfs) <
laetus
(= serf, semi-free colonist) < (?) proto-germanic
*lethigaz
(= freed).
lieutenant
< middle
english lieutenant
<
old french
lieu
tenant
(= substitute, deputy) <
lieu (=
place) + tenant,
present participle of tenir
(= hold).
life
< old
english
life
<
proto-germanic
*leiban
(= continuance,
perseverance) {>
old norse
lif, dutch
lijf (= body), german
Leib (= body)} <
I.E.
*leip-
(= to stick, adhere).
lift
< middle
english lift
(= elevate,
exalt, raise) <
old norse
lypta
(= to raise) <
proto-germanic
*luftijan
(= to move
up into the air).
light
(= brightness)
< old
english
le(o)ht
(= light,
daylight) <
proto-germanic
*leukhtam
{> dutch
licht, gothic
liuhaþ, old high
german
lioht, german
Licht} <
I.E.
*leuk-
(= light, brightness).
light
(= not
heavy) <
old
english
le(o)ht
(= not
heavy, quick, agile) <
proto-germanic
*lingkhtaz
{> old
norse
lettr, swedish
lätt, middle
dutch
licht, gothic
leihts, german
leicht} <
I.E.
*legwh-
(= light, not heavy).
like
(= love,
be pleasing) < old
english
lician
(= to please, be pleasing, be sufficient)
< proto-germanic
*likjan
< *lik-
(= body, form, same).
like
(= same) <
middle
english lik
< y-lik
< old
english
gelic
(= similar) <
proto-germanic
*(ga)leika-
(= having the same form) < [prefix] *ga-
(= with, together) + *lik-
(= body, form, same).
lilac
< french
lilac
/ spanish
lilac < turkish
leylak.
lily
< old
english
lilie
< latin
lilia,
plural of lilium
(= lily).
Lima
<
spanish Lima
< quechua
(of Inca) Rimak,
a god <
rima (=
speak).
lime
< (?) spanish
lima
/ portuguese
limão
< arabic
lima
<
persian
limun
(= citrus fruit, lime).
limit
< middle
english limit
<
old french
limite
(= boundary) <
latin
limes
[gen. limitis]
(= boundary, limit, border).
limousine
< french
limousine
< Limousin,
region in France <
latin
Lemovices,
a nation.
Lincoln
< Lincolnshire
< old
english
Lindcylene
< latin
Lindum
Colonia
< british
*lindo
(= pool, lake) + latin colonia
(= settled land, colony) (<
colonus
(= tenant farmer, settler in new land) <
colo
[inf. colere]
(= cultivate, inhabit)).
line
< middle
english line
< a merge of [old
english
line
(= cable, rope, series, row) + old
french
ligne
(= guideline, cord, string)] < latin
linea
(= linen thread, string, mark, limit) < linea
[restis]
(= linen [cord]) <
linea,
female of lineus
(= of
linen) <
linum
(= linen).
linen
<
middle
english linen
(= made of flax) < old
english
līn
(= flax, linen thread, linen cloth) < proto-germanic
*linam
< (?) latin
linum
(= flax, linen).
lingerie
< french
lingerie
(= linen shop, linen goods) <
linger
(= a dealer in linen goods) <
old french
linge
(= linen) <
latin
lineus
(= of
linen) <
linum
(= flax, linen).
lingual
<
medieval
latin
lingualis
(= of the tongue) <
latin
lingua
(= tongue, speech, language) <
old latin
dingua
< I.E.
*dnghu-
(= tongue).
link
< middle
english link
(= ring or loop of a chain, section of a cord) < (?) old
norse
*hlenkr
<
proto-germanic
*khlink-
< I.E.
*kleng-
(= to bend, turn).
linoleum
< latin
linum
(= flax, linen) + oleum
(= olive oil) (<
ancient greek
έλαιον
| elaeon
(= olive oil) <
ελαία
| elaea
(= olive tree, olive)).
linotype
< american
english Linotype
[machine for stereotyped lines of type for printing (1886)] < line
o’ type
< line
on type.
Linux
< Linux
[kernel]
(1991) < finland
Linus
[Torvalds],
engineer [creator of this computer operating system].
lion
< middle
english lion
<
old french
lion
< latin
leo
[gen. leonis]
<
ancient greek
λέων
| leōn (=
lion).
Lionel
<
french
Lionel
< old
french
lionel
(= young
lion), a diminutive of lion
< latin
leo
[gen. leonis]
<
ancient greek
λέων
| leōn (=
lion).
lip
< old
english
lippa
(= lip) <
proto-germanic
*lepjan-.
liqueur
<
french
liqueur
< old
french
licor
(= liquid) <
latin
liquor
(= liquid, liquor, wine) <
liquo
[inf. liquere]
(= be fluid, liquid).
liquid
< middle
english liquid
<
old french
liquide
(= liquid) <
latin
liquidus (=
fluid, liquid, moist) <
liquo
[inf. liquere]
(= be fluid, liquid).
lira
< italian
lira
(= pound,
monetary unit) <
latin
libra
(= pound).
Lisbon
< portuguese
Lisboa
< (?) phoenician
origin.
list
<
middle
english
liste
< old
french liste
(= border, row, strip of paper) / old
italian
lista
(= border, strip of paper, list) < proto-germanic
*liston
< I.E.
*leizd-
(= border, band).
listen
< old
english
hlysnan
(= hear, attend to, obey) <
proto-germanic
*hlusinon
{> dutch
luisteren, old high
german
hlosen, german
lauschen} <
I.E.
*kleu-
(= hear).
literal
< middle
english literal
<
late latin
lit(t)eralis
(= of letters, of writing) <
latin
lit(t)era
(= letter,
epistle, writing, literature).
lithium
< modern
latin
lithium
< ancient
greek λίθος
| lithos
(= stone).
lithography
<
german
Lithographie
[ink-impression printing from stone surface (1813)] <
ancient greek
λίθος
| lithos
(= stone) + -γραφία
| -ghraphia
(= a writing) (<
γράφω |
ghraphō (=
write, draw)).
Lithuania
<
lithuanian
Lietuva
< (?) related to latin
litus
(= shore).
little
< old
english
lytel
(= not much, small, short) <
proto-germanic
*lutilla-
{> dutch
luttel, old high
german
luzzil, german
lützel} < (?) a diminutive of old
english
lyt
(= little, few) <
I.E.
*leud-
(= small).
liturgy
< Liturgy
(= the
service of the Holy Eucharist) <
middle
french
liturgie
< late
latin /
medieval
latin liturgia
(= public service, public worship) <
ancient greek
λειτουργία
| loetourghia
(= public duty, ministry) <
λειτουργώ,
ληιτουργώ
| leitourghō, lēitourghō
(= work as public servant) <
λήιον
| lēion
(= public hall) (< λαός
| laos (=
people)) + έργον
| erghon
(= work).
live
(= be alive) < middle
english live
< old
english
libban
/ lifian
(= be alive, have life) <
proto-germanic
*libejanan
{> old
norse
lifa, gothic
liban, german
leben} <
I.E.
*leip-
(= to stick, adhere).
live
(= not dead) < a shortening of middle
english alive
< old
english on
life (= in living) < a-
(= on, in) + lif
(= life) (< proto-germanic
*leiban <
I.E.
*leip-
(= to stick, adhere)).
liver
< old
english
lifer
< proto-germanic
*librn
< (?) I.E.
*leip-
(= to stick, adhere).
Liverpool
< middle english Liuerpul
< old
english
lifer
(= thick, clotted water) + pol
(= pool).
lizard
<
middle english lusarde
< anglo-french
lusard
/ old
french
laisarde <
latin
lacertus
(= lizard).
Lloyd
< welsh
Llwyd
(= gray)
< I.E.
*pel-(1)
(= pale).
load
< middle english lade
/ lode
(= burden) < old
english
lad
(= way, course, a carrying, support) <
proto-germanic
*laitho
< I.E.
*leit-(2)
(= to go
forth).
loaf
< middle english loaf
<
old
english
hlaf
<
proto-germanic
*khlaibuz
(= bread)
{> old
norse
hleifr, swedish
lev, gothic hlaifs,
old high
german
hleib, german
Laib}.
loan
< middle english loan
<
old norse
lan
(= loan) <
proto-germanic
*laikhwniz.
lobby
< medieval
latin
laubia
/ lobia
(= covered walk in a monastery) <
germanic
source.
lobster
< middle
english
lop(i)ster
< old
english loppestre
(= lobster, locust) < latin
locusta
/ lucusta
(= locust, grasshopper).
local
< middle english local
< old
french
local
< late
latin
localis
(= pertaining to a place) <
latin
locus
(= place).
location
< latin
locatio
(= a
placing) < loco
[inf. locare]
(= place, put, set) <
locus
(= a place).
lock
< old
english
loc
(= bolt, lid, barrier, enclosure) <
proto-germanic
*lukana-
(= to
close).
locomotive
< french
locomotif
< latin
loco,
ablative of locus
(= a place) + <
medieval
latin
motivus
(= moving) <
latin
motus,
past participle of moveo
[inf. movere]
(= to move).
lodge
< middle
english
logge
(= small
building) <
old french
loge
(= arbor, hut, cabin) <
frankish
*laubja
(= shelter) <
proto-germanic
*laubja-
(= shelter).
loft
<
middle
english
loft <
old
english
loft
(= sky) <
old norse
lopt (=
air, sky, upper story) <
proto-germanic
*luftuz
(= air, sky).
log
(= large piece of tree) < middle
english
log.
log
(= record
of observations) < a shortening of log-book
(= the daily record of a ship) < log
(= large piece of tree) + book
[a record of the ship’s speed by means of a weighted tree log on
the end of a reeled log line marked by different numbers of knots].
logarithm
< modern
latin
logarithmus
(= ratio-number)
[introduced by John Napier, Scottish
mathematician] <
ancient greek
λόγος
| loghos
(= ratio, word) + αριθμός
| arithmos
(= number).
logic
< middle
english
logike
< old
french
logique
< latin
[ars]
logica
(= logic [art]) <
ancient greek
λογική
[τέχνη] | loghikē
[technē]
(= reasoning [art]) <
λογική,
female of λογικός
| loghikos
(= of reasoning, logic, of speaking) <
λόγος
| loghos
(= reason, idea, speech) < λέγω
| leghō
(= speak).
logo
< a
shortening of logogram
(= word-sign)
< λόγος
| loghos
(= word, speech) (< λέγω
| leghō
(= speak)) + γράμμα
| ghramma
(= letter) (< γράφω
| ghraphō
(= write, draw).
Lola
< a diminutive of spanish
Dolores
<
[Maria de los]
Dolores
(= [Mary
of the] Sorrows) <
dolores,
plural of dolor
(= sorrow) <
latin
dolor
(= pain, sorrow).
Lolita
< a diminutive of Lola
(q.v.).
lollipop
< lolly-pops
< (?) 1. loll
(= to
dangle the tongue) + pop
(= a strike, slap) or 2. lolly
(=tongue) + pop
(= a strike, slap).
London
< latin
Londinium.
lone
< middle
english
lone
< a shortening of alone
< old
english
all
ana
(= all by oneself) <
all
+ an
(= one).
long
< old
english
lang
(= tall, lasting) <
proto-germanic
*langa-
{> old
norse
langr, dutch
lang, german
lang} < (?) I.E.
*dlonghos-.
look
< old
english
locian
(= gaze, look, behold) <
west
germanic
*lokjan
{> middle
dutch
loeken, old high
german
luogen, german
lugen}.
loom
< middle
english
loom <
old
english
geloma
(= utensil, tool).
loop
< middle
english
loop
(= a fold
of cloth, rope, cord) < (?) celtic
origin.
loose
< middle
english
loos
/ lous
/ lowse
(= unbound)
< old
norse
lauss
(= loose, free) < proto-germanic
*lausaz.
lord
< middle
english
lolaverd
/ loverd
< old
english
hlaford
(= master of a household, ruler, feudal lord, husband) < hlafweard
(= one who
guards the loaves) <
hlaf
(= bread, loaf) + weard
(= keeper, guardian) [cf. lady].
Los
Angeles <
a shortening of its full name spanish
[El pueblo
de la Reyna de] los
Angeles (=
[The village of the Queen of] the Angels) < late
latin
angelus
< ancient
greek άγγελος
| anggelos
(= messenger).
lose
< old
english
losian
(= be lost, perish) <
los
(= destruction, loss) <
proto-germanic
*lausa-.
loss
< old
english
los
(= destruction, loss) <
proto-germanic
*lausa-.
lost
< middle
english
lost
(= wasted,
ruined, gone astray) < old
english
losian
(= be lost, perish) <
los
(= destruction, loss) <
proto-germanic
*lausa-.
lot
< old
english
hlot
(= object for share, dice, straw, what falls by lot)
< proto-germanic
*khlutom.
lotion
< middle
english
loscion
< old
french
lotion
< latin
lotio
(= a
washing) < lotus
/ lautus
< lavatus,
past participle of lavo
[inf. lavere]
(= to wash).
lottery
< italian
lotteria
< lotto
(= lot, portion, share) <
germanic
source.
lotto
< french
loto
< italian
lotto
(= lot, portion, share) <
germanic
source.
lotus
< latin
lotus
< ancient
greek λωτός
| lōtos <
(?) semitic
origin.
loud
< middle
english loud
< old
english
hlud
(= noisy) <
proto-germanic *hludaz
(= heard) <
I.E.
*klutos-
< *kleu-
(= to hear).
Louis
<
french
Louis
< old
french
Loois
< medieval
latin
Ludovicus
< old high
german
Hlud(o)wig
(= famous
in war) <
proto-germanic
*hluda-
(= heard of, famous) + *wiga
(= war).
Louisiana
< french
Louisiana
< Louis
[XIV] [as
a french colony named in honor of that king of France].
love
< old
english
lufu
(= feeling of love, affection, friendliness)
< proto-germanic
*lubo
{> old
norse lof,
dutch lof,
lief, german
Liebe} < I.E.
*leubh-
(= to care, desire, love).
low
<
middle
english low
< lah
(= being near the ground) < (?) old
norse lagr
(= low, short, humble) <
proto-germanic *lega-
(= lying flat, low) <
I.E. *legh-
(= to lie down, lay).
loyal
<
middle
french
loyal
< old
french loial
/ leal
(= faithful, honorable, law-abiding) <
latin
legal
(= of the law) <
lex [gen.
legis] (=
principle, rule, law).
LP
< [1948] an abbreviation of Long-Playing
[for phonograph record].
Ltd.
< [1900] an abbreviation of Limited
(<
middle english
limit <
old french
limite
(= boundary) <
latin
limes
[gen. limitis]
(= boundary, limit, border)).
lubricant
< latin
lubricans
[gen. lubricantis],
present participle of lubrico
[inf. lubricare]
(= make smooth, make slippery) <
lubricus
(= sliding, slippery).
lucent
< middle
english lucent
<
latin
lucens [gen.
lucentis],
present participle of luceo
[inf. lucere]
(= to shine, glow) <
lux
[gen. lucis]
(= light)
< I.E.
*leuk-
(= light, brightness).
Lucia
< italian
Lucia <
latin
Lucia,
female of Lucius
< lux
[gen. lucis]
(= light)
< I.E.
*leuk-
(= light, brightness).
Lucifer
< old
english
Lucifer
< latin
Lucifer
(= light-bringing, morning star) <
lux
[gen. lucis]
(= light)
+ fero
[inf. ferre]
(= to carry, bear).
Lucille
<
french
Lucille,
a diminutive of latin
Lucia,
female of Lucius
< lux
[gen. lucis]
(= light)
< I.E.
*leuk-
(= light, brightness).
luck
< cmiddle
english luck
(= fortune)
< (?) middle
dutch luc,
a shortening of gheluc
(= good fortune, happiness).
Lucy
<
french
Lucie
< latin
Lucia,
female of Lucius
< lux
[gen. lucis]
(= light)
< I.E.
*leuk-
(= light, brightness).
luddite
< Luddite
[organized weavers in England who had destroyed machinery, for fear
it would deprive them of work (1811)] < (?) [Ned]
Ludd,
a worker who had smashed machines [1779].
Ludwig
< old
high german
Hlud(o)wig
(= famous
in war) <
proto-germanic
*hluda-
(= heard of, famous) + *wiga
(= war).
luggage
< lug
(= pull
slowly) <
scandinavian
source.
Luke
< latin
Lucas
< Lucanus
(= of
Lucania) < Lucania,
a district in Italy < Lucani
[plural], a nation in Italy.
lullaby
<
middle
english
lollai
/ lullay
<
lullen
(= to calm, hush to sleep) < (?) lu-lu,
an imitative
sound [for a child to sleep].
lumbago
< late
latin
lumbago
(= weakness of loins and lower back) <
latin
lumbus
(= hip, loin).
lumen
< latin
lumen
(= light) < I.E.
*leuk-
(= light, brightness).
luminous
< latin
luminosus
(= shining) <
lumen
[gen. luminis]
(= light)
< I.E.
*leuk-
(= light, brightness).
lumpen
< german
Lumpen[proletariat]
(= the
rabble, poorest of the working class) < lump
(= ragamuffin) + proletariat
(< latin
proletarius
(= citizen of the lowest class) < proles
[gen. proletis]
(= offspring, progeny).
lunatic
< middle
english
lunatic
< old
french
lunatique
(= insane) / late
latin
lunaticus
(= moon-struck) <
latin luna
(= moon, goddess of the moon) <
I.E.
*leuksna-
< *leuk-
(= light, brightness).
lunch
< a
shortening of luncheon
(= light repast between mealtimes) < (?) lunch
(= hunk of bread or cheese) < (?) spanish
lonja
(= slice, loin) [by influence of nuncheon
(= light
mid-day meal) (<
none (=
noon) + schench
(= drink))].
lung
< middle
english lung
<
old
english
lungen
[plural] <
proto-germanic
*lunganjo-
(= the
light organ) <
I.E.
*legwh-
(= light, not heavy)
lust
< old
english
lust
(= desire, appetite, pleasure) <
proto-germanic
*lustuz
< I.E.
*las-
(= be eager, wanton).
lustrate
< latin
lustratus,
past participle of lustro
[inf. lustrare]
(= purify ceremonially) <
lustrum
(= purification, purificatory sacrifice).
lute
< middle
english lute
<
old french
lut
/ leut
< old
provençal
laut
< arabic al-‘ud
(= lute) < al (=
the) + ‘ud
(= wood).
luxe
<
french
luxe
(= luxury, sumptuousness, profusion) <
latin
luxus
(= excess, extravagance, magnificence).
Luxemb(o)urg
<
germanic
lutilla
(= little) + burg
(= fort, castle).
Luxor
<
arabic
al-uqsur,
plural of al-qasr
< al (=
the) + latin
castrum
(= fort, castle).
luxury
< middle
english luxury
<
old french
luxurie (=
debauchery, dissoluteness, lust) <
latin
luxuria
(= excess, extravagant living, delicacy) <
luxus
(= excess, extravagance, magnificence).
lyceum
< latin
lyceum
< ancient greek
λύκειον
| lykοeon
[a grove, with a temple of Apollo, in ancient Athens, where the
philosopher Aristotle taught] < λύκειον,
neuter of Λύκειος
| Lykοeos,
an epithet of god Apollo <
λύκος
| lykos (=
wolf).
lynch
< american-english Lynch
[law] <
[William]
Lynch
(1742-1820) in Pittsylvania or 2. [Charles]
Lynch
(1736-1796) in Virginia.
lynx
< middle
english lynx
<
latin lynx
<
ancient greek
λυνγξ | lyngx.
lyre
< middle
english lyre
<
old french
lire
(= lyre) <
latin lyra
< ancient
greek λύρα
| lyra (=
lyre).
lyric
<
middle
french
lyrique
(= short poem expressing personal emotion)
< latin
lyricus
(= of lyre) <
ancient greek
λυρικός
| lyrikos
(= singing to the lyre) <
λύρα
| lyra (=
lyre).