Etymology

Usually derived from wale (n.) (see also wale (v.)), though TGD suggests that it originates in a usage of the v., i.e. to wale = ‘to choose’, hence ‘choice’.

PGmc Ancestor

*wal-

Proposed ON Etymon (OIcel representative)

val 'choice', vǫl  'choice'
(ONP val (2)(sb.)(n.), vǫl (sb.); cp. velja (vb.))

Other Scandinavian Reflexes

Far val, Icel val, Norw val, ODan val, Dan valg, Sw val; Far velja, Icel velja, Norw velja, Dan vælge, Sw välja

OE Cognate

Phonological and morphological markers

Summary category

B2ac

Attestation

Characteristically northern and esp. in alliterative poetry (inc. Harley 2253) in ME; in MnE N, Sc. and Irel. dial.

Occurrences in the Gersum Corpus

Gaw 1010, 1403, 1712, etc.; Cl 1716, 1734; WA 75, 294, 809* etc.

Emerson (1922: 387) is alone in suggesting that walle wyn at Gaw 1403 means ‘mulled wine' (with walle < OE Angl. wall ‘hot’)

Bibliography

MED wāle (adj.) , OED wale (adj.) , HTOED , HTOED , EDD (v.2, sb.2 and adj.), Dance wale (b)(adj.), Bj. 256-7, de Vries val (1); velja; vǫl, Mag. val (1); velja; völ, Bj-L velge, Orel *walan ~ *walō; *waljanan, Kroonen *waljan-