ethel
nounadjectivenouncommon in dialogue
- //ˈɛθ.əl//
The rune ᛟ.
noun
- 1
The rune ᛟ.
- 2
The name of the Latin script letter Œ/œ..
Etymology
Learned borrowing from Middle English ethel, from Old English ǣþel, ēþel.
adjective
- 1
obsoleteNoble.
[…] that he was of a doughty and ethel stirp. His ayle and eam had both been bellipotent; […]
The violation of an ethel born or noble woman was paid for by a higher murde than that of an un-ethel or common person. The murder of all persons was in like manner paid for by a were or were-geld, nicely adjusted to their relative rank.
"I have come to seek your counsel in your most ethel of ethical capacities. My problem is wholly mechanical."
noun
- 1
Variant of athelAlternative form of athel (“tamarisk”).
For quotations using this term, see Citations:ethel.
Forms
- plural
- ethels