Reconstruction:Proto-Japonic/sirami

This Proto-Japonic 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-Japonic

Etymology

A compound of *siro (“white”) +‎ *-mi (“an uncertain suffix”). The "o" in *siro was replaced with an "a".

Noun

*sirami

1. louse, especially the head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis)

Descendants

• Old Japanese: 虱, 蝨 (sirami)
  • Japanese: 虱, 蝨 (shirami, Tokyo LHH, Kyoto LLH, Kagoshima LLH)
• Proto-Ryukyuan: *sirami
  • Northern Ryukyuan:
    • Northern Amami-Oshima: 虱 (shiran)
    • Okinawan: 虱 (shiran)
  • Southern Ryukyuan:
    • Yonaguni: 虱 (tsan)