Where does “numbskulledness” come from?

numbskulledness (English) comes from English numbskulled, from English numb, from English nim, from Middle English nimen, from Old English niman, from Proto-West Germanic neman, from Proto-Germanic nemaną, from Proto-Indo-European nem- — to distribute; to give, to take.

numbskulledness (English): The quality of being numbskulled; foolishness; idiocy

Definitions

  1. The quality of being numbskulled; foolishness; idiocy

Ancestry of “numbskulledness”, step by step

numbskulledness traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English numbskulled

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishnumbskulledstupid
2EnglishnumbPhysically unable to feel, not having the power...
3EnglishnimTo take or seize; To filch, steal; To walk with...
4Middle Englishnimento take
5Old Englishnimanto take, seize
6Proto-West Germanicnemanto take
7Proto-Germanicnemanąto take
8Proto-Indo-Europeannem-to distribute; to give, to take

via English Ness

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishNessAn Ulster princess and the mother of Conchobar mac Nessa and Findchoem in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. Daughter of Eochaid Sálbuide. Also the mother of Cormac Cond Longas by incest with Conchobar mac Nessa
2Middle Englishnesse
3Old Englishnæsnot, not at all; not; first/third-person singular...
4Proto-Germanicnasjąfoothill; headland; cape
5Proto-Indo-Europeannéh₂snose
Every word from Proto-Indo-European nem-Every word from Proto-Germanic nemanąEvery word from Proto-West Germanic neman
numbskulledness — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer