spalgs

From a variant *spalg- of Proto-Baltic *spelg-, *spilg-, *spulg- (whence also spilgts), from Proto-Indo-European *pel-, *spel-, *spʰel- (“to shine”) with an extra g. The original meaning was, as that of its cognates spilgts and spulgs, “bright, shiny,” from which it metaphorically evolved into “very loud, sharp.” Cognates include Lithuanian spal̃gė, spal̃gena, spal̃genas (“cranberry”) (< “bright, shiny berry”) ^[1]

• IPA^(key): [spâlks]

spalgs (definite spalgais, comparative spalgāks, superlative visspalgākais, adverb spalgi)

1. (of sounds) (very) loud, sharp, shrill, piercing, strident, high-pitched

   kliegt, runāt spalgā balsī ― to scream, to speak in a shrill voice

   spalgs svilpiens ― a shrill, high-pitched whistle

   spalgs tālruņa zvans ― shrill telephone call

   spalga sirēna ― high-pitched sirene

   atskanēja spalgs šāviens ― a strident shot sounded

2. (of pains) strong, sharp

   krūtīs kā karsta ogle iekrīt spalga sāpe ― a sharp pain fell on his chest like a hot coal

3. (of light, colors) sharp, bright, strong

   glezna bija pārāk spalga, krāsas pārāk asas un biezas ― the painting was too bright(-colored), the colors too sharp and thick

   atnāks rīts ar spalgu sauli ― morning came with a sharp, bright sun

4. (of weather, its elements) very cold, piercing cold

   spalgs aukstums ― piercing cold

   spalga ziema, nakts ― piercing cold winter, night

   laukā ir spalgs, ass vējš ― outside (there) is a cold, sharp wind

5. (figuratively, of people, their actions) harsh, severe

   nu teic: es esot pārāk spalgs; un citiem: augstprātīgi lecīgs ― so say it: I am too harsh; to others, (I am) arrogantly provocative

   tā ir skaudru un spalgu politisku pamfletu virkne ― this is a caustic and harsh series of political pamphlets

• skaļš

• kluss

• spalgums

• spilgts
• spulgs