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mensal1

[men-suh l]
adjective
  1. monthly.
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Origin of mensal1

1475–85; < Latin mēns(is) month + -al1

mensal2

[men-suh l]
adjective
  1. of, relating to, or used at the table.
  2. Roman Catholic Church. (of a benefice, church, etc.) set aside for the maintenance of a priest or bishop, especially for board.
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Origin of mensal2

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin mēnsālis of, pertaining to a table. See mensa, -al1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for mensal

Historical Examples

  • The chief had his own mensal lands, as well as his tribute, and these he might forfeit.

    The Land-War In Ireland (1870)

    James Godkin

  • He constructed a number of fortresses on the great central plain and carved out the kingdom of Meath to serve as his mensal land.

  • For never, while supping on this single dish, would he dream of the mensal and kitchen luxuries of the Hermitage in Bronx Park.

    The Book of Khalid

    Ameen Rihani

British Dictionary definitions for mensal

mensal1

adjective
  1. rare monthly
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Word Origin

C15: from Latin mensis month

mensal2

adjective
  1. rare relating to or used at the table
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Word Origin

C15: from Latin mensālis, from mensa table
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for mensal

adj.1

"monthly," 1860, from Latin mensis "month" (see moon (n.)) + -al (1).

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adj.2

"pertaining to or used at a table," mid-15c., from Late Latin mensalis, from Latin mensa "table" (see mesa).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper