meddle etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English: medelen, from Old English: medeltōn, from Proto-Germanic: *mitalōn-, from Proto-Indo-European: *mēdʰ- ("to measure")

Meaning:

  • To interfere in other people's affairs without invitation or justification
  • To busy oneself with something that is not one's concern

Origin:

The word "meddle" comes from the Old English word "medeltōn," which meant "to measure" or "to determine." This word was originally used to refer to the process of dividing land into plots of equal size. Over time, the meaning of "meddle" evolved to include the idea of interfering in other people's affairs. This is because measuring land often involved trespassing on the property of others, which was considered to be an unwelcome intrusion.

meddle relate terms

  • meddling

    Etymology The word meddling comes from the Middle English word medelen which means to m

  • meddle

    Etymology Middle English medelen from Old English medeltōn from Proto Germanic m

  • sound

    Etymology From Middle English sound from Old English sund from Proto Germanic sunðaz

  • gender

    Etymology The word gender derives from the Latin word genus which means kind or t

  • thunder

    Etymology The word thunder comes from the Old English word þunor which is derived f

  • spindle

    Etymology The word spindle comes from the Old English word spindel which in turn der

  • kindred

    Etymology Old English cynnræden Proto Germanic kunja raðjaz Meaning Family

  • strand

    Etymology The English word strand has Germanic origins and is related to the Proto Germ

  • runnel

    Etymology Old English rinnel stream brook Middle English rinell Modern English runne

  • swoon

    Etymology Middle English swonen from Old English swōgan meaning to sigh sound roa

  • powder

    Etymology The word powder originates from the Old French word poudre which itself de

  • meddle

    Etymology Middle English medelen from Old English medeltōn from Proto Germanic m

  • tender

    Etymology The word tender comes from the Old French verb tendre meaning to stretch

  • remainder

    Etymology The word remainder derives from the Latin word remaneō which means to r

  • riband

    Etymology Old French riban Late Latin ribanus Possibly from Medieval Latin ribandum

  • jaundice

    Etymology The word jaundice is derived from the Old French word jaune meaning yell

  • spider

    Etymology The word spider originates from the Middle English spither c 1200 deri

  • lender

    Etymology Middle English lendere from Old Norse lendari from lenda loan Germanic

  • meddlesome

    Etymology Middle English medle from Old English medel mingling mixture some Midd

  • medley

    Etymology The word medley originates from the Old English word medle meaning mixtu

  • powder

    Etymology The word powder originates from the Old French word poudre which itself de

  • interfere

    Etymology From Middle English enterferen from Old French entreferer from Latin interf

  • intrigue

    Etymology Late Middle English via Old French entriegue from Italian intrigo from Lati

  • king

    Etymology Old English cyning pronounced kuh ning Proto Germanic kuningaz Proto

  • business

    Etymology The word business is derived from the Old English word bisignis which mean

  • tamper

    Etymology The word tamper is derived from the Old French word tamperer meaning to i

  • intervene

    Etymology From Late Latin intervenire from Latin inter between venire to com

  • posthumous

    Etymology Post Latin after Humus Latin earth Meaning Pertaining to or o