Where does “reel” come from?

Reel comes from Middle English reel, Old English hreol, and Proto-Germanic hrehulaz, of uncertain origin and meaning.

reel (English): A shaky or unsteady gait; A lively dance...

Definitions

  1. A shaky or unsteady gait; A lively dance...

Ancestry of “reel”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishreel
2Old Englishrēol

Words derived from “reel

Every word from Old English rēol