Proto-South Dravidian : *met-/*mĕd-
Meaning : soft
Tamil : mett-en_al
Tamil meaning : expr. signifying (a) being smooth or soft, (b) being gentle, (c) being slow, (d) being dull
Tamil derivates : mett-en_avu mildness of disposition, even temper, gentleness, pliancy; metu softness, gentleness, slowness, dullness, bluntness (as of an edge); metumetu (-pp-, -tt-) to be soft to the touch (as fruit); metumetuppu softness, having a soft surface
Kannada : mettage, mettige
Kannada meaning : softness; soft, pliant, etc.; softly, slowly
Kannada derivates : mettane, mettanna, mettāne soft, etc.; medu soft
Tulu : mettena
Tulu meaning : soft, pliant
Tulu derivates : medu id., gentle, ripe, yielding
Notes : The form medu is probably of verbal origin (cf. Tamil metumetu 'to be soft'); otherwise, the voiced consonant is impossible to explain.
Number in DED : 5070
