Etymology From corruption of French louis, from Louis, presumably Louis IX or Louis XI, who issued gold écus.
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Scotland, Obsolete A French gold coin circulated in 15th-century Scotland.
...þe Ingliss noble, henry, ande Eduarde wᵗ þe ross, þe franche crowne, þe salute þe lewe and þe Ridar sall haif courss in þis realme...1467, Scottish Acts of James III, Vol. II, p. 88
lew
adj
Etymology From Middle English lew, lewe, from Old English *hlēowe, *hlīewe (attested adverbially in hlēowe (“warmly”) and as ġehlēowe, ġehlīewe (“warm, sunny, sheltered”), unhlēowe (“not warm, chill”)), from Proto-West Germanic *hliwi, from Proto-Germanic *hliwjaz, *hlēwaz (“warm, lukewarm”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱal(w)e-, *ḱlēw- (“warm, hot”). Cognate with Old Norse hlýr (“warm, mild”), ( > Danish ly (“lukewarm”)), hlær, German lau, which are themselves akin to Old Norse hlé (“lee”), Danish læ (“shelter”). Compare lee.
Lee or Lew, Calm, under the wind. Suss.1674, J. Ray, "South & East Countrey Words" in Coll. Eng. Words, p. 70
His house... was ‘loo’ from the cold north winds.1892, H. C. O'Neill, Devonshire Idyls, page 7:
lew
verb
Etymology From Middle English lew, lewe, from Old English *hlēowe, *hlīewe (attested adverbially in hlēowe (“warmly”) and as ġehlēowe, ġehlīewe (“warm, sunny, sheltered”), unhlēowe (“not warm, chill”)), from Proto-West Germanic *hliwi, from Proto-Germanic *hliwjaz, *hlēwaz (“warm, lukewarm”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱal(w)e-, *ḱlēw- (“warm, hot”). Cognate with Old Norse hlýr (“warm, mild”), ( > Danish ly (“lukewarm”)), hlær, German lau, which are themselves akin to Old Norse hlé (“lee”), Danish læ (“shelter”). Compare lee.
Lew... Those trees will lew the house when they're up-grown.1887, W. D. Parish & al., Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect
lew
noun
Etymology From Middle English lew, lewe, from Old English *hlēowe, *hlīewe (attested adverbially in hlēowe (“warmly”) and as ġehlēowe, ġehlīewe (“warm, sunny, sheltered”), unhlēowe (“not warm, chill”)), from Proto-West Germanic *hliwi, from Proto-Germanic *hliwjaz, *hlēwaz (“warm, lukewarm”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱal(w)e-, *ḱlēw- (“warm, hot”). Cognate with Old Norse hlýr (“warm, mild”), ( > Danish ly (“lukewarm”)), hlær, German lau, which are themselves akin to Old Norse hlé (“lee”), Danish læ (“shelter”). Compare lee.
To th' end a fruitfull lew May euerie Climate in his time renew.1605, J. Sylvester translating G. de S. Du Bartas as Deuine Weekes & Wks, Book i, Ch. iv, p. 136
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Dialectal A shelter from the wind, particularly temporary structures raised by shepherds to protect their flocks.
Lew, shelter; defence from storms or wind.1825, J. Jennings, Observ. Dial. W. Eng., p. 52
Lew, a thatched hurdle, supported by sticks, and set up in a field to screen lambs, etc. from the wind.1887, W. D. Parish & al., Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect
Etymology Uncertain, but compare Old English ġelewed (“weakness, infirmity”) and limlǣweo (“limb-weak, lame”). Possibly related to Proto-Germanic *laiwą (“damage”); compare Old Norse læ (“venom, bane”).
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Weak.
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Sickly-looking, pale, wan.
Mi bodi wexit lewe.c. 1325, "Old Age" in T. Wright & al.'s 1845 Reliquiae Antiquae, Vol. II, p. 211