gammeln

Meaning

To become old; to rot.

Concepts

twiddle one’s thumbs

Synonyms

Translations

Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˈɡaməln/
Etymology

In summary

Borrowed from German Low German and Middle Low German gamelen, from Old Saxon *gamal (attested in the past participle gigamalōd), from Proto-Germanic *gamalaz (“weak, old”). Cognate to Old English gamolian. The verb pertains to an adjective meaning “old” attested in Middle Dutch gamel, Old English gamol, Old Norse gamall (whence forms in all modern Scandinavian languages).

Notes

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