Hungarian

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Etymology

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Likely from vet +‎ -lik (frequentative-reflexive suffix).[1]

Pronunciation

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Verb

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vedlik

  1. (transitive, intransitive) to moult/molt, shed, slough (to cast off a covering, especially a skin)

Usage notes

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  • This verb belongs among those whose subjunctive forms (as well as adverbial participle and potential) would generate a cluster of three consonants, which is hard to pronounce. To avoid it, linguistic literature usually advises inserting a vowel between the first two consonants (or in some cases, avoiding these forms altogether). However, many native speakers find it just as awkward as the triple-consonant option and shrink from using it, even refusing these forms on hearing (although people have no objection to using the same linking vowel with other verbs like oszlik or bomlik). If someone wants to avoid these forms, a synonymous verb can be used instead or the sentence can be rephrased. (Verbs that are currently categorized as not having the above forms at all are listed at Hungarian defective verbs. However, in this case there is not always a clear dividing line between uncommon and impossible.) Further reading (in Hungarian): [1] [2] [3]
    In this case, the disputed subjunctive form as in Azt szeretném, hogy a kígyó nyugodtan ??vedeljen (I want the snake to shed in peace) can be avoided, for instance, with a periphrastic structure using történik (to happen): …hogy a kígyó vedlése nyugodtan/​nyugalomban történjen or with an auxiliary verb, where the main verb appears as an infinitive: …hogy a kígyó nyugodtan tudjon vedleni.

Conjugation

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Derived terms

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(With verbal prefixes):

See also

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  • vedel (an unrelated verb with a similar form)

References

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  1. ^ vedlik in Zaicz, Gábor (ed.). Etimológiai szótár: Magyar szavak és toldalékok eredete (‘Dictionary of Etymology: The origin of Hungarian words and affixes’). Budapest: Tinta Könyvkiadó, 2006, →ISBN.  (See also its 2nd edition.)

Further reading

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  • vedlik in Bárczi, Géza and László Országh. A magyar nyelv értelmező szótára (‘The Explanatory Dictionary of the Hungarian Language’, abbr.: ÉrtSz.). Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó, 1959–1962. Fifth ed., 1992: →ISBN