The assumption of a root *√k̑u̯el ‘dark, black’ offers new possible etymologies for Arm. šaɫax, Gk. πηλός, Toch. B kwele, Hitt. kuu̯aliu-, Gk. κύλα, Lat. culex, and Lat. color, whose derivational background will be dealt with in the course of this paper.