English

lack-life

From lack + life.

A compound of lack + life

Proto-Germanic *lakaz ‘limp’

Proto-Germanic *laką

Proto-West Germanic *lak

Old English *læc ‘deficiency’

Middle English lack

English lack

Proto-Germanic *lībą ‘life’

Proto-West Germanic *līb ‘body’

Old English līf

Middle English lyf

English life

Today it means

adj Represented in such a way as to show important characteristics, rather than in a realistic or literal manner; stylized; abstract.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / lack-life