Behale

/bɪˈheɪl/ verb

Definition

Archaic: to greet, hail, or bid farewell to someone, especially in a dramatic or ceremonial way.

Etymology

From Old English behǽlan or be- + hail, with roots in Germanic languages meaning 'to salute' or 'to call out to.' The be- prefix intensifies the sense of 'hailing' or greeting.

Kelly Says

Behale is so archaic that it's basically a ghost word—it barely survives except in old poetry and historical texts, but it shows how English once had dozens of 'be-' verbs for social interactions that we've since dropped in favor of simpler words.

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