English
evil-speaking
Evil-speaking comes from Middle English *ivel-spekynge.
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500*ivel-spekyngereconstructed
- Englishtodayevil-speaking
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500*ivel-spekyngereconstructed
- Englishtodayevil-speaking
Proto-Germanic *ubilaz ‘evil, bad’
Proto-West Germanic *ubil ‘evil, bad’
Old English yfel ‘bad, evil’
Middle English yvel ‘morally evil’
English evil
Every English word from Middle English *ivel-spekynge
Today it means
noun The act of speaking ill or maliciously of something or someone; blasphemy, slander; gossip.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle English *ivel-spekynge / evil-speaking