Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/snellaz

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

Etymology

Uncertain.[1] Possibly from Pre-Germanic *snedʰlos, from Proto-Indo-European *snedʰ- (to cut), a root probably also attested in *snadō (cut, wound). (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “What are some potential extra-Germanic cognates, if this is the origin of the word?”) If so, the meaning might have developed from "cutting" > "eager to cut" > "eager, active, quick, brave (in battle)". For the assimilation of -dl- to -ll-, see also *stallaz, *knullaz, *trullōną. However, this theory is doubted by linguists, including Magnusson, who seems to favor an onomatopoeic origin.[2]

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈsnel.lɑz/

Adjective

*snellaz

  1. active, bold, quick

Inflection

Declension of *snellaz (a-stem)
Strong declension
singular plural
masculine feminine neuter masculine feminine neuter
nominative *snellaz *snellō *snellą, -atō *snellai *snellôz *snellō
accusative *snellanǭ *snellǭ *snellą, -atō *snellanz *snellōz *snellō
genitive *snellas, -is *snellaizōz *snellas, -is *snellaizǫ̂ *snellaizǫ̂ *snellaizǫ̂
dative *snellammai *snellaizōi *snellammai *snellaimaz *snellaimaz *snellaimaz
instrumental *snellanō *snellaizō *snellanō *snellaimiz *snellaimiz *snellaimiz
Weak declension
singular plural
masculine feminine neuter masculine feminine neuter
nominative *snellô *snellǭ *snellô *snellaniz *snellōniz *snellōnō
accusative *snellanų *snellōnų *snellô *snellanunz *snellōnunz *snellōnō
genitive *snelliniz *snellōniz *snelliniz *snellanǫ̂ *snellōnǫ̂ *snellanǫ̂
dative *snellini *snellōni *snellini *snellammaz *snellōmaz *snellammaz
instrumental *snellinē *snellōnē *snellinē *snellammiz *snellōmiz *snellammiz

Derived terms

Descendants

  • Proto-West Germanic: *snell
  • Old Norse: snjallr
    • Icelandic: snjallur, snjall
    • Faroese: snjallur
    • Norwegian Bokmål: snill
    • Old Swedish: sniælder, snælder
    • Old Danish: snialdær, sniældær, snildær, sniæll
    • Gutnish: snäldar, snällar

References

  1. ^ Vladimir Orel (2003) “*snellaz”, in A Handbook of Germanic Etymology[1], Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, page 357
  2. ^ Ásgeir Blöndal Magnússon (1989) “sjnall”, in Íslensk orðsifjabók, Reykjavík: Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies, →ISBN (Available at Málið.is under the “Eldri orðabækur” tab.)