# wheal

> English word · Noun · IPA /wiːl/ · frequency rank #82,918

## Definitions
1. A small raised swelling on the skin, often itchy, caused by a blow from a whip or an insect bite etc.

## Etymology
From Middle English whele (“boil”), from Old English *hwele (“boil”); related to Old English hwelian (“to fester, ulcerate”). Compare also Old English hwelca, hwylca (“an inflamed swelling, pustule”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/wheal