Reconstruction:Proto-Finnic/kallis

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This Proto-Finnic 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-Finnic[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Since a Uralic etymology is not possible, the only possible explanation is a borrowing, but the exact origin remains unclear. Plötz (2013) suggests derivation either from some Baltic or Germanic descendant of Proto-Indo-European *kelH- (to rise, protrude) (compare Lithuanian kalnas (hill), Icelandic hallur (cliff)), through a meaning "high (in price)", or as a late loan from an Eastern Norse descendant of Proto-Germanic *haldiz (rather, dear) (compare Old Norse heldr).[1]

Earlier other Germanic loan etymologies have been proposed, with problems either in semantics (compare Old Norse hallæri (poor harvest)) or phonetics (Proto-Germanic *alja- seen in Old Norse elja (concubine), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-yo-).[2]

Adjective[edit]

*kallis

  1. expensive
  2. dear, precious, beloved

Inflection[edit]

Descendants[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Plötz, Oliver. 2013. "Ostseefinnisch, Germanisch, Baltisch: Zur Sekundärüberlieferung der germanischen und baltischen" *-i(ia)-Adjektive und zur Etymologie von fi. kallis 'teuer; lieb', urgerm. χalđiz 'eher; lieber' und idg. *kol(H)-no- 'hoch'. International Journal of Diachronic Linguistics and Linguistic Reconstruction 10: 137–179.
  2. ^ Kylstra, A.D.; Hahmo, Sirkka-Liisa; Hofstra, Tette; Nikkilä, Otto. 1991–2012. Lexikon der älteren germanischen Lehnwörter in den ostseefinnischen Sprachen. Amsterdam: Rodopi.