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mauern

infinitive of strong verb (class 2); also weak verb form

1. to build with bricks or stone
2. to stall; to refuse to cooperate (colloquial)
3. to play defensively without attacking (sports slang)

Built from

• mauer — root · wall, brick
  From Latin mūrus. The root carries the concrete image of constructed barriers.
• -n — ending · infinitive marker
  Standard German infinitive ending, unmarked for person or number.

Etymology. From Middle High German 'mūren', from Old High German 'mūren', derived from Mauer (wall), itself from Latin 'mūrus' (wall). The figurative sense 'to stall' developed from the image of building a wall of resistance. English 'mural' and 'immure' share the Latin root.

Dictionary entry by Claude.

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