Weal
/wiːl/noun
A state of happiness, prosperity, or well-being; also a raised mark on the skin from a blow or sting.
Did you know?In Old English, the same root behind *weal* also helped form *wealth*—so the language literally linked prosperity with well-being long before modern self-help did.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*welō
“well-being, good fortune”
Old English
OE
wela
“wealth, prosperity, abundance”
Old English
OE
wel
“well, in a good state”
Middle English
ME
wele
“prosperity; well-being”
Modern English
English
weal
“well-being or prosperity; a raised welt on the skin”