loot etymology

Etymology

The word "loot" comes from the Hindi word "lūt," which means "plunder" or "booty" and is derived from the Sanskrit word "lutha," meaning "stolen goods."

Meaning and Origin

In the original sense, loot refers to valuable items taken from a defeated enemy in war or a conquered territory. Soldiers who pillaged villages and cities often collected loot as a reward for their victory.

Over time, the meaning of loot expanded to include any valuable items taken illegally or forcibly, such as in a robbery or burglary. It has also come to be used in a more general sense to refer to any desirable object or possession that is easily obtained.

Usage Today

The word "loot" is commonly used in the following contexts:

  • To describe stolen goods or property taken by force, such as in a robbery or looting spree
  • To refer to valuable or desired items obtained easily or without much effort
  • As a slang term for money or wealth
  • In video games, to refer to items or rewards obtained by defeating enemies or completing quests

Related Words

  • Looter
  • Plunder
  • Booty
  • Robbery
  • Burglary

loot relate terms

  • looting

    Etymology The word looting originates from the Dutch word loten meaning to get by

  • loot

    Etymology The word loot comes from the Hindi word lūt which means plunder or boo

  • ripping

    Etymology The word ripping derives from the Middle English term rippen which means

  • looter

    Etymology The word looter is derived from the Middle English word loten which means

  • loot

    Etymology The word loot comes from the Hindi word lūt which means plunder or boo

  • pillage

    Etymology Middle English pillagen from Old French pillier pillager from Latin pilar

  • plunder

    Etymology Middle English plunderen from Old French plundrer possibly from Old High G

  • prize

    Etymology The word prize comes from the Middle English word pris which in turn is d

  • spoliation

    Etymology Latin spoliare to rob plunder Meaning Spoliation refers to the inte

  • liberate

    Etymology From Late Latin liberātus past participle of liberāre to set free Ulti

  • baggage

    Etymology The noun baggage comes from the Middle English word bagage which in turn i

  • swag

    Etymology The word swag derives from the Middle English word swagger which was used

  • Scratch

    Etymology The word scratch comes from the Middle English word scratten which in turn

  • dough

    Etymology The word dough comes from the Middle English word dowgh which is derived

  • rifle

    Etymology The word rifle comes from the German word riffeln meaning to groove Thi