loss
UK[lɒs]US[lɔːs]
n
The fact or process of losing something or someone
n
A person, thing, or amount that is lost
n
A feeling of grief or distress caused by losing someone or something
Etymology
The modern English noun 'loss' originates from the Old English 'los', meaning 'destruction'. This Old English term is related to the verb 'losian', which meant 'to perish or be lost', and is part of a family of Germanic words conveying ruin and separation. It shares a Proto-Germanic root with Old Norse 'los' (the breaking up of an army) and is distantly connected to the Old English 'leosan' (to lose). The core semantic thread from its ancient origins to its current usage consistently revolves around the concept of being deprived of something, moving from a sense of physical destruction to encompass both material and emotional deprivation.
Analysis
The word 'loss' is a simplex noun derived from the Old English verb 'losian' (to perish, to be lost). It is a Germanic root word.
Examples
The company reported a significant financial loss last quarter.
She felt a profound sense of loss after her friend moved away.
The loss of his passport caused a major delay in his travel plans.