laches etymology

Etymology

  • Old French, from Anglo-French, from Old English lahhs "slow, sluggish, lazy," perhaps a blend of late and slack (see slack (adj.))

Meaning

  • (Law) Neglect or delay in asserting one's rights, rendering any attempt at enforcement or remedy invalid.

Origin

The term "laches" comes from the Old English word "lahhs," which means "slow" or "sluggish." It was first used in a legal context in the 14th century to describe the failure of a person to pursue a legal claim within a reasonable time. The doctrine of laches is based on the principle that a person should not be allowed to profit from their own delay in asserting their rights.

laches relate terms

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  • laches

    Etymology Old French from Anglo French from Old English lahhs slow sluggish lazy

  • languid

    Etymology Old French languede Latin languidus Proto Indo European lengʰ to be l

  • languish

    Etymology The word languish comes from the Old French word languir which in turn is

  • lease

    Etymology Lease is derived from the Old French word less meaning to let or to relea

  • lessor

    Etymology Old English læssan comparative of līt meaning smaller or lesser

  • lush

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  • relax

    Etymology The word relax is derived from the Latin word relaxare which means to lo

  • release

    Etymology The word release comes from the Middle English word relesen which in turn

  • relish

    Etymology Old French relesche Germanic laikijaz Proto Indo European lik to lick

  • slack

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  • sleep

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  • gazette

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  • crestfallen

    Etymology Middle English crestfallen from Old English crist fallen meaning falle

  • ponder

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  • evolution

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  • fall

    Etymology Middle English fallen Old English feallan Proto Germanic fallaną Meani

  • precipitation

    Etymology precipitare Latin to fall rush down prae Latin prefix before down

  • astronomy

    Etymology The word astronomy is derived from the Greek words astron ἄστρον

  • stamina

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  • adept

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  • hobby

    Etymology The word hobby has its origins in the 14th century It is derived from the Mi