wail

Where does the word "wail" come from? It comes from Old Norse væla, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).

Wail’s story begins in Old Norse: væla meant “to lament.” To lament, from 'væ', woe. By 1300s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as weilen. Borrowed in the north of England. It reached English by 1500s as wail. 'wail' and 'woe' share the same ancient cry. Today, wail means to give a long high cry of grief.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval væla "to lament", to lament, from 'væ', woe.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1300s weilen "to lament", borrowed in the north of England.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s wail "to cry out in grief", 'wail' and 'woe' share the same ancient cry.