Besaiel

/bɛˈseɪəl/ noun

Definition

A great-grandfather or an ancestor in the paternal line.

Etymology

From Old French besaiel, formed from be- (great) plus aiel (grandfather); this genealogical term was used in medieval English and French to denote a specific ancestral relationship.

Kelly Says

English completely dropped this word even though French kept it—we just say 'great-grandfather' instead, which shows how language constantly simplifies itself to remove overly specific genealogical terms.

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