Furlough
/ˈfɜːr.loʊ/noun
A temporary leave of absence, especially from military duty or work.
Did you know?Furlough entered English through military use, and its deeper roots are tied to Germanic words for permission and leave, showing how authority can be baked into everyday speech.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*laubō / *laubjaną
“to allow, permit”
Old High German
OHG
urloub
“permission to depart; leave”
Middle Dutch
MDu
verlof
“leave, permission”
Middle English
English
furlough
“leave of absence, especially from military service”
Modern English
English
furlough
“temporary leave from duty or work”