The m was the Anglo-Saxon sign of the superlative degree.
It is the m in the Latin words pri-m-us, inti-m-us, exti-m-us, ulti-m-us, &c.
It occurs even in the Gothic tongues; in other words, besides for-m-a.
In short, m is an old sign of the superlative degree; probably older than the usual form, -st, discussed in § [254]. This has some important applications.
[§ 256]. Former.—This is a remarkable word: it is a comparative derived from the Anglo-Saxon superlative, and its analysis is for-m-er, with excess of inflexion.
[§ 257]. Nea-r-est.—Here the r is no part of the original root, as may be seen in § [251]. It has grown out of -ah pronounced as the a in father. The true forms are positive, neah; comparative, neah-er; superlative, neah-est. Such, to a certain extent, is really the case.
[§ 258]. Next.—The superlative of nigh, contracted from nigh-est. The Anglo-Saxon forms were neah, nyh-st, neh-st, nyh-ste. In Anglo-Saxon the letter h was pronounced strongly, and sounded like g or k. This fact is
still shown in the spelling; as nigh. In the word next this sound is preserved, slightly changed into that of k; next = nek-st.
[§ 259]. Upmost, &c.—The common statement concerning words like upmost is, that they are compound words, formed by the addition of the word most: this, however, is more than doubtful.
The Anglo-Saxon language presents us with the following forms:—