rrafsh

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Albanian

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Etymology

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Formerly believed to be a Back-formation from rrafshoj; the latter is derived from unattested *rravsh + -oj, the first element of which is borrowed from a South Slavic language, ultimately derived from Proto-Slavic *orvьnъ (even); compare Old Church Slavonic равьнъ (ravĭnŭ), Serbo-Croatian ravan, Bulgarian равен (raven).[1] However this is less likely, as Omari doubts a Slavic origin due to phonological problems.[2] Most likely from rraf, Gheg form of rrah (to beat, strike, to flatten; grubbed out land). Consider also northeastern Gheg "rrapsh", as found in Malsia. Possibly related to rrjep (to peel) and rrap (plane tree), as it would explain the change from -psh- to -fsh-.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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rrafsh m

  1. plain, flat area, field
  2. flatland
  3. (figuratively) field

Derived terms

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References

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  1. ^ Orel, Vladimir E. (1998) “rrafsh”, in Albanian Etymological Dictionary, Leiden, Boston, Köln: Brill, →ISBN, page 377
  2. ^ Omari, Anila (2012) “rrafsh”, in Marrëdhëniet Gjuhësore Shqiptaro-Serbe, Tirana, Albania: Krishtalina KH, pages 257-258