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
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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
The Chaucer findings are of great interest to my wife, who is a Middle English scholar, and to Cannon, a family friend, because the quality of Chaucer’s personal character matters a lot to anybody who teaches his work.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 18 Oct. 2022
Tolkien believed students should focus on Old and Middle English texts, while Lewis thought English Literature post-Geoffrey Chaucer was preferable.
—Emma Fraser, Town & Country, 4 Sep. 2022
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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
The Chaucer findings are of great interest to my wife, who is a Middle English scholar, and to Cannon, a family friend, because the quality of Chaucer’s personal character matters a lot to anybody who teaches his work.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 18 Oct. 2022
Tolkien believed students should focus on Old and Middle English texts, while Lewis thought English Literature post-Geoffrey Chaucer was preferable.
—Emma Fraser, Town & Country, 4 Sep. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Middle English.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Middle%20English. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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