An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

In physics, a measure of the energy, mass, or other physical quantities lost in a system, by conversion or external effects.

Etymology (EN): From O.E. los “loss, destruction,” from P.Gmc. *lausa,
from PIE base *leu- “to loosen, divide, cut apart, untie, separate” (cf. Gk. lyein “to loosen, untie, slacken,” lysus “a loosening;” L. luere “to loose, release, atone for;” Skt. lunati “cuts, cuts off,” lavitram “sickle;” Pers. las “loose,” lâ “slit, cut;” → analysis).

Etymology (PE): Dastraft, literally “gone from hand,” from dast “hand” (Mid.Pers. dast; O.Pers. dasta-; Av. zasta-; cf. Skt. hásta-; Gk. kheir; L. praesto “at hand;” Arm. jern “hand;” Lith. pa-žastis “arm-pit;” PIE *ghes-to-) + raft p.p. of raftan “to go, elapse, glide by, depart” (Mid.Pers. raftan, raw-, Proto-Iranian *rab/f- “to go; to attack”).