Definition of meld

The origin of the word "meld" can be traced back to the mid-15th century, where it first appeared in Middle English as "molde" or "mele," meaning a mold or form used for shaping clay, wax, or metal objects. The verb form of "mold" or "melle" appeared in the 16th century, and it referred to the process of shaping molten metal or clay in a mold. From this earliest meaning, the word "melt" began to later refer to the process of melting or blending different substances together. In the 19th century, the word gained its current meaning of "to blend cards or games in a melting pot" in the context of card games. It is believed that this meaning arose from the blending of cards and suits during the play of certain card games. Overall, the evolution of "meld" reflects the English language's ability to adapt and develop new meanings over time, as a single word can evolve from its earliest meaning to take on a completely different sense as its usage changes over the centuries.