Lactate
/ˈlæk.teɪt/noun
To produce or secrete milk or lactic acid.
Did you know?The root 'lac' in 'lactate' comes from the Latin for 'milk,' and was often associated with fertility and the nurturing of life in ancient cultures.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leǵ-
“To collect or gather, often related to nourishment.”
Latin
Latin
lac
“Milk, associated with nurturing and sustenance.”
Latin
Latin
lactāre
“To suckle or nurse, indicating the action of providing milk.”
Old French
Old French
lactater
“To milk or draw milk from, emphasizing the action of milking.”
Middle English
Middle English
lactaten
“To produce milk, often used in medical texts referring to bodily processes.”
Modern English
English
lactate
“To produce lactic acid or milk, retaining the essence of nourishment.”