earl

Meaning

Noun

• Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Tanaecia (genus). Other butterflies in this genus are called counts and viscounts.

Origin

• From Middle English erle, erl, from Old English eorl, from Proto-Germanic *erlaz (compare Old Norse jarl, Old High German and Old Saxon erl), from Proto-Germanic *erōną, *arōną (compare Old Norse jara), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃er- (compare Latin orior, Ancient Greek ὄρνυμι ("to urge, incite"), Avestan 𐬆𐬭𐬆𐬥𐬀𐬊𐬌𐬙𐬌, Sanskrit ऋणोति). Also displaced unrelated but similar ealdorman.