Where does “lukewarm” come from?
Lukewarm derives from Middle English leukwarm, combining Middle English warm from Old English wearm, Proto-West Germanic warm, and Proto-Germanic warmaz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European gʷʰer- meaning to warm or heat.
lukewarm (English): Between warm and cool; Not very enthusiastic
Definitions
- Between warm and cool; Not very enthusiastic
Ancestry of “lukewarm”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | leukwarm | lukewarm; having medium warmth; unenthusiastic,... |
| 2 | Middle English | warm | warm, mildly hot; warm, pleasant, mild; heated,... |
| 3 | Old English | wearm | warm |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | warm | warm |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | warmaz | warm |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | gʷʰer- | warm, hot |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | gʷʰe-gʷʰór-e ~ gʷʰe-gʷʰr-ḗr | — |