whelm etymology

Etymology:

• Old English "whelmen" (to plunge or submerge)

Meaning:

• To completely engulf or overwhelm
• To flood or drown
• To cause excessive distress or emotion

Origin:

• The word "whelm" is believed to be of Indo-European origin, descending from the Proto-Germanic root hwelman or hwalman, which also gave rise to the Middle English word "swalwe" (to swallow).
• The root may be related to the Proto-Indo-European root kwel-, meaning "to turn or roll," suggesting that the original meaning of "whelm" was to cause something to roll or capsize.

Usage:

• The word "whelm" is often used in a figurative sense to describe a state of being overwhelmed or consumed by something:
  • "The news of the tragedy whelmed her with grief."
• It can also be used in a more literal sense to describe the act of flooding or drowning:
  • "The boat was completely whelmed by the waves."

whelm relate terms

• gulf

  Etymology The word gulf is derived from the Old French goulfe which in turn comes f

• overwhelm

  Etymology From Middle English overhwhelmen from Old English oferhwelman from Proto Ge

• over

  Etymology The word over derives from the Middle English over which in turn stems fr

• whelm

  Etymology Old English whelmen to plunge or submerge Meaning To completely engu

• overwhelmed

  Etymology Middle English overwhelewen from Old English oferwealwian ofer over wealw

• overcome

  Etymology Over from the Old English ofer meaning above or upon Come from the Ol

• overtake

  Etymology Middle English overtaken from Old English ofer tācan to catch up with ov

• fire

  Etymology The word fire comes from the Old English fīr which is ultimately derived

• rife

  Etymology The word rife comes from the Middle English word rife which in turn comes

• seize

  Etymology The word seize originated from the Middle English word seisen which in tur

• kindle

  Etymology The word kindle derives from the Middle English verb kindlen which means

• clutch

  Etymology The word clutch has multiple etymological origins Middle English clucche

• evoke

  Etymology The word evoke comes from the Latin word evocare which means to call for

• stagger

  Etymology Middle English stagren staggeren staggern from Old English stagrian sta

• provoke

  Etymology The word provoke derives from the Latin verb provocare meaning to call fo