pelf etymology

Etymology and Meaning

The word "pelf" is derived from the Middle English word "pilf," meaning "stolen goods" or "plunder." Over time, "pilf" evolved into "pelf," which came to be used more broadly to refer to money or material wealth, particularly ill-gotten or excessive.

Origin

The ultimate origin of "pilf" is uncertain, but it is thought to be related to the Old Norse word "pilfr," meaning "thief." This suggests that the concept of "pelf" as stolen goods or ill-gotten wealth may have originated in Scandinavian cultures.

Usage

The word "pelf" is typically used in a negative or derogatory sense to describe money or wealth that is acquired through dishonest means or is excessive and used for selfish purposes. It is often associated with greed, corruption, and materialism.

Examples

• "The politician was accused of amassing vast sums of pelf through corrupt practices."
• "The greedy CEO lived in extravagant luxury, surrounded by pelf."
• "The lottery winner lost all their pelf in a matter of months, squandering it on frivolous purchases."

Synonyms

Some synonyms for "pelf" include:

• Money
• Wealth
• Riches
• Fortune
• Mammon
• Lucre
• Loot

pelf relate terms

• pilfer

  Etymology Old French pilfer Latin pilfare meaning to filch or steal Proto Indo

• pelf

  Etymology and Meaning The word pelf is derived from the Middle English word pilf mea

• bread

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• cabbage

  Etymology Middle English cabach cabage Old North French caboche cabuige Late Latin

• dough

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

• Scratch

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

• lettuce

  Etymology The word lettuce comes from the Old French word laitue which in turn comes

• Argus

  Etymology The word Argus has its roots in the Greek language ἀργός argos b

• loot

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

• tool

  Etymology The word tool originates from the Old English word tōl meaning implemen

• lake

  Etymology The word lake originates from the Old English word lagu which is derived

• leak

  Etymology The word leak comes from the Middle English word leken which is of uncert