healh

Old English

Alternative forms

Etymology

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
  • IPA(key): /xæ͜ɑlx/, [hæ͜ɑɫx]

Noun

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
Declension of healh (strong a-stem)
Case Singular Plural
nominative healh hēalas
accusative healh hēalas
genitive hēales hēala
dative hēale hēalum

Descendants
  • ⇒ 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)
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