Mere

Type

Lake, Sea, Wetland

Area of origin

Uncertain

Area of use

NW England

  1. A large pond or lake (now mostly regional and in literary use as with Grendel’s lair in Beowulf)
  2. The sea (obsolete use)
  3. A creek or inlet (obsolete use)
  4. A marsh or fen (regional use)

Etymology

Germanic origin. Cognate with Old Frisian mere “sea”. c.f. French mer “sea”; Italian mare “sea” etc…

Example locations

  • Marton Mere
    Lancashire

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Entry contributors:

Kevin Browne