Walach
/ˈwɒl.æk/noun
An archaic or rare term for a gelding, especially a horse associated historically with Wallachia.
Did you know?Walach ultimately connects with the ethnonym Vlach, a medieval name applied to Romanian-speaking peoples, whose name also helped produce words such as Welsh, Walloon, and walnut.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek and Latin
Greek/Latin
Volcae / Volca
“Name of a Celtic people; later used in Germanic languages for foreign or Romance-speaking peoples.”
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*walhaz
“A foreigner or speaker of a non-Germanic language, derived from the name of the Volcae.”
Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin
Vlachus / Blachus
“A Vlach, especially a Romanian-speaking person.”
Middle High German
Middle High German
walach
“A Vlach or Wallachian; the term became associated with horses from Wallachia.”
Middle Polish
Polish
wałach
“A gelding, particularly a horse identified with Wallachian or southeastern European stock.”
Modern English
English
walach
“A rare or archaic word for a gelding.”