Mesel

Forms

• mesell, mysel

Origin

From Anglo-Norman mesel, Old French mesel, from Late Latin misellus ("leper"), from Latin miser ("wretched"). Compare measles.

Full definition of mesel

Adjective

1. (obsolete) Having leprosy; leprous. 14th-17th c.

Noun

1. (obsolete) A leper. 14th-16th c.
2. (obsolete) A wretched or revolting person. 14th-16th c.
• 1395, John Wycliffe, Bible, Isaiah LIII:Verily he suffride oure sikenesses, and he bar oure sorewis; and we arettiden him as a mysel and smytun of God and maad low.
3. (obsolete) Leprosy. 15th-16th c.
• 1485, Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book XVII:So hit befelle many yerys agone there happened on her a malodye, and whan she had lyene a grete whyle she felle unto a mesell, and no leche cowde remedye her ....----