Proto-South Dravidian : *mī̆-
Meaning : above
Tamil : micai
Tamil meaning : eminence, elevation, elevated place, hill, mound, sky, front, a locative ending
Tamil derivates : mī top, surface, height, elevation, eminence, loftiness, sky, heavens, greatness, dignity; mīcai upper part; mīcu, mītu top, outer or upper surface, elevated place, on, upon, over, overmuch; mīmicai that which exceeds or abounds; adv. above, over; mettu (metti-) to abound, increase; ? mita (-pp-, -nt-) to float, rise high in the sky, be in abundance, excess; mitappu floating; boat, ship, raft, float of a fishing line; abundance, height, elevation; mitavai boat
Malayalam : mica
Malayalam meaning : height; above, on
Malayalam derivates : mītu the top; mītil above; mīttu, mīttal the top, firstfruits, first handful of rice given to the cat, the first portion of stolen property which brings disease to those that use it, offering to demons; mītt-āka to be set aside for sacred uses; mettuka to rise high, jump; meccam excellency, superiority, remaining over and above; meccamē well, highly; ? mutakkuka to float; mutappu buoy
Kannada : mīsal
Kannada meaning : anything that is set apart for some purpose and is to be left untouched until the object is accomplished, anything untouched or undefiled
Kodagu : mīda
Kodagu meaning : on top
Kodagu derivates : mīdi offering to a god
Tulu : mittụ
Tulu meaning : above, upon, over, after
Tulu derivates : mittara high, beyond the reach of hand; mittaruni, mittāvuni to ascend, mount, climb
Notes : Tamil and Mal. forms with the -e-vocalism (mettu, etc.) could probably not belong here; all the other forms can be traced back to *mī- with specific developments before suffixes.
Number in DED : 4841
