mæl

See also: mael, máel, Máel, and mäl

Norwegian Nynorsk

Verb

mæl

1. imperative of mæla

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Old English

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *mēlą, from Proto-Indo-European *meh₁- (“to measure”). Cognate with Old Frisian mēl (West Frisian miel), Old Saxon -māl, Dutch maal, Old High German māl (German Mal (“time”), Mahl (“meal”)), Old Norse mál (Danish and Swedish mål), Gothic 𐌼𐌴𐌻 (mēl, “time, hour”). The Indo-European root is also the source of Ancient Greek μέτρον (métron), Latin mensus, Russian ме́ра (méra), Lithuanian mẽtas.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mæːl/

Noun

mǣl n

1. a measure

   Do wines þrie mel on ― pour on three measures of wine. (Leechbook)

   mǣltange ― a pair of compasses

2. mark, sign (especially a cross)

   Her oþiewde read Cristes mæl on hefenum ― in this year a red Christ's-sign appeared in the sky. (AS Chronicle)

3. time, occasion, season

   Mæl is me to feran. ― It is time for me to go. (Beowulf, l. 316)

   mǣlċearu ― cares or troubles of the time

   mǣldæġ ― appointed time, day

   mǣlġesceaft ― fate

4. the time for eating, meal-time, a meal

   He gereordade æt anum mæle fif þusend manna ― at one meal he fed five thousand men. (Wulfstan)

Declension

Declension of mæl (strong a-stem)

Case	Singular	Plural
nominative	mǣl	mǣl
accusative	mǣl	mǣl
genitive	mǣles	mǣla
dative	mǣle	mǣlum

Derived terms

• undernmǣl

Related terms

• mǣþ

Descendants

• Middle English: mel
  • English: meal