- mar
- O.E. merran (Anglian), mierran (W.Saxon) "waste, spoil," from P.Gmc. *marzjanan (cf. O.Fris. meria, O.H.G. marren "to hinder, obstruct," Goth. marzjan "to hinder, offend"), considered by some philologists to be from PIE base *mers- "to trouble, confuse" (cf. Skt. mrsyate "forgets, neglects," Lith. mirszati "to forget"). Related: Marred; marring.