moor etymology

Etymology:

The word "moor" originates from the Old English word "mōr," which meant "heath," "wasteland," or "barren land." It is cognate with the Old Saxon word "mōr" and the Old High German word "muor," both meaning "moorland."

Meaning:

1. A type of wetland: A moor is a type of wetland characterized by poorly drained acidic soils, often covered by low-growing vegetation such as heather, grasses, and sedges. Moors typically form in regions with high rainfall and cool temperatures.

2. A barren or uncultivated area: The word "moor" can also refer to a barren or uncultivated area of land, especially in mountainous or upland regions.

3. A dark-skinned person: In historical usage, the word "moor" was sometimes used to refer to a dark-skinned person, particularly from North Africa or southern Europe. This usage is considered outdated and offensive in most modern contexts.

Origin:

The word "moor" is believed to have originated from the Proto-Germanic root mūraz, which meant "moor" or "swamp." This root is also the basis for the words "marsh" and "mire" in English.

moor relate terms

• mere

  Etymology Sanskrit मेर mer mountain Meaning Sanskrit A mythical mountai

• mooring

  Etymology The word mooring derives from the Middle English term moring which in tur

• moor

  Etymology The word moor originates from the Old English word mōr which meant heat

• moorings

  Etymology The word moorings has its origins in the Old English word more meaning a

• marlinspike

  Etymology and Meaning Marlinspike A pointed tool used by sailors to work with ropes and

• morass

  Etymology The word morass comes from the Old French word marais which likely derive

• Morocco

  Etymology The name Morocco is derived from the Berber phrase Murakush which means

• higgledy piggledy

  Etymology The origin of higgledypiggledy is uncertain but there are several theories

• heath

  Etymology Old English hæð heath Cognate with German Heide and Dutch heide Meaning

• brier

  Etymology Middle English brer bryar from Old English brēr bramble thorn briar

• plain

  Etymology Plain derives from the Old French word plain which in turn comes from the

• berth

  Etymology The word berth has two distinct etymological origins Old French From

• room

  Etymology The word room originates from the Middle English word roum which in turn