Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/-az

This Proto-Germanic 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-Germanic

Etymology 1

From Proto-Indo-European *-os (adjectival ending). Cognate with Ancient Greek -ος (-os), Proto-Italic *-os, Sanskrit -ः (-ḥ), Proto-Slavic *-ъ.

Suffix

*-az n

1. suffix of nouns

Inflection

Declension of *-az (z-stem)

	singular	plural
nominative	*-az	*-izō
vocative	*-az	*-izō
accusative	*-az	*-izō
genitive	*-iziz	*-izǫ̂
dative	*-izi	*-izumaz
instrumental	*-izē	*-izumiz

Derived terms

See z-stem nouns.

Etymology 2

From Proto-Indo-European *-ós (agent suffix).

Suffix

*-az m

1. -er, agent suffix

   Synonyms: *-ārijaz, *-ilaz, *-jô, *-ndz, *-ô

Inflection

Declension of *-az (masculine a-stem)

	singular	plural
nominative	*-az	*-ōz, *-ōs
vocative	*-	*-ōz, *-ōs
accusative	*-ą	*-anz
genitive	*-as, *-is	*-ǫ̂
dative	*-ai	*-amaz
instrumental	*-ō	*-amiz

Alternative forms

• *-jaz (after class 1 verbs)

Descendants

• Proto-Norse: -ᚨᛉ (-aʀ)
  • Old Norse: -r
• Proto-Norse: -ᛃᚨᛉ (-jaʀ, after class 1 verbs)
  • Old Norse: -ir

Etymology 3

Primarily inherited from Proto-Indo-European *(ó)-os (noun ending), but eventually merging with the reflex of *-ós (forms which triggered Verner's law) by late pre-Germanic.

Suffix

*-az m

1. Suffix for a-stem nouns.

Inflection

Declension of *-az (masculine a-stem)

	singular	plural
nominative	*-az	*-ōz, *-ōs
vocative	*-	*-ōz, *-ōs
accusative	*-ą	*-anz
genitive	*-as, *-is	*-ǫ̂
dative	*-ai	*-amaz
instrumental	*-ō	*-amiz

Coordinate terms

• *-ō f

Derived terms

See a-stem nouns.

Etymology 4

From Proto-Indo-European *(e)-ós (deverbal adjective/nominal suffix). In Germanic, this suffix greatly increased in productivity, unlike in other Indo-European branches, where it died off early (leaving only relics).

Suffix

*(e)-az

1. Forms e-grade adjectives from verbs.

   ‎*hwerbaną (“to turn”) + ‎*-az → ‎*hwerbaz (“turning”)

Inflection

Declension of *-az (a-stem)

Strong declension
	singular				plural
	masculine	feminine	neuter		masculine	feminine	neuter
nominative	*-az	*-ō	*-ą, *-at(ō)		*-ai	*-ôz	*-ō
accusative	*-anǭ	*-ǭ	*-ą, *-at(ō)		*-anz	*-ōz	*-ō
genitive	*-as, *-is	*-aizōz	*-as, *-is		*-aizǫ̂	*-aizǫ̂	*-aizǫ̂
dative	*-ammai	*-aizōi	*-ammai		*-aimaz	*-aimaz	*-aimaz
instrumental	*-anō	*-aizō	*-anō		*-aimiz	*-aimiz	*-aimiz
Weak declension
	singular				plural
	masculine	feminine	neuter		masculine	feminine	neuter
nominative	*-ô	*-ǭ	*-ô		*-aniz	*-ōniz	*-ōnō
accusative	*-anų	*-ōnų	*-ô		*-anunz	*-ōnunz	*-ōnō
genitive	*-iniz	*-ōniz	*-iniz		*-anǫ̂	*-ōnǫ̂	*-anǫ̂
dative	*-ini	*-ōni	*-ini		*-ammaz	*-ōmaz	*-ammaz
instrumental	*-inē	*-ōnē	*-inē		*-ammiz	*-ōmiz	*-ammiz

Derived terms

Proto-Germanic terms suffixed with *-az (e-grade)

Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/blindaz

Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/dreugaz

Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/hwerbaz

Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/leubaz

Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/skeutaz

Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/wegaz