English word lake comes from Proto-Indo-European *(s)leh₂gʷ-, New Latin logarithmus, Proto-Indo-European *leyg-, Proto-Germanic *laiko-, and later Proto-Germanic *lakaną (Linen; cloth; sheet.)
You can also see our other etymologies for the English word lake. Currently you are viewing the etymology of lake with the meaning: (Noun) (now, _, chiefly, _, dialectal) A small stream of running water; a channel for water; a drain.. (obsolete) A pit, or ditch. A large amount of liquid; as, a wine lake.. A large, landlocked [...](now, _, chiefly, _, dialectal) A small stream of running water; a channel for water; a drain.. (obsolete) A pit, or ditch. A large amount of liquid; as, a wine lake.. A large, landlocked [...]
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *(s)leh₂gʷ- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| logarithmus | New Latin (la-new) | |
| *leyg- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *laiko- | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| *lakaną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Linen; cloth; sheet. |
| *leǵ- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | to collect, to speak, to leak |
| *lacen | Old English (ca. 450-1100) (ang) | |
| *laikaz | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| *lekaną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | (intransitive) To leak; seep; drip. |
| lāc | Old English (ca. 450-1100) (ang) | |
| lac | Old English (ca. 450-1100) (ang) | Battle, strife. Gift, offering, sacrifice, booty; message. Play, sport. |
| *lakiz | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| lacu | Old English (ca. 450-1100) (ang) | Expanse of water, lake. Pool, pond. Stream, watercourse. |
| lac | Middle English (1100-1500) (enm) | |
| lake | English (eng) | (now, _, chiefly, _, dialectal) A small stream of running water; a channel for water; a drain.. (obsolete) A pit, or ditch. A large amount of liquid; as, a wine lake.. A large, landlocked stretch of water. |