Loaf
/loʊf/noun
A shaped mass of bread, or a blocky quantity of food or material.
Did you know?Loaf is believed to come from a Proto-Germanic root meaning a lump or piece of bread, showing how everyday food words often began as blunt descriptions of shape, not comfort.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*hlaibaz
“a loaf of bread; a lump or piece”
Old English
OE
hlāf
“bread; a loaf”
Old English
OE
hlāfweard
“bread-guardian, lord of the household”
Middle English
ME
loof
“bread; a loaf”
Modern English
English
loaf
“a shaped mass of bread”