English
mainful
Mainful comes from Middle English maynful ‘Potent, effective, tough’, and goes back to mayn.
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500mayn
- Middle English, derivedc. 1150–1500maynfulas meinful‘Potent, effective, tough’
- Englishearliest quotation 1844mainful
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history not traced here.
Lineage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500mayn
- Middle English, derivedc. 1150–1500maynfulas meinful‘Potent, effective, tough’
- Englishearliest quotation 1844mainful
Earliest quotation: 1844, The wars of Jehovah: “[…] And others, the rebellious cast down / Upon…”
Linked words
through Middle English mayn
Today it means
adj Powerful; mighty.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle English mayn / mainful