uguns

Latvian

Uguns

Etymology

From an earlier feminine i-stem ugunis (still attested in old folk songs), from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Proto-Baltic *ugnis, from *ungnis, from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Proto-Indo-European *h₁n̥gʷnis, the “animate” or “sacred” word for “fire” (there was another, more “parochial” or “profane” term, *péh₂wr̥, which in Baltic languages survived only as Old Prussian panno). The initial vowel u is irregular; to account for it, some have suggested variation in Indo-European (*egnis ~ *ognis ~ *n̥gnis < *h₁n̥gʷnis), and others the influence of *ūden- on a previous Proto-Baltic *agnis; cf. a-initial relics like Latvian agns (“enthusiastic, passionate”), Lithuanian agnùs (“energetic, strong”). Cognates include Lithuanian ugnìs, dialectal ùgnis, ùgnė, Proto-Slavic *ogňь (Old Church Slavonic огнь (ognĭ), Russian ого́нь (ogónʹ), Ukrainian вого́нь (vohónʹ), Belarusian аго́нь (ahónʹ), Bulgarian о́гън (ógǎn), Czech oheň, Polish ogień), Sanskrit अग्नि (agní), Latin ignis.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [uɡuns]

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

uguns f (6th declension)

1. fire (visible light and thermal radiation produced by a body heated to the necessary temperature; flames, group of flames)

   uguns kuras ― the fire is burning

   uguns deg krāsnī ― the fire is burning in the oven

   uguns apdziest ― the fire goes out

   iekurt uguni ― to kindle the fire

   izdzēst, nodzēst uguni ― to put out the fire

   nopūst uguni ― to blow out the fire

   uzšķilt uguni ― to strike a fire

   kurināt uguni ― to stoke the fire

   iesviest papīru ugunī ― to throw paper into the fire

   uguns svelme ― fire glow

   uzlikt katlu uz uguns ― to put a pot on the fire

   sildīties pie uguns ― to warm up by the fire

   uguns siena, jūra, vilnis ― fire wall, see, wave

   uguns pielūgšana, kults ― fire worship, cult

   lēna uguns ― slow fire (= with a small flame)

   strauja uguns ― rapid fire (= with a big, strong flame)

   uguns trako ― the fire is raging

   mūžīgā uguns ― eternal fire

   olimpiskā uguns ― Olympic fire

2. fire (a means of igniting fire, such as matches, lighters, etc., or combustible matter, fuel, etc., used to make fire or keep it burning)

   viens ieprasās: “vai kādam ir uguns? kā uzpīposim, kad būsim paēduši?” ― someone asked: “does anyone have fire / a light? (or else) how will we smoke, after we eat?”

3. (figuratively) fire, light (feeling of warmth, often signifying power, strength)

   Meļķis dzēra; patīkama uguns izskrēja caur dzīslām ― Meļķis drank; a pleasant fire ran through his veins

   vai kāds vairs prot veco krusta deju, kur bija straujums un plašums? uguns svila dzīslās, un grūti bija norimties vien ― does anyone still know the old cross dance, in which there was speed and breadth? fire burned in the vains, and it was difficult to calm down alone

4. (figuratively, usually plural) fire (bright light; bright color)

   debesis sāk degt saulrieta ugunīs ― the sky began to burn in the fires of the sunset

5. (figuratively) fire (passion, sexual and otherwise; strong enthusiasm)

   Edgara acis liesmoja, viņā noskatoties, un viņa skūpstos bija uguns, no kuras Kristīne nodrebēja ― Edgar's eyes were ablaze, looking at her, and in his kisses there was a fire from which Kristīne shivered

   kā gan aktieris var tēlot... bez garīgas radošas uguns? ― how can an actor act... without a creative spiritual fire?

   viņa acīs mirdzēja tāda savāda uguns ― in his eyes a peculiar fire was shining

   Lauris bija tas uguns, kas visiem iedvesa dedzību un sparu ― Lauris was that fire which inspired zeal and vigor to all

   revolūcijas uguns vēl neslāpa 1906. gadā; taču līdzskrējēji jau nogāja malā, slēpās ― the revolutionary fire was not stifled in 1906; on the contrary, (its) supporters went into hiding

6. artificial light(s), light source(s)

   luksoforā deg sarkanā uguns ― the red traffic fire (= light) is on

   pilsētas ugunis ― city fire (= lights)

   ostas ugunis ― port fire (= lights)

   bāku uguns ― beacon, lantern fire (= light)

   krāsainās reklāmu ugunis ― red advertising fires (= lights)

   automobiļa aizmugures ugunis ― a car's rear fires (= lights)

   logā deg uguns ― fire is (= lights are) burning on the window

   krita pavasara krēsla... tramvaji jau brauca ar uguņiem' ― spring dusk fell... the trams were already riding with their fires (= lights) (on)

7. (military) shooting with firearms

   atklāt ugunī ― to open fire

   pārtraukt uguni ― to cease fire

   artilērijas uguns ― artillery fire, gunfire

   tanku, granātu, ložu uguns ― tank, grenade, bullet fire

Declension

Declension of uguns (6th declension)

	singular (vienskaitlis)	plural (daudzskaitlis)
nominative (nominatīvs)	uguns	ugunis
accusative (akuzatīvs)	uguni	ugunis
genitive (ģenitīvs)	uguns	uguņu
dative (datīvs)	ugunij	ugunīm
instrumental (instrumentālis)	uguni	ugunīm
locative (lokatīvs)	ugunī	ugunīs
vocative (vokatīvs)	uguns	ugunis

Related terms

• ugunīgs, ugunīgums
• ugunsgrēks
• ugunskrusts
• ugunskurs

See also

• degšana
• liesma
• sārts