The phrase "more wellnigh" may seem unusual to some, as "wellnigh" on its own means almost or nearly. However, when "more" is added to the beginning, it intensifies the meaning and creates a stronger emphasis on the word "wellnigh." The word is pronounced /ˌwɛlˈnaɪ/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the stress on the second syllable. The combination of the two words creates a unique and impactful way to express the degree of closeness or similarity of something.
"More wellnigh" is not a standard term and does not have a widely recognized dictionary definition. However, we can analyze the individual words "more" and "wellnigh" to understand their meanings separately.
The word "more" is an adverb that is used to indicate a greater quantity, degree, or intensity. It implies an increase in comparison to something else or a previous state.
On the other hand, "wellnigh" is an archaic adverb that means almost, nearly, or very close to achieving or attaining something. It suggests that a certain condition or state is very close to being met or accomplished.
By combining these two words into the phrase "more wellnigh," it can be inferred that there is an intensified sense of proximity or closeness to a certain condition or state. This phrase may imply that something is moving closer to being almost achieved or obtained, or that it is reaching an even higher level of nearness or closeness than before.
However, it is important to note that "more wellnigh" is not a standard or commonly used phrase, and its meaning might be subjective or context-dependent.
The phrase "more wellnigh" is formed by combining the words "more" and "wellnigh".
The word "more" derives from the Old English word "māra" which means "greater" or "additional". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*maizon" meaning "greater". This word comes from the Proto-Indo-European root "*mē-", which carries the idea of measurement and quantity.
The word "wellnigh" is an adverb that originated in Middle English. It combines the words "well" and "nigh". "Well" comes from the Old English word "wel" meaning "fully" or "completely". "Nigh" is an old variant of the word "near", which can be traced back to the Old English word "nēar".