ledger
UK[ˈlɛdʒə]US[ˈlɛdʒər]
n
A book or other collection of financial accounts of a particular type.
Etymology
The word 'ledger' has a practical origin rooted in the physical placement of an important book. It entered English in the 15th century from Middle Dutch, where 'legger' referred to a large, stationary book that remained lying in a fixed location, such as on a church lectern or a merchant's desk. This concept evolved from the Dutch verb 'liggen', meaning "to lie," emphasizing its permanence and stability compared to more transient daybooks or journals. Over time, this specific term for a physically anchored book became specialized in the context of commerce, solidifying its modern meaning as the principal book for recording final and summarized financial transactions.
Analysis
The word 'ledger' is a simplex noun. It originates from the Middle English 'legger' or 'lygger', likely from the Dutch 'legger' or 'ligger', meaning "a book that lies permanently in one place," derived from 'leggen' or 'liggen', meaning "to lay" or "to lie."
Examples
The accountant updated the general ledger with the latest transactions.
All expenses must be recorded in the company's ledger.
He discovered the discrepancy by carefully checking the old ledger entries.