Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “light-legged” come from?

light-legged (English) comes from English Light, from Middle English light, from Old English lēoht, from Proto-West Germanic leuht, from Proto-Germanic leuhtą, from Proto-Indo-European lewktom, from Proto-Indo-European lewk- — bright; to shine; to see.

light-legged (English): Nimble; swift of foot

Definitions

  1. Nimble; swift of foot

Ancestry of “light-legged”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishLight—
2Middle EnglishlightThe radiation which allows for vision by...
3Old Englishlēohtluminous, bright, light, clear, resplendent,...
4Proto-West Germanicleuhtlight, bright; light
5Proto-Germanicleuhtąlight
6Proto-Indo-Europeanlewktom—
7Proto-Indo-Europeanlewk-bright; to shine; to see
Every word from Proto-Indo-European lewk- →