Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “athel” come from?

athel (English) comes from Middle English athel, from Old English æþele, from Proto-Germanic aþalaz, from Proto-Germanic aþalą, from Proto-Indo-European at-al, from Proto-Indo-European h₂el- — to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam.

athel (English): Noble; illustrious; A chief or lord; A prince or...

Definitions

  1. Noble; illustrious; A chief or lord; A prince or...

Ancestry of “athel”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishathelnoble
2Old Englishæþelenoble
3Proto-Germanicaþalaznoble
4Proto-Germanicaþaląnature, disposition; nobility, race
5Proto-Indo-Europeanat-alfamily, race
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂el-to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam

Words derived from “athel”

  • ethel
  • atheldom
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂el- →