Reconstruction:Proto-Dravidian/pillV

This Proto-Dravidian 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-Dravidian

Alternative forms

*pilli^[1]

Etymology

Possible related to Hindi बिल्ली (billī). Compare Proto-Indo-Aryan *billa (“cat”).

Noun

*pillV

cat (a domesticated subspecies of feline animal, commonly kept as a house pet)

Descendants

Southern:
- Kannada: ಪಿಲ್ಲಿ (pilli)
- Tamil: பில்லி (pilli)
South-Central:
- Telugu: పిల్లి (pilli)

References

Krishnamurti, Bhadriraju (2003) “Dravidians: prehistory and culture”, in The Dravidian Languages (Cambridge Language Surveys), Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, page 12.
Burrow, T., Emeneau, M. B. (1984) “pilli”, in A Dravidian etymological dictionary, 2nd edition, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 370.

^ Krishnamurti, Bhadriraju (2003). The Dravidian Languages. Cambridge University Press.

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