An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A mature female horse or other equine animal.

Etymology (EN): M.E., variant of mere, O.E. m(i)ere feminine of mearh “horse,” (cognates: O.Sax. meriha, O.Norse merr, Du. merrie, O.H.G. meriha, Ger. Mähre “mare”), probably of Gaulish origin (cf. Irish and Gaelic marc, Welsh march, Breton marh “horse”).

Etymology (PE): Mâdiyân, from mâdé “female,” → feminine.