loan
UK[ləʊn]US[loʊn]
n
A sum of money that is borrowed and is expected to be paid back with interest.
n
The act of lending something.
v
To lend something, especially money.
Etymology
The word 'loan' entered English from Old Norse 'lán', which meant a loan or a gift. This Old Norse term is cognate with the Old English 'lǣn', which had a similar meaning of a grant or a temporary gift. Both of these Germanic words trace back to the Proto-Germanic root 'laihwniz', meaning a loan or a thing lent. This etymological journey reflects the core concept of something being given temporarily, a meaning that has remained remarkably stable from its ancient Germanic origins to its modern financial and general usage.
Analysis
The word 'loan' is a simplex word of Old Norse origin. It functions as a complete lexical unit.
Examples
She took out a loan to buy a new car.
The library offers a loan period of three weeks for most books.
Could you loan me a pen for a moment?