yvel

Middle English

Etymology 1

From Old English yfel, from Proto-West Germanic *ubil, from Proto-Germanic *ubilaz, of disputed further etymology.

Alternative forms

• evel, evell, eveyl, evil, evill, evyl, evyll, ivel, ivil, ivyll, yvell, yvle, yvyl, yvyll
• ifel, ufel, yfel (Early Middle English); ifell (Ormulum)
• eovel, uvel (Southern, West Midland)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈivəl/, /ˈeːvəl/
• IPA^(key): /ˈyvəl/ (West Midland)
• IPA^(key): /ˈɛvəl/, /ˈɛ̝ːvəl/ (Kent)

Adjective

yvel (plural and weak singular yvele, comparative worse, superlative worst)

2. Morally evil; iniquitous, malign
3. Causing harm; injurious, damaging:
   1. (pathology) infected, abnormal
   2. Causing trouble; tendentious, irascible
4. Not pleasing; unpleasant, foul.
5. Worthy of pity; pitiful, sorry.
6. Having bad fortune; unlucky, unfortunate
7. Of poor design or manufacture; bad, shoddy
8. Disparaging, negative, uncomplimentary.
9. Not trusted; untrustworthy
10. Not easy; challenging, hard

Related terms

• yvel doer
• yvelen
• yvel fare
• yvelnesse
• yvel wille

Descendants

• English: evil
• Scots: evil

References

• “ivel, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.

Noun

yvel (plural yveles)

1. Moral evil; iniquity, wrongness:
   • c. 1395, John Wycliffe, John Purvey [et al.], transl., Bible (Wycliffite Bible (later version), MS Lich 10.)‎^[1], published c. 1410, Joon ·i· 5:19, folio 115, verso, column 2; republished as Wycliffe's translation of the New Testament, Lichfield: Bill Endres, 2010:

     we witen þat we ben of god .· ⁊ al þe woꝛld is ſet in yuel

     We know that we are from God, and that all the world is stuck in evil.

   1. A sin or moral transgression.
   2. An evil or malicious being.
2. Harm, injury, trouble:
   1. Someone or something that harms or troubles.
   2. A malady or disease.
   3. (rare) Negative or uncomplimentary speech.

Descendants

• English: evil
• Scots: evil

References

• “ivel, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.

Etymology 2

Adverb

yvel

1. alternative form of yvele