An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/edel

by Friedrich Kluge

edel, adj., ‘of noble birth or qualities, excellent, generous,’ from MidHG. ędel, ędele, OHG. ędili (adal-), adj., ‘of a good family, noble, high-minded’; a deriv. of Adel, OHG. adal. Comp. OSax. ęðili (aðal-), ‘of a good family, noble,’ from aðali, ‘noble family,’ AS. œðele, ‘noble, distinguished.’ For details see Adel.