English
lewis
Lewis comes from Middle English lewis.
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500lewis
- Englishearliest quotation 1835same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500lewis
- Englishearliest quotation 1835same form
Earliest quotation: 1835, Andrew Ure, The philosophy of manufactures: “After the preeming period, the lads are put either…”
The story
Possibly from Old French lous, plural of lou, loup (“the name of a kind of siege engine”, literally “wolf”); or related to clevis.
Every English word from Middle English lewis
Today it means
noun A cramp iron inserted into a cavity in order to lift heavy stones; used as a symbol of strength in Freemasonry.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle English lewis / lewis