Where does “lately” come from?
Lately derives from Middle English -ly, from Old English -līċ, from Proto-Germanic -līkaz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots including lē(y)d-, līg-, and ḱóm.
lately (English): Recently; not long ago; of late
Definitions
- Recently; not long ago; of late
Ancestry of “lately”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | late | Near the end of a period of time; Specifically,... |
| 2 | Middle English | late | Manner; behaviour; outward appearance or aspect;... |
| 3 | Old English | late | slow(ly) |
| 4 | Old English | læt | slow; slack, lax, negligent; late |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | lētaz | freeman; bondsman; serf |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | lētaną | to let, to allow; to leave alone |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | leh₁d- | to be tired |