Reconstruction:Proto-Brythonic/merθɨr
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Proto-Brythonic[edit]
Etymology[edit]
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[edit]
Noun[edit]
*merθɨr m
- (Christianity) martyr
- (in toponyms) martyrium; burial place of a martyr
Descendants[edit]
- Middle Breton: merzer
- Breton: merzher
- Middle Cornish: *merthur (in compound)
- Cornish: merther
- Middle Welsh: merthyr
- Welsh: merthyr
References[edit]
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