swael

Afrikaans

Etymology 1

With loss of intervocalic -v- (as in bly, gee) from Hollandic Dutch zwavel (“swallow”), itself with metathesis from dialectal zwalf (standard zwaluw), from Middle Dutch swalwe, from Old Dutch *swalwa, from Proto-Germanic *swalwǭ.

Noun

swael (plural swaels, diminutive swaeltjie)

1. swallow; martin; swift (bird)

Etymology 2

Chemical element
S
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Next: chloor (Cl)

With loss of intervocalic -v- from Dutch zwavel (“sulfur”). See the main entry for more.

Noun

swael (uncountable)

1. Alternative form of swawel