Where does “kerstbal” come from?
kerstbal (Dutch) comes from Dutch bal, from Middle Dutch bal, from Old Dutch bal, from Frankish ball, from Northern Sami bállu, from Northern Sami ballát, from Proto-Samic pëlājëtēk, from Proto-Samic pëlëtēk — to fear.
kerstbal (Dutch): A bauble used as Christmas decoration,...
Definitions
- A bauble used as Christmas decoration,...
Ancestry of “kerstbal”, step by step
kerstbal traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Dutch bal
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dutch | bal | a ball or any object with such a shape; testicle,... |
| 2 | Middle Dutch | bal | ball (round object), sphere |
| 3 | Old Dutch | bal | — |
| 4 | Frankish | ball | — |
| 5 | Northern Sami | bállu | testicle, ball |
| 6 | Northern Sami | ballát | to become scared |
| 7 | Proto-Samic | pëlājëtēk | to become scared |
| 8 | Proto-Samic | pëlëtēk | to fear |
| 9 | Proto-Uralic | pele- | to fear |
via Dutch Kerst
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dutch | Kerst | Christ |
| 2 | Middle Dutch | kerst | Christ |
| 3 | Latin | Chrīstus | — |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | Χριστός | anointed; messiah; annointed, the annointed one,... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | χρίω | to rub or smear (especially the body) with oil or unguents; to anoint |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | gʰrēy- | to smear; to paint, streak, smear |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | gʰer- | to rub; to stroke; to grind |