ettle

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English etlien, atlien, from Old Norse ǣtla (“to think, mean, suppose, intend, purpose”), from Proto-Germanic *ahtalōną (“to strive, think”), from Proto-Indo-European *ok- (“to think, intend, purpose”); partly from Middle English aghtelen, ahtlien (“to think, esteem, purpose, set out, arrange”), from a frequentative variant of Old English eahtian (“to estimate, esteem, fix the character or quality of something, consult about, consider, deliberate, mediate, devise, watch over, speak of with praise”), from West Germanic *ahtōna (“to think, believe, fear”), from Proto-Germanic *ahwjaną (“to believe, intend, think, fear”), from Proto-Indo-European *okʷ-, *h₃ekʷ- (“to see”). Cognate with Dutch achten (“to deem, regard, esteem, think”), German achten (“to heed, respect, value”), Danish agte (“to esteem, intend, observe, heed”), Gothic 𐌰𐌷𐌾𐌰𐌽 (ahjan, “to think”). More at eye.

Verb

ettle (third-person singular simple present ettles, present participle ettling, simple past and past participle ettled)

1. (transitive, dialectal, chiefly Scotland) To aim; purpose; intend; attempt; try.
2. (transitive, dialectal, chiefly Scotland) To expect; reckon; count on.
3. (intransitive, dialectal, chiefly Scotland) To take aim.
4. (intransitive, dialectal, chiefly Scotland) To make attempt.
5. (intransitive, dialectal, chiefly Scotland) To direct one's course.
6. (intransitive, dialectal, chiefly Scotland) To aspire; be ambitious.

Derived terms

• ettler
• ettling

Noun

ettle (plural ettles)

1. (dialectal, chiefly Scotland) Intention; intent; aim.

Synonyms

• mint

Etymology 2

A variation of addle (“to earn”).

Verb

ettle (third-person singular simple present ettles, present participle ettling, simple past and past participle ettled)

1. (obsolete) To earn.

Related terms

• ettlings

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Scots

Etymology

From Old Norse ætla.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɛtl/

Verb

tae ettle (third-person singular simple present ettles, present participle ettlin, simple past ettle't, past participle ettle't)

1. to intend, mean
2. to try, attempt