lag
UK[læɡ]US[læɡ]
v
To move or develop more slowly than others
n
A period of time between two events; a delay
Etymology
The verb 'lag' entered English in the early 16th century, likely borrowed from a Scandinavian source such as the Norwegian dialectal word 'lagga' meaning 'to go slowly'. Its core semantic notion of delay or slowness is intrinsic to the root. The noun sense developed from the verb in the 18th century, solidifying the concept of an interval or gap. As a tight, monosyllabic root, it does not lend itself to segmentation into smaller meaningful parts within modern English spelling.
Analysis
This word is a simplex form of Scandinavian origin. It functions as a complete lexical unit.
Examples
The older computer tends to lag during complex calculations.
There is often a time lag between policy changes and their economic effects.
If you lag behind the group, we'll wait for you at the next junction.