lackn.1
/lak/, U.S. /læk/ a. A defect; failing; a moral delinquency, fault, offence, crime; rarely, a natural blemish. to give the lack of: to impute the fault of. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > [noun] > state of having moral defects > moral defect
lackc1200
vice1338
default1340
fault1377
infirmity1382
wallet1528
flaw1586
failing1590
leak1597
delinquency1606
tare?1608
shortcominga1687
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 258 Fader & sune & holi gost on god in þrimnesse inne þe nis lac ne lest auȝ alle holinesse.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 29 Constantyn..Brak his feaute sone, of treson it is lak.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 99 She hath no lith without a lack.
a1400 Octouian 1394 And all maner of hors he knew, Bothe the lake and the vertu.
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Merchant's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 955 If I do that lakke..in the nexte Ryuer do me drenche.
c1420 J. Lydgate Assembly of Gods 369 For in hys talkyng no man cowde fynde lak.
1443 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 213 Esaw wolde have founde a laak, Cause that Jacob was put out of prees.
c1450 Mirour Saluacioun 2744 That man..to the ordeignaunce of godde of his synne gyves the lakke.
c1480 (a1400) St. Mary of Egypt 657 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 315 For my lake be put away.
1532 T. More Confut. Tyndale in Wks. 507/1 Yet haue I before at large opened you ye lackes therof.
1555 H. Latimer Serm. (1584) 294 The lacke is not in the law, but in vs.
1598 Queen Elizabeth I tr. Plutarch De Curiositate in Queen Elizabeth's Englishings (1899) ii. 123 The Curius more profit yeldz his foes than good vnto himself; that telleth them ther Lacks.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > perfection > [adjective] > pure or flawless
lutter971
unwemmedc1000
fair?c1225
upright?c1225
purec1300
without lackc1300
completec1380
defaultlessa1425
flush?1550
undefective1599
impeccable1620
indefectivea1641
defectless1651
virginala1659
flawless1659
unflawed1665
indefectuous1685
unblighted1785
immaculate1791
indefectible1833
shadeless1894
flukeless1895
intacta1941
pedicured1988
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > certain prospect or possession > [adverb]
(it is) no fail (but)1297
alsaufc1300
without lackc1300
without (any) faultc1325
sickerly1340
without lipsea1380
surelyc1380
for, without (any) failinga1382
sure?a1475
securely1597
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 191 He garte the erl suere, That he sholde yemen hire wel, Withuten lac.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 95 Fair scho was..& gode withouten lak.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xvi. 4. Þou alowed it as wiþouten lake [v.r. lacke].
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 1589 A tok a spere wiþ-oute lak.
c1440 York Myst. xi. 109 I am thy lorde, with-outyn lak.
c1450 (c1400) Sowdon of Babylon (1881) l. 1185 The botelles of bawme withoute lake.
c1450 Urbanitatis (Calig. A.ii) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 15 Lette þy Ryȝth sholdur folow his bakke, For nurtur þat ys, with-owten lakke.
a. Scottish. A fault that brings disgrace; disgrace, reproach, shame. (Often coupled with shame.) Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > disgrace or dishonour > [noun]
unworshipc888
bismerc893
shameOE
shondOE
shendnessc1000
shendinga1220
shendlaca1225
slander1297
brixlea1300
shendship1303
hounteec1330
dishonourc1380
reproofc1380
defamationa1387
dishonestyc1386
hountagec1390
defamea1393
disworshipa1400
mishonoura1400
villainya1400
shendc1400
rebukec1425
contemptc1430
reproach?a1439
reprobationa1450
disfamec1460
opprobry?a1475
lackc1480
shentc1480
vitupery1489
defamy1490
opprobre1490
dain?a1500
contemnment1502
ignominy?1527
scandalization1530
ignomy1534
contumely1555
disglory1567
dehonestationa1575
disgrace1592
attainder1597
disreputation1601
defaming1611
ignominiousness1655
adoxy1656
opprobrium1684
shonda1961
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > disgrace or dishonour > [noun] > cause of disgrace
shendship1303
stone of stumbling (scandal, slander, etc.)a1382
lackc1480
dishonour1553
discredit1574
disgrace1590
shame1609
opprobrium1656
c1480 (a1400) St. Ninian 644 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 322 For thru it haldine wes þar name in gret lak and in schame.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) x. l. 126 Off ws be found no lak eftir to reid.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ii. x. 46 Schamfull hir to sla, Na victory, bot lak following alswa.
1575 J. Rolland Treat. Court Venus i. f. 9 To schame & lak thir twa thair seruand drawis.
1603 Philotus lvii. sig. C2 To slay ane taine man, war bot lack allace.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > blame > [noun]
teleeOE
tolec1000
wite?c1225
lacking1377
blaminga1382
blame1393
lack1487
dashing1591
taxation1605
inculpation1822
scapegoating1943
scapegoatism1961
1487 How Good Wife taught her Daughter (St. John's Cambr.) 230 in J. Barbour Bruce (1877) 533 The Cumpany quhar thai tak Sall neuir chap for-outen lak.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 174 He dyd not stayne ne putte to lacke or rebuke hys royall autoritie in geuynge sentence of iudgement.
3.
a. Deficiency, want, need (of something desirable or necessary); also, an instance of this. In early use often plural.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > insufficiency > [noun] > deficiency, lack, or shortage
wanec888
trokingc1175
want?c1225
defaultc1300
trokea1325
fault1340
lacking1377
scarcityc1380
wantingc1390
absencea1398
bresta1400
defect?a1425
lack?c1425
defailing1502
mank?a1513
inlaik1562
defection1576
inlaiking1595
vacuity1601
deficience1605
lossa1616
failancea1627
deficiency1634
shortness1669
falling shorta1680
miss1689
wantage1756
shortage1868
the mind > possession > non-possession > [noun] > state of being devoid of something > lacking or being without something > that which is lacking
wantc1175
lack1549
?c1425 (c1390) G. Chaucer Fortune 5 But natheles, the lak of hir favour Ne may nat don me singen [etc.].
c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) 158 Lak of discrecioun causeth gret blyndenesse.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 108 Manye vnhelpis and manye lackis of helpis.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 171 Laik of spending dois him spure.
a1535 T. More Dialoge of Comfort (1553) iii. xxii. sig. T.i That affection happeth in very fewe, but that eyther the cause is lacke of faith, lacke of hope, or finally lacke of witte.
1549 J. Cheke Let. 30 May in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Lit. Men (1843) (Camden) 8 Among other lacks I lack painted bucrum.
1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 8 That lacke [of barley] is more commonly supplyed with Oates.
1588 Exhort. to Faithf. Subj. in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) II. 105 Remember the remedies, supply the lakes, remove the impediments.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) v. i. 68 Many that are not mad Haue sure more lacke of reason. View more context for this quotation
a1652 R. Brome Madd Couple Well Matcht iii, in Wks. (1873) I. 48 The ablest [servant] that any Lady of your lacks and longings ever bestow'd a favour on.
1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. i. 34 We shall not need to say what lack Of Leather was upon his back.
1753 Life J. Frith (1829) 75 He being driven to necessity and lack of money, was forced [etc.].
1849 J. Ruskin Seven Lamps Archit. i. 21 It is less the mere loss of labour that offends us, than the lack of judgment implied by such loss.
1874 J. S. Blackie On Self-culture 64 No genius and no talent can compensate for the lack of obedience.
b. no lack (of): Enough, plenty (of).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > [noun]
fillc893
enoughOE
no lack (of)c1305
sufficiencec1380
suffisancec1381
suffisance1390
sufficienta1450
sufficienty1450
sufficient1470
store1471
sufficientlyc1485
sufficiency1531
satiety1569
strength1593
competence1600
sufficiency1608
competency1616
quantum sufficit1693
quantum suff.1763
adequacy1790
quant. suff.1799
critical mass1947
c1305 Land Cokayne 29 Þer n'is lac of met no cloþ.
1611 Bible (King James) Exod. xvi. 18 He that gathered litle, had no lacke . View more context for this quotation
1833 H. Martineau Tale of Tyne vi. 109 There was no lack of loyalty among our people.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge x. 290 There seems to be no lack in this great mansion.
1870 F. M. Müller Sci. Relig. (1873) 101 There is no lack of materials for the student of the Science of Religion.
c. for (occasionally by, from, through) lack of: for want (rarely loss) of.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > non-possession > non-possession [phrase] > through lack of
for (the) fault ofc1290
for default ofc1300
for (occasionally by, from, through) lack ofc1386
for want ofa1425
in want of1556
in defect of1563
in failance ofa1627
in neglect of1807
c1386 G. Chaucer Sqr.'s T. 422 She swowneth now and now for lakke of blood.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Manciple's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 48 On the Manciple bigan he nodde faste For lakke of speche.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 827 For lak off blud he mycht no forthir gang.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. EEEi How that many for lacke of mortifyeng, tasteth nat of this feest.
c1560 A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) xiii. 16 Throw laik of speich I thoill ryt grit distress.
1654 J. Playford Breefe Introd. Skill Musick 19 He..slew some of them with his fist for lacke of another weapon.
1775 E. Burke Speech Resol. for Concil. Colonies 63 By lack whereof, they have been oftentimes touched and grieved by subsidies given.
1788 R. Burns in J. Johnson Scots Musical Museum II. 203 For laik o' gear ye lightly me.
1816 W. Scott Tales my Landlord 1st Ser. Introd. Those who came to my Landlord for liquor, and went thirsty away for lack of present coin.
1884 B. Bosanquet et al. tr. H. Lotze Metaphysic 226 A fourth dimension, now unknown to us from lack of incitement to construct it.
d. Proverb.
ΚΠ
1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. iv. sig. B In loue is no lacke.
1600 M. Drayton Idea in Englands Heroicall Epist. (rev. ed.) sig. Q5 v In loue there is no lacke, thus I beginne.
4. The state of being in want; indigence, straitened circumstances. Also, the condition of wanting food; famine, starvation.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > poverty > [noun]
waedlec888
wanspeedc893
wanea1100
wandrethc1175
miseasea1200
povertya1225
lowness?c1225
needc1225
orcostc1225
poorness?a1300
unwealtha1300
defaultc1300
porailc1325
straitnessa1340
poorhead1340
mischiefa1375
miseasetya1382
needinessa1382
misterc1385
indigencec1386
scarcitya1387
noughtc1400
scantnessc1400
necessity?1406
penurya1425
povertnessa1434
exilitya1439
wantc1450
scarcenessc1475
needinga1500
povertiesa1500
penurity?a1505
poortith?a1513
debility1525
tenuity1535
leanness1550
lack1555
Needham1577
inopy1581
pinching1587
dispurveyance1590
egency1600
macritude1623
penuriousness1630
indigency1631
needihood1648
necessitousness1650
egestuosity1656
straitened circumstancesa1766
unopulence1796
Queer Street1811
lowliness1834
breadlessness1860
unwealthiness1886
out-of-elbowness1890
secondary poverty1901
Short Street1920
1555 L. Digges (title) A prognostication of right good effect..contayninge..rules, to iudge the wether,..with a brefe iudgemente for euer, of plentie, lacke, sickenes [etc.].
1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Agst. Gluttony, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) ii. 306 Pinched by lacke and poverty.
1568 T. Howell Newe Sonets (1879) 156 Where one wee see to be preferde, three liue for lacke as starued.
a1605 Polwart Flyting with Montgomerie 737 Woodtyk, hoodpyk, ay like to liue in lacke!
1681 W. Robertson Phraseologia generalis (1693) 797 Lack or want, indigentia.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > absence > [noun]
absencec1384
non-being1455
wantc1508
absenty1520
lack1548
discontinuance1583
absency1599
negativeness1876
not-thereness1902
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Matt. xviii. 92 So greued with the lack of one lost shepe.
?1578 W. Patten Let. Entertainm. Killingwoorth 73 Not so goodly az Paradis..yet better a great deel by the lak of so vnhappy a tree.
1596 Countess of Pembroke Lay of Clorinda 89 in E. Spenser Wks. (Globe) 563/1 Whilest we here, wretches, waile his private lack.
1605 R. Verstegan Restit. Decayed Intelligence iv. 98 Shewing the lack of the matter or substance which it hath lost.
6. quasi-concrete.† b. The weight deficient in a specified quantity; short weight. Obsolete.
a. The thing wanted. rare.
ΚΠ
1549 J. Cheke Hurt of Sedicion sig. C8v That men..nedyng diuers thinges, maye in lyttell rome knowe where to fynde ther lacke.
1589 E. Hogan in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations i. 157 Knowyng that out of his countrey, the Realme of England might be better serued with lackes, then hee in comparison from vs.
1879 S. C. Bartlett Egypt to Palestine vi. 138 One great lack here and elsewhere is the green sod.
ΚΠ
1782 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 93 135 The average of weight hath been only 2 grains 153 decimals lack per lb. which was paid by the moneyers at the scale.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† lackn.2
Obsolete.
Only in the exclamation good lack!
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > lamentation or expression of grief > cry of grief > [interjection] > specific cry of grief
woeeOE
wellawayeOE
weilac1000
wellawayOE
wellaOE
woe is meOE
wummec1175
wia1200
outa1225
alas?c1225
walec1275
ac1300
whilec1402
ochonea1425
wellesay?1440
wannowec1450
helas1484
ah1509
ocha1522
ah me!a1547
wougha1556
eh1569
welladay1570
how1575
wellanear1581
ay me!1591
lasa1593
wella, welladay1601
good lack!1638
oime1660
pillaloo1663
wellanearing1683
lack-a-day1695
wasteheart1695
walya1724
lackadaisy1748
ochree1748
waesucks1773
well-a-winsa1774
ullagone1819
wirra1825
mavrone1827
wirrasthru1827
ototoi1877
wurra1898
1638 A. Cowley Loves Riddle v. sig. E6 Your son! goodlack.
1672 H. More Brief Reply 134 Good lack!
1775 R. B. Sheridan St. Patrick's Day ii. iii Good lack, good lack, to think of the instability of human affairs.
1807 G. Crabbe Parish Reg. iii, in Poems 124 ‘Good-lack,’ quoth James, ‘thy Sorrows pierce my Breast.’
a1816 R. B. Sheridan School for Scandal (rev. ed.) iii. ii, in Wks. (1821) II. 75 Good lack, you surprise me!
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
† lackn.3
Obsolete. rare.
An instrument formerly in use for extracting a fœtus; = fillet n.1 2c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical appliances or equipment > obstetrical equipment > [noun]
birth stool1627
forceps1634
ungula1684
unguis1752
fillet1753
crotchet1754
lack1754
tire-tête1754
perforator1790
vectis1790
cranioclast1860
binder1861
stirrup1936
vacuum extractor1954
birthing stool1956
ventouse1960
1754–64 W. Smellie Treat. Midwifery I. 250 Different practitioners had recourse to different kinds of fillets or lacks.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
† lackadj.
Obsolete.
1.
a. Of a quantity in measurement: Short, wanting.
ΚΠ
1479 Surtees Misc. (1890) 20 vj yerdes, ane ynche lakk.
1590 Acct.-bk. W. Wray in Antiquary (1896) 32 79 A yeard lacke nale tufte taffete, iijs. iijd.
1647 N. Nye Art of Gunnery ii. 16 Your degree of Randon is foure and three quarters; or five lack one quarter.
b. little lack of: not far short of (a specified condition).
ΚΠ
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. May 264 Sicke, sicke, alas, and little lack of dead.
2. Missing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > absence > [adjective] > absent, lost, or lacking
absenta1398
wanting?a1425
lacking1480
alacka1529
void1554
defaulting1584
lacked1590
lack1591
destituent1660
unaccounted1799
truant1869
1591 J. Harington tr. L. Ariosto Orlando Furioso xvii. xxviii. 130 When he found his wife and men were lacke.
3. Scottish. Deficient in quality, inferior, poor.
ΚΠ
1487 How Good Wife taught her Daughter (St. John's Cambr.) 56 in J. Barbour Bruce (1877) 527 And hear honour, bettir thing, And lawar stat, lakar clething.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ix. l. 222 The lakest schip that is his flot within May sayll ws doun on-to a dulfull ded.
?1553 (c1501) G. Douglas Palice of Honour (London) i. l. 534 in Shorter Poems (1967) 40 Diuers vtheris..Quhais lakkest weid was silkis or brounuert.
c1600 Hist. & Life James VI (1804) 245 As to the laik [1825 ed.: layit] money printed at his awin comand before he was Regent.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
lackv.1
/lak/, U.S. /læk/ a. intransitive. To be wanting or missing; to be deficient in quantity or degree. In early use const. with dative or to. Obsolete. (But to be lacking is current; see lacking adj.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > insufficiency > be insufficient [verb (intransitive)] > be wanting
trokec1000
lacka1175
wantc1225
missa1250
fail13..
fault1377
defaulta1382
defaila1400
inlaik1533
the world > relative properties > quantity > insufficiency > [verb (transitive)] > fall short of > fall short by (so much)
lackc1460
want1560
there needsa1687
a1175 Cott. Hom. 233 Wat lacede ȝeu an alle mire rice þat ȝie [etc.].
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1231 Tid-like hem gan ðat water laken.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. v. 238 And thauh my lyflode lakke letten I nulle That vche mon schal habben his.
c1405 (c1380) G. Chaucer Second Nun's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 498 Ther lakketh no thyng to thyne outter eyen That thow nart blynd.
c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) iv. ix. 181 A crooked staf me lakketh for to cholle with.
c1460 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (1885) xi. 137 A subsidie..as shall accomplishe that wich shall lakke hym off such livelod.
a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 37/2 His drifte couertly conuayde, lacked not in helping furth his brother of Clarence to his death.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. cliiijv In him lacked neither good will nor courage.
1588 A. King tr. P. Canisius Cathechisme or Schort Instr. 85 Ye..effectual grace of sa gret a sacrament can na wayis laik heirin.
1611 Bible (King James) Gen. xviii. 28 Peraduenture there shall lacke fiue of the fiftie righteous. View more context for this quotation
1849 C. Brontë Shirley I. iv. 63 A man in whom awe, imagination, and tenderness lack.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > absence > be absent [verb (intransitive)]
to be missedc1400
want1435
lackc1465
c1465 Pol. Rel. & L. Poems 5 Many yeeris hast þou lakkyd owte of this londe.
1467 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 386 Yf eny of the xlviij lakke or dissease.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > show evil in character [verb (intransitive)] > be faulty (of person)
lackc1400
society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > evildoing or wrongdoing > do evil or wrong [verb (intransitive)] > transgress or offend > offend against something
aguiltOE
lackc1400
sina1704
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 723 Fyfty..Þat neuer lakked þy laue, bot loued ay trauþe.
a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 994 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 126 Bot gif I lak in my leid yat nocht till allow Is.
d. = lag v.2 1a (Cf. also latch v.2 2b.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > move at specific rate [verb (intransitive)] > lag or fall behind
latch1530
drawlatch1599
to fall behind1652
to hang behind1677
tail1750
lack1775
drop1823
1775 S. Thayer Jrnl. (1867) 14 The people are very weak and begin to lack in the rear, being so much reduced with hunger and cold.
2. † b. with cannot: To do or go without. Obsolete.† c. To perceive the absence of; to miss. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To be without, not to have; to have too little of; to be destitute of or deficient in.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > non-possession > not have [verb (transitive)] > lack
wantc1175
missa1300
tharnc1300
to fail of1307
lackc1320
fault1377
failc1380
wanea1400
defaultc1425
to want ofc1425
walter1463
fault?1504
to defail of1556
to want for1560
scant1565
inlaik1568
impaira1626
to bate of1633
c1320 tr. J. Bonaventura Medit. 883 Ful feyn þey wulde Ihesu down taken But strengþe and ynstrumentys bothe þey lakkyn.
1470–84 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur iv. x For though I lacke wepen, I shall lacke no worship.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope iv Thow rendrest not to me al my gold..For of hit I lack four hondred pyeces.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection Pref. sig. Aiiv Ascribe it..to my insufficiency and ignoraunce, which lacke both lernyng and eloquence.
1573 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xxxix. 76 Not laiking na thing that belangit to weir.
1588 J. Udall State Church of Eng. sig. C Rather than hee [Judas] woulde lacke money, he would sell Iesus Christ him selfe.
1611 Bible (King James) Luke viii. 6 It withered away, because it lacked moisture. View more context for this quotation
c1680 W. Beveridge Serm. (1729) I. 183 What can they lack who live with him?
1807 G. Crabbe Parish Reg. i, in Poems 37 Learning we lack, not books.
1813 W. Scott Rokeby i. xii. 17 I could have laughed—but lacked the time.
1850 E. B. Browning tr. Æschylus Prometheus Bound (rev. ed.) in Poems (new ed.) I. 140 I lack your daring.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xii. 88 Though not viscous, the ice did not lack the quality of ‘adhesiveness’.
1870 C. E. L. Riddell Austin Friars iv Luke Ross felt his life lacked something.
1880 M. E. Braddon Just as I Am vii Dorothy's face lacked colour and brightness.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > non-possession > not have [verb (transitive)] > lack > do without
forgoa1400
to go without ——?a1500
lack1551
1551 R. Ascham Let. to E. Raven 20 Jan. in Wks. (1865) I. ii. 256 I was afraid when I came out of England to miss beer; but I am afraid when I shall come into England, that I cannot lack this wine.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. vi. sig. F2 The forlorne mayd did with loues longing burne, And could not lacke her louers company.
1592 G. Babington Certaine Comfortable Notes Genesis (vii.) f. 33 The rayne from aboue, & the fountaynes beneath, are things we cannot lack.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > absence > be absent from [verb (transitive)] > perceive the absence of
missc1175
to miss away1487
to miss of ——1560
lacka1616
want1627
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iii. iii. 323 Poore Lady, shee'll run mad, When she shall lacke it. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iii. iv. 83 My worthy Lord Your Noble Friends do lacke you. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iv. i. 16 I shall be lou'd when I am lack'd . View more context for this quotation
3. To need, stand in need of. Formerly frequent in the salesman's cry what d'ye lack? (see what do you lack at what pron., adv., int., adj.1, conj., and n. Phrases 1h(b)).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > necessity > condition of being necessary > need or want > need [verb (transitive)]
behovec890
to have mister ofc1300
needa1382
requirec1392
misterc1450
lack1530
note1710
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 601/1 I lacke, I want a thynge.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) James i. A Yf eny of you lacke wyszdome, let him axe of God.
1548 Order of Communion sig. B.i Lackyng comforte or counsayle.
1631 B. Jonson Bartholmew Fayre ii. ii. 18 in Wks. II What doe you lacke? what is 't you buy? what do you lacke? Rattles, Drums, Halberts, [etc.].
1671 J. Dryden Evening's Love v. 86 To draw us in with a what do you lack as we pass'd by.
4. intransitive. To be short of something (now rare). Also with for and †simply, to be in want.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > non-possession > not have or lack [verb (intransitive)]
fasteOE
to miss of ——?c1250
wantc1390
to go without ——?a1500
lack1523
mister1531
to miss of ——1796
the mind > possession > poverty > be poor [verb (intransitive)]
to have needOE
needa1300
to have mistera1400
to be low in the world1521
lack1523
pinch1549
to be beforehand (also behindhand) in (or with) the world1615
to feel the pinch1861
to feel the draught1925
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cxviii. 141 I shall go abrode..and gette vytayle..for within a whyle we shall lacke.
1575 J. Rolland Treat. Court Venus i. f. 1v I alone of sic curage did laik.
1598 J. Marston Scourge of Villanie ii. v. sig. E2v Liu'd he now, he should lack. Spight of his farming Oxe-staules.
1611 Bible (King James) Prov. xxviii. 27 He that giueth vnto the poore, shall not lacke . View more context for this quotation
1809 E. S. Barrett Setting Sun III. 144 Though individuals may lack of breeches.
1892 ‘M. Twain’ Amer. Claimant 40 Here's hoping he'll never lack for friends.
1894 Outing 24 87/1 Coffee..we were compelled to crush, lacking of a coffee mill.
1898 A. Skeel & W. H. Brearley King Washington (1899) 170 He was one of the many who had lacked for partners.
1906 E. Phillpotts Portreeve ii. iv. 154 The outward signs that she had marked upon him did not lack for inner causes.
a. transitive. To find ‘lacks’ or faults in; to find fault with, abuse, blame, reproach, vituperate. Also absol. Obsolete (Scottish and northern dialect)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > blame > [verb (transitive)]
accuseOE
witea1000
blamec1200
lastc1225
awreakc1275
friec1300
lack1340
impugn1377
aretc1386
default1489
remord1522
culpate1548
tax1548
finger-point1563
witen1589
attask1608
refounda1653
thank1667
bumble1675
to take to task1682
twitter1749
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 797 He loves men þat in ald tyme has bene, He lakes þa men þat now are sene.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xi. 2 Thanne Scripture scorned me..And lakked me in Latyne.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xvi. 78 Me is loþ..to lacky eny secte.
1496 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (de Worde) v. iv. 200/1 The flaterer lacketh and bacbyteth al tho that he hateth.
a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Nero) ix. l. 1407 Ȝhe weyn to lak, bot ȝhe commende.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 102 In euerie land with all leid we are lakkit.
1558 Q. Kennedy Compendius Tractiue To Rdr. sig. Aiii Loue, or lack; prayse, or condempnne.
1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 87 First to lofe, and syne to lak, Peter! it is schame.
a1600 A. Montgomerie Misc. Poems xliii. 17 Thy leiving no man laks.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > blame > [adjective] > blameworthy
to lackc1330
faulty1380
blameable1387
blameworthy1387
blamefulc1430
accusablea1525
wity1530
faultworthy1586
demeritorious1593
culpable1604
obnoxious1604
taxable1610
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 194 He sais behind þi bak..Wordes þat er to lak.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9037 Quilk er to lac, quilk er to luue, þair aun werckes will þam proue.
a1500 Lytylle Childrenes Lytil Bk. (Harl. 541) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 20 Ne drynk behynde no mannes bakke, For yf þou do, thow art to lakke.
1815 W. Scott Lord of Isles ii. xxvii. 71 If Bruce shall e'er find friends again..Old Torquil will not be to lack With twice a thousand at his back.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth i, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. II. 20 Your house has been seldom to lack, when the crown of Scotland desired..wise counsel.]
ΚΠ
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xv. 198 As a lyoun he loketh there men lakketh his werkes.
c1400 Gamelyn 276 Felaw he seyde why lakkest thou his ware.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) viii. l. 906 Thocht he wes best no nothir lak we nocht.
1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid i. Pref. 275 Na man wil I lakkin or despyse.
1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay 17 Thay that lichtlis and lakkis their nichburs guidis to oders.
1691 J. Ray S. & E. Country Words in Coll. Eng. Words (ed. 2) 104.
17.. A. Ramsay Cordial st. 1 Is that the thing ye're laking?
Compounds
C1. In various adjectives and nouns indicating the absence or want of what is signified by the second member. Also lackland n. and adj., lack-latin n. and adj., lacklustre adj. and n.
a.
lack-beard n.
ΚΠ
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing v. i. 188 For my Lord Lacke-beard, there hee and I shal meet. View more context for this quotation
lack-brain n.
ΚΠ
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 ii. iv. 15 What a lacke braine is this? View more context for this quotation
lack-grace n.
ΚΠ
1817 S. T. Coleridge Biogr. Lit. 277 We should..consider it as a lack-grace returned from transportation.
lack-mind n.
ΚΠ
1887 H. Knollys Sketches Life Japan 17 Lack-minds..whose stagnant curiosity is satisfied by staring over the ship's side.
lack-sense n.
ΚΠ
1881 J. M. Brown Student Life 9 Many a lacksense it has led to waste his patrimony.
b.
lack-laughter n.
ΚΠ
1850 J. S. Blackie tr. Æschylus Lyrical Dramas I. 48 Many force Lack-laughter faces to relax Into the soft lines traced by joy.
lack-life n.
ΚΠ
1889 J. Hirst in Archæol. Instit. Jrnl. No. 181. 32 The dreamy, lack-life, symbolic and ideal creations of the Assyrians.
lack-linen adj.
ΚΠ
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. iv. 121 You poore base rascally cheting lacke-linnen mate. View more context for this quotation
1861 K. H. Digby Chapel St. John (1863) 325 The fustian rascal and his poor lack-linen mate.
lack-pity adj.
ΚΠ
1881 C. Rossetti Pageant & Other Poems 122 Self stabbing self with keen lack-pity knife.
lack-spittle n.
ΚΠ
a1834 S. T. Coleridge in Blackwood's Mag. (1882) 131 123/2 I have not words to express the chopped straw, lack-spittle, dry-chewing feel I experience in reading them.
lack-thought adj.
ΚΠ
1829 R. Southey Epist. to A. Cunningham in A. Cunningham Anniversary 17 Sauney and sentimental, with an air So lack-thought and so lack-a-daisycal.
c.
lack-learning n. and adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > want of knowledge, ignorance > [noun]
unwisdomc825
nutelnessa1200
ignorance?c1225
uncunningc1290
uncunnessa1300
unwittingnessa1300
unknowledging1357
lewdness1362
unsciencec1374
mislearninga1382
simplenessa1382
unknowinga1382
ignorancec1384
unwittingc1384
simplessec1391
rudenessc1400
unweeting14..
lewdhead1401
misknowing?a1425
simplicityc1450
unknowledge1470
discognisancec1475
unknowingness1486
non-knowledge1503
ignorancy1526
simplehead1543
unlearnedness1555
ignoration1563
rusticity1571
ignorantness1574
ignoring1578
inscience1578
ignoramus1583
ingramness1589
lack-learning1590
idiotism1598
ignoramus1598
idiocy1605
nesciencea1625
nescio1637
inerudition1685
unawareness1847
agnosia1879
moronism1922
cluelessness1960
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > want of knowledge, ignorance > [adjective]
unlearedeOE
untowenc1000
unwittyc1000
skillessc1175
uncouthc1220
lewda1225
lorelessa1300
simplea1325
layc1330
uncunning1340
untaughtc1340
unknowingc1350
rudea1382
roida1400
unquainta1400
ignorant?c1400
unlearnedc1400
misknowing?a1425
simple-hearted?c1425
unknownc1475
unkenningc1480
unweeting1483
nescienta1500
craftlessc1530
misliterate1532
sillya1547
ingram1553
gross1561
inscient1578
borowe1579
plain-headeda1586
empirical1588
rudeful1589
lack-learning1590
learnless?1593
wotless?1594
ingrant1597
untutored1597
small-knowing1598
uninstructed1598
unlearnt1609
unread1609
unware?1611
nescious1623
inscious1633
inscientifical1660
uninformed1702
unaware1704
unable1721
unsuspecting1776
inerudite1801
ill-informed1824
incognoscent1827
unminded1831
unknowledgeable1837
knowledgelessc1843
parviscient1862
clueless1943
1590 J. Davidson Reply to Bancroft in Wodrow Soc. Misc. 516 So is there no shaft that oftner flieth out of their bag against others, than the boult of lack learning.
1602 T. Campion Obseruations Art Eng. Poesie sig. A6 In those lack-learning times..began that..kind of Poesie..which we abusiuely call Rime, and Meeter.
1837 F. Palgrave Merchant & Friar (1844) i. 16 Our common nomenclature still bears testimony to the lack-learning of ancient times.
lack-love n. and adj.
ΚΠ
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream ii. ii. 83 Pretty sowle, she durst not lye, Neere this lack-loue, this kil-curtesie. View more context for this quotation
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxxxi. 3 Only the lack-love signor, a wretch from sickly Pisaurum.
C2. † lack-looks n. Obsolete a woman who is wanting in good looks.
lack-all n. one who is in want of everything; hence (nonce-word).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > poverty > [noun] > poor person > very poor person
armeOE
goodlessa1350
pauper1516
bankrupt?1563
gnaw-bone1607
gnaw-crust1611
have-nothing1755
bone-grubber1817
bone-picker1825
lack-all1850
destitute1863
stiff1899
down and out1901
down-and-outer1906
1850 T. Carlyle Latter-day Pamphlets i. 46 Vagrant Lackalls, foolish most of you, criminal many of you, miserable all.
1886 W. Graham Social Probl. 7 Both the labourers and the lack-alls who do not labour.
lack-allism n.
ΚΠ
1886 W. Graham Social Probl. 8 The great intermediate and most anxious class, whose condition shades into lack-allism.
lack-learning Parliament n. = Unlearned Parliament n. at unlearned adj. and n. Compounds.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > rule or government > ruler or governor > deliberative, legislative, or administrative assembly > governing or legislative body of a nation or community > English or British parliament > [noun] > a particular English or British parliament > specific
great Parliamentc1450
Good Parliament1580
addle parliament1614
giunto1641
junto1641
Unlearned Parliament1643
Long Parliament1646
rump?1653
Short Parliament1653
lay Parliament1655
Barebone's Parliament1657
Rump Parliament1659
Little Parliamenta1675
Long Parliament1678
Pensioner Parliament1678
Pensioned Parliament1681
Bluestocking Parliamenta1683
Pension Parliament1682
Pensionary Parliament1690
marvellous Parliament?1706
rumple1725
lack-learning Parliament1765
unreported Parliament1839
Cavalier Parliament1849
Addled Parliament1857
merciless Parliament1875
wonderful Parliament1878
nominated Parliament1898
1765 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. I. ii. 177 Our law books and historians have branded this parliament with the name of parliamentum indoctum, or the lack-learning parliament.
ΚΠ
1618 Owles Alm. Our lack-lookes and barren-beauties.
lack-stock n. one who has no money in stocks.Apparently an isolated use.
ΚΠ
1819 R. Southey Select. from Lett. (1856) III. 212 We poor lacklands and lackstocks who have to earn our livelihood.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
lackv.2
/lak/, U.S. /læk/ Obsolete exc. dialect.
transitive. To beat.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > corporal punishment > administer corporal punishment [verb (transitive)] > beat
threshOE
beatc1000
to lay on?c1225
chastise1362
rapa1400
dressc1405
lack?c1475
paya1500
currya1529
coil1530
cuff1530
baste1533
thwack1533
lick1535
firka1566
trounce1568
fight1570
course1585
bumfeage1589
feague1589
lamback1589
lambskin1589
tickle1592
thrash1593
lam1595
bumfeagle1598
comb1600
fer1600
linge1600
taw1600
tew1600
thrum1604
feeze1612
verberate1614
fly-flap1620
tabor1624
lambaste1637
feak1652
flog1676
to tan (a person's) hide1679
slipper1682
liquora1689
curry-comb1708
whack1721
rump1735
screenge1787
whale1790
lather1797
tat1819
tease1819
larrup1823
warm1824
haze1825
to put (a person) through a course of sprouts1839
flake1841
swish1856
hide1875
triangle1879
to give (a person or thing) gyp1887
soak1892
to loosen (a person's) hide1902
?c1475 Hunt. Hare 141 Thei leyd at her with mallus strong As fast as they might lacke.
1847 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words I Lacky, to beat severely. Devon.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
lackv.3
Categories »
a spurious word explained in some dictionaries ‘to pierce the hull of (a vessel) with shot’, is evolved from lact = ‘laced’ (in quot. for lace v. 9), misunderstood as ‘lacked’ by Kingsley (Westward Ho! xx and xxviii).
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
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n.1c1200
n.21638n.31754adj.1479v.1a1175
v.2?c1475v.3