Meaning
To work (over) mentally; to cogitate; to ruminate.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
Inherited from Middle English molle, mulle (“dust, rubbish”), possibly from Old English myl (“dust, mould”), from Proto-West Germanic *muli, a deverbal formation from *mulljan and thus cognate with Dutch mul (“dust, mould”), German Müll (“rubbish”), Swedish moln (“cloud”) and related to English mill (“to grind”). Alternatively, from Middle French mol or its etymon Latin mollis (“soft”). Some verbal senses are supplied by Middle English mollen (“to soften, dissolve”), from Old French moillier, from Latin *molliāre (“to steep”), itself from mollis; compare moil.
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 15 recorded puzzles:
- 2026-08-08MEILTUV
- 2026-07-17UABELMN
- 2026-04-19MATLINU
- 2025-10-11MELNOTU
- 2025-09-24MAUTLEC
- 2025-07-03LEUMITV
- 2025-06-03UAMINLG
- 2025-01-10LYTMPUI
- 2024-10-14MUDPLNE
- 2024-04-23UANLBMT
- 2024-03-28UAMHGLP
- 2024-02-01UMBLEDH
+3 earlier appearances in the archive.