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
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Dutch | bal | a ball or any object with such a shape; testicle,... |
| 2 | Middle Dutch | bal | ball , sphere; something worthless |
| 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 |