Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/hringaz

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

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈxriŋ.ɡɑz/

Etymology 1

    From an earlier *hrengaz (compare the Proto-Finnic loanword *rëngas), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)krengʰ- (ring, circle), and cognate with Proto-Slavic *krǫgъ (circle). The root, which features both a plain stop and a voiced aspirate and thus violates traditional Proto-Indo-European phonotactics, was probably formed in the post-IE phase,[1] and appears to be an extended nasalized form of Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- (to turn, bend).

    Noun

    *hringaz m[1]

    1. ring, circle
    2. curve
    Inflection
    Declension of *hringaz (masculine a-stem)
    singular plural
    nominative *hringaz *hringōz, *hringōs
    vocative *hring *hringōz, *hringōs
    accusative *hringą *hringanz
    genitive *hringas, *hringis *hringǫ̂
    dative *hringai *hringamaz
    instrumental *hringō *hringamiz
    Derived terms
    Descendants

    Etymology 2

    Of uncertain origin. Orel tentatively connects the word to the "ring, circle" of Etymology 1, i.e. "the noise that clashing rings make".[2] Other theories derive the word from a Proto-Indo-European *(s)kreg-, *(s)kArg-, *(s)kArk- (to caw, crow, croak, pipe, shout), and compare Lithuanian krañkti (to caw, cough, croak). (Can this(+) etymology be sourced?) Alternatively, an intra-Germanic onomatopoeic formation.

    Noun

    *hringaz m

    1. (West Germanic) sound, ring
    Inflection
    Declension of *hringaz (masculine a-stem)
    singular plural
    nominative *hringaz *hringōz, *hringōs
    vocative *hring *hringōz, *hringōs
    accusative *hringą *hringanz
    genitive *hringas, *hringis *hringǫ̂
    dative *hringai *hringamaz
    instrumental *hringō *hringamiz
    Derived terms
    Descendants
    • Proto-West Germanic: *hring
      • Old English: hring
        • Middle English: *ring

    References

    1. 1.0 1.1 Kroonen, Guus (2013), “*hringa-”, in Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Germanic (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 11)‎[1], Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, page 247
    2. ^ Vladimir Orel (2003), “*xrenʒjanan”, in A Handbook of Germanic Etymology[2], Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, page 186