Lofty
/ˈlɒf.ti/noun
Having great height, or elevated in rank, style, or character.
Did you know?The word comes from Old Norse *lopt* meaning “air” or “sky,” so its oldest sense is literally something raised up into the heavens, not just figuratively superior.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*luftaz / *luftą
“air, sky, empty space”
Old Norse
ON
lopt
“air, sky; upper room, loft”
Middle English
ME
lofte
“aloft; in the air, above”
Late Middle English
English
lofty
“high, elevated; proud, stately”
Modern English
English
lofty
“very high, tall, or elevated in style, rank, or character”