bikls

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Latvian[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From an older verb bīt “to push” (of which only the reflexive form bīties “to be afraid” remains), with an extra l: *bītls > dialectal bīkls and standard bikls, meaning initially “which pushes (away)” and then “shy, timid.” For a parallel case, cf. mīt, mikls.[1]

Pronunciation[edit]

(file)

Adjective[edit]

bikls (definite biklais, comparative biklāks, superlative visbiklākais, adverb bikli)

  1. shy, timid, insecure; such that it expresses shyness, timidity, insecurity
    bikls bērnsa shy child
    biklas kustībastimid movements
    bikls smaids, skatiens, žestsa timid smile, look, gesture
    vīrietis bija tik bikls, ka pat bērnus neuzdrošinājās uzrunātthe man was so timid that he didn't dare talk even to children
  2. (of animals) shy, wild (not wanting contact or proximity)
    bikla stirnashy, wild doe
    biklo skaistuli melno meža strazdu arī var pielabināt ar pīlādžu ogāmthe shy beauty, the black forest thrush, can be calmed down with rowan berries

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References[edit]

  1. ^ Karulis, Konstantīns (1992) “bikls”, in Latviešu Etimoloģijas Vārdnīca (in Latvian), Rīga: AVOTS, →ISBN