safn

Icelandic

Etymology

From safna, from Old Norse safna, a by-form of samna (“to collect, assemble”), from Proto-Germanic *samnōną (“to gather, collect”). More at sam.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sapn/

  Rhymes: -apn

Noun

safn n (genitive singular safns, nominative plural söfn)

1. (institution) a museum
2. a collection
3. a flock of sheep

   Synonym: fjárhópur

Declension

Declension of safn (neuter)

	singular		plural
	indefinite	definite	indefinite	definite
nominative	safn	safnið	söfn	söfnin
accusative	safn	safnið	söfn	söfnin
dative	safni	safninu	söfnum	söfnunum
genitive	safns	safnsins	safna	safnanna

Derived terms

• bókasafn
• byggðasafn (“a local museum”)
• kvæðasafn (“collected poems”)
• listasafn
• minjasafn
• náttúrugripasafn
• orðasafn
• ritsafn
• safna
• safnvörður
• skjalasafn
• sædýrasafn
• vaxmyndasafn
• þjóðminjasafn
• þjóðskjalasafn

Welsh

Etymology

Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *stómn̥ (“mouth, muzzle”). Compare Cornish sâwn, Cornish sawan (“chasm”), Breton staoñ (“palate”), and, outside of Brittonic, Ancient Greek στόμα (stóma, “mouth”).

Noun

safn m or f (plural safnau, diminutive sefnyn, not mutable)

1. mouth, jaws

Usage notes

Sometimes derogatory when applied to people.

Synonyms

• (mouth): ceg

Derived terms

• safnaid (“mouthful”)
• safngrwn (“hagfish”)
• safnrhwth (“open-mouthed”)

Further reading

• R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “safn”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies