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E 0556 (TO) MAIM
The verb" to maim " is of possible, but
unattested German origin .
H 0620 ם
ו
מ
Concept of root : maiming
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Hebrew word
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pronunciation
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English meanings
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ם ו מ
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mum;* mom
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maimed;
to be maimed
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Related English words
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to maim
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Comparison between European words and
Hebrew
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Languages
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Words
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Pronunciation
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English meanings
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Similarity in roots
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Hebrew
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ם ו מ
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mum;* mom
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maimed; to be maimed
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m .(o). m
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English
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to maim
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m . i m
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Proto-Semitic *MUM --- *MAIM English
This Hebrew noun "
מ
ו
ם , mum = defect, blemish" is still in use, but the verb today is found only in "
ה
מ
י
ם , hémim " that is the causative form and means precisely "to maim". The similarity of the roots is quite strong and a common origin should exist. A Hebrew O -sound may well develop into a I -sound . And if this I-sound has the function of a consonant, as Y-sound, it may very well receive an A for pronunciation. Such a hypothetical sequence would be : MOM > MIM > MAYM. In a certain way the in between link ( Hebrew – English) is already seen in the causative verb "HEMIM" we just mentioned.
Note:
- English "to maim" was also present in Middle English, with the verb "maymen". As known, the suffix "-en" indicates, like in Old English, the infinitive and was abolished in modern English. There is no etymological explanation known of this word, that seems not to be found in other Germanic or different Indo-European languages. The noun "maim" was "maime" in Middle English.
The word "maim" is seen as related to "mayhem", that in Anglo Norse was "mahaym" or "maihem". We note that this relation is not certain. Old French had here different versions, as "mayhem, mahaing, main(e)", with the verbs "mahaignierm, mayner". This is then linked to Provencal "maganhar" and Italian "magagnare" = to damage, spoil", from a noun "magagna" = "defect,bad spot" and then figuratively "physical defect". The confusion is there about what was first and what came later.
No conclusion regarding Proto-Germanic or Indo-European seems feasible, though there must be an answer.
Note:
- Proto-Semitic. This root is also present in Aramaic and Syriac " מ ו מ א , mum'à = defect, blemish".
It may have been in use in Proto-Semitic: מ ו ם , M W M".
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| Created: Tuesday 6 November 2007 at 22.30.54 Updated: 10/11/2012 at 10.36.07 |
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