Where does “mailshot” come from?

mailshot (English) comes from English mail, from Middle English mal, from Old English māl, from Old Norse mál, from Proto-Germanic mēlą, from Proto-Indo-European melh₂-, from Proto-Indo-European mel-, from Proto-Indo-European mey- — to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange.

mailshot (English): Bulk advertising sent through the post/mail; To...

Definitions

  1. Bulk advertising sent through the post/mail; To...

Ancestry of “mailshot”, step by step

mailshot traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English mail

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishmailA bag or wallet; A bag containing letters to be...
2Middle Englishmal
3Old Englishmālspeech, contract, agreement; suit, case, action,...
4Old Norsemállanguage; speech; matter, affair
5Proto-Germanicmēląmeasure, measurement; time, occasion; point in...
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

via English shot

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishshotWorn out or broken; Woven from warp and weft...
2Middle EnglishschotA missile or projectile; a thrown or fired weapon
3Old EnglishScotshot, act of shooting
4Old Norseskot
5Proto-Germanicskutąshot
6Proto-Indo-European(s)kewd-to advance, push; to drive, propel
Every word from Proto-Indo-European mey-Every word from Proto-Indo-European mel-Every word from Proto-Indo-European melh₂-