Where does “mildly” come from?
Mildly derives from Middle English -ly, Old English -līċ, and Proto-Germanic mildijaz, with the root extending to Proto-Indo-European meldʰ-, līg-, and ḱóm.
mildly (English): In a mild manner; To a mild degree; slightly
Definitions
- In a mild manner; To a mild degree; slightly
Ancestry of “mildly”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | mild | Gentle and not easily angered; Of only moderate... |
| 2 | Middle English | milde | Alternative form of mile |
| 3 | Old English | milde | mild, gentle, kind, merciful, generous; meek |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | mildijaz | mild, soft, tender |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | melh₂- | to grind, to crush |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | mel- | soft; tender; weak; to deceive; to rub |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | mey- | to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange |