Where does “less” come from?

less (Swedish) comes from Swedish lessen, from Swedish ledsen, from Swedish led, from Old Swedish liþer, from Old Norse liðr, from Proto-Germanic liþuz, from Proto-Indo-European h₂el- — to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam.

less (Swedish): fed up, done

Definitions

  1. fed up, done

Ancestry of “less”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1SwedishlessenAlternative spelling of ledsen
2Swedishledsensorry, sad
3Swedishledtired; bored; disgusting, repulsive, loathsome;...
4Old Swedishliþer
5Old Norseliðrmember
6Proto-Germanicliþuza bend, joint; a body part, limb, member
7Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂el-to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂el-