Lew
wiktionary
From corruption of French louis, from Louis, [1] presumably Louis IX or Louis XI, who issued gold écus.
From Middle English lew, lewe, from Old English hlēow, hlēowe(“warm, sunny, sheltered”), from Proto-Germanic *hlewaz, *hliwjaz, *hlēwaz(“warm, lukewarm”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱal(w)e-, *ḱlēw-(“warm, hot”). Cognate with Old Norse hlýr(“warm, mild”), ( > Danish ly(“lukewarm”)), hlær, German lau, which are themselves akin to Old Norse hlé(“lee”), Danish læ(“shelter”). Compare lee. [2]
Of uncertain etymology, but compare Old English ġelewed(“ weakness, infirmity”) and limlǣweo(“ limb- weak, lame”). [3] Possibly related to Proto-Germanic *laiwą(“damage”); compare Old Norse læ(“venom, bane”).
Variant of lo ( q.v.). [4]
Variant of lue ( q.v.). [5]
