healh

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Old English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Proto-West Germanic *halh, probably from Proto-Germanic *halhaz, either from Proto-Indo-European *klHk(ᵂ)-(n)-, related to Serbo-Croatian kuk (thigh, hip), Bulgarian кълка (kǎlka, hip), Russian колк (kolk, bony stump), Latvian kulksnis (hock), Lithuanian kulksnis (ankle), Old Prussian culczi (hip), or from Proto-Indo-European root *(s)kel- (to bend) (and if so related to Old Norse hallr (slope, incline), from Proto-Germanic *halluz), both of which are suggested roots cognate with Latin calx (heel).

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /xæ͜ɑlx/, [hæ͜ɑɫx]

Noun

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healh m

  1. A minor elevation in marshland.
  2. A corner of an area, building or room; a nook.
  3. (figuratively) A hidden or remote place.

Declension

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Descendants

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  • Middle English: hale, hal (from dative hēale, but with short vowel of the nominative levelled in)
    • English: hale (dialectal)
  • Northern Middle English: *halgh, *halch (attested in placenames)