Old Armenian edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

The origin is unknown. Related to մխրճեմ (mxrčem, to dip, immerse).[1] For the sense development compare Classical Syriac ܥܡܕ (ʿəmaḏ, to immerse; to baptize), Gothic 𐌳𐌰𐌿𐍀𐌾𐌰𐌽 (daupjan, to dip, immerse; to baptize).[2]

Verb edit

մկրտեմ (mkrtem)

  1. (transitive) to dip, immerse
    • 5th century, with changes and additions in later centuries, Baroyaxōs [Physiologus] Earliest recension (TR).9.3:[3]
      Եւ խնդրէ աղբիւր ջրոյ, եւ թռչի յեթերն ի բարձուանդակս արեգականն. եւ խարակէ զթեւսն եւ զաչացն շլացութիւն. իջանէ աղբիւրն եւ մկրտի երիցս անգամ եւ մանգանայ։
      Ew xndrē ałbiwr ǰroy, ew tʻṙčʻi yetʻern i barjuandaks aregakann. ew xarakē ztʻewsn ew začʻacʻn šlacʻutʻiwn. iǰanē ałbiwrn ew mkrti ericʻs angam ew manganay.
      • Translation by Gohar Muradyan
        And it searches for a fountain of water, and flies to the ether, to the height of the sun; and it burns its wings and the dimness of its eyes, descends to the fountain and is immersed thrice and becomes young.
  2. (transitive) to wash, bathe
  3. (transitive, Christianity) to baptize

Conjugation edit

Derived terms edit

Descendants edit

  • Armenian: մկրտել (mkrtel)

References edit

  1. ^ Ačaṙean, Hračʻeay (1977) “մկրտել”, in Hayerēn armatakan baṙaran [Armenian Etymological Dictionary] (in Armenian), 2nd edition, a reprint of the original 1926–1935 seven-volume edition, volume III, Yerevan: University Press, page 331
  2. ^ Ačaṙean, Hračʻeay (1977) “մխիրճ”, in Hayerēn armatakan baṙaran [Armenian Etymological Dictionary] (in Armenian), 2nd edition, a reprint of the original 1926–1935 seven-volume edition, volume III, Yerevan: University Press, page 329
  3. ^ Muradyan, Gohar (2005) Physiologus: The Greek and Armenian Versions with a Study of Translation Technique (Hebrew University Armenian Studies; 6)‎[1], Leuven – Paris – Dudley: Peeters, pages 101, 146

Further reading edit

  • Awetikʻean, G., Siwrmēlean, X., Awgerean, M. (1837) “մկրտեմ”, in Nor baṙgirkʻ haykazean lezui [New Dictionary of the Armenian Language] (in Old Armenian), volume II, Venice: S. Lazarus Armenian Academy, page 285bc
  • Petrosean, Matatʻeay (1879) “մկրտեմ”, in Nor Baṙagirkʻ Hay-Angliarēn [New Dictionary Armenian–English], Venice: S. Lazarus Armenian Academy, page 480a
  • Petrosean, Matatʻeay (1879) “մկրտիմ”, in Nor Baṙagirkʻ Hay-Angliarēn [New Dictionary Armenian–English], Venice: S. Lazarus Armenian Academy, page 480ab