nikns

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Latvian[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From an unattested verb *nikt, similar in meaning to the Lithuanian cognate (see below; compare also Latvian dialectal verb nikties (to annoy, to disturb)), formed with an extra -n (compare verb īgt, adjective īgns); *nikt is derived from Proto-Indo-European *nēyk-, *nik- (to attack, to start quickly), from Proto-Indo-European *ney- (to be in motion, to be excited; to shine). Cognates include Lithuanian nìkti (to tackle, to get quickly (to work)), Russian прони́кнуть (proníknutʹ, to penetrate).[1]

Pronunciation[edit]

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Adjective[edit]

nikns (definite niknais, comparative niknāks, superlative visniknākais, adverb nikni)

  1. (of animals) wild, furious, raging (having a propensity to attack)
    nikns gailiswild, angry rooster
    nikns bulliswild, raging bull
    nikni suņi klūp man virsūwild dogs pounced on me
  2. angry, furious, harsh
    ko tu šodien tik nikns?why are you so angry today?
    nikns sargsangry guard, watch
    “tā!” Janko kļuva arvien niknāks“that one!” Janko got angrier and angrier
    Rudmetu Vilis ir tik karsts un nikns... lai kur kāds runā, viņš tūdaļ pretī ar savuRudmetu Vilis is so hot and wild... whenever someone talks, he immediately (goes) against him with his (ideas)
  3. angry, furious, ferocious
    nikns lauvas rēciensferocious lion's roar
    niknas suņa rejasangry dog barks
    nikna atbildeangry answer
    nikns protestsangry, furious protest
    katrs vārds ir pilns niknas spītībasevery word is full of angry spite
  4. (figuratively) angry, wild, raging (strong in its effects, dangerous, intense)
    nikna kaujawild, raging battle
    nikna apšaudefurious gunfire
    nikna slimībaunrelenting disease
    nikns salsraging, intense frost
    ārā plosās nikna novembra vētraoutside a furious november storm was raging

Declension[edit]

Antonyms[edit]

Derived terms[edit]

References[edit]

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