✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!
variants or adelo-
: concealed : not apparent
Adelaster
adelopod

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek adēl, adēlo- unseen, from adēlos, from a- a- entry 2 + dēlos visible, evident; akin to Old English tǣtan to gladden, Old High German zeiz dear, Old Norse teitr glad, Sanskrit dīdeti he shines, Latin dies day

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Adel-.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adel-. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!