Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/nīwalaz

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

Etymology edit

Likely from earlier *nīgwala-, denominative adjective from pre-Germanic *nih₃kʷ- (looking down, facing down), compound of Proto-Indo-European *ni (down) and *h₃ekʷ- (to see). Compare Sanskrit नीच (nīca, below, down). For a similar formation, see Ancient Greek ὀπιπεύω (opipeúō) < *h₁opi-h₃kʷ-.

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

*nīwalaz

  1. lying down, prone, prostrate
  2. deep

Inflection edit


Descendants edit

  • Old English: neowol, nēol, nihol, niwol
  • Middle Low German: nigel, nule (adverb)
  • Middle Dutch: niel (adverb)

References edit

  • Mayrhofer, Manfred (1963) Kurzgefasstes Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Altindischen [A Concise Etymological Sanskrit Dictionary] (in German), volume II, Heidelberg: Carl Winter Universitätsverlag, page 182