Where does “kestrel” come from?
kestrel (English) comes from Middle English castrel, from Middle French cresserelle, from Middle French crecelle, from Proto-Indo-European kreḱ- — to weave.
kestrel (English): Any of various small falcons of the genus "Falco"...
Definitions
- Any of various small falcons of the genus "Falco"...
Ancestry of “kestrel”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | castrel | staniel, bird of prey |
| 2 | Middle French | cresserelle | — |
| 3 | Middle French | crecelle | rattle, wooden reel |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | kreḱ- | to weave |