low
/loʊ/
adjective
Origin
Old Norse
lágr — low, short
Overview
Meaning Now
- Of less than average height from the base or ground.
- Not loud; quiet in volume or intensity.
- Small in amount, degree, or number.
Language path
Proto-Germanic → Old Norse → English
Earliest form
lagh
Earliest period
13th century
Journey
The word entered English from Old Norse sources during the period of Danelaw influence in Britain, eventually replacing the native Old English word 'niol'.
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*lagaz
“lying, flat”
- Old Norse
lágr
“low, humble”
- Middle English
lowe
“low, not high”
Connections
Word parts
low
root
of small height
Related across languages
Swedish
låg
low
Danish
lav
low
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Related to low
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.