Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/maganą

This Proto-Germanic entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Germanic edit

Alternative reconstructions edit

  • *muganą, *mage (3sg.), *mugunþ (3pl.)[1]
  • *magą[2]

Etymology edit

From Proto-Indo-European *(me)mógʰe, from *megʰ-. Cognate with Proto-Slavic *moťi.[1]

Pronunciation edit

Verb edit

*maganą

  1. to be able, may

Inflection edit

Usage notes edit

The main distinction between *kunnaną and *maganą is that the former deals with one's own capabilities, whereas the latter indicates ability due to favourable circumstances not under one's control.

Derived terms edit

Descendants edit

References edit

  1. 1.0 1.1 Kroonen, Guus (2013) “*mugan-”, in Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Germanic (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 11), Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, page 373
  2. ^ Orel, Vladimir (2003) “*maʒa”, in A Handbook of Germanic Etymology[1], Leiden: Brill, →ISBN, page 252