leof

== Middle English == === Noun === leof (Staffordshire) alternative form of lef (“leaf”) == Old English == === Alternative forms === leaf, līof === Etymology === From Proto-Germanic *leubaz (“dear, beloved”). Cognate with Old Frisian liāf, Old Saxon liof, Old High German liob, Old Norse ljúfr, Gothic 𐌻𐌹𐌿𐍆𐍃 (liufs). Non-Germanic cognates include Polish luby (“dear, beloved”). Related to lufu (“love”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /le͜oːf/ === Adjective === lēof (comparative lēofra, superlative lēofest or lēofost or lēofast) dear, beloved late 10th century, Ælfric, "Saint George, Martyr" ==== Declension ==== === Noun === lēof m friend, loved one as a form of address, sir, can be applied to one or more people, regardless of gender. ==== Declension ==== Strong a-stem: ==== Antonyms ==== lāþ ==== Derived terms ==== lēoflīċ *lēofmann lēofre lēofwende oferlēof ==== Descendants ==== Middle English: lef, lefe, leffe, leve, life, live, luf (Southern or West Midlands)English: lief; ⇒ livelongScots: lief, lee⇒ Yola: liveer