lark

lark
{{11}}lark (n.1) "songbird," early 14c., earlier lauerche (c.1200), from O.E. lawerce (late O.E. laferce), from P.Gmc. *laiw(a)rikon (Cf. O.S. lewerka, Fris. liurk, O.N. lævirik, Du. leeuwerik, Ger. Lerche), of unknown origin. Some Old English and Old Norse forms suggest a compound meaning "treason-worker," but there is no folk tale to explain or support this.
{{12}}lark (n.2) "spree, frolic," 1811, possibly shortening of skylark (1809), sailors' slang "play rough in the rigging of a ship" (larks were proverbial for high-flying), or from English dialectal lake/laik "to play" (c.1300, from O.N. leika "to play," from PIE *leig- "to leap") with intrusive -r- common in southern British dialect. The verb lake, considered characteristic of Northern English vocabulary, is the opposite of WORK (Cf. work) but lacks the other meanings of PLAY (Cf. play). As a verb, from 1813. Related: Larked; larking.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Lark — Lark, n. [OE. larke, laverock, AS. l[=a]werce; akin to D. leeuwerik, LG. lewerke, OHG. l[=e]rahha, G. lerche, Sw. l[ a]rka, Dan. lerke, Icel. l[ae]virki.] (Zo[ o]l.) Any one numerous species of singing birds of the genus {Alauda} and allied… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lark — lark; lark·i·ness; lark·ish; lark·some; tit·lark; lark·er; lark·ing·ly; lark·ish·ly; lark·ish·ness; …   English syllables

  • Lark — (engl. für Lerche) ist der Name von: Lark (Fluss), Fluss in England Lark ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Karl Lark Horovitz (1892−1958), US amerikanischer Physiker österreichischer Herkunft Maria Lark (* 1997), US amerikanische… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • lark — [ lark ] noun count 1. ) a small brown bird that is common in Europe and is known for singing while it flies 2. ) INFORMAL something that you do for fun or excitement: for a lark: We thought we d try bungee jumping for a lark. a ) blow/sod, etc.… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • lark — Ⅰ. lark [1] ► NOUN ▪ a songbird with brown streaky plumage and a song that is delivered on the wing. ● be up with the lark Cf. ↑be up with the lark ORIGIN Old English. Ⅱ. lark …   English terms dictionary

  • lark — lark1 [lärk] n. [ME lark, laverke < OE laferce, older læwerce, akin to Ger lerche (OHG lērahha), ON lævirki (Dan lerke)] 1. any of a large family (Alaudidae) of chiefly Old World passerine birds, including the skylark and horned lark 2. any of …   English World dictionary

  • lark|y — «LAHR kee», adjective, lark|i|er, lark|i|est. Informal. carefree; frolicsome; gay: »... those oppressed with the weight of wealth as well as those larky with the lack of it (New York Times) …   Useful english dictionary

  • Lark — (l[aum]rk), n. [Perh fr. AS. l[=a]c play, sport. Cf. {Lake}, v. i.] A frolic; a jolly time. [Colloq.] Dickens. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lark — Lark, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Larked} (l[aum]rkt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Larking}.] To sport; to frolic. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lark — Lark, v. i. To catch larks; as, to go larking. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lark — es una marca de tabaco fabricada por la empresa estaunidense Philip Morris Products S. A. Lark sólo se distribuye en paquetes de 20 unidades con una única modalidad. Se caracteriza por un sabor suave. Contenido Alquitrán: 10mg Nicotina: 0,9mg CO… …   Wikipedia Español

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