meighen: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Proper Noun)Formal (historical or onomastic reference)
Quick answer
What does “meighen” mean?
The past tense form of the obsolete verb 'meigh,' meaning 'to make or become low, quiet, or soft.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The past tense form of the obsolete verb 'meigh,' meaning 'to make or become low, quiet, or soft; to appease or settle.' In modern contexts, it is exclusively recognized as a historical surname and a place name.
In contemporary use, 'Meighen' functions primarily as a proper noun: a surname of Scottish/Irish origin (a variant of 'Moynihan' or 'Meighan'), or a place name (e.g., Meighen Island in the Canadian Arctic, named after Arthur Meighen, a former Prime Minister of Canada).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No discernible difference in usage. Both use it solely as a proper noun (surname or place name).
Connotations
Primarily geographical (Canadian place) or historical (political figure).
Frequency
Extremely rare in both, used only in specific contexts (Canadian history, geography, genealogy).
Grammar
How to Use “meighen” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] + [geographical/political reference]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meighen” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical or geographical texts discussing Canadian politics or Arctic geography.
Everyday
Virtually never used unless discussing specific Canadian history.
Technical
Used in cartography (place name).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meighen”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meighen”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meighen”
- Attempting to use it as a common verb or adjective.
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈmaɪɡən/ or /ˈmeɪɡən/ (the 'gh' is silent).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not as a common word. It is only used as a proper noun (a name). You will likely never need it unless discussing specific Canadian history or geography.
For the surname of the Canadian PM, it is most commonly /ˈmiːən/ (MEE-ən). For the island, /ˈmeɪən/ (MAY-ən) is also used. The 'gh' is silent.
As a surname, it is an anglicized form of Irish Ó Maotháin or Scottish Gaelic Mac Miadhacháin, meaning 'descendant of the little soft or tender one.' The verb form 'to meigh' is from Middle English.
No. The verb 'meigh' it derives from has been obsolete for centuries. Using 'meighen' in this way would be incorrect and incomprehensible to modern speakers.
The past tense form of the obsolete verb 'meigh,' meaning 'to make or become low, quiet, or soft.
Meighen is usually formal (historical or onomastic reference) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MEE-hen, like a hen, but for the former Canadian PM Arthur Meighen. Or 'MAY-en' for the island.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A for proper noun.
Practice
Quiz
'Meighen' is primarily used in modern English as: