nægel

Alternative forms

• næġl

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *naglaz (“nail, claw”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃nogʰ-.

Germanic cognates: Old Frisian neil, Old Saxon nagal (Dutch nagel), Old High German nagal (German Nagel), Old Norse nagl (Swedish nagel).

Indo-European cognates: Ancient Greek ὄνυξ (ónux), Latin unguis (Italian unghia, Spanish uña), Old Irish ingen (Irish ionga), Old Church Slavonic ногъть (nogŭtĭ) (Russian ноготь (nógot’)), Proto-Baltic *naga- (Lithuanian nãgas, Old Armenian եղունգն (ełungn), Persian ناخن‎ (nâxon), Sanskrit नख (nakhá)).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈnæjel/

Noun

næġel m

1. (anatomy) the nail of a finger or toe

   Gif nægl of honda weorðe...: if a nail comes off a hand... (AS Leechbook)

2. a nail or peg as a fastening

   Mid næglum þurh-drifan ða hwitan honda: the white hands were driven through with nails. (Exeter Book)

3. an instrument used to play the strings of a harp, a plectrum; (in compounds) handle