mull

UK: mʌl | US: mʌl

Definition

  1. vt. to heat, sweeten, and spice (a beverage, especially wine or ale)

  2. vt. to ponder or consider at length

  3. n. a soft, thin muslin fabric

  4. n. a promontory or headland (Scottish)

Structure

No data yet.

Etymology

The word "mull" has multiple distinct origins:

  1. The beverage-related sense (heating/spicing) likely derives from early Dutch mol (to soften) or German mollen (to crush), reflecting the process of mulling spices.
  2. The "ponder" meaning may originate from Scottish Gaelic meall (to deceive/deliberate), evolving into prolonged consideration.
  3. The fabric term comes from Hindi malmal (fine cotton), adapted into English via trade.
  4. The geographical sense (headland) stems from Old Norse múli (snout/projection), describing landforms.
Examples

  1. She decided to mull the cider with cinnamon and cloves.

  2. I need time to mull over your proposal before answering.

  3. The dress was made of delicate white mull.

  4. The lighthouse stood atop the rocky mull.

  5. He mulled his options carefully before choosing.