bile-

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Old English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Proto-Germanic *bili- (prefix), *biliz (gentle, kind, fitting), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰil- (decent, good, harmonious, friendly). Cognate with Old Saxon bili- (uniform), Old High German bili- (suitable, proper, fit), Ancient Greek φίλο- (phílo-, friendly, kind, love of). More at philosophy.

Pronunciation

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Prefix

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bile-

  1. kind, appropriate
    bile- + ‎witt (mind, understanding, sense, sanity) → ‎bilewit (merciful, kind)
    bile- + ‎hwīt (white) → ‎bilehwīt (pure, honest, sincere)