ustel

Basque

Etymology

Of unknown origin. The Lapurdian dialect has the forms bustel, pustel and phustel. Zuberoan has üstel with unexpected fronting of u before s. This word may be a loan from an unknown language, though dropping b before u occurs sporadically in native words as well.

Adjective

ustel (comparative ustelago, superlative ustelen, excessive ustelegi)

1. rotten
2. corrupt, crooked, two-faced, dishonest

Noun

ustel

1. rot, decay
2. (sports) foul
3. (school) flunking, not passing, failure
4. shirker, dead weight (a person who doesn't do his or her share of work)

Derived terms

• haratustel

References

• “ustel” in Etymological Dictionary of Basque by R. L. Trask, sussex.ac.uk