Where does “ley” come from?
ley (Middle English) comes from Old English lēah, from Proto-West Germanic lauh, from Proto-Germanic lauhaz, from Proto-Indo-European lówkos, from Proto-Indo-European lewḱ-, from Proto-Indo-European lewk- — bright; to shine; to see.
ley (Middle English): an open field or meadow
Definitions
- an open field or meadow
Ancestry of “ley”, step by step
ley traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Old English lēah
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old English | lēah | meadow; clearing with a pigsty; woodland,... |
| 2 | Proto-West Germanic | lauh | clearing; meadow |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | lauhaz | clearing; meadow |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | lówkos | clearing; open space, clearing; field, meadow |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | lewḱ- | lynx |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | lewk- | bright; to shine; to see |
via Old English lēaġe
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old English | lēaġe | a clearing in the woods |