Where does “lack-life” come from?

lack-life (English) comes from English life, from Middle English lyf, from Old English līf, from Proto-West Germanic līb, from Proto-Germanic lībą, from Proto-Germanic lībaną, from Proto-Indo-European leyp-, from Proto-Indo-European lēy- — to leave, let; to want, desire; to let; leave...

lack-life (English): Represented in such a way as to show important characteristics, rather than in a realistic or literal manner; stylized; abstract

Definitions

  1. Represented in such a way as to show important characteristics, rather than in a realistic or literal manner; stylized; abstract

Ancestry of “lack-life”, step by step

lack-life traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English life

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlifeThe state of organisms preceding their death,...
2Middle Englishlyflife
3Old Englishlīflife, existence; life-time
4Proto-West Germaniclībbody; life
5Proto-Germaniclībąbody; life
6Proto-Germaniclībanąto remain, to be left
7Proto-Indo-Europeanleyp-to stick; fat or sticky substance
8Proto-Indo-Europeanlēy-to leave, let; to want, desire; to let; leave...

via English lack

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlackA defect or failing; moral or spiritual...
2Middle Englishlack
3Old English*læc
Every word from Proto-Indo-European lēy-Every word from Proto-Indo-European leyp-Every word from Proto-Germanic lībaną