Loan
/loʊn/noun
A sum of money that is borrowed and expected to be paid back with interest.
Did you know?In Old English, 'loan' was linked to the concept of 'lending' which often implied a spiritual or social obligation, making it a binding agreement beyond mere finance.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*laanō
“a gift or something lent, often with conditions.”
Old English
OE
lǣn
“to lend, to grant for temporary use.”
Middle English
ME
loane
“a sum borrowed, often with a promise of return.”
Modern English
English
loan
“a formal arrangement for borrowing money, emphasizing the return of the principal with interest.”