lager
UK[ˈlɑːɡə]US[ˈlɑːɡər]
n
A type of light beer that is pale in color and effervescent, typically brewed using bottom-fermenting yeast and stored at low temperatures.
Etymology
The word 'lager' entered English in the mid-19th century as a shortening of the German term 'Lagerbier', literally "storehouse beer". This name originated from the brewing practice of storing or 'lagering' the beer in cool cellars or caves for maturation and clarification over an extended period. The German word 'Lager' itself comes from the Old High German 'legar', meaning "bed, camp, storehouse", related to the verb 'legen' ("to lay"). Thus, the modern English term directly preserves the historical link to the storage method that defines this beer's character.
Analysis
The word 'lager' is a loanword from German. It is derived from the German 'Lagerbier', meaning "beer brewed for storage". The German root is 'Lager', meaning "storehouse" or "camp".
Examples
He ordered a pint of crisp, cold lager.
The brewery is famous for its traditional German-style lager.
I prefer a light lager to a heavy ale on a hot day.