𐌰𐌸𐌽𐌰𐌼

Gothic edit

Etymology edit

The exact lemma form from which this word derives cannot be reconstructed with any certainty; it may be either *𐌰𐌸𐌽 (*aþn) or *𐌰𐌸𐌽𐍃 (*aþns). It is inherited from the equally uncertain Proto-Germanic *aþna-, which is related to Latin annus, itself proposed to derive from Proto-Italic *atnos, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ét-no-, probably from *h₂et- (to go). Compare the related term 𐌰𐍄𐌰𐌸𐌽𐌹 (ataþni). For the root, compare Sanskrit अतति (atati, he wanders, goes). In Italic and Germanic, the root shifted to refer to "year" only (as a "going" of time).

In Latin annus, the nasal geminate can be the product of assimilation of a t by a following n, cf. penna, from Proto-Italic *petnā, from Proto-Indo-European *péth₂r̥ ~ pth₂én- (feather, wing), from *peth₂- (to fly). Such assimilation allows for the connection with this Gothic term. The accent must have been on the first syllable, because end stress would have triggered Kluge's law, giving Proto-Germanic **atta-.[1]

Noun edit

𐌰𐌸𐌽𐌰𐌼 (aþnam?

  1. (hapax) years (dative plural)
    Synonym: 𐌾𐌴𐍂 (jēr)

References edit

  1. ^ Kroonen, Guus (2013) Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Germanic (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 11), Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN