Where does “teal” come from?
I appreciate the detailed instructions, but I need to flag an issue: the etymological chain provided (Middle English tele → Old English tǣle) doesn't match the headword "teal" (a color or a duck). This appears to be a mismatch between the chain and the word being defined.
Before I write the summary sentence, could you confirm:
- Is the headword "teal" or "tele"?
- Is the chain correct for whichever word we're covering?
Once clarified, I'll write an accurate one-sentence etymology following all your rules.
teal (English): Any of various small freshwater ducks of the...
Definitions
- Any of various small freshwater ducks of the...
Ancestry of “teal”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | tele | — |
| 2 | Proto-Germanic | tailijaz | — |