let

let
\ \ [OE] English has two distinct verbs let, of diametrically opposite meaning, but they are probably ultimately related. The one meaning ‘allow’ goes back to a prehistoric Germanic *lǣt- (source also of German lassen and Dutch laten) which, like the related late, is connected with a range of words denoting ‘slowness’ or ‘weariness’. It therefore appears that the underlying etymological meaning of let is ‘let go of something because one is too tired to hold on to it’. By the time the verb reached Old English this had developed to ‘leave behind’ and ‘omit to do’, senses now defunct, as well as to ‘allow’.
\ \ A close relative of the base *lǣt- was *lat-, direct ancestor of English late. From this was formed the Germanic verb *latjan, which gave English its other verb let, meaning ‘prevent’, now largely obsolete except as a noun, in the phrase without let or hindrance or as a tennis term.
\ \ Cf.⇒ LATE

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?
Synonyms:
, , , , / , , , , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • let — let·o·vic·ite; let·ta·ble; let·tered; let·ter·er; let·ter·et; let·ter·gae; let·ter·less; let·ter·man; let·tic; let·tre; let·tuce; lobe·let; lord·let; lor·i·let; lu·nu·let; mag·a·zine·let; man·tel·let·ta; mart·let; mil·let·tia; miq·ue·let;… …   English syllables

  • Let — Let, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Let} ({Letted} (l[e^]t t[e^]d), [Obs].); p. pr. & vb. n. {Letting}.] [OE. leten, l[ae]ten (past tense lat, let, p. p. laten, leten, lete), AS. l[=ae]tan (past tense l[=e]t, p. p. l[=ae]ten); akin to OFries. l[=e]ta, OS.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Let — Let, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Let} ({Letted} (l[e^]t t[e^]d), [Obs].); p. pr. & vb. n. {Letting}.] [OE. leten, l[ae]ten (past tense lat, let, p. p. laten, leten, lete), AS. l[=ae]tan (past tense l[=e]t, p. p. l[=ae]ten); akin to OFries. l[=e]ta, OS.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • let*/*/*/ — [let] (past tense and past participle let) verb 1) [T] to allow something to happen, or to allow someone to do something Alice s mum won t let her come with us.[/ex] I stepped back and let him pass.[/ex] The large windows let in a lot of… …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

  • Let It Be — Студийный альбом The Beatl …   Википедия

  • let — [let] verb let PTandPP letting PRESPART [transitive] PROPERTY also let out to allow someone to use a room or building in return for rent …   Financial and business terms

  • let — Ⅰ. let [1] ► VERB (letting; past and past part. let) 1) not prevent or forbid; allow. 2) used in the imperative to express an intention, proposal, or instruction: let s have a drink. 3) used to express an assumption upon which a theory or… …   English terms dictionary

  • let — let1 [let] vt. let, letting [ME leten < OE lætan, to leave behind, akin to Ger lassen < IE * lēd < base * lēi , to neglect, leave behind > LATE, L letum, death] 1. to leave; forsake; abandon: now only in phrases let alone or let be or …   English World dictionary

  • let — ● let adjectif invariable (anglais let, de to let, laisser) Au tennis et au tennis de table, se dit d une balle de service qui touche le sommet du filet et retombe dans les limites du court ou sur la table et dans le camp adverse. (Une balle let… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Let Go — Álbum de estudio de Avril Lavigne Publicación 21 de junio de 2002 …   Wikipedia Español

  • let — vb let, let·ting vt 1: to offer or grant for rent, lease, or hire: lease may not be alienated, let, or encumbered corporeal things may be let out 2: to assign esp. after bids were att …   Law dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”