Obs. Forms: 1 lác, 2–3 lac, (lak-), 3 loc, (lok-), loac. [OE. lác (:—prehistoric *laikom, *laikâ) neut. and fem.; not found with the same meaning in any other Teut. lang., but usually identified with the Com. Teut. *laiko- ‘play,’ LAKE sb.2 With regard to the sense, it may be compared with OE. lícian to please, LIKE v., from another grade of the same root.] An offering, sacrifice; also, a gift. Only OE. and early ME. To lake (dat.), as a gift.

1

Beowulf (Z.), 1584. He … oðer swylc ut of-ferede lað-licu lac.

2

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. viii. 4. Ac gang æt-eowe þe þam sacerde and bring hym þa lac þe moyses bebead on hyra ʓecyðnesse.

3

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 39. Ne con him crist na mare þong þene þah he sloȝe þin child and bere þe his heaued to lake.

4

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 45. Þe þre loc þe ich er nemde þat is gold, and recheles and mirre.

5

a. 1225.  Leg. Kath., 63. Ðe riche reoðeren … brohten to lake.

6

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 152. Þe þreo kinges … offren Jesu Crist þeo deorewurðe þreo lokes.

7

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 1798. And iacob sente fer bi-foren him riche loac, and sundri boren.

8