Lew

Origin

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).

Full definition of lew

Adjective

1. (Northern England) Lukewarm, tepid.