Etymology Explorer › Middle English

Where does “bel” come from?

bel (Middle English) comes from Anglo-Norman bel, from Old French bel, from Latin bellus, from Latin villus, from Latin vellus, from Proto-Indo-European h₂welh₁- — to rule; strong, powerful; hair; wool.

bel (Middle English): Of fine quality: good, nice, appealing;...

Definitions

  1. Of fine quality: good, nice, appealing;...

Ancestry of “bel”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Anglo-Normanbel—
2Old FrenchbelAlternative form of biau; good, pretty
3Latinbellusbeautiful, pretty, handsome; pleasant, agreeable,...
4Latinvillushair, tuft of hair, shaggy hair
5LatinvellusThe wool shorn from a sheep; fleece; wool; The...
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂welh₁-to rule; strong, powerful; hair; wool

Words derived from “bel”

  • beal
  • beldame
  • bele
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂welh₁- →