Etymologically
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misculo

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Forms

misculō (present infinitive misculāre, perfect active misculāvī, supine misculātum); first conjugation[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin misceō (“to mix”),[2][1] perhaps on the model of maculō, or a reshaping of the Late Latin forms ⟨miscuere⟩ and ⟨miscuare⟩, built on the perfect ⟨miscuī⟩.[1] Compare Old High German miskilōn (“to mix”).[1] Its Vulgar Latin form *misculō gave Occitan mesclar, Spanish mezclar and Italian mescolare and Old French mesler, from which English meddle comes.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is attested from the 9th century.[1] The capitularies of the Frankish kings use it of adulterating gold or silver by mixing.[2]

Semantic evolution

Besides “to mix”, Hincmar used it reflexively for meddling in something.[2]

Timeline

  • 9th century – Hincmar uses it reflexively, “to meddle in”.[2][4]
  • 4th quarter of the 12th century – The Mappae clavicula uses it for mixing in a recipe.[2][4]
  • early 14th century – English meddle, from Old French, appears with the sense “to mix”.[3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. (Medieval Latin) To mix.[2][1]
  2. (Medieval Latin, reflexive) To meddle in something.[2]
  • English meddle

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Novum Glossarium Mediae Latinitatis ab anno DCCC usque ad annum MCC (1957–), Copenhagen / Geneva / Paris: Union Académique Internationale; IRHT
  3. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de