Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
cail. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
cail, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
cail in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
cail you have here. The definition of the word
cail will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
cail, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Unknown. Perhaps from or related to Middle English kayl (“a blow, stroke”). Compare Middle English quale (“death, destruction”), from Old English cwalu (“a quelling with weapons, torment, a violent death, slaughter, destruction”).
Verb
cail (third-person singular simple present cails, present participle cailing, simple past and past participle cailed)
- (dialectal) To throw, pelt; to throw weakly.
- (dialectal, of a cart) To tilt up or turn over in order to discharge a load.
- (dialectal) To move awkwardly or uncertainly; to gambol, kick out one's heels like a colt.
Derived terms
Old French
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Gaulish cagiíum (“enclosure”), from Proto-Celtic *kagyom (“pen, enclosure”) (compare Welsh cae (“hedge”)).
Noun
cail oblique singular, m (oblique plural cauz or cailz, nominative singular cauz or cailz, nominative plural cail)
- quay; wharf
Descendants