lost etymology

Etymology

The word "lost" is derived from the Old English word "losian," which means "to lose, to perish, to be destroyed." It is cognate with the German word "los," meaning "free, loose, separated," and the Dutch word "los," meaning "loose, free."

Meaning

The word "lost" has several related meanings:

  • Not able to be found or recovered: "I lost my keys."
  • Not known or remembered: "I've lost the password."
  • Gone astray: "The hikers were lost in the woods."
  • Ruined or destroyed: "The ship was lost in the storm."
  • Defeated or overwhelmed: "The team was lost in the tournament."
  • Wasting time or effort: "She's lost in a world of her own."

Origin

The word "lost" originated in Proto-Indo-European, the ancestral language of many European languages. The Proto-Indo-European root leus-/lus- means "to loosen, to separate." This root is also found in words like "loose," "let," and "lie."

Lost Etymology

Lost etymology refers to words whose original meaning and origin have been forgotten or obscured over time. The word "lost" is an example of lost etymology. While its meaning is clear, its Proto-Indo-European root is no longer recognizable in modern English.

lost relate terms

  • lose

    Etymology of Lose Old English losian meaning to perish be destroyed Proto Germa

  • loss

    Etymology The word loss originates from the Middle English word lose which in turn

  • loose

    Etymology The word loose originates from the Proto Germanic word lausaz meaning to l

  • forlorn

    Etymology From Middle English forlorn from Old English forloren past participle of fo

  • lost

    Etymology The word lost is derived from the Old English word losian which means to

  • found

    Etymology is the study of the origin of words and how their meaning has changed over time

  • confused

    Etymology is the study of the history of words their origins and how they have changed o

  • confused

    Etymology is the study of the history of words their origins and how they have changed o

  • revanchist

    Etymology of Revanchist The word revanchist derives from the French revanche which

  • declasse

    Etymology Late Latin dēclāssātus past participle of dēclāssāre meaning to remo

  • perish

    Etymology Old French perir Latin perire from per meaning completely ire mean

  • daddy

    Etymology The word daddy is derived from the Middle English word dadi which in turn

  • regress

    Etymology Latin regressus meaning step backward Old French regres meaning going

  • prod

    Etymology Latin prodere meaning to betray to expose Old French proder prower me

  • drop

    Etymology From Middle English droppe from Old English dropa ddropa drop small porti