healh

Old English

Alternative forms

• halh

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

Related terms

• healoc

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)
  • English: haugh
  • Scots: hauch, haugh