laipns

• (dialectal form) lipns

From the same stem as the verb lipt (“to stick, to adhere”) (q.v.), from which it was derived (with vowel gradation, like laipa (“footbridge”), and an extra n; compare, without vowel gradation, the dialectal variant lipns). The semantic evolution was probably “sticky, adhesive” > “clingy” > “attentive” > “nice, polite, kind.” Cognates include Lithuanian lipnùs (“sticky, adhesive; nice, kind”).^[1] Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *leyp-.

• IPA^(key): [lāīpns]

• Audio:

  (file)

laipns (definite laipnais, comparative laipnāks, superlative vislaipnākais, adverb laipni)

1. nice, polite, kind, friendly, warm, welcoming (one that treats others with attention, sensitivity, kindness, friendliness)

   laipns jaunietis ― friendly, nice young man

   laipna namamāte ― welcoming hostess

   būt laipnam pret viesiem ― to be courteous, welcoming to the guests

   esi, esiet tik laipns... — would you be so kind as to... (introducing a polite request)

2. (such that it expresses or reflects such qualities: attention, politeness, kindness, friendliness...)

   laipns smaids ― a kind, warm smile

   runāt laipnā balsī ― to speak with a kind voice

   laipni vārdi ― kind, welcoming words

   laipna uzņemšana ― warm welcome

• laipnība