Where does “காதலி” come from?

காதலி (Tamil) comes from Tamil காதல், from Proto-Dravidian *kā- — to protect, guard.

காதலி (Tamil): lover, sweetheart

Definitions

  1. lover, sweetheart

Ancestry of “காதலி”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Tamilகாதல்love, attachment, affection, strong liking
2Proto-Dravidian*kā-to protect, guard
Every word from Proto-Dravidian *kā- →Every word from Tamil காதல் →