lure
/lʊər/
noun
Origin
Old French
loire — falconry lure
Overview
Meaning Now
- A decoy or device used to entice or attract animals, particularly birds of prey, during hunting or training.
- Anything that entices, attracts, or tempts someone to do something, often implying a risk or deception.
Literal older meaning
A bunch of feathers used by a falconer to call back a hawk.
Language path
Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
lure
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word originated in the context of falconry, where the 'lure' was a physical tool—often leather with feathers attached—used to simulate the appearance of prey to summon a hunting bird back to the falconer.
Evolution
- Frankish
*lōdrō
“lure”
- Old French
loire
“lure for hawks”
Transition from Frankish to Old French.
- Middle English
lure
“a falconer's training device”
Adopted into Middle English following the Norman Conquest.
Connections
Word parts
lure
root
enticement
Related across languages
Old High German
luodar
bait
French
leurre
lure/decoy
Explore next
Related to lure
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.