mæla (1) (OSw) mæla (ON) verb

Derived from the noun mal (1). A basic, albeit not original, meaning (‘to speak’) is reflected in several translations relating to various stages of legal proceedings (as ‘appoint’, ‘order’, ‘respond’, ‘agree’, ‘decide’, ‘declare’), particularly relating to the start of legal proceedings (‘summon’, ‘prosecute’, ‘take action’, ‘pursue’). Also used in numerous phrases and compounds.

agree ONorw GuL Krb, Løb
make a claim OSw ÄVgL Md
order ONorw GuL Krb
plead OSw ÄVgL Äb
promise ONorw GuL Kpb
OSw MEL Gb
OSw ÖgL Gb
OSw YVgL Gb, Utgb
prosecute OSw ÄVgL Kkb
OSw ÖgL Kkb, Eb
OSw YVgL Drb, Tb
Expressions:

at mæla (OSw)

raise a claim OSw ÖgL Rb

Refs:

Bjorvand and Lindeman 2000, s.v. mål