cavel

1 of 4

noun (1)

cav·​el
ˈkavəl,
-ev-,
-āv-
plural -s
dialectal, British
: a lot determined by a cast

cavel

2 of 4

transitive verb

"
cavelled; cavelled; cavelling
-v(ə)liŋ,
-lə̇n
; cavels
dialectal, British
: to allot or apportion according to lots cast
the working positions cavelled by the miners

cavel

3 of 4

noun (2)

plural -s
obsolete
: a mean fellow

cavel

4 of 4

variant of kevel:1

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Middle Dutch kavele; akin to Old Norse kefli stick of wood

Noun (2)

Middle English kevell, perhaps from Old Norse kefli stick of wood

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Dictionary Entries Near cavel

Cite this Entry

“Cavel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cavel. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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