whelmed
/wɛlmd/
adjective
Origin
Middle English
whelmen — to overturn, submerge
Overview
Meaning Now
- Covered or engulfed, especially by a wave or flood.
- Completely overcome or buried by a large amount or force of something.
Literal older meaning
Overturned or cast down.
Language path
Proto-Germanic → Middle English → English
Earliest form
whelmen
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word 'whelm' is an archaic or literary term that fell out of general use, leaving behind the intensive derivative 'overwhelm'. In modern English, 'whelmed' is most frequently encountered as a back-formation from 'overwhelmed' or used humorously to describe a state that is neither entirely overwhelmed nor entirely indifferent.
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*hwalwjanan
“to roll, turn”
- Middle English
whelmen
“to knock over or cover completely”
- Early Modern English
whelmed
“submerged or swallowed up”
Connections
Word parts
whelm
root
to engulf
-ed
suffix
past participle marker
Related across languages
Low German
walmen
to turn or roll
Explore next
Related to whelmed
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.