Cwæl

Cwæl is an Old English word with the primary meaning of "whale." It appears in various Anglo-Saxon texts, including Beowulf and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. The word itself is thought to derive from Proto-Germanic roots related to large sea creatures. In historical contexts, it could refer to whales in general or potentially other large marine animals that might have been encountered by seafarers. The presence of "cwæl" in Old English literature highlights the importance of the sea and its inhabitants in the culture and imagination of the Anglo-Saxons. Linguistic analysis suggests a broader semantic range for some Old English terms compared to their modern English equivalents, and "cwæl" might have encompassed a wider category of marine fauna than just modern whales. While its direct translation is "whale," understanding its usage requires considering the context of the texts in which it appears. The study of such words provides insights into historical vocabulary and the natural world as understood by ancient peoples.