Middle English word lye comes from Ancient Greek Ἀλβανοί, Gothic 𐌻𐌰𐌿𐌷𐌰𐍄𐌾𐌰𐌽 (To lighten, flash with lightning.), Proto-Indo-European *leuk-
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Ἀλβανοί | Ancient Greek (grc) | |
| 𐌻𐌰𐌿𐌷𐌰𐍄𐌾𐌰𐌽 | Gothic (got) | To lighten, flash with lightning. |
| *leuk- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *lewk- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *lowkís | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| *laugiz | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Flame, blaze. |
| līg | Old English (ang) | |
| lig | Old English (ang) | Fire; flame. |
| lye | Middle English (enm) |