Where does “wad” come from?
Wad derives from Middle English wadmal, from Old Norse váðmál, a compound of váð (cloth) from Proto-Germanic wēdiz and a root from Proto-Indo-European mel- meaning to grind or crush.
wad (English): An amorphous, compact mass; A substantial pile; A...
Definitions
- An amorphous, compact mass; A substantial pile; A...
Ancestry of “wad”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | wadmal | woolen cloth |
| 2 | Old Norse | váðmál | woolen stuff |
| 3 | Old Norse | mál | language; speech; matter, affair |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | mēlą | measure, measurement; time, occasion; point in... |
| 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 |