Old English edit

Etymology edit

From Proto-West Germanic *-mālum. Identical to the dative/instrumental plural of mǣl (time, occasion).

Pronunciation edit

Suffix edit

-mǣlum

  1. used to denote a fixed amount of something at a time
    bitmǣlumbit by bit
    dropmǣlumdrop by drop
    flocmǣlumin flocks, in droves
    ġēarmǣlumyear by year
    hēapmǣlumin groups
    limmǣlumlimb from limb
    stæpmǣlumstep by step
    styċċemǣlumpiece by piece
    þūsendmǣlumby the thousands

Descendants edit

  • Middle English: -mele