Lauf German · revision 35636

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=9th century, Old High German|origins=gem-pro *hlaupą}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /laʊ̯f/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''Lauf''' ''m'' (genitive Laufes or Laufs, plural Läufe)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|gmh|louf]], [[inh|goh|hlouf]], [[inh|gem-pro|*hlaupą|t=leap; course, run]], the noun of the verb [[laufen]].^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Wiktionary)^(Kluge 2011|562) The same noun is [[gml|lōp]], [[dum|lōp|alt=loop]] and [[nl|loop|t=course, run]], and, as a neuter, [[non|hlaup|t=leap, run, gallop]]; [[ang|hlīep|t=leap]] has another stem formation.^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Duden 7 2020) The verb is common Germanic, with [[got|𐌿𐍃𐌷𐌻𐌰𐌿𐍀𐌰𐌽|tr=ushlaupan|t=to leap up]], [[non|hlaupa]], [[ang|hlēapan]] and [[ofs|hlāpa]], and English [[m|en|leap]].^(Kluge 2011|562)^(Pfeifer 1993) Beside it Old High German had an abstract noun with a t-suffix, [[m|goh|louft]], which lives on in [[Zeitläufte]].^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Paul 2002)

+

+ Its further origin is unclear.^(Kluge 2011|562)^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Duden 7 2020) Kluge and Pfeifer, after Seebold, consider an extension of [[ine-pro|*keleu-]], seen in [[lt|keliauti|alt=keliáuti|t=to travel]] and [[grc|κέλευθος|tr=kéleuthos|t=path, journey]].^(Kluge 2011|562)^(Pfeifer 1993) Pfeifer finds a link with [[lt|šlubuoti|alt=šlubúoti|t=to limp]] possible in its sounds but unsatisfying in meaning.^(Pfeifer 1993) The Duden dictionary thinks the verb first meant “to hop, dance in a circle”.^(Duden 7 2020)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Old High German ''hlouf'' is recorded from the 9th century, in glosses and in Otfrid's Gospel book (863–871), meaning a run, a race.^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Köbler AHD) The abstract noun ''louft'' is older (8th century) and was more frequent;^(Pfeifer 1993)^(DWB|12, 306)^(Adelung 1793) Otfrid uses it in the plural.^(Pfeifer 1993)^(DWB|12, 306)^(Adelung 1793)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Middle High German ''louf'' had the senses “course, circuit, way”, used of water, the stars, the year, the world and one's life (''lebens louf''), and of fast passages in music.^(Lexer 1872|1, 1966)^(Köbler MHD) The Early New High German dictionary also has a messenger's errand, a race, a riot and the course of events.^(FWB) As the notion of speed faded in the verb, the noun followed its uses for vehicles, machines and flowing water.^(Pfeifer 1993)^(Duden 7 2020)

+

+ In technical language ''Lauf'' became the space in which something runs: the barrel of a gun, already in Arnold von Harff's travel account, and in Schiller's line ''wenn die Kugel los ist aus dem Lauf'' (“once the bullet has left the barrel”).^(DWB|12, 306)^(Paul 2002) Hunters use it for the leg of game and of dogs (''Vorderlauf'', ''Hinterlauf''), and sport for a race or heat (''Hürdenlauf'').^(Duden 7 2020)^(Paul 2002) The plural ''Läufe'' meant “events” in Early New High German, as ''Zeitläufte'' still does.^(Paul 2002) Polish borrowed the word as ''lufa'' “gun barrel”, and in 1844 it is recorded as school slang for the worst mark;^(LWP) Slovak and Moravian dialects have ''lauf'' for a gun barrel.^(LWP)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 8th century – The related Old High German abstract ''louft'' is recorded.^(Pfeifer 1993)

+ * 9th century – Old High German ''hlouf'' “run, race” appears.^(Pfeifer 1993)

+ * 863–871 – Otfrid uses ''louf'' in his Gospel book.^(Köbler AHD)

+ * 1642 – ''Laufbahn'' is recorded in its literal sense, “track on which one runs”.^(Paul 2002)

+ * 17th century – ''Zeitlauf'' is first recorded, and ''Zeitläufte'' follows in the 18th century.^(Pfeifer 1993)

+ * 1844 – Polish ''lufa'' is recorded as school slang.^(LWP)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(no plural)'' Running: ''sich in Lauf setzen'', to break into a run.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(sports)'' A [[m|en|race]] or [[m|en|heat]]: ''Sie gewann den zweiten Lauf.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(no plural)'' The running of a machine or engine: ''Der Motor hat einen ruhigen Lauf.''^(Duden GWDS 1999)

+ # ''(no plural)'' The [[m|en|course]] of a road or river: ''am oberen Lauf der Donau''.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(no plural)'' The course of events or time: ''im Lauf(e) der Woche'' “during the week”, ''den Dingen ihren Lauf lassen'' “to let things take their course”, ''seinen Lauf nehmen'' “to take its course”.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(music)'' A [[m|en|run]], a quick rising or falling series of notes.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary DE)

+ # ''(hunting)'' The leg of certain game animals or of a dog.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The [[m|en|barrel]] of a firearm.^(Duden GWDS 1999)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[Verlauf]]

+ * [[Läufer]]

+ * [[Laufbahn]]

+ * [[Lebenslauf]]

+ * [[Wettlauf]]

+ * [[Zeitläufte]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[laufen]]

+ * [[läufig]]

+ * [[geläufig]]

+ * [[Loipe]]

+ * [[Galopp]]

+ * [[en|leap]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}