mistletoe的词源

英文词源

mistletoe: mistletoe: [OE] Mistletoe is a mystery word. It means literally ‘mistletoe twig’, and comes from an Old English compound misteltān formed from mistel ‘mistletoe’ and tān ‘twig’. The origins of mistel, however (which has relatives in German mistil and Dutch and Swedish mistel), are unknown. The mistle thrush [18], or missel thrush, got its name from its predilection for mistletoe berries.
mistletoe (n.): Old English mistiltan, from mistel "mistletoe" (see missel) + tan "twig." Similar formation in Old Norse mistilteinn, Norwegian misteltein, Danish mistelten. The second element is cognate with Old Saxon and Old Frisian ten, Old Norse teinn, Dutch teen, Old High German zein, Gothic tains "twig." Venerated by the Druids; the custom of hanging it at Christmas and kissing under it is mentioned by Washington Irving.

来自古英语mistiltan,来自mistel,槲寄生，tan,树枝。一种寄生在树枝上的植物，常用做圣诞装饰品，同时也被视为一种吉祥物。

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