laime

From the same Proto-Indo-European stem as the verb laist (“to let, to allow”) (q.v.): *laid-mē > laime. The verb laist can also mean “to give, to grant,” which would suggest for laime the original meaning of “given, granted (thing),” which could be either positive or negative, i.e., “fate,” a meaning with which laime can be found in folk songs and tales, and in occasional modern phrases like laba laime “good luck.” In common usage, however, the meaning of laime developed from “fate” to “good, happy fate,” “happiness.” Cognates include Lithuanian láimė, Old Prussian laeims ([laims], “rich”), laimiskan (“abundant[acc.]”).