Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “forelay” come from?

forelay (English) comes from English lay, from English Lee, from Irish Laoi, from Middle Irish láed, from English loid, from English celluloid, from English -oid, from Latin -oides — watcher, lookout; protector, guardian; spy, scout.

forelay (English): To lay down beforehand; To waylay; To plan;...

Definitions

  1. To lay down beforehand; To waylay; To plan;...

Ancestry of “forelay”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlayTo place down in a position of rest, or in a...
2EnglishLee—
3IrishLaoi—
4Middle Irishláed—
5EnglishloidA lock-picking tool made from a piece of...
6EnglishcelluloidAny of a variety of thermoplastics created from...
7English-oidOf similar form to, but not the same as. Having...
8Latin-oides-like, -form
9Greek-οending for "accusative singular" forms ; and some...
10Ancient GreekεἶδοςThat which is seen: form, image, shape;...
11Spanish-scopio-scope
12Latin-scopium—
13Ancient GreekσκοπέωI look, look at, behold; I examine, inspect; 413...
14Ancient Greekσκοπόςwatcher, lookout; protector, guardian; spy, scout
Every word from Ancient Greek σκοπός →