lake
UK[leɪk]US[leɪk]
n
a large area of water that is surrounded by land
Etymology
The word 'lake' has a journey that traces back to the concept of flowing or standing water. It originates from the Proto-Indo-European root 'leg-', which conveyed the action of leaking or draining. This evolved into the Proto-Germanic 'lakō', a term for a body of water. Adopted into Old English as 'lacu', the word initially referred broadly to streams and ponds. Over time, its meaning narrowed and specialized in English to denote the specific, sizable inland bodies of water we know today, while related terms like 'lagoon' branched off in other languages.
Analysis
The word 'lake' is a simplex word. It is derived from the Old English 'lacu' (meaning "stream, pool, pond"), which in turn came from the Proto-Germanic 'lakō'. Its ultimate origin is the Proto-Indo-European root 'leg-' meaning "to leak, drain".
Examples
They went swimming in the cool, clear lake.
Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes.
The path winds its way around the edge of the lake.