Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “bergmeal” come from?

bergmeal (English) comes from German Mehl, from Middle High German mel, from Old High German melo, from West Germanic *melu, from Proto-Germanic melwą, from Proto-Indo-European melh₂-, from Proto-Indo-European mel-, from Proto-Indo-European mey- — to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange.

bergmeal (English): An earthy substance, resembling fine flour,...

Definitions

  1. An earthy substance, resembling fine flour,...

Ancestry of “bergmeal”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1GermanMehlflour; meal; powder; dust
2Middle High Germanmel—
3Old High Germanmeloflour
4West Germanic*melu—
5Proto-Germanicmelwąground corn, meal, flour
6Proto-Indo-Europeanmelh₂-to grind, to crush
7Proto-Indo-Europeanmel-soft; tender; weak; to deceive; to rub
8Proto-Indo-Europeanmey-to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange
Every word from Proto-Indo-European mey- →