Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “ly-” come from?

ly- (English) comes from English lyo-, from Ancient Greek λύω, from Proto-Indo-European lewH- — louse.

ly- (English): Alternative form of lyo-

Definitions

  1. Alternative form of lyo-

Ancestry of “ly-”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishlyo-solvent, dissolving, dispersion; freeze-drying
2Ancient GreekλύωI loose, loosen, untie; slacken; unbend
3Proto-Indo-EuropeanlewH-louse

Words derived from “ly-”

  • lyate
Every word from Proto-Indo-European lewH- →