wem

noun

ˈwem
plural -s
1
archaic : a moral stain
2
chiefly dialectal : a flaw or stain in something material
3
archaic : a bodily spot or scar

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, alteration (influenced by wemmen to stain, from Old English wemman, from wamm spot, stain) of Old English wamm spot, stain; akin to Old Saxon wam evil, crime, Old Norse vamm blemish, Gothic wamm spot and perhaps to Old Norse vāma sickness, nausea

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Dictionary Entries Near wem

Cite this Entry

“Wem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wem. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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