Where does “merrie” come from?
merrie (Dutch) comes from Middle Dutch merrie, from Old Dutch meria, from Proto-Germanic marhijō, from Proto-Germanic marhaz, from Proto-Germanic skalkaz, from Proto-Indo-European (s)kelH-, from Proto-Indo-European (s)kel- — to bend, crook; bent, crooked; leg, heel, knee,...
merrie (Dutch): A mare, female equine
Definitions
- A mare, female equine
Ancestry of “merrie”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle Dutch | merrie | — |
| 2 | Old Dutch | meria | mare, female horse |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | marhijō | mare, female horse |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | marhaz | horse |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | skalkaz | servant |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | (s)kelH- | to cut; to split, to separate |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | (s)kel- | to bend, crook; bent, crooked; leg, heel, knee,... |