- lease (n.)
- late 15c., from Anglo-Fr. les (1292), from lesser "to let, let go," from O.Fr. laissier "to let, leave," from L. laxare "loosen, open, make wide," from laxus "loose" (see lax). The verb is attested from 1560s. Related: Leased; leasing. Lessor, lessee in contract language preserves the Anglo-Fr. form.