lend English · revision 15083

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=before 725|origins=gem-pro *laihwnjan}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /lend/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|lenden]], an alteration of earlier [[m|enm|lenen]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(Hoad 1986) [[inh|ang|lǣnan|t=to lend, grant temporarily]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|ang|lǣn|t=loan, gift]] (see [[loan]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[gem-pro|*laihwnjan]].^(Etymonline) The final d came from the past tense lende, after verbs such as [[send]] and [[bend]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998)^(Etymonline) It is related to [[nl|lenen]] and [[goh|lēhanōn]] (modern [[de|lehnen]]).^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Old English lǣnan, before 725;^(Barnhart 1988) Middle English lenen probably before 1200, in Layamon, and lenden about 1375.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The Old English verb already meant to lend money at interest.^(Etymonline) Granting temporary possession in general is from the late 14th century, and ''to lend an ear'', to listen, from the same time.^(Etymonline) The noun, a loan, is from the 1570s and is Scottish and northern.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) To impart a quality, as in ''her presence lent wisdom'', is a later extension.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 725 – lǣnan.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * probably before 1200 – lenen.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1375 – lenden.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * late 14th century – to lend an ear.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1570s – a lend, a loan.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To let someone use something for a time, on condition that it or its equivalent is returned.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To provide money temporarily, usually at [[interest]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To make loans, especially as a business.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To contribute or impart a quality: ''her presence lent wisdom''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To give help or support: ''he lent his skill''.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[lender]]

+ * [[lendable]]

+ * [[lend-lease]]

+ * [[interlend]]

+ * [[overlend]]

+ * [[relend]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[loan]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Two obsolete words are spelled lend: the loins, from Old English (about 975), and a verb meaning to arrive or to dwell.^(OED 1989) The loins sense survived in Scots.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}