Etymology
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lullaby (n.)

"soothing song sung to infants," 1580s, noun use of the words lulley by (1560s), from Middle English lollai or lullay, a common burden in nursery songs, from lullen (see lull (v.)). Second element perhaps from by in good-bye or simply a meaningless extension.

Entries linking to lullaby

lull (v.)

early 14c., lullen "to calm or hush to sleep," probably imitative of lu-lu sound used to lull a child to sleep (compare Swedish lulla "to hum a lullaby," German lullen "to rock," Sanskrit lolati "moves to and fro," Middle Dutch lollen "to mutter"). Figurative use from 1570s; specifically "to quiet (suspicion) so as to delude into a sense of security" is from c. 1600. Related: Lulled; lulling.

bye (interj.)

1709, shortened form of good-bye. Also compare lullaby. Reduplication bye-bye is recorded from 1736; as a sound used to lull a child to sleep it is attested from c. 1500.

updated on September 07, 2017

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Dictionary entries near lullaby

lug-worm

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lulu

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lumbago

lumbar

lumber

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