Reconstruction:Proto-Brythonic/merθɨr
Proto-Brythonic
editEtymology
editBorrowed from Latin martyr. This cannot regularly reflect an underlying, pre-apocope *martɨr (otherwise **merθr would be expected), so it is likely that the form acquired a Brythonic case ending prior to apocope (compare crux > *cruxsā > *kroɨs). Cognate with Old Irish martar. The second sense may be an independent borrowing from Ecclesiastical Latin martyrium.
Pronunciation
editNoun
edit*merθɨr m
- (Christianity) martyr
- (in toponyms) martyrium; burial place of a martyr
Descendants
edit- Middle Breton: merzer
- Breton: merzher
- Middle Cornish: *merthur (in compound)
- Cornish: merther
- Middle Welsh: merthyr
- Welsh: merthyr
References
editR. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “merthyr”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies