mæl

mæl

1. imperative of mæla

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 мера (mera), Lithuanian mẽtas.

• IPA^(key): /mæːl/

mǣl n

1. (West Saxon) a measure

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

2. (West Saxon) 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. (West Saxon) time, occasion, season

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

4. (West Saxon) 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)

• undernmæl

• mǣþ

• Middle English: mel
  • English: meal