mull

¹

[ muhl ]

verb (used without object)

1. to study or ruminate; ponder.

   Synonyms: weigh, consider

verb (used with object)

1. to think about carefully; consider (often followed by over ):

   to mull over an idea.

2. to make a mess or failure of.

mull

²

[ muhl ]

verb (used with object)

1. to heat, sweeten, and flavor with spices for drinking, as ale or wine.

mull

³

[ muhl ]

noun

1. a soft, thin muslin.

mull

⁴

[ muhl ]

verb (used with object)

, Metallurgy.

1. to mix (clay and sand) under a roller for use in preparing a mold.

Mull

⁵

[ muhl ]

noun

1. an island in the Hebrides, in W Scotland. About 351 sq. mi. (910 sq. km).

mull

¹

/ mʌl /

verb

1. troften foll byover to study or ponder

mull

²

/ mʌl /

noun

1. a promontory

mull

³

/ mʌl /

verb

1. tr to heat (wine, ale, etc) with sugar and spices to make a hot drink

Mull

⁴

/ mʌl /

noun

1. a mountainous island off the west coast of Scotland, in the Inner Hebrides, separated from the mainland by the Sound of Mull . Chief town: Tobermory. Pop: 2667 (2001). Area: 909 sq km (351 sq miles)

mull

⁵

/ mʌl /

noun

1. a light muslin fabric of soft texture

mull

⁶

/ mʌl /

noun

1. a layer of nonacidic humus formed in well drained and aerated soils Compare mor

Derived Forms

• ˈmulled, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mull¹

First recorded in 1815–25; perhaps identical with mull “to crumble, pulverize”; mull ⁴

Origin of mull²

First recorded in 1610–20; origin uncertain

Origin of mull³

First recorded in 1670–80; earlier mulmul, from Hindi malmal

Origin of mull⁴

First recorded in 1400–50; of uncertain origin; possibly from Middle English mollen, mullen, originally, “to moisten, soften by wetting”; moil

Word History and Origins

Origin of mull¹

C19: probably from muddle

Origin of mull²

C14: related to Gaelic maol, Icelandic múli

Origin of mull³

C17: of unknown origin

Origin of mull⁴

C18: earlier mulmull, from Hindi malmal

Origin of mull⁵

C20: from Danish muld; see mould ³

Example Sentences

Trump has publicly publicly mulled Musk for a formal role in the White House, promising in September in September to hire him to lead a government efficiency commission.

From Salon

Longtime observers of the conflict are mulling Ukraine’s options.

From Los Angeles Times

Rugby Australia will have mulled over his recruitment a little longer.

From BBC

The prospect of losing disaster aid has state officials and politicians mulling contingency plans ahead of next week’s election.

From Los Angeles Times

I sat, caught in contemplation, mulling over moments in my life in which I’ve had to navigate separation and heartbreak.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• contemplate
• deliberate
• examine
• ponder
• weigh