Thal
/θɑːl/noun
A valley, chiefly used as a geographical combining form or in specialized terminology.
Did you know?The English word “dollar” ultimately traces back to German Taler, meaning a coin from Joachimsthal—literally, “Joachim’s valley.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*delh-
“A reconstructed root associated with a hollow, valley, or depression in the land.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*dalą
“A valley or dale.”
Old English
Old English
dæl
“A valley or dale.”
Middle High German
Middle High German
tal
“A valley; the form later standardized as German Tal.”
16th Century
German
Thal
“An older spelling of Tal, meaning “valley,” preserved in place-names and compounds.”
Modern English
English
thal- / thal
“A learned or geographical element meaning “valley,” as in thalweg.”