Where does “loaf” come from?
Loaf comes from Middle English lof, from Middle Dutch loef, from Proto-Germanic lubą, from Proto-Indo-European lāp-, a root of uncertain ultimate origin and meaning.
loaf (English): A block of bread after baking; Any solid block of...
Definitions
- A block of bread after baking; Any solid block of...
Ancestry of “loaf”, step by step
loaf traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.
via English loafer
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | loafer | An idle person; A shoe with no laces, resembling... |
| 2 | Old English | lāf | remnant, remainder; remainder, residue, what is... |
| 3 | Proto-West Germanic | laibu | remainder |
| 4 | Northern Sami | láibut | to bake bread |
| 5 | Northern Sami | láibi | bread |
| 6 | Proto-Samic | lājpē | bread |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | hlaibaz | bread |
via Middle English lof
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | lof | praise, glory; price, value; reputation, honour |
| 2 | Old English | lōf | palm of the hand |
| 3 | Proto-West Germanic | lob | praise |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | lubą | praise |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | lewbʰ- | to desire, covet, want; to admire, praise; to... |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | lēw- | to sound, resound, sing out; to leave |