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mella

nick, notch

noun MEH-yah Rare

Also means

dent, impression

Usage Note

Mella means a chip, notch, or nick on an edge (like a blade) and by extension any impression or dent left on something. Its most common figurative use is in the phrase hacer mella en (to make a dent in, to have an impact on) — las críticas no le hicieron mella (the criticism had no effect on him). The verb mellar means to nick or chip.

Examples

"Las críticas no le hicieron mella."

Natural Translation

The criticism made no impression on him.

Literal Translation

The criticisms not to-him made nick.

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