moss etymology

Etymology

1. Middle English mos (n.), mosse (n. and adj.) 2. Old English meos (n.), mos (n.) from Proto-West Germanic mūsi-, mūsa-, from Proto-Germanic musa-, from Proto-Indo-European mēws-, muws-

Meaning

  1. A non-vascular plant that forms a green carpet on the ground, on rocks, or on trees.
  2. A plant belonging to the phylum Bryophyta, comprising various species that typically have small, leafy stems and lack true roots, leaves, and vascular tissue.
  3. A growth of moss-like substance.
  4. A soft, spongy material used for stuffing mattresses, pillows, and similar items.

Origin

The word "moss" is of Proto-Indo-European origin, deriving from mēws-, muws-, meaning "moss." This root has given rise to similar words in various Indo-European languages, including:

  • Sanskrit: muska
  • Greek: mouōn
  • Latin: muscus
  • German: Moos
  • Old Norse: mosi
  • Swedish: mossa
  • Irish: muisc
  • Welsh: mos

moss relate terms

  • club moss

    Etymology The term club moss is derived from two Latin words Clava Meaning club

  • club

    Etymology The word club comes from the Old English word clubbe which originally ref

  • moss

    Etymology 1 Middle English mos n mosse n and adj 2 Old English meos n mos

  • litmus

    Etymology The word litmus originates from the Old Norse word litmósi which means

  • leak

    Etymology The word leak comes from the Middle English word leken which is of uncert

  • moss

    Etymology 1 Middle English mos n mosse n and adj 2 Old English meos n mos

  • mossback

    Etymology The term mossback originated in the early 19th century in the United States

  • must

    Etymology Origin Latin mustum meaning unfermented grape juice Evolution Old Fre

  • peat

    Etymology The word peat comes from the Middle English word pet or pete which is th

  • Spanish

    Etymology Spanish is derived from Medieval Latin Hispanus which itself is derived from

  • barbiturate

    Etymology The word barbiturate is derived from the name of the compound barbituric ac

  • mushroom

    Etymology The word mushroom has its origins in the Old French word mouscheron which

  • waif

    Etymology The word waif comes from the Middle English word waif which itself derives

  • posh

    Etymology Middle English posch posshe Anglo Norman French poche from Old French po

  • handicap

    Etymology The word handicap derives from the 16th century term hand in cap referrin