geddum

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Maltese

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Etymology

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Uncertain, but probably from Arabic. There are several comparable roots, two or more of which may also have been merged.

  • Based on the meanings “chin, snout” compare: 1.) Arabic قَيْدُوم (qaydūm, bow of a ship), قُدّام (quddām, front part), from which latter Maltese quddiem; 2.) Berber (Tarifit) udem (face).
  • Based on the meaning “lower jaw” compare: 1.) Maltese gidem (to bite), from Arabic كَدَمَ (kadama); 2.) Arabic قَدُّوم (qaddūm, adze); 3.) Arabic جُذُوم (juḏūm), plural of جِذْم (jiḏm, root, foundation, lower part”, and in one old source “gum, place where a tooth grows).

Phonetically, it should be noted that Maltese /ɡ/ is rare and tends to derive either from Berber or irregularly from Arabic ك (k) or ج (j), almost never from ق (q).

Pronunciation

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Noun

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geddum m (plural gdiedem)

  1. chin
  2. lower jaw
  3. snout of a pig or similar animal

Derived terms

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