Reconstruction:Proto-Brythonic/merθɨr

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This Proto-Brythonic 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-Brythonic

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Etymology

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Borrowed from Latin martyr. This cannot regularly reflect an underlying, pre-apocope *martɨr (otherwise **merθr would be expected), so it is likely that the form acquired a Brythonic case ending prior to apocope (compare crux > *cruxsā > *kroɨs). Cognate with Old Irish martar. The second sense may be an independent borrowing from Ecclesiastical Latin martyrium.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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*merθɨr m

  1. (Christianity) martyr
  2. (in toponyms) martyrium; burial place of a martyr

Descendants

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  • Middle Breton: merzer
  • Middle Cornish: *merthur (in compound)
  • Middle Welsh: merthyr

References

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R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “merthyr”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies