Definition of athel:
(n) :
A kind of tamarisk native to northern Africa and the Middle East, Tamarix aphylla, planted widely elsewhere as a shade tree and a windbreak due to its tolerance of heat and of alkaline soils, but tending to become invasive outside of its native range.
(adj) :
(obsolete) noble, highborn
(adj) :
(obsolete) excellent, splendid, fine
(adj) :
(obsolete) genuine, sincere, devout
(n) :
(obsolete) A chief or lord.