Middle English
noun
: the English in use from the 12th to 15th centuries see Indo-European Languages Table
Examples of Middle English in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
During the Middle English period, this sound shifted into /w/, which also has a velar quality as a sound.
—
Literary Hub,
25 June 2026
The Death of Robin Hood is based on the English ballad Robin Hood’s Death, a poetic Middle English telling of the bandit’s final days.
—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
The etymology of the English word bat, an alteration from Middle English bakke, traces its way from leather-flapper to flitter-mouse, like the German fledermaus.
—
Hazlitt,
29 Oct. 2025
Today’s Wordle Etymology The word chirp comes from Middle English chirpen (also spelled chirpyn), which was an imitative verb formed to mimic the short, sharp sounds of small birds or insects.
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Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
The etymology traces back through Middle English, to Anglo-French, and ultimately to the Latin aequus, meaning equal or fair.
—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
Cannon Origin: Cannon is of Middle English and Latin origin.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
4 Feb. 2025
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Literary Hub,
25 June 2026
The Death of Robin Hood is based on the English ballad Robin Hood’s Death, a poetic Middle English telling of the bandit’s final days.
—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
The etymology of the English word bat, an alteration from Middle English bakke, traces its way from leather-flapper to flitter-mouse, like the German fledermaus.
—
Hazlitt,
29 Oct. 2025
Today’s Wordle Etymology The word chirp comes from Middle English chirpen (also spelled chirpyn), which was an imitative verb formed to mimic the short, sharp sounds of small birds or insects.
—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
The etymology traces back through Middle English, to Anglo-French, and ultimately to the Latin aequus, meaning equal or fair.
—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
Cannon Origin: Cannon is of Middle English and Latin origin.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
4 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Middle English.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Middle%20English. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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