Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/alhs
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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
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Cognate with Lithuanian alkas, elkas (“sanctuary, grove”), Latvian elks (“idol”). Pokorny (p. 32) proposes a derivation from Proto-Indo-European *alk- (“sacred place, sanctuary; idol”) (= *h₂elk-), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂lek- (“to defend”), whence Ancient Greek ἀλέξω (aléxō, “defend, ward off”), Ancient Greek ἀλκή (alkḗ, “defence, help, strength”), Latin ulciscor (“avenge”). Kroonen, however, doubts this, adding that “[g]iven the root noun inflection, it is conceivable that the word was adopted from a local non-I[ndo-]E[uropean] language by Germanic and Baltic after their arrival in Europe” (2013:22 s.v. *alh-).
Noun
[edit]*alhs m[1]
Inflection
[edit]| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | *alhs | *alhiz |
| vocative | *alh | *alhiz |
| accusative | *alhų | *alhunz |
| genitive | *alhiz | *alhǫ̂ |
| dative | *alhi | *alhumaz |
| instrumental | *alhē | *alhumiz |