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last³

(lăst)

A block or form shaped like a human foot and used in making or repairing shoes.

tr.v. last·ed, last·ing, lasts

To mold or shape on a last.

[Middle English leste, laste, from Old English lǣste, from lǣst, lāst, sole of the foot; see leis-¹ in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

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last3

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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