Where does “ädelmetall” come from?
ädelmetall (Swedish) comes from Swedish ädel, from Middle Low German adel, from Old Saxon athal, 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.
ädelmetall (Swedish): a noble metal, a precious metal
Definitions
- a noble metal, a precious metal
Ancestry of “ädelmetall”, step by step
ädelmetall traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Swedish ädel
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swedish | ädel | noble; honourable |
| 2 | Middle Low German | adel | nobility |
| 3 | Old Saxon | athal | noble |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | aþalaz | noble |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | aþalą | nature, disposition; nobility, race |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | at-al | family, race |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂el- | to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam |
via Swedish metall
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swedish | metall | metal |
| 2 | Latin | metallum | metal; precious metals, especially gold or... |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | μέταλλον | A mine, quarry, or salt pit; metal |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | μέταλλευειν | to mine, quarry |