Mac-
< scottish
and irish
[prefix in names] Mac-
< old
celtic
*makko-s
(= son).
macabre
< middle english macabre
< old
french
[danse]
Macabré
(= [dance] of Death) < (?) 1. medieval
latin
[Chorea]
Machabæorum
(= [dance]
of the Maccabees) < Maccabæorum,
genitive plural of Maccabæi
< ancient greek Μακκαβαίοι
| Makkabhaeoe,
a Jewish family [leaders of a
revolution against Seleucides occupation of Israel] < hebrew
makkaba (=
hammer) or 2. Macabré,
a painter [who made paintings of skeletons dance].
macaroni
< (?)
1. italian
[dialectal] maccaroni,
plural of maccarone
< medieval
greek
μακαρωνία
| makarōnia
< ancient greek
μακαρία
| makaria
(= food made from barley, food in honor of a dead) < μακαρία,
female of μακάριος
| makarios
(= happy), also (= dead) < μάκαρ
| makar
(= happy) or 2. venetian macaroni
< latin
*macco
[inf. maccare]
(= cut).
machete
<
spanish
machete
(= a chopping knife) < (?) a diminutive of macho
(= sledge hammer) < mazo
(= club) < (?) maza
(= mallet) <
vulgar
latin
*mattea
(= war club).
machine
< middle
french
machine
(= device, contrivance) <
latin
machina
(= machine, device) <
ancient greek
μακάνα
| makhana,
μηχανή
| mēkhanē
(= device, tool, machine).
macho
<
spanish
macho
(= male animal, tugh guy) < macho
(= masculine)
< latin
masculus
(= masculine, male), a diminutive of mas
[gen. maris]
(= male).
Machu
Picchu <
quechua
(of Inca) machu
(= old man) + pikchu
(= peak).
macular
< macula
(= spot) < latin
macula
(= spot, stain) <
proto-italic
*smalto-.
mad
< middle english mad
(= crazy, insane) <
old
english
gemædde
(= foolish, stupid) < gemæded,
past participle of *gemædan
(= make insane, make foolish) <
proto-germanic
*gamaidjan
< *gamaidaz
(= changed, abnormal).
Madagascar
<
Mogadishu,
city in Somalia [the
Italian explorer Marco Polo thought the arabic name of this city was
that of the island] < arabic
mukaddas
(= holy).
madam
< middle english madam
< old
french ma
dame (=
my lady) <
latin mea
domina
(= my
lady) <
mea,
female of meus
(= mine) + domina
(= lady, mistress of the house) (<
latin
domus
(= house)).
Madeira
<
portuguese
madeira
(= wood) [from the formerly large wood of this island]
< latin
materia
(= wood, matter).
Madeline
<
french
Magdalene
< latin
[Maria]
Magdalena
< ancient
greek [Μαρία]
Μαγδαληνή
| [Maria]
Maghdhalēnē
(= [Mary]
of Magdala) <
aramaic
Maghdela (=
tower), a town in Israel <
gadal
(= be great, be high).
Madge
< Mag
< a diminutive of Margaret
< old
french
Margaret
< late
latin
Margarita
(= pearl)
< ancient
greek μαργαρίτης
[λίθος] | margharitēs
[lithos]
(= pearl [stone]).
Madison
< middle english Madison
< 1. (?)
Mathieson
(= son of
Matthew) <
Matthew
+ son
or 2. *Maddison
(= son
of Maddy) <
Maddy,
a diminutive of Maud
< old
french
Mahaut
< medieval
latin
Matilda
< old high
german Mahthilda
< mahti
(= might, power) + hildi
(= battle).
madonna
< italian
madonna
< old
italian ma
donna
(= my
lady) <
ma
(= my) + donna
(= lady) <
latin mea
domina
(= my
lady) <
mea,
female of meus
(= mine) + domina
(= lady, mistress of the house) (<
latin
domus
(= house)).
Madrid
< spanish Madrid
< Majerit.
maestro
<
italian
maestro
(= master)
< latin
magister
[gen. magistris]
(= chief, director, teacher), a contrastive of magis
(= more)
< I.E.
*mag-yos-,
comparative of *meg-
(= great).
mafia
< italian
Mafia
(= Sicilian secret society of criminals) < 1. sicilian
mafia
(= courage,
bravery, spirit of hostility to the law) < arabic
mahjas
(= arrogance) or 2. sicilian
mafiusu
(= signifying
a bully, arrogant, fearless, proud) < arabic
marfud
(= rejected).
magazine
< middle
french
magasin
(= warehouse, store) <
italian
magazzino
< arabic
makhazin,
plural of makhzan
(= storehouse) <
khazana
(= store up). [the meaning “periodical journal” dates from the
first publication of “Gentleman’s Magazine” (1731)]
Magdalene
< latin
[Maria]
Magdalena
< ancient
greek [Μαρία]
Μαγδαληνή
| [Maria]
Maghdhalēnē
(= [Mary]
of Magdala) <
aramaic
Maghdela (=
tower), a town in Israel <
gadal
(= be great, be high).
magenta
< italian
Magenta,
a town in Italy [where this color was produced and named in honor of
the Battle of Magenta (1859)] < [Marcus
Aurelius Valerius] Maxentius,
Roman emperor < maximus,
superlative of magnus
(= great, large).
Maggie
< a diminutive of Margaret
< old
french
Margaret
< late
latin
Margarita
(= pearl)
< ancient
greek μαργαρίτης
[λίθος] | margharitēs
[lithos]
(= pearl [stone]).
magic
< middle english magike
(= magical
art) < old
french
magique
(= magic, magical) <
late latin
magice
(= sorcery, magic) <
ancient greek
μαγική [τέχνη]
| maghikē
[tekhnē]
(= magical [art]) < μαγική,
female of μαγικός
| maghikos
(= magical) <
μάγος
| maghos
(= magician) <
old
persian
Magush,
a tribe of priests < I.E.
*magh-
(= be able, have power).
magistrate
< middle english magistrate
< old
french
magistrat
< latin
magistratus
(= magistrate) <
magistro
[inf. magistrare]
(= serve as a magistrate) < magister
[gen. magistris]
(= chief, director, teacher) {> portuguese
mestre, spanish
maestro, italian
maestro, french
maître, dutch
meester, german Meister}
< a contrastive of magis
(= more)
< I.E.
*mag-yos-,
comparative of *meg-
(= great).
magma
< middle english magma
(= dregs)
<
latin
magma
(= dregs of an ointment) <
ancient greek
μάγμα
| maghma
(= thick unguent, ointment) <
μάσσω
| massō
(= knead, mold).
magnet
<
middle english magnet
<
old french
magnete
< latin
magnes
[gen. magnetis]
(= lodestone)
< ancient
greek μαγνήτης
[λίθος] | maghnētēs
[lithos]
(= [stone] of Magnesia) <
Μάγνης
| Maghnēs
[gen. Μάγνητος
| Maghnētos],
a nation in Magnesia in Greece.
magnify
< middle english magnifien
< old
french
magnefiier
(= glorify, magnify) <
latin
magnifico
[inf. magnificare]
(= esteem greatly, extol) <
magnificus
(= great, elevated) <
magnus
(= great) + facio
[inf. facere]
(= make, do).
magnolia
< modern latin Magnolius
< french
[Pierre]
Magnol,
a botanist.
mahogany
< spanish
mahogani
< (?) source from Maya
(of Honduras).
maid
< middle english maid,
a shortening of maiden
(q.v.).
maiden
< old
english
mæ(g)den
(= unmarried woman, girl, maidservant), a diminutive of mæg(e)ð
(= virgin, girl, woman, wife) <
proto-germanic
*magadin-
(= young womanhood), female of I.E.
*maghu-
(= youngster, unmarried).
mail
< middle english mail
(= traveling bag) <
old french
male
(= wallet, bag, bundle) <
frankish
*malha
<
proto-germanic
*malho-
< I.E.
*molko-
(= skin, bag).
main
< old
english
mægen
(= power,
strength, force) <
proto-germanic
*maginam
(= power) < I.E.
*magh-
(= be able, have power).
maintain
< middle english maintenen
(= support, uphold, aid) <
anglo-french meintenir
(= keep,
sustain) <
latin manu
tenere
(= hold in hand) <
manu,
ablative of manus
(= hand) + teneo
[inf. tenere]
(= hold).
maisonette
< french
maisonnette,
a diminutive of maison
(= house) <
old french
mansion
(= house, habitation, home, mansion) <
latin
mansio
[gen. mansionis]
(= a
staying, a remaining) < maneo
[inf. manere]
(= to stay, abide) < I.E.
*men-(3)
(= to
remain).
majesty
< middle english mageste
< old
french
majeste
(= grandeur, nobility) <
latin
majestas
(= greatness,
honor, excellence) <
major,
comparative of magnus
(= great, large) <
I.E. *meg-
(= great).
major
< middle english majour
(= greater,
leading, principal) <
latin
major,
comparative of magnus
(= great, large) <
I.E. *meg-
(= great).
Majorca
< spanish Majorca
(= greater) [so called because it is
the largest of the three islands] <
latin
major,
comparative of magnus
(= great, large) <
I.E. *meg-
(= great).
majorette
<
[drum]-majorette
(1938), female of drum-major
< drum
+ major.
make
< old
english
macian
(= do, give being to, cause) <
west
germanic
*makōjanan
(= to fashion, fit) {> dutch
maken, old high
german
mahhon, german
machen} <
I.E. *mag-
(= to knead, fashion, fit).
Malaga
< spanish Malaga
< (?) phoenician
malha
(= salt).
malaria
< italian
mal’aria
< mala aria
(= bad
air) <
mala,
female of malo (=
bad) (<
latin
malus
(= bad)) + aria
(= air) (< latin aer
(= air) <
ancient greek
αήρ | aēr
[gen. αέρος | a-eros]
(= air).
Malcolm
< old
irish Máel
Coluim
(= servant of [St.] Columba) <
máel
(= servant) + Coluim (=
Columba).
Maldives
< (?) sanskrit
maladvipa
(= garland of islands) <
mala
(= garland) + dvipa
(= island).
male
< middle english male
< old
french
masle
(= masculine,
male, adult) <
latin
masculus
(= masculine, male), a diminutive of mas
[gen. maris]
(= male).
maleficent
< latin
maleficus
(= wicked, vicious, criminal) <
male
(= badly) + facio
[inf. facere]
(= make, do).
malfunction
< mal-
(<
latin male
(= badly)) + function.
malicious
< middle english malicious
<
old french
malicios
(= spiteful, wicked) <
latin
malitiosus
(= wicked, malicious) <
malitia
(= badness, ill will, spite) <
malus
(= bad, unpleasant).
mall
< [The]
Mall,
a broad promenade in London < Maill
[so called because it formerly was an open alley used to play
pall-mall] < pall-mall,
a game with a wooden ball < french
pallemaille
< italian
pallamaglio
< palla
(= ball) + maglio
(= mallet) (< latin
malleus
(= hammer, mallet)).
Malta
< latin
Melite
< ancient greek Μελίτη
| Melitē
< (?) phoenician
melita
(= place
of refuge) <
malat
(= he escaped).
mamma
< a
reduplication of I.E.
*ma-
(= mother) [baby-talk] {> french
maman, welsh
mam, latin
mamma, ancient greek
μαμμή | mammē, russian mama, persian
mama}.
mammal
<
modern
latin
mammalia
< mammalia,
neuter plural of late
latin
mammalis
(= of the breast) <
latin
mamma (=
breast).
mammoth
<
russian
mammo(n)t’
< (?) finno-ugric
origin.
mammy
< a
diminutive of mam
< mamma
< a
reduplication of I.E.
*ma-
(= mother) [baby-talk].
man
< old
english
man(n)
(= human being, person, brave man, hero) <
proto-germanic
*mann-
{> old
norse maðr,
swedish
man, danish
mand, dutch
man, gothic
manna, german
Mann} <
I.E.
*man-(1)
(= man).
manage
< old
french
manège
(= horsemanship)
< italian
maneggio
< maneggiare
(= handle, touch, to control a horse) < latin
manus
(= hand) < I.E.
*man-(2)
(= hand).
Manchester
< Mameceastre
<
celtic
Mamucio
< (?) *mamm
(= breast, breast-like hill), + old
english
ceaster
(= town, castle).
mandarin
< portuguese
mandarim
/ older
dutch
mandorijn
< malay
mantri
< hindi
mantra (=
councilor, minister of state) <
sanskrit
mantri
(= adviser) <
mantra
(= counsel) <
I.E.
*men-(1)
(= to
think).
mandolin
<
french
mandoline
< italian
mandolino,
a diminutive of mandola
< late
latin pandura
(= three-stringed lute) <
ancient greek
πανδούρα
| pandhoura
(= three-stringed musical instrument).
mandragora
< mandrake
/ mondrake
/ mandragge
< medieval
latin
mandragora
< latin
mandragoras
< ancient
greek μανδραγόρας
| mandhraghoras <
persian mardum
gija (=
plant of man).
maneuver
<
french
manoeuvre
(= manipulation, maneuver) <
old french
manovre (=
manual labor) <
medieval
latin
manuopera
<
manuopero
[inf. manuoperare]
(= work with the hands) <
latin manu
operor
[inf. operari]
< manu,
ablative of manus
(= hand) + operor
[inf. operari]
(= to work).
manga
< japanese manga
(= cartoon,
caricature) [1984].
mango
< portuguese
manga
< malay
mangga
< tamil
mankay
< man
(= mango tree) + kay
(= fruit).
maniac
< french
maniaque
< late
latin
maniacus
< ancient
greek μανιακός
| maniakos <
μανία
| mania (=
madness, frenzy, enthusiasm, fury) < μαίνομαι
| maenomae
(= rage, go mad).
manicure
< french
manicure
< latin
manus
(= hand) + cura
(= care).
manifest
< middle english manifest
<
old french
manifest
(= evident, palpable) < latin
manifestus
(= apprehensible, apparent, evident) < (?) manus
(= hand) + -fendo
[inf. -fendere]
(= hit, press).
Manila
< tagalog
may
(= there is) + nila
(= a kind of indigo).
manipulation
< french
manipulation
< manipule
(= handful) <
latin
manipulus (=
handful, sheaf, bundle) <
manus
(= hand) + pleo
[inf. plere]
(= to fill).
mannequin
< french
mannequin
< dutch
manneken
(= little
man, human model for artists) < a diminutive of middle
dutch man
< proto-germanic
*manwaz
< I.E.
*man-(1)
(= man).
manner
< middle english manere
(= kind,
sort, variety) <
anglo-french
manere
/ old
french
maniere
(= fashion, method, manner) <
vulgar
latin
*manaria
< latin
manuaria,
female of manuarius
(= belonging to the hand) <
manus
(= hand) < I.E.
*man-(2)
(= hand).
manometer
<
french
manomètre
< ancient greek
μανός
| manos (=
thin, rare, loose, porous) + -mètre
(< ancient greek μέτρον
| metron
(= meter)).
mansion
< middle english mansion
(=
chief residence of a lord)
< old
french
mansion
(= house, habitation, home, mansion) <
latin
mansio
[gen. mansionis]
(= a
staying, a remaining) < maneo
[inf. manere]
(= to stay, abide) < I.E.
*men-(3)
(= to
remain).
manual
< middle english manual
(= handbook
for a priest) <
old french
manuel
(= handbook) <
late latin
manuale (=
cover of a book, handbook) < manuale,
neuter of latin
manualis
(= belonging to the hand) <
manus
(= hand) <
I.E.
*man-(2)
(= hand).
Manuel
< a shortening of Emmanuel <
ancient greek
Εμμανουήλ
| Emmanouēl
< hebrew
‘Immanu’el
(= God
with us) <
‘immanu
(= with us) (<
‘im
(= with)) + El
(= God).
manufacture
< middle
french
manufacture
<
medieval
latin
*manufactura
(= a making by hand) <
latin
manu,
ablative of manus
(= hand) + factura
(= a working) (<
facio
[inf. facere]
(= make, do)).
manuscript
< medieval
latin manuscriptum
< latin
manu
scriptum
(= written by hand) < manu,
ablative of manus
(= hand) + scriptum,
neuter past participle of scribo
[inf. scribere]
(= to write).
many
<
middle
english
mani
/ manige
(= many, much) <
old
english
monig
/ manig
< proto-germanic
*managaz
< (?) I.E.
*menegh-
(= copious).
map
< a
shortening of [middle
english
mapemounde
(= map of the world) / middle
french
mappe,
a shortening of old
french
mapemonde (=
map of the world)] < medieval
latin
mappa
mundi
(= map of the world) < latin
mappa
(= napkin, tablecloth) + mundi,
genitive of mundus (=
world).
maple
<
middle
english
mapel
< old
english
mapultreow
(= maple tree) / mapolder
/ mapuldre
<
proto-germanic
*maplo-.
maquette
<
french
maquette
<
italian
macchietta
(= speck), a diminutive of macchia (=
spot) <
macchiare
(= to stain) <
latin
maculo
[inf. maculare]
(= make spotted, speckle) <
macula
(= spot, stain).
maraschino
< italian
maraschino
< amarasca
< amaro
(= bitter) <
latin
amarus
(= sour).
marathon
<
marathon
[race]
(1896, in Athens) <
ancient greek
Μαραθών
| Marathōn (=
fennel field) [a plain near Athens (42 km.), from where the messanger
Φειδιππίδης | Phoedippidēs ran
to Athens to announce the victory of Greeks against Persians in the
battle of Marathon, in 490 B.C., and then exhausted he lied dead] <
μάραθον
| marathon
(= fennel).
marble
< middle
english marble
< marbra
< old
french
marbre
< latin
marmor
< ancient
greek μάρμαρον
| marmaron
(= marble) < μάρμαρος
| marmaros
< μαρμαίρω
| marmaerō
(= to shine, sparkle).
Marcella
< latin Marcella,
female of Marcellus,
a diminutive of Marcus
< (?) Mars [gen.
Martis],
the god of war.
March
< middle
english March
<
anglo-french
marche
/ old
french
marz
< latin
Martius [mensis]
(= [month] of Mars) <
Mars [gen.
Martis],
the god of war.
march
(= parade) < middle
english march
< old
french
marcher
(= stride, walk, march) <
1. frankish
*markon
or 2. (?)
gallo-roman
*markare <
latin marcus
(= hammer).
march
(= frontier) < middle
english march
< old
french
marche
(= boundary, frontier) <
frankish
*marka
<
proto-germanic
*markō
< I.E.
*merg-
(= boundary, border).
Marcus
< latin
Marcus
< (?) Mars [gen.
Martis],
the god of war.
mare
< old
english
me(a)re
/ myre,
female of mearh
(= horse) <
proto-germanic
*marhijo-
(= female horse).
Margaret
< middle
english Margaret
<
old french
Margaret
< late
latin
Margarita
(= pearl)
< ancient
greek μαργαρίτης
[λίθος] | margharitēs
[lithos]
(= pearl [stone]).
margarine
< french
margarine
< [acide]
margarique
(= margaric [acid]) < margarique
(= pearly)
< ancient
greek μαργαρίτης
[λίθος] | margharitēs
[lithos]
(= pearl [stone]).
margin
< middle
english margin
< old
french
margin
< latin
margo
[gen. marginis]
(= edge,
border).
marijuana
< mariguan
[by influence of spanish
Maria Juana (= Mary Jane)] <
mexican-spanish
marihuana.
marina
< spanish
/ italian
marina
(= shore, coast) <
latin
marinus
(= of the sea, maritime) <
mare [gen.
maris]
(= sea, seawater)
< I.E.
*mori-
(= body of water).
marine
< middle
english marine
< old
french
marin
(= of the sea, maritime) < latin
marinus
(= of the sea) <
mare [gen.
maris]
(= sea, seawater)
< I.E.
*mori-
(= body of water).
marionette
<
french
marionette <
a diminutive of old
french
mariole (=
little Mary, figurine,
picture of the Virgin Mary), a diminutive of Marie
< latin
Maria
< ancient
greek Μαριάμ,
Μαρία | Mariam,
Maria <
aramaic
Maryam
< hebrew
Miryam
(= (?)
rebellious).
marital
<
french
maritale
< latin
maritalis
(= belonging to married) <
maritus (=
married man).
mark
< old
english
me(a)rc
(= boundary,
limit, landmark) <
proto-germanic
*markō <
I.E.
*merg-
(= boundary, border).
Mark
< Marcus
< latin
Marcus
< (?) Mars [gen.
Martis],
the god of war.
market
< middle
english market
<
old french
market
(= marketplace, trade, commerce) <
latin
mercatus
(= trading, market) {> italian
mercato, spanish
mercado, dutch markt,
german
Markt} <
mercatus,
past participle of merco
[inf. mercari]
(= trade, deal in, buy) <
merx
[gen. mercis]
(= wares,
merchandise) < italic
*merk-
< (?) etruscan origin.
Marlborough
< Marl-borough
(= (?)
Mærla’s barrow).
Marley
< old
english
mære
(= boundary, landmark) + leah
(= open field, meadow).
marmalade
< middle
french
marmelade
< portuguese
marmelada (=
quince jelly, marmalade) <
marmelo
(= quince) < latin
melimelum
(= sweet apple) <
ancient greek
μελίμελον
| melimelon <
μέλι
| meli (=
honey) + μήλον
| mēlon
(= apple, fruit).
marmot
< french
marmotte
< romansch
(of Swiss) murmont <
latin
murem
montis
(= mountain mouse) < murem,
accusative of mus
[gen. muris]
(= mouse) + montis,
genitive of mons
(= mountain).
maroon
<
french
[couleur]
marron
(= [color] of chestnut).
marry
< middle
english marien
< old
french
marier
(= get married, give in marriage) <
latin marito
[inf. maritare]
(= to wed, marry, give in marriage) <
maritus
(= married
man).
Mars
< middle
english Mars
< latin
Mars
[gen. Martis],
the god of war.
Marseilles
<
french
Marseille
< ancient greek
Μασσαλία
| Massalia
< (?) ligurian
mas
(= spring).
marshal
< middle
english marshal
(=
high officer of the royal court) <
old french
mareschal
(= stable officer, groom, commanding officer of an army) <
frankish
*marhskalk
(= horse-servant)
< proto-germanic
compound of *markhaz
(= horse) + *skalkaz
(= servant).
mart
<
middle
english mart
(= market, market place) < market
[(?) by influence of middle
dutch
markt] <
latin
mercatus
(= trading, market) <
mercatus,
past participle of merco
[inf. mercari]
(= trade, deal in, buy) <
merx
[gen. mercis]
(= wares,
merchandise) < italic
*merk-
< (?) etruscan origin.
Martha
< ancient greek Μάρθα
| Martha <
aramaic
Maretha
(= lady,
mistress), female of mar(a)
(= lord, master).
martial
< middle
english martial
<
medieval
latin
martialis
(= of Mars, of war) <
latin Mars
[gen. Martis],
the god of war.
Martin
< latin
Martinus,
a derivative of Mars
[gen. Martis],
the god of war.
martyr
< old
english
martyr
< late
latin
martyr
<
ancient greek
μάρτυς
| martys
[gen. μάρτυρος | martyros)
(= witness, martyr).
marvel
< middle
english merivelle
(= miracle, wonderful story) <
old french
merveille
(= a wonder, surprise, miracle) <
vulgar
latin
*miribilia
{> spanish
maravilla, portuguese
maravilha, italian maraviglia}
< latin
mirabilia
(= wonderful things) <
mirabilia,
neuter plural of mirabilis
(= wonderful, marvelous) <
mirror
[inf. mirari]
(= to wonder at) <
mirus
(= wonderful).
Mary
< old
english
Maria
| Marie
< latin
Maria
< ancient
greek Μαριάμ,
Μαρία | Mariam,
Maria <
aramaic
Maryam
< hebrew
Miryam
(= (?)
rebellious).
mascara
<
spanish mascara
(= stain, mask) <
medieval
latin
masca
(= mask, specter, nightmare).
mascot
<
french
mascotte
(= sorcerer’s charm, good luck piece) < (?) provençal
mascoto
(= sorcery, fetish) <
masco
(= witch) <
old
provençal
masca
< (?) medieval
latin masca
(= mask, specter, nightmare).
masculine
< middle
english masculine
<
old french
masculin
(= of the male sex) <
latin
masculinus
(= of masculine gender) <
masculus
(= male, masculine), a diminutive of mas
[gen. maris]
(= male).
mash
< old
english
*masc
(= mash-wort) <
proto-germanic
*maisk-
< (?) I.E.
*meik-
(= to mix).
mask
< middle
french
masque
<
italian
maschera
< medieval
latin
masca
(= mask, specter, nightmare).
masochism
<
german
Masochismus
<
[Leopold von Sacher]-Masoch,
Austrian writer [who described it in his novels].
mason
< middle
english masoun
(= stoneworker,
builder in stone) <
old french
masson
/ maçon
(= stone mason) < frankish
*makjo
< I.E.
*mag-
(= to knead, fashion, fit).
masquerade
< french
mascarade
/ spanish
mascarada
(= masked dance) <
italian
mascarata
< mascherata
(= masquerade) <
maschera
<
medieval
latin
masca
(= mask, specter, nightmare).
mass
< middle
english mass
<
old french
masse
(= lump, heap, crowd) < latin
massa
(= kneaded dough, lump) < (?) ancient
greek μάζα
| maza (=
barley cake, lump, mass) < μάσσω
| massō
(= to knead, push) <
I.E. *mag-
(= to knead, fashion, fit).
Massachusetts
<
algonquian Massachusett
(= at the large hill), the Great Blue Hill, southwest of Boston.
massacre
<
middle
french
massacre
(= wholesale slaughter, carnage) <
old french
macacre
/ macecle
(= slaughterhouse, butchery) < (?) related to latin
macellum
(= butcher shop).
massage
<
french massage
(= friction of kneading) <
masser
(= to massage) < (?) 1. arabic
massa
(= to touch, feel, handle) or 2. portuguese
amassar
(= to knead) < latin
massa (=
kneaded dough, lump) < (?) ancient
greek μάζα
| maza (=
barley cake, lump, mass) < μάσσω
| massō
(= to knead, push) <
I.E. *mag-
(= to knead, fashion, fit).
mast
< old
english
mæst
< proto-germanic
*mastaz
< I.E.
*mazdo-
(= pole, rod).
master
< old
english
mægester
(= chief, teacher) <
latin magister
[gen. magistris]
(= chief, director, teacher) {> portuguese
mestre, spanish
maestro, italian
maestro, french
maître, dutch
meester, german Meister}
< a contrastive of magis
(= more)
< I.E.
*mag-yos-,
comparative of *meg-
(= great).
matador
<
spanish
matador
(= killer)
< matar
(= kill) < (?) latin
macto
[inf. mactare]
(= honor by sacrifice, kill).
match
(= stick
for striking fire) < middle
english macche
(= wick of oil lamp) <
old french
meiche
(= wick of oil lamp) <
vulgar
latin
*mica /
*miccia
< (?) latin
myxa
< ancient
greek μύξα
| myxa (=
mucus, wick top of oil lamp) [because the wick of oil lamp seems
mucous] <
I.E.
*meug-
(= slimy, slippery).
match
(= one of
a pair) < middle
english
macche
< old
english
mæcca
(= companion, mate, one of a pair, equal)
< gemæcca
< proto-germanic
*gamakon
(= fitting well together) <
[prefix] *ga-
(= with, together) + I.E.
*mag-
(= to knead, fashion, fit).
mate
(= to
checkmate) < middle
english mate
<
old french
mater
(= to checkmate, defeat) <
mat
(= checkmated). <
[eschec]
mat (= [check] mate)
< arabic
[shah]
mat (=
[king] dead) <
persian
shah
(= king, shah) + mat
(= he is dead).
mate
(= comrate) < middle
english mate
(=
associate, fellow, comrade) <
middle low
german
(ge)mate
(= messmate) <
proto-germanic
*ga-matjon
(= having food together) < [prefix] *ga-
(= with, together) + *matiz (=
have food).
material
< middle
english material
(=
real, ordinary, earthly) <
old french
material
/ materiel
< late
latin
materialis
(= belonging
to matter) <
latin
materia
(= matter, stuff, wood) <
mater
(= mother, origin, source).
maternal
< middle
english maternal
< old
french
maternel
<
vulgar
latin *maternalis
< latin
maternus
(= of a mother, maternal) <
mater
(= mother, origin, source).
mathematic
< middle
english
mathematik
< old
french mathematique
< latin
mathematica
[plural] <
ancient greek
μαθηματική
[τέχνη] | mathēmatikē
[tekhnē]
(= mathematical [art]) < μαθηματική,
feminine of μαθηματικός |
mathēmatikos
(= pertaining to learning, relating to mathematics, scientific)
< μάθημα
| mathēma
[gen. μαθήματος |
mathēmatos]
(= lesson, knowledge, mathematical knowledge) < μανθάνω
| manthanō
(= learn) <
I.E.
*mendh-
(= learn).
Matilda
<
french
Mathilde
< old high
german Mahthilda
< mahti
(= might, power) + hildi
(= battle).
matrix
< middle
english matris
/ matrice
(= uterus)
< old
french
matrice
(= womb, uterus) < latin
mātrix
[gen. matricis]
(= pregnant,
womb, origin) <
mater
[gen. matris]
(= mother)
< I.E.
*mater-
(= mother) {> latin
māter, ancient greek μήτηρ
| mētēr, old
irish
mathir, lithuanian
motė, old
church slavonic
mati, sanskrit
matar-}.
matron
< middle
english matrone
(= married
woman) <
old french
matrone
(= married woman, elderly lady) < latin
matrona
(= married woman, wife, matron) <
mater
[gen. matris]
(= mother).
matter
< middle
english materie
(= the
subject of a mental act) <
anglo-french
matere
/ old
french matere
(= subject, theme, topic, substance) < latin
material (=
substance, hard inner wood of a tree) < mater
(= mother, origin, source).
Matterhorn
<
german
Matte
(= meadow, pastureland) + Horn
(= horn).
Matthew
< old
french
Mathieu
< late
latin
Matthaeus
< ancient
greek Ματθαίος
/ Mat-thaeos
< Ματταθίας
| Mattathias <
hebrew
Mattathyah
(= gift of God) <
mattath
(= gift) + Yah /
Yoh,
a shortening of Yahwah /
Yahweh (= God).
Matthias
< late
latin Matthias
< ancient
greek Ματθίας
| Mat-thias
< Ματταθίας
| Mattathias <
hebrew
Mattathyah
(= gift of God) <
mattath
(= gift) + Yah /
Yoh,
a shortening of Yahwah /
Yahweh (= God).
mattress
< middle
english materas
< old
french
materas
<
italian
materasso
< medieval
latin
matracium
< medieval
arabic
al-matrah
(= the fallen) < al
(= the)
+ [prefix] ma-
+ taraha
(= he threw [down]).
mature
< middle
english maturen
< latin
maturo
[inf. maturare]
(= ripen, bring to maturity) <
maturus
(= ripe, timely, early).
Maurice
<
french
Maurice
< medieval
latin Mauritius
< Maurus
< ancient greek Μαύρος
| Mavros
(= inhabitant of Mauretania, Moor).
Maximilian
< latin
Maximus
+ Aemilianus.
maximum
<
french
maximum
< latin
maximum,
neuter of maximus
(= greatest), superlative of magnus
(= great, large, big) <
I.E.
*mag-samo-,
superlative of *meg-
(= great).
Maxwell
< middle
english Maxwell
(= (?) the
well of Macc), a town < Macc(a)
+ well.
May
< middle
english Mai
< old
french Mai
< latin
Majus
[mensis]
(= [month] of Maja) < Maja,
a goddess.
may
< old
english
mæg
(= I am
able) <
proto-germanic
*mag-
< I.E.
*magh-
(= be able, have power).
mayday
< an
englished
spelling [1923] of french
m’aider
< a shortening of [venez]
m’aider
(= come, help me!).
mayonnaise
< french
mayonnaise
< mahonnaise
< Mahon,
capital of Minorca.
mayor
<
middle
english mair
/ meir
< old
french maire
(= head of a city) <
latin
major,
comparative of magnus (=
great, large, big) <
I.E.
*mag-no-
< *meg-
(= great).
maze
< middle
english maze
(=
delusion, confusion of thought) <
(?) old
english
*mæs
< compound of amasod
(= amazed) + amasian
(= confound, confuse).
me
< old
english
me(c)
<
proto-germanic *meke
{> old
norse mik
/ mer, dutch
mij, gothic mik
/ mis, german
mich / mir} < I.E.
*me-
{> old
irish me,
welsh mi,
latin me,
ancient greek
(ε)μέ | (e)me,
old church
slavonic me,
avestan mam, mihi,
sanskrit avestan
mam, mihi}.
meadow
< old
english
mædwe
< mæd
(= meadow, pasture) <
proto-germanic
*medwo
< I.E.
*metwa-
(= mown field) <
*me-(4)
(= cut down grass).
meal
(= taking food) < middle
english
mēl
(= occasion of taking food, a feast, time for eating) < old
english
mæl
/ mēl
(= fixed
time, occasion, meal) <
proto-germanic
*mela-
< I.E.
*me-lo-
< *me-(2)
(= to
measure).
meal
(= the
edible part of grain) < middle
english
mēle
< old
english
melu
< proto-germanic
*melwan
(= grind) <
I.E.
*mele-
(= to crush, grind).
mean
(= intend,
have in mind) < middle
english
mēnen
< old
english
mænan
(= intend, plan) <
proto-west
germanic
*menjojanan
< I.E.
*meino-
(= opinion, intent) < (?) *men-(1)
(= to
think).
mean
(= shabby) < middle
english
mēne
(= common, general) < imene
< old
english
gemæne
(= common, public, general) <
proto-germanic
*ga-mainiz
(= possessed jointly) < [prefix] *ga-
(= with, together) + mainiz.
mean
(= middle)
< middle
english mean
< old
french
meien
(= middle) < late
latin
medianus
(= of the middle) <
latin
medius
(= in the middle) <
I.E.
*medhyo-
(= middle).
measure
< middle
english
mesuren
< old
french
mesurer
(= measure, moderate) <
late latin
mensuro
[inf. mensurare]
(= to measure) <
latin
mensura
(= a measuring) <
mensus,
past participle of metior
[inf. metiri]
(= to measure) <
I.E.
*me-(2)
(= to
measure).
meat
< middle
english
mēte
< old
english
mete
(= food, animal food, fodder, meal) <
proto-germanic
*mati
< I.E.
*mad-i-
< *mad-
(= moist, wet).
Mecca
< arabic
Makkah
< 1. arabic
mahrab
(= sanctuary) or 2. phoenician
maqaq
(= ruined).
mechanic
< latin
mechanicus
(= of machine) <
ancient greek
μηχανικός
| mēkhanikos
(= an engineer) <
μηχανή
| mēkhanē
(= device, tool, machine).
medal
< middle
french
médaille
<
italian
medaglia
(= a medal) < 1. vulgar
latin
*metallea
[moneta] (= metal [coin]) <
latin
metallum
(= metal) <
ancient greek
μέταλλον
| metallon
(= metal) < μεταλλώ
| metallō
(= to seek after) < μετά
άλλων
[στοιχείων] | meta
allōn
[stoekhoeōn]
(= with other [elements]) < μετά
(= together) + άλλων,
genitive plural of άλλος
| allos
(= other) or 2. vulgar
latin
*medalia
< late
latin
medialia (=
little halves [coins]), neuter plural of medialis
(= of the middle) <
latin
medius
(= in the middle, half).
medallion
<
french
médaillon
<
italian
medaglione
(= large medal), an augmentative of medaglia
(= medal) [see medal].
meddle
< middle
english
meddle
< old
french
medler
(= to mix,
mingle) <
vulgar
latin
*misculo
[inf. misculare]
< latin
misceo
[inf. miscere]
(= to mix).
media
< (?)
mass-media
[1923] < media,
plural of medium (=
intermediate agency) < latin
media,
plural of medium (=
middle).
mediate
< latin
mediatus,
past participle of medio
[inf. mediare]
(= to halve, be in the middle) <
latin
medius
(= middle).
medical
<
french
médical
< late
latin medicalis
(= of a physician) <
latin
medicus
(= physician, surgeon) <
medeor
[inf. mederi]
(= to cure, heal).
medicine
< middle
english
medicine
< old
french
medecine
(= medicine,
treatment) < latin
medicina
(= medicine, a remedy) < (?) ars medicina
(= medical [art]) <
medicina,
female of medicinus
(= of a
physician) <
medicus
(= physician, surgeon) <
medeor
[inf. mederi]
(= to cure, heal).
medieval
< latin
medium
(= middle) + aevum
(= age).
mediocre
< middle
french
médiocre
< latin
mediocris
(= moderate) <
medius
(= middle) + ocris
(= jagged mountain, ice).
meditation
< middle
english
meditacioun
< old
french
meditacion
(= thought, reflection) < latin
meditatio
(= a
thinking over, meditation) < meditor
[inf. meditari]
(= meditate, think over).
Mediterranean
< middle
english
Mediterranie
< late
latin
Mediterraneum
[mare] (=
Mediterranean [sea]) <
latin
mediterraneus
(= midland, in the middle of the earth) < medius
(= middle) + terra
(= land, earth).
medium
< latin
medium
(= the middle, center, interval) < medium,
neuter of medius
(= in the middle) < I.E.
*medhyo-
(= middle).
medusa
<
middle
english
Medusa
< ancient
greek Μέδουσα
| Medhousa,
a mermaid < μέδουσα,
female present participle of μέδω
| medō (=
protect, rule over).
meet
< middle
english
mēten
< old
english
metan
(= find out, fall in with, encounter) <
proto-germanic
*motjanan
< I.E.
*mod-
(= meet, assemble).
melancholy
< middle
english
melancolie
< old
french
melancolie
(= ill disposition) <
late latin
melancholia
< ancient
greek μελαγχολία
| melaghkholia
(= black bile, sadness) <
μέλας
| melas
[gen. μέλανος | melanos]
(= black)
+ χολή | kholē
(= bile) [as one of the regulator liquids of body and spirit
functions].
Melanie
< latin
Melania
< ancient
greek μελανία
| melania
(= blackness) <
μέλας
| melas
[gen. μέλανος | melanos]
(= black).
Melissa
< latin
Melissa
< ancient
greek μέλισσα,
μέλιττα
| melissa,
melitta (=
honeybee) <
μέλι
| meli
[gen. μέλιτος
| melitos
(= honey) <
I.E.
*melit-
(= honey).
mellow
< middle
english
melwe
(= soft,
sweet, juicy) < (?) merow
(= soft, tender) <
old
english mearu
(= soft, tender).
melody
< middle
english
melodie
< old
french
melodie
(= music, song, tune) < late
latin
melodia
(= a pleasant song) <
ancient greek
μελωδία
| melōdhia
(= a singing, a choral song) <
μέλος
| melos (=
part of song) + ωιδή
| ōidhē
(= ode, song).
melon
< middle
english
meloun
< old
french
melon
< medieval
latin melo
< latin
melopepon,
a kind of pumpkin <
ancient greek
μηλοπέπων
| mēlopepōn
(= gourd-apple) <
μήλον
| mēlon
(= apple) + πέπων
| pepōn,
a kind of gourd.
melt
< middle
english
melten
< old
english
meltan
(= become
liquid through heat) <
proto-germanic
*meltanan
<
proto-germanic
*gamaltijan <
[prefix] *ga-
(= with, together) + I.E.
*meldh-
(<
*mel-(1)
(= soft)).
Melvin
< old
english
Mælwine
(= friend
of the council) <
mæl
(= council) +
wine
(= friend).
member
< middle
english
member <
old french
membre
(= part, limb, member of the body) <
latin
membrum
(= limb, member of the body) < I.E.
*mems-ro
< *mems-
(= flesh, meat).
membrane
< middle
english
membrane
< latin
membrana
(= skin, membrane, parchment) <
membrum
(= limb, member of the body) < I.E.
*mems-ro
< *mems-
(= flesh, meat).
meme
< *mem-gene
< ancient greek
μιμούμαι
| mimoumae
(= to imitate) + gene (<
german Gen
<
ancient greek
γενεά
| ghenea
(= generation)).
memo
< a
shortening of memorandum
(q.v.).
memorandum
< middle
english
memorandum <
latin memorandum,
neuter of memorandus
(= noteworthy), gerundive of memoro
[inf. memorare]
(= call to mind) <
memor
(= mindful).
memory
< middle
english
memory <
anglo-french
memorie
< latin
memoria
(= memory, remembrance) < memor
(= mindful) <
I.E.
*(s)mer-(1)
(= remember).
Memphis
<
ancient greek
Μέμφις
| Memphis
< egyptian
Mennefer
(= his
beauty) <
men
(= his) + nefer
(= beauty) [as a reference to pharaoh Pepi I].
menace
< middle
english
menace
< old
french
menace
(= threat) <
vulgar
latin
minacia
(= threat, menace) <
minax
[gen. minacis]
(= threatening)
< minor
[inf. minari]
(= threaten) <
minæ
(= threats).
menhir
<
french
menhir
<
breton
menhir
(= long
stone) <
men
(= stone) + hir
(= long).
mental
< middle
english
mental <
late latin
mentalis
(= of the mind) <
latin mens
[gen. mentis]
(= mind)
< I.E.
*men-(1)
(= think).
mention
< middle
english
mencioun
< old
french
mencion
(= mention, memory) <
latin
mentio
(= a
calling to mind, a speaking of) <
old latin
miniscor
[inf. minisci]
(= think).
mentor
<
ancient greek
Μέντωρ
| Mentōr,
adviser of the son of hero Ulisses.
menu
< french
menu
[de repas]
(= list [of what is served at a meal]) <
french
menu
(= small,
detailed) <
latin
minutus,
past participle of minuo
[inf. minuere]
(= to diminish) <
minor,
-or,
minus
(= smaller), comparative of parvus
(= small).
Mercedes
<
spanish Mercedes
< an abbreviation of [Maria de las]
Mercedes
(= [Mary of the] Mercies) <
mercedes,
plural of merced
(= mercy, grace) <
latin
merces
[gen. mercedis]
(= pay, price, income) < merx
[gen. mercis]
(= merchandise).
merchant
<
middle
english
marchaunt
<
anglo-french
marchaunt
(= merchant, shopkeeper) <
vulgar
latin
*mercatans
(= buyer), present participle of *mercato
[inf. mercatare]
< latin
mercor
[inf. mercari]
(= to trade, traffic, deal in).
Mercury
< middle
english
Mercurie
< latin
Mercurius
(= Mercury), the god of tradesmen <
1. merx
[gen. mercis]
(= merchandise) or 2. etruscan
origin [by influence of merx].
mercury
< middle
english mercury
<
medieval
latin
mercurius
[in astrology and alchemy, one of the 7
metals associated with the 7 heavenly bodies (Sun-gold, Moon-silver,
Mercury-mercury, Venus-copper, Mars-iron, Jupiter-tin, Saturn-lead)]
< latin
Mercurius,
the god of tradesmen [see Mercury], also, the planet Mercury.
mercy
< middle
english mercy
< old
french
merci(t)
(= reward,
kindness, grace) <
latin
merces
[gen. mercedis]
(= pay, price, income) < merx
[gen. mercis]
(= merchandise).
merge
< latin
mergo
[inf. mergere]
(= dip, dip in, plunge).
meridian
< middle
english meridian
< old
french
meridien
(= midday) < latin
meridianus
(= of midday, of noon) <
meridies
(= noon, south) <
meridie
(= at noon) < pre-latin
*medi
die <
medi,
locative of medius
(= middle) + dies
(= day).
merit
< middle
english merit
<
old french
merite
(= pay, reward, merit) < latin
meritum
(= merit, service, benefit, favor) < meritum,
neuter past participle of mereo
[inf. merere]
(= earn, deserve, acquire).
Merlin
< old
french merlin
< welsh
Myrddhin
< old
celtic
*Mori-dunon
(= of
sea-hill) <
*mori
(= sea) + dunom
(= hill).
mermaid
<
middle
english meremayde
(= maid of
the sea) <
mere
(= sea, lake) + maid.
merry
< middle
english
mirie
< old
english
myrge
(= pleasing, agreeable, pleasant) <
proto-germanic
*murgijaz
< I.E.
*mregh-u-
(= short).
mesh
< middle
english mesche
(= open
space in a net) < (?) old
english
max
(= net) < mæscre
< proto-germanic
*mask-
< I.E.
*mezg-
(= to knit, twist).
mess
< middle
english mess
<
old french
mes
(= portion of food, course at dinner) <
late latin
missus (=
a putting, course at dinner) <
missus,
past participle of mitto
[inf. mittere]
(= send, throw, put, place).
message
< middle
english message
<
old french
message
(= message, news) <
medieval
latin
missaticum
< latin
missus
(= a sending away, a throwing) < missus,
past participle of mitto
[inf. mittere]
(= send, throw).
Messiah
< middle
english Messias
< late
latin
Messias
< ancient
greek Μεσσίας
| Messias <
aramaic
meshiha
/ hebrew
mashiah
(= the anointed) <
mashah
(= anoint).
metabolism
< french
métabolisme
< ancient
greek μεταβολή
| metabholē
(= a change) <
μεταβάλλω
| metabhallō
(= to change) <
μετά
| meta (=
among, beyond) + βάλλω
| bhallō
(= throw).
metal
< middle
english
metal
< old
french
metal
< latin
metallum
(= metal, mineral, mine) <
ancient greek
μέταλλον
| metallon
(= metal, ore) < μεταλλώ
| metallō
(= to seek after) < μετά
άλλων
[στοιχείων] | meta
allōn
[stoekhoeōn]
(= with other [elements]) < μετά
(= among, beyond) + άλλων,
genitive plural of άλλος
| allos
(= other).
metamorphosis
< latin metamorphosis
<
ancient greek
μεταμόρφωσις
| metamorphōsis
(= transformation) <
μεταμορφώ
| metamorphō
(= transform) <
μετά
| meta (=
among, beyond) + μορφή
| morphē
(= shape, form).
metaphor
<
middle
french
metaphore
< latin
metaphora
< ancient
greek μεταφορά
| metaphora
(= a transfer, a carrying over) <
μεταφέρω
| metapherō
(= transfer, carry over) <
μετά
| meta (=
among, beyond) + φέρω
| pherō
(= carry).
metaphysics
<
middle
english
metaphisik
/ methaphesik
(= pertaining
to the first causes of things) <
medieval
latin
metaphysica
< medieval
greek
μεταφυσικά
| metaphysika,
neuter plural of μεταφυσικός
| metaphysikos <
ancient greek
[τα] μετά
[τα]
φυσικά
[έργα] | [ta]
meta [ta]
physika
[ergha] (=
[the] after [the] physics [writings]), title of Aristotle’s books
[traditionally arranged after those on physics] < μετά
| meta (=
among, beyond) + φυσικά,
neuter plural of φυσικός
| physikos
(= of the mature) (< φύσις
| physis
(= nature)).
meteor
< middle
english
meteor
< old
french
meteore
< medieval
latin
meteorum
[plural meteora]
< ancient
greek μετέωρα
| meteōra
(= the celestial phenomena) < μετέωρα,
neuter plural of μετέωρος
| meteōros
(= hanging, raised from the ground) <
μετά
| meta (=
among, beyond) + αίωρος
| aeōros
(= lifted, suspended) (< αείρω,
αίρω | aoerō,
aerō (=
to raise, lift).
meteorology
<
french
météorologie
< ancient greek
μετεωρολογία
| meteōrologhia
(= study of the celestial phenomena) <
μετέωρον
| meteōron
[see meteor] + -λογία
| -loghia
(= study) (< λόγος
| loghos
(= a speaking) < λέγω
| leghō
(= speak)).
meter
<
french
-mètre
< latin
metrum
(= measure) / ancient greek
μέτρον
| metron
(= measure).
method
< middle
english
method <
latin
methodus
(= way of teaching) <
ancient greek
μέθοδος
| methodhos
(= a following after, scientific inquiry) <
μετά
| meta (=
among, beyond) + ‘οδός
| hodhos
(= way, method, system, manner).
Methusela(h)
< middle
english
Methusela(h)
< hebrew
Metushelah
(= man of
the dart) <
methim
(= men) + shelah
(= dart).
methylene
< french
méthylène
< ancient greek
μέθυ
| methy (=
wine) + ‘ύλη
| hylē
(= wood) + [suffix] -ene.
metric
<
ancient greek
μετρική
| metrikē
(= of meter, prosody) < μετρική,
female of μετρικός
| metrikos
(= of meter) < μέτρον
| metron
(= meter, verse).
Metro
< french Metro
[1904] < an abbreviation of [Chemin
de Fer] Métropolitain
(= Metropolitan [Railway]).
metronome
< ancient greek
μέτρον
| metron
(= measure) + νόμος
| nomos (=
rule, regulating) (< νέμω
| nemō (=
distribute, regulate)).
metropolitan
< middle
english
metropolitan <
late latin
metropolitanus
< ancient
greek μητρόπολις
| mētropolis
(= parent state of a colony, capital city) <
μήτηρ
| mētēr
(= mother) + πόλις
| polis (=
city).
Mexico
<
spanish Mexico
/ Mejico
< 1. nahuatl
(of Aztec) mexihco or
2. nahuatl Mexicas,
an Aztec tribe < (?) Metztlixihtlico
(= in the middle of the moon).
Michael
< late
latin
Michael
<
ancient greek Μιχαήλ
| Mikhaēl <
hebrew
Mikha-el
(= who is
like God?).
Michigan
< ojibwa
*meshi-gami
(= big lake).
microbe
< french
microbe
(= short-lived)
< ancient greek
μικρός | mikros
(= small) + βίος | bhios
(= life).
microphone
< ancient greek
μικρός | mikros
(= small) + φωνή | phōnē
(= sound).
microwave
< ancient greek
μικρός | mikros
(= small) + wave.
middle
< old
english
middel
(= intermediate) <
proto-west
germanic
*midla-
{> dutch
middel, old high
german
mittil, german
mittel} <
proto-germanic *medj
< I.E.
*medhyo-
(= middle).
MIDI
< an acronym for Musical
Instrument
Digital
Interface
[1983].
midnight
< old
english
mid-niht
/ middre
niht
< mid(d)
(= middle) + niht (=
night) <
proto-germanic *medja-
+ *nahts.
might
<
middle
english
might
< old
english
miht
< mæht
(= strength, power, ability) <
proto-germanic
*makhti-
< I.E.
*magh-
(= be able, have power).
migrate
< latin
migratus,
past participle of migro
[inf. migrare]
(= move from one place to another).
Milan
< latin
Mediolanum
< gaulish
medios
(= middle) + lanu
(= plain).
mile
< old
english
mil
< west
germanic
*milja
{> dutch
mijl, old high
german
mila, german Meile}
< latin
milia,
plural of mille
(= a thousand).
military
< middle
english
militari
< old
french
militaire
< latin
militaris
(= of soldier, of war, military) <
miles
[gen. militis]
(= soldier).
milk
<
middle
english
milk
< old
english
meoluc
/ milc
<
proto-germanic
*meluk-
(= milk) {> old
norse
mjolk, dutch
melk, gothic
miluks, german
Milch} <
*melk-
(= to milk) <
I.E.
*melg-
(= to wipe, to milk).
mill
< middle
english
mille
< old
english
mylen
(= a mill) < late
latin molina
/ molinum,
female / neuter of molinus
(= pertaining to a mill) <
latin mola
(= mill, millstone).
millennium
< modern
latin
millennium
< latin
mille
(= a thousand) + annus
(= year).
million
<
middle
english
milioun
< old
french
million
<
italian
millione
(= a great
thousand), an augmentative of mille
(= a thousand) <
latin
mille
(= a thousand).
mime
< middle
english mime
<
french
mime
(= mimic actor) < latin
mimus
< ancient
greek μίμος
| mimos (=
imitator, mimic actor).
mimosa
< modern
latin
mimosa [so
called because seems to mimic animal behavior, folding its leaves,
when they are touched] < latin
mimus
(= mimic actor) <
ancient greek
μίμος | mimos
(= imitator, mimic actor).
mind
<
middle
english mynd
< old
english
gemynd
(= memory, remembrance) < proto-germanic
*ga-mundiz
<
[prefix] *ga-
(= with, together) + I.E.
*men-(1)
(= to
think).
mine
(= of me) < old
english
min
(= mine, my) <
proto-germanic
*minaz
{> old
norse
minn, dutch
mijn, gothic
meins, german
mein} <
I.E. *me-
(= me).
mine
(= mineral
tunnel) < middle
english mine
< old
french
mine
(= vein, tunnel, mineral ore) <
old celtic
*meini-.
miniature
< italian miniatura
(= illumination of a manuscript, a small picture
[by influence of latin
minus (= smaller)]) <
miniatura,
past participle of miniare
(= illuminate a manuscript) <
latin
minio
[inf. miniare]
(= paint red) <
minium
(= red lead) < iberian
origin.
minimal
< latin
minimus
(= smallest, least), superlative of parvus
(= small).
minimum
< latin
minimum,
neuter of minimus
(= smallest, least), superlative of parvus
(= small).
minion
< middle
english minion
(= a darling) <
old french
mignon
(= a favorite, darling) <
mignot
(= pretty, attractive) < (?) 1. celtic
origin or 2. old high
german
origin.
minister
< middle
english minister
< old
french
menistre
(= servant, administrator) < latin
minister
[gen. ministry] (= servant, priest’s assistant) <
minor,
-or,
minus
(= smaller), comparative of parvus
(= small) + [suffix] *-teros (=
less).
Minnesota
<
dakota (of
Siouan) mnisota
(= cloudy
water, milky water) <
mni
(= river, stream) + sota (=
slightly clouded).
minor
< middle
english menour
< latin
minor,
-or,
minus
(= smaller), comparative of parvus
(= small).
mint
(= coinage place) < middle
english mint
<
old
english
mynet
(= coin, coinage, money) <
west
germanic
*munita
< latin
moneta (=
mint, coinage, coinage place).
mint
(a herb) < old
english
minte
< west
germanic
*minta
< latin
ment(h)a
(= mint) < ancient greek μίνθη
| minthē.
minus
< middle
english minus
< latin
minus,
neuter of minor
(= smaller), comparative of parvus
(= small).
minute
<
middle
english minute
< old
french
minut
/ medieval
latin
minuta
(= minute of time, short note) <
latin
minuta
(= small portion) < minuta,
female past participle of minuo
[inf. minuere]
(= to diminish) <
minor,
-or,
minus
(= smaller), comparative of parvus
(= small).
miracle
< middle
english miracle
<
old french
miracle
< latin
miraculum (=
object of wonder, marvelous event) <
mirror
[inf. mirari]
(= to wonder at) <
mirus
(= wonderful).
mirage
<
french
mirage <
[se] mirer
(= to be reflected) <
latin
mirror
[inf. mirari]
(= to wonder at) <
mirus
(= wonderful).
Miranda
< latin Miranda,
female gerundive of mirror
[inf. mirari]
(= to wonder at) <
mirus
(= wonderful).
mirror
< middle
english mirour
< old
french
mireoir
(= reflecting glass, observation, model) < miradoir
< mirer
(= look at, observe)
< vulgar
latin
*miro
[inf. mirare]
(= look at) < latin
mirror
[inf. mirari]
(= to wonder at) <
mirus
(= wonderful).
misery
< middle
english misery
<
old french
misere
(= misfortune, distress) <
latin
miseria
(= wretchedness) <
miser
(= unhappy, wretched, pitiable).
misfortune
< middle
english misfortune
(=
unfortunate event)
< old
english mis-
(= bad,
wrong) (< proto-germanic *missa-
(= astray)) + fortune.
misogyny
<
modern
latin
misogynia
< ancient
greek μισογυνία
| misoghynia
(= woman-hating) <
μισογύνης |
misogynēs
(= woman-hater) < μίσος
| misos (=
hatred) + γυνή | ghynē
(= woman).
miss
(= young girl) < a shortening of middle
english mistress
<
old french
maistresse
(= lover, housekeeper, governess, female teacher), female of maistre
(= master) <
latin
magister
[gen. magistris]
(= chief, director, teacher), a contrastive of magis
(= more).
miss
(= fail) < old
english
missan
(= fail to hit) <
proto-germanic
*missjan
(= go wrong) <
*missa-
< I.E.
*mei-(1)
(= change, go, move).
missile
<
french
missile
< latin
missilis
(= that may be thrown) <
missus,
past participle of mitto
[inf. mittere]
(= send, throw).
mission
< latin
missio
(= act of
sending, a release) < mitto
[inf. mittere]
(= send, throw).
mist
< old
english
mist
(= fog) <
proto-germanic
*mikhstaz.
mistake
< middle
english mistake
(= misunderstand, take in a wrong
sense) <
old english mis-
(= bad,
wrong) (< proto-germanic *missa-
(= astray)) + take.
mister
< middle
english mister
< master
< old
english
mægester
(= chief, teacher) <
latin magister
[gen. magistris]
(= chief, director, teacher) < a contrastive of magis
(= more).
mistral
<
french mistral
< provençal
mistral
(= the
dominant wind) <
mistral
(= dominant)
< latin
magistralis
(= dominant) <
magister
[gen. magistris]
(= chief, director, teacher), a contrastive of magis
(= more).
mistress
< middle
english mistress
<
old french
maistresse
(= lover, housekeeper, governess, female teacher), female of maistre
(= master) <
latin
magister
[gen. magistris]
(= chief, director, teacher), a contrastive of magis
(= more).
Mitchell
< middle
english Mitchell
< 1. Michael
(< late
latin
Michael
<
ancient greek Μιχαήλ
| Mikhaēl <
hebrew
Mikha-el
(= who is
like God?)) + 2. middle
english mic(h)el
/ mycel (=
big, great, long) (< proto-germanic
*mekilaz).
mitre
< middle
english mitre
(= bishop’s
hat) <
old french
mitre
< latin
mitra
(= headband) <
ancient greek
μίτρα | mitra
(= headband, turban) < (?) I.E.
*mei-
(= to bind, attach).
mix
< middle
english
myxte
(= blended) <
anglo-french
mixte
< latin
mixtus,
past participle of misceo
[inf. miscere]
(= to mix, mingle, blend) <
I.E.
*meik-
(= to mix).
mnemonic
< ancient greek
μνημονικός |
mnēmonikos
(= of memory) <
μνήμων | mnēmōn
[gen. μνήμονος |
mnēmonos)
(= remembering,
mindful) <
μνήμη | mnēmē
(= memory, remembrance) <
μιμνήσκω | mimnēskō
(= remember) <
I.E.
*men-(1)
(= to
think).
mobile
< middle
english mobile
<
old french
mobile
< latin
mobilis
(= movable, loose) < *movibilis
< moveo
[inf. movere]
(= to move).
moccasin
< algonquian
makasin
(= shoe) <
*mockasin.
mocha
< Mocha,
port of Yemen [from which this coffee was exported].
mock
< middle
english mokken
< old
french
mocquer
(= deride, jeer) < (?) 1. vulgar
latin
*mucco
[inf. muccare]
(= blow the nose) <
latin
mucus
(= slime) or 2. middle
dutch
mocken
(= to mumble) or 3. middle
low german
mucken
(= grumble).
mode
< middle
english mode
<
old french
mode
< latin
modus
(= measure, quantity, way, manner).
model
< middle
french
modelle
<
italian modello
(= model, mold) <
vulgar
latin
*modellus
< latin
modulus
(= small measure, standard), a diminutive of modus
(= measure, quantity, way, manner).
modem
< modulator-demodulator
[1937].
moderate
<
middle
english moderate
<
latin
moderatus,
past participle of moderor
[inf. moderari]
(= regulate, restrain, set a measure) <
modus (= measure, quantity, way,
manner).
modern
< middle
english modern
< middle
french
moderne
< late
latin
modernus
(= modern) <
latin modo
(= just now, in a manner) <
modo,
ablative of modus
(= measure, quantity, way, manner).
modest
< middle
french
modeste
< latin
modestus
(= moderate, gentle, temperate) <
modus
(= measure, quantity, way, manner).
modify
< middle
english modifien
< old
french
modifier
< latin
modifico
[inf. modificare]
(= to limit, restrain) <
modus (=
measure, quantity, way, manner) + facio
[inf. facere]
(= make, do).
module
< middle
french
module
< modulus
(= small measure, standard), a diminutive of modus
(= measure, quantity, way, manner).
Mohammed
< arabic
Muhammad
(= praiseworthy), the prophet of Islam < hamida
(= praise).
Mohican
<
algonquian
ma:hi:kan
(= people of the tidal estuary).
moist
< middle
english moist
<
old french
moiste
(= damp, wet, soaked) < (?) 1. vulgar
latin
*muscidus
(= moldy, wet) <
latin
mucidus
(= slimy, moldy) <
mucus
(= slime) or 2. latin
musteus
(= of the new wine) <
mustum
< [vinum]
mustum
(= new [wine]) < mustum,
neuter of mustus
(= new, fresh).
Moldavia
< Moldova
< romanian Moldova
(= dark,
darkish water, soiled), a river.
molecule
< french
molécule
<
modern
latin
molecula,
a diminutive of latin
moles
(= mass, barrier) + [diminutive suffix] french
-cule /
latin -culus.
mollify
< middle
english mollifien
< old
french
mollifier
(= soften) /
late latin
mollifico
[inf. mollificare]
(= soften) < mollificus
(= softening) <
latin
mollis
(= soft) + facio
[inf. facere]
(= make, do).
Moll(y)
< Mary <
old
english
Maria
/ Marie
< latin
Maria
< ancient
greek Μαριάμ,
Μαρία | Mariam,
Maria <
aramaic
Maryam
< hebrew
Miryam
(= (?)
rebellious).
Molotov
(cocktail) <
russian [Vyacheslav
M.] Molotov,
a Soviet minister [earlier, prompter of this glass bottle filled with
flammable liquid] < molot
(= hammer).
moment
< middle
english moment
<
old french
moment
(= moment,
minute, importance) < latin
momentum
(= movement, short time) < *movimentum
< moveo
[inf. movere]
(= to move).
momentum
< latin momentum
(= movement, short time) < *movimentum
< moveo
[inf. movere]
(= to move).
mommy
< american-english mommy
< mamma
< a
reduplication of I.E.
*ma-
(= mother) [baby-talk] {> french
maman, welsh
mam, latin
mamma, ancient greek
μαμμή | mammē, russian
mama, persian
mama}.
monarchy
< middle
english monarchie
< old
french monarchie
(= sovereignty) <
late latin
monarchia
< ancient
greek μοναρχία
| monarkhia
(= ruling of one, absolute rule) <
μόνος
| monos (=
alone) + άρχω
| arkhō
(= rule).
monastery
<
middle
english monasterie
< old
french monastere
< late
latin
monasterium
< ancient
greek μοναστήριον
| monastērion
(= monastery) < μονάζω
| monazō (= live alone)
< μόνος
| monos (=
single, alone).
Monday
< middle
english
monedai
< old
english
mondæg
< monandæg
(= day of
the moon) <
mona
(= moon) + dæg
(= day) <
proto-germanic *menon-
(= moon) + *dages-
(= day).
monetary
< late
latin
monetarius
(= pertaining to money) <
latin
moneta
(= mint, coinage, coinage place).
money
< middle
english monie
< old
french
monoie (=
money, coin, currency) <
latin
moneta
(= mint, coinage, coinage place) <
Moneta,
a title of goddess Juno [near whose temple the money was coined] <
moneo
[inf. monere]
(= remind, advise, warn).
Mongol
< mongolian Mongghol
< mengu
/ mong(u)
(= brave, untamed).
monitor
< latin
monitor
(= overseer, guide, teacher) < moneo
[inf. monere]
(= remind, advise, warn).
monk
< old
english
munuc
<
proto-germanic
*muniko-
{> middle
dutch
monic, old high
german
munih, german
Mönch} < vulgar
latin
*monicus
{> french
moine, italian
monaco, spanish
monje} <
late latin
monachus
(= monk) <
ancient greek
μοναχός
| monakhos
(= solitary, monk) <
μόνος
| monos (=
single, alone).
monkey
< (?)
middle low
german
*moneke
/ middle
dutch
*monnekijn
(= ape,
monkey) < a diminutive of a romanic
source < (?) arabic
maimun
(= monkey).
monoceros
< middle
english
monoceros <
old french
monoceros
(= unicorn) <
latin
monoceros
< ancient
greek μονόκερως
| monokerōs <
μόνος
| monos (=
single, alone) + κέρας
| keras (=
horn).
monocle
<
french
monocle
(= single
eyeglass) <
monocle
(= blind in one eye) <
late latin
monoculus
(= one-eyed) <
ancient greek
μόνος
| monos (=
single, alone) + latin
oculus
(= eye).
monologue
< french
monologue
< ancient
greek μονόλογος
| monologhos
(= speaking alone, speaking to oneself)
< μόνος
| monos (=
single, alone) + λόγος
| loghos
(= speech) (<
λέγω
| leghō
(= speak)).
monophonic
< ancient greek μόνος
| monos (=
single, alone) + φωνή
| phōnē (= voice).
monoplane
< ancient greek μόνος
| monos (=
single, alone) + aero-plane.
monopoly
< latin
monopolium
< ancient
greek μονοπώλιον
| monopōlion
(= right of exclusive sale) < μόνος
| monos (=
single, alone) + πωλώ
| pōlō
(= sell).
monotheism
< ancient greek μόνος
| monos (=
single, alone) + θεός |
theos (=
god) + [suffix] -ism.
monotony
< french
monotonie
<
ancient greek
μονοτονία
| monotonia
(= sameness of tone) <
μονότονος
| monotonos
(= of one and the same tone) <
μόνος
| monos (=
single, alone) + τόνος
| tonos (=
tone).
monsieur
< french
monsieur
< mon
sieur
(= my lord) < mon
(= my) +
sieur
(= lord), a shortening of seigneur (<
latin senior
(= older), a comparative of senex
[gen. senecis]
(= old) < seneo
[inf. senere]
(= be old)).
monster
< middle
english monstre
< old
french
mo(n)stre
(= monster) < latin
monstrum
(= bad omen, abnormal shape, monster, monstrosity) < moneo
[inf. monere]
(= remind, advise, warn).
montage
<
french
montage
(= a mounting) <
old french
monter
(= go up, ascend, mount) <
vulgar
latin
*monto
[inf. montare]
< latin
mons
[gen. montis]
(= mountain).
Montana
<
spanish
montaña
(= mountain) <
latin mons
[gen. montis]
(= mountain).
Monte
Carlo <
italian
Monte Carlo
(= Mountain of Charles) [named for Charles III of Monaco] < latin
mons
[gen. montis]
(= mountain)
+ medieval
latin
Carolus
(<
middle
high
german
Karl
(= man,
husband) <
proto-germanic
*karlon-
(= man, husband)).
Montenegro
<
venetian
Monte
Negro
(= black
mountain), a translation of slavonic
Crnagora < latin
mons
[gen. montis]
(= mountain)
+ niger
[gen. nigris]
(= dark, black).
month
< old
english
monað
< proto-germanic
*menoth-
{> old
norse
manaðr, dutch
maand, german
Monat} <
I.E.
*me(n)ses-
(= moon, month) {> latin
mensis, ancient greek
μην | mēn, breton
miz, lithuanian
menesis} <
*me-(2)
(= to
measure).
Montmartre
< latin
Mons
Martyrum
(= Mount of Martyrs) < mons
[gen. montis]
(= mountain)
+ martyr
(<
ancient greek
μάρτυς
| martys
[gen. μάρτυρος | martyros)
(= witness, martyr)).
Montreal
< french
[Ville Marie de] Montréal
< Mont
Réal
(= royal
mountain) < latin mons
[gen. montis]
(= mountain)
+ regalis
(= of the king) (< rex [gen.
regis]
(= king)).
monument
< middle
english monument
<
old french
monument
(= grave, tomb, monument) < latin
monumentum
(= memorial structure, monument, tomb) < moneo
[inf. monere]
(= remind, advise, warn).
mood
< middle
english mood
< old
english
mod
(= heart, mind, spirit, courage) <
proto-germanic
*mōda-.
moon
<
english
mone
< old
english
mona
< proto-germanic
*menon-
{> old
norse
mani, danish
maane, dutch
maan, gothic
mena, german
Mond} <
I.E.
*me(n)ses-
(= moon, month) {> old
irish mi,
welsh mis,
ancient greek
μήνη | mēnē,
lithuanian menesis, old
church slavonic
meseci, armenian
mis, sanskrit
masah, avestan ma,
persian
mah} <
*me-(2)
(= to
measure).
mop
< middle
english mappe
< (?) walloon
mappe
(= napkin) <
latin
mappa
(= napkin, tablecloth).
moppet
< middle
english
moppe (=
little child, baby doll) < (?) latin
mappa
(= napkin, tablecloth).
moral
< middle
english
moral <
old french
moral
< latin
moralis
(= pertaining to manners, proper social behavior) < latin
mores
(= customs, manners, morals), plural of
mos [gen. moris]
(= disposition).
moratorium
< late
latin
moratorium,
neuter of moratorius
(= tending to delay) <
latin
moror
[inf. morari]
(= to delay) <
mora
(= pause, delay).
morbid
< latin
morbidus
(= diseased) <
morbus
(= sickness, disease, illness).
more
< old
english
mara
(= greater, stronger), comparative of micel
/ mycel (=
big, long) <
proto-germanic
*mekilaz
< I.E.
*meg-
(= great).
morgue
<
french
Morgue,
a building in Paris [where bodies were exposed for identification].
morning
<
middle
english
morwenynge
/ moregeninge
< morn
/ morewen
+ [suffix] -ing
[on model of evening]
< middle
english
morwen
/ morghen
< old
english margen
< morgen
(= morning,
sunrise) <
proto-germanic
*murgana-
(= morning) {> dutch
morgen, gothic
maurgins, german Morgen}
< I.E.
*merk-
< (?) *mer-
(= blink, twinkle).
Morocco
<
italian Morocco
< berber
Marrakesh,
a city of Morroko <
arabic
Maghrib-al-Aqsa
(= extreme west).
moron
< modern
latin moron
<
ancient greek
μωρόν
| mōron,
neuter of μωρός
| mōros
(= foolish, dull, sluggish, stupid).
morphine
< french
morphine
/ german
Morphin
< latin
Morpheus <
ancient greek Μορφεύς
| Morphefs,
the god of sleep and dreams <
μορφή
| morphē
(= form, shape, appearance).
morphology
< german
Morphologie
< ancient greek μορφή
| morphē
(= form, shape, appearance) + -λογία
| -loghia
(= study) (< λόγος
| loghos
(= a speaking) < λέγω
| leghō
(= speak)).
Morris
< 1. Maurice
<
french
Maurice
< medieval
latin Mauritius
< Maurus
< ancient greek Μαύρος
| Mavros
(= inhabitant of Mauretania, Moor) or
2. middle english Moorish
< old french More
< medieval
latin Maurus
< ancient
greek Μαύρος
| Mavros.
mortal
< middle
english
mortal <
old french
mortel
(= destined to die) < latin
mortalis
(= mortal, human) <
mors
[gen. mortis]
(= death).
mortgage
< middle
english
morgage
< old
french
morgage
/ mort gaige
(= dead
pledge) [because the deal dies when the debt is paid] <
mort
(= dead) (< vulgar
latin *mortus
< latin mortuus,
past participle of morior
[inf. mori]
(= die) <
mors
[gen. mortis]
(= death))
+ gage
(= pledge, guaranty) (< frankish
*wadja-).
mortify
< middle
english
mortifien
< old
french
mortefiier
(= destroy, punish) <
late latin
mortifico
[inf. mortificare]
(= cause death, kill) <
mortificus
(= producing death) (<
latin mors
[gen. mortis]
(= death))
+ facio
[inf. facere]
(= make, do).
Mortimer
<
Mortemer,
a place in Normandy.
mortuary
< middle
english
mortuarie
<
anglo-french
mortuarie
<
medieval
latin
mortuarium,
neuter of mortuarius
(= pertaining to the dead) <
latin mortuus,
past participle of morior
[inf. mori]
(= die) <
mors
[gen. mortis]
(= death).
mosaic
< middle
english mosaic
< old
french
mosaicq
<
italian
mosaico
< medieval
latin
musaicum
(= mosaic work [dedicated to Muses]) < musaicum,
neuter of musaicus
(= of the Muses, of art) <
latin Musa
< ancient greek Μούσα
| Musa (=
Muse), the goddess of arts.
Moscow
< russian
Moskva,
the river of this town < (?) slavonic
moskva
(= wet, marshy).
Moses
< middle
english
Moises
< latin
Moises
< ancient
greek Μω(υ)σής
| Mō(y)sēs <
hebrew Moshe(h).
mosque
<
middle
english
moseak
< mosquee
< (?) middle
french
mosquée
< italian
moschea
< moscheta
< spanish
mesquita
<
arabic
masjid
(= place of worship, temple) <
ma-
(= place)
+ sajada
(= he worshipped).
mosquito
< spanish
mosquito
(= little gnat), a diminutive of mosca
(= fly) <
latin
musca
(= a fly) <
I.E. *mu-
(= gnat, fly).
most
< old
english
mast
< mæst
< proto-germanic
*maistaz,
superlative of proto-germanic *maiz
< I.E.
*meis-
(= great, big).
Mosul
<
arabic
al-Mawsul
(= the
joined) [in reference to a bridge of Tigris river].
motel
< motor-
+ hotel.
mother
< middle
english
moder
< old
english
modor
< proto-germanic
*mōdēr (=
mother) {> old
norse
moðir, danish
moder, dutch
moeder, german
Mutter} <
I.E.
*mater-
(= mother) {> old
irish
mathir, latin
māter, ancient greek μήτηρ
| mētēr, lithuanian
mote, old
church slavonic
mati, sanskrit
matar-} < I.E.
*ma-
(= mother) [baby-talk] + [suffix] *-ter-.
motion
< middle
english
mocioun
< old
french
mocion
(= movement, motion, change) < latin
motio
(= a
moving, motion, emotion) <
moveo
[inf. movere]
(= to move).
motive
< middle
english
motive <
old french
motif
(= will, motivation) < motif
(= moving)
< medieval
latin
motivus
(= moving, impelling) <
latin
motus,
past participle of moveo
[inf. movere]
(= to move).
motley
< middle
english
motley
(= parti-colored,
variegated in color) <
anglo-french
motteley.
motocross
<
[1956] motorcycle
+ cross-country.
motor
<
middle
english
motor
(= one who
imparts motion, controller) < late
latin
motor
(= mover)
< latin
moveo
[inf. movere]
(= to move).
motorcycle
<
[1895] motor
+ bicycle
(<
bi-
(< latin bis
(= twice)) + cycle
(<
late latin
cyclus
< ancient
greek κύκλος |
kyklos (=
circle, wheel))).
motto
< italian
motto
(= a saying) <
late latin
muttum
(= grunt, word) <
latin
muttio
[inf. muttire]
(= to mutter, murmur).
mount
(= ascend) < middle
english
mounten
(= get up
on a horse, rise up, ascend) <
old french
monter
(= go up, ascend, mount) <
vulgar
latin
*monto
[inf. montare]
< latin
mons
[gen. montis]
(= mountain).
mount(ain)
<
middle
english
mountain <
old french
montaigne
<
vulgar
latin
*montanea
(= mountain) < *montanea,
female of *montaneus
(= mountainous) <
latin
montanus
(= mountainous) <
mons
[gen. montis]
(= mountain).
mouse
< middle
english
mous
< old
english
mus
<
proto-germanic *mus
{> old
norse mus,
danish mus,
dutch
muis, german
Maus} <
I.E. *mus-
{> latin
mus, ancient greek
μυς | mys, lithuanian
muse, old
church slavonic
mysu, old
persian
mush, sanskrit
mus}.
mousse
< french
mousse
< old
french
mousse
(= froth) <
late latin
mulsa
(= mead) <
latin
mulsum
(= honey wine, mead) <
mulsum,
neuter of mulsus
(= mixed with honey) < I.E.
*melit-
(= honey)).
mouth
< old
english
muþ
<
proto-germanic
*muntha-
{> old
norse
munnr, danish
mund, dutch
mond, german Mund}.
move
< middle
english
meven
<
anglo-french
mover
/ old
french
movoir
(= to move) <
latin
moveo
[inf. movere]
(= to move) <
I.E.
*meue-
(= push away).
movie
< a
shortening of moving
picture.
Mozambique
<
portuguese
Moçambique <
arabic
musa malik
(= king Musa), a ruler.
mpg
< an abbreviation of miles
per
gallon.
mph
< an abbreviation of miles
per hour.
MS
< an abbreviation of latin
Manu
Scriptum
(= written by hand, manuscript) < manu,
ablative of manus
(= hand) + scriptum,
neuter past participle of scribo
[inf. scribere]
(= to write).
much
< middle
english
much
< middle
english
muchel
(= large, tall, many) <
old
english
micel
/ mycel (=
big, long) <
proto-germanic
*mekilaz
< I.E.
*meg-
(= great).
mud
< middle
english
mudde
(= moist,
soft earth) < (?) middle
low german
mudde
/ middle
dutch
modde
(= mud) <
proto-germanic
*mud-.
Muhammad
< [Mohammed]
< arabic
Muhammad
(= Praiseworthy), the prophet of Islam < hamida
(= praise).
mujahidin
< mujahideen
<
persian /
arabic mujahideen,
plural of mujahid
(= one who fights in a jihad).
mule
< old
english
mul
/ old
french mul
(= mule, hinny) < latin
mulus (=
mule) <
proto-italic
*musklo-.
multimedia
< multi-media
[1959] <
multi-
(< latin multus
(= much, many) + media (<
(?) mass-media
< media,
plural of medium (=
intermediate agency) < latin
media,
plural of medium (=
middle)).
multiply
< middle
english
multeplien
< old
french
multiplier
/ mouteplier
< latin
multiplico
[inf. multiplicare]
(= to increase) <
multiplex
[gen. multiplicis]
(= having
many folds, many times as great in number)
< multus
(= much, many) + -plex
(= -fold).
multitude
<
middle
english
multitude <
old french
multitude
< latin
multitudo
(= a great
number, crowd, the common people) <
multus
(= many, much) + [suffix] -tudo.
mum
< a shortening of mummy
< mommy
< mamma
< a
reduplication of I.E.
*ma-
(= mother) [baby-talk].
Munich
< german
München
< Mönch
(= monk) <
proto-germanic
*muniko-
< vulgar
latin
*monicus
< late
latin
monachus
(= monk) <
ancient greek
μοναχός
| monakhos
(= solitary, monk) <
μόνος
| monos (=
single, alone).
municipal
<
middle
french
municipal
< latin
municipalis (=
of community) <
municipium
(= community, municipality) <
municeps [gen.
municipis]
(= native, citizen) < munus
(= service
for the community, duty) +
capio
[inf. capere]
(= take, hold).
mural
< middle
english
mural
(= of a
wall) <
latin
muralis
(= of a wall) <
murus
(= wall).
murder
<
middle
english
murdre
< morþer
< old
english
morðor
(= secret
killing) <
proto-germanic
*murthran
{> old
norse
morð, dutch
moord, german
Mord} <
I.E. *mer-
(= rub away, harm).
murmur
< middle
english murmur
< old
french
murmure
(= murmur, trouble) < murmurer
(= to murmur) <
latin
murmuro
[inf. murmurare]
(= to murmur) <
murmur
(= a hum,
muttering) < (?) I.E.
*mor-mor,
of imitative
origin.
Murphy
< irish
Murphy
< gaelic
Murchadh
(= sea-warrior).
muscle
<
middle
english muscle
<
latin
musculus
(= little mouse, muscle), a diminutive of mus
[gen. muris]
(= mouse).
Muse
< middle
english Muse
< old
french Muse
< latin
Musa
< ancient
greek Μούσα
| Mousa (=
Muse), the goddess of arts < I.E.
*men-(1)
(= to
think).
museum
< latin
museum
(= library, study) <
ancient greek
μουσείον
| mousοeon
(= temple of the Muses, place of study, library, museum, school of
art) <
Μούσα
| Mousa (=
Muse), the goddess of arts < I.E.
*men-(1)
(= to
think).
mushroom
< middle
english muscheron
/ musseroun
<
anglo-french
musherun
/ old
french
meisseron
< (?) late
latin
mussirio.
music
< middle
english musike
< old
french
musique
< latin
musica
(= the art of music) <
ancient greek μουσική
[τέχνη] | mousikē
[technē]
(= [art] of the Muses) <
μουσική,
female of μουσικός
| mousikos
(= of the Muses, musical, educated) <
Μούσα
| Mousa (=
Muse), the goddess of arts < I.E.
*men-(1)
(= to
think).
musketeer
<
musket
(= firearm) (<
middle
french
mousquette,
a diminutive of mosca
(= a fly) <
latin
musca
(= a fly)) + [suffix] -eer.
Muslim
<
arabic
muslim
(= one who submits [to the faith]) <
aslama
(= he resigned).
must
(= be
obliged) <
old
english
moste,
past tense of motan
(= have to, be able to) <
proto-germanic
*motanan.
must
(= new wine) < old
english
must
< latin
mustum
< [vinum]
mustum
(= new [wine]) < mustum,
neuter of mustus
(= new, fresh).
mustache
< moustache
<
french
moustache
<
italian
mostaccio
< medieval
greek
μουστάκιον
| moustakion
< a diminutive of ancient greek
μύσταξ
| mystax
[gen. μύστακος | mystakos)
(= upper
lip, mustache).
mustang
<
mexican-spanish
mestengo
(= animal that strays) <
spanish
mestengo
(= belonging to the mesta, wild, stray) < mesta,
an association of cattle ranchers <
latin
mixta
(= mixed), female past participle of misceo
[inf. miscere]
(= to mix).
mustard
< middle
english mustard
<
old french
mostarde
< moust
(= must) <
latin
mustum
< [vinum]
mustum
(= new [wine]) < mustum,
neuter of mustus
(= new, fresh).
mutation
< middle
english mutacioun
< old
french
mutacion
< latin
mutatio
(= a
changing, alteration) < muto
[inf. mutare]
(= to change).
mute
< middle
english mewet
(= silent) <
old french
muet
(= dumb), a diminutive of mut
< latin
mutus
(= speechless).
mutual
< middle
english mutual
< old
french
mutuel
< latin
mutuus
(= reciprocal, done in exchange).
myopia
<
modern
latin myopia
< ancient
greek μυωπία
| myōpia
(= near-sightedness) <
μύωψ | myōps
(= near-sighted) <
μύω
| myō (=
contract or shut the eyes) + ωψ
| ōps
[gen. ωπός | ōpos)
(= eye) (<
I.E. *okw-
(= see)).
mystery
< middle
english
misterie
<
anglo-french
*misterie
/ old
french
mistere
< latin mysterium
(= secret rite, sacrament, secret thing) < ancient
greek μυστήριον
| mystērion
(= secret
rite) <
μύστης
| mystēs
(= one who has been initiated) <
μύω
| myō (=
shut the eyes) [because only initiates were allowed to see the famous
secret rites in Eleusina (a town next to Athens)].
mystic
< middle
english mistike
< old
french
mistique
< latin
mysticus
(= mystical, of secret rites) <
ancient greek
μυστικός
| mystikos
(= secret, mystic, of secret rites) <
μύστης
| mystēs
(= one who has been initiated) <
μύω
| myō (=
shut the eyes).
myth
< french
mythe
< modern
latin
mythus
< ancient
greek μύθος
| mythos
(= speech, story, tale, myth).
mythology
< middle
english <
late latin
mythologia
< ancient
greek μυθολογία
| mythologhia
(= legendary lore) <
μύθος
| mythos
(= story, tale, myth) + -λογία
| -loghia
(= study) (< λόγος
| loghos
(= a speaking) < λέγω
| leghō
(= speak)).