obsolete except in lukewarm (late 14c.), from Middle English leuk "tepid" (c. 1200), of unknown origin; perhaps from Middle Dutch or Old Frisian leuk "tepid, weak," or from Old English hleowe (adv.) "warm," all from Proto-Germanic *khlewaz (see lee).
masc. proper name, from Latin Lucas (Greek Loukas), contraction of Lucanus literally "of Lucania," district in Lower Italy, home of the Lucani, a branch of the Sabelline race.
