wheal
verbEtymology From Middle English whele (“boil”), from Old English *hwele (“boil”); related to Old English hwelian (“to fester, ulcerate”). Compare also Old English hwelca, hwylca (“an inflamed swelling, pustule”).
1
Uncommon Synonym of wale.
wheal
noun/wiːl/
Etymology From Middle English whele (“boil”), from Old English *hwele (“boil”); related to Old English hwelian (“to fester, ulcerate”). Compare also Old English hwelca, hwylca (“an inflamed swelling, pustule”).
1
A small raised swelling on the skin, often itchy, caused by a blow from a whip or an insect bite etc.
- A Perſon of Honour, of a full Body abounding with ſharp Humours, was ſeized with an Herpes on his right Leg. […] [I]t inflamed and ſwelled very much, many Wheals aroſe, and fretted one into another, with great Excoriation.1676, Richard Wiseman, “[A Treatise of Tumors.] Of an Herpes”, in Severall Chirurgical Treatises, London: Printed by E. Flesher and J[ohn] Macock, for R[ichard] Royston bookseller to His Most Sacred Majesty, and B[enjamin] Took at the Ship in St. Paul's Church-yard, →OCLC, page 80:
- So they gripped again until red wheals rose on their backs and shoulders by reason of the grievous clasping of their arms.1922, E[ric] R[ücker] Eddison, The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance, London: Jonathan Cape […], →OCLC, page 22:
- Derived terms
- wheal-worm