wheal

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a raised mark or swelling on the skin, especially one caused by a blow, pressure, or an allergic reaction

   A broad wheal remained on his cheek after the injury.

2. 2
   noun

   in Cornish place names and mining usage, a mine or mine working

   The abandoned wheal once produced large quantities of tin.

The skin sense is an alteration of wale or weal, a raised ridge caused by a blow. The unrelated Cornish mining word comes from Cornish hwel, 'mine or mine working,' and survives especially in mine names beginning with Wheal.

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