Reconstruction:Middle Mongol/qaraɣai

This Middle Mongol 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.

Middle Mongol

Reconstruction

The word is mostly found in Turkic languages, but its late attestation and shape indicate probable transmission during Middle Mongol period.

Etymology

ᠬᠠᠷ᠎ᠠ (qar-a, “black”) +‎ ᠊ᠭᠠᠢ (-ɣai), compare Mongolian хар мод (xar mod, “larch”, literally “black tree”).

Noun

*qaraɣai

1. pine, larch

Descendants

• Kalmyk: харһа (xarğa, “pine, plank”)
• Mongolian: харгай (xargaj, “Siberian larch”) (rare)
• → Karakalpak: qaraǵay
• → Karachay-Balkar: къаракъай (qaraqay, “coniferous”)
• → Tatar: карагай (qarağay, “larch tree”)
• → Bashkir: ҡарағай (qarağay, “pine tree”)
• → Kazakh: қарағай (qarağai)
• → Kyrgyz: карагай (karagay, “spruce”)
• → Uzbek: qarag'ay
• → Uyghur: قارىغاي (qarighay, “pine, spruce”)
• → Southern Altai: карагай (karagay)
• → Khakas: харағай (xarağay, “pine tree”)
• → Shor: қарағай