Schmuewel

Luxembourgish

Alternative forms

• Schmuebel, Schmuelef

Etymology

From Middle High German swal(e)we, from Old High German swalawa, from Proto-Germanic *swalwǭ. The Luxembourgish -ue- requires an open syllable, which may mean that the metathesis to *swawel happened early (cf. dialectal Dutch zwavel, on the other hand the form Schmuelef). The -m- is due to dissimilation and found in various parts of Moselle Franconian. Throughout continental West Germanic this word shows an abundance of interacting forms and alterations.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈʃmuə̯vəl]

Noun

Schmuewel f (plural Schmuewelen)

1. swallow (bird)