"1; '.. • ~V.>'^^ *;*, % ? HIS. THE GIFT OF Q^^sXSIfssnL^ §XhVM^ A.^^<2..5:.^4: :..::.!... ...±\M.AO 9755-1 ■:m LlAfE DUE N 8- '^ ""To mu IE. r" F P 615 H72™*" ""'™™">' Library ..Ajyan word-building. 3 1924 026 457 170 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31 9240264571 70 ARYAN WORD-BUILDING BY GEORGE O.^HOLBROOKE NEW YORK Ube ftnlcl^et&oclier press 1910 I/. Copyright by GEORGE O. HOLBROOKE igio Introduction. * Dr. Georg Curtius, when discussing the Sanskrit roots taksh and tokas with their kindred in other languages, observes that we have to deal with a group of ancient forms tak, taksh, tik, tuk, tukh with kindred but varying meanings. These meanings are not attached to the individual forms, but play from one to another in the difEerent speeches. The same phenomenon is observable in many cases, and I have attempted to group Sanskrit roots, extract the primitive idea of each group, with its developments, and study the laws by which sound and thought have crystallized. The same sequences of thought recur in repeated cases. For instance, the many roots expressing speech usually signify to burst out, dash out, flash out, shine. The word was a winged arrow of ejaculation, effort, triumph, passion. The original Indo-European vowel sound was an indefinite short a, such as is found in the Sanskrit letter ri, which becomes either r', ri, ra or ar, but the prevailing resultant was d or a, and this was liable to great modification. Thus the Sanskrit pa (to drink) has the forms pivdmi, pibami, pitvd, piye, pitas; and that these forms were primitive is shown by the Latin bibo and the Irish [p]ithim. Ma (to [grasp, encircle], measure) has the forms mami, mime, mitas, and develops mav, mil, mavy (to encircle, bind) ; miv, me, mutas (to move round) ; miv (to be round, fat) ; mi to [whirl], shoot, destroy. The roots pri, parv, [purv], pUr (to fill) develop in pUl (to round out, heap up) ; plav, plu, [parv], part to float, roam, move around ; pal to en- compass, guard ; palay (to [eddy], turn, flee) ; palyul (to [turn, twist, wrench], rub, wash off, lop off). Mri (to [grind, destroy], perish) develops mdrayami (to kill) , mrin (to slay) , mldi (to pine away) ; smri (to revolve in mind, remember) ; marv (to go round, fill); maryd boundary; miras [circling] sea; marus [circling] desert; murv to bind; mur to robe ; mill to swell. These changes were effected in many cases by the influence of liquids (ri, r', ra, ar), but chiefly by the influence of the early and wide-spread root vd (to breathe, blow, [efEect, exist]) , which could be added to any other root. Thus, in the group taksh, IV tokas which formed the text of Curtius, we find the forms taksh, tvaksh, tvak, tvish, tush (pp 302, 303) . Another case is trl, tar, tvar, tur, [tarv], tarb, p. 334. The roots bhan^, bhai, bhu^ bhiksh (pp. 46, 47) are intertwined in the same way, and we cannot be surprised to tin Lat. nubes as the representative of Sanskrit nabhas, or Greek vu? by the side of naktam. The v is especially liable to metathesis and spnngs up in some languages where not found in others {llveo, R. hven p. 118; (i(9q)o<; p. 284; R. davat p. 285. Another most influential root was ya (to go), becoming l, t, and constantly changing a roots to ay and 1. It is the source of the causa- tive forms in the Sanskrit and the cognate languages. An instance of its effect is found in the group vadh, vyadh, vidh, vedh (p 272). Sad (to go, rush, attack, find) becomes syand (to run, flow), Sindhus the Indus; and its cognate form 5od (to [plunge into lair, throw one's self down], sit; cf. jacio, jaceo) has the present form siddmi, while the Greek retains \X,o^m by the side of ll,(i^ai. Ri (to spring up, stir, rise, act, shoot, attack, meet, adapt, fasten) produces the terminations of active agency (mdtri, li-r^TiQp, mater; Greek terminations -r)p, -tkip; Latin -or, -tor); it develops its parts rinomi, ardmi, dram and the forms aras, aram, arv, urv, ardtis, drtavas, arthas, al, alam by the side of ritas, ritus (pp. 113-119). Prefixing yd it becomes its intensive iyarmi contracting to Ir (to hurl, whirl, speed, utter); il to go, hurl, lie down (cf. jaceo); and of terminations in r and I; (the liquids r and / interchange in Sanskrit with perfect free- dom) . Prefixing vd, ri becomes the branching root vri (189-196) , and develops svri to hurl, svri to utter, by the side of sri, sru (to advance, speed, flow; pp. 153-154, 164). A list of roots with the initial r and their development by a prefixed v is given on p. 122. Pa (to [grasp, hold safe], protect) and its correlative dp, with desiderative form ips (to grasp, touch), furnish the Sanskrit causal forms, and pass into the other languages. Thus da (to divide) through its causal ddpaydmi produces SdxTW (to rend, tear, devour); daps (a sacrificial feast of flesh) ; while ddpaydmi the causative of da (to give) appears in Saicavdtu (to lavish, expend) . The termination p, thus formed, is most variable, being probably influenced by terminations produced by hardened v. Thus in the development of ri (to start, rise, move) we have the causative arpaydmi (to send, deliver, attack, hurl), resulting in arpanas (offering, delivery) ; arb, raph, ramph (to go, shoot, slay) ; ramb (to go) ; ram (to [roam, hunt], attain, enjoy) ; rambh (to [flash out, utter], sound) ; rap, lap (to utter, praise) ; ribhus (whirling spirit, nature force) ; rabh, labh (to [pounce], grasp, begin, effect, con- ceive) . The primitive roots ans, ang, aksh to roll, heap, whirl, scatter, glance, twist off, divide prey (wrenching preceded flint-knife in many roots); anh, ank, ang, an^, angh, a|, to speed, go; [anh to coil, press]; ah to speak eagerly (pp. 1-9) produce the guttural terminations. The termination anh turns into ans, anc and may become an, as, a( ak, ani, aksh, ash; here the Zend preserves -anh when Sanskrit has -anh, -an, -as (pp. 265, 266). The roots given by Sanskrit grammarians, even when not found in literature, deserve the same attention which is given to the Greek forms preserved by Hesychius. The grammarians were familiar with writings and dialects which have been lost. In some cases they may have invented a link in the development of a chain of roots, as I have employed hypothetical roots in brackets. S was a favorite prefix not only of the liquid but of the mute con- \ sonants, binding them in groups which may be dissolved by the loss ' of the prefix;. They are best studied by the root stha (to stand, be firm, exist), which is developed on pp. 278-283; (observe the Greek derivatives pp. 311, 312). Losing the sibilant, sthd becomes [thd], which the Sanskrit replaces, according to its regular rule, by dhd (to set, place, put, make firm, do). Dha hardens into da (to bestow, give), the roots dhd and dd melting into each other in a remarkable way in the Teutonic languages (p. 285). Again, sthd drops its aspira- tion, giving stanas ([firm, tense] breast) ; stan (to [heave breast, burst forth], groan, thunder) ; tan (to make tense, stretch) ; tanus (tense, thin) by the side of sthdnus firm, immovable. Sthuna (stump, trunk, pillar) produces tun (to curve, round, fill); tiinas (quiver). Sthaviras firm, strong, sthuras (strong, large, firm, bull) develop a^aupd? [firm-set] stake, cross and Taupo? bull; Goth, stiuryan (to establish firmly); stiur bull, steer; Old Norse thorr (ox); see also stabh, p. 311; strih, p. 329; trinam, p. 331. In the same way we see on pp. 35, 48, 44, 45 how pd, pdye (to [grasp], guard, [compress]) develops through pydi, pydy and sphdy (to round out, [swell against pressure, burst with fatness, flash out]), sphitas (swollen), sphut (to burst out, crack, open), into [phi], bhi, hhdyay (to quiver [with tension]) ; bhd, bhas (to [quiver, burst forth], flash, shine). This connection of p and ph through sph explains the Zend/rl corresponding to the Sanskrit pri (p. 66) ; fra corresponding to Sanskrit pra- (p. 68), Pp. 46-53 develop these roots with guttural and dental terminations. Those with dental endings are given on pp. 48- 53, showing how an original form [sphand] develops in spand, sphund, sphunt sphut, [phunt, bhunt], pust, bust, bud, bhant, bhand, bhadras. Sanskrit uses bh for ph as it does dh for th, though not so universally. VI The termination nth very frequently becomes 5/. Studying the root in Greek, we find aifevSdvi) by the side of airivSw, aicsuSw, axa5 is almost invariably developed from %; see pp. 17, 37, 41, 56, 61. Initial % adds T, producing xTafpu, xtlpva corresponding to spiro, sperno; xtdXeiJio; corresponding to (J^dtXXw, xiXXu, pello. Initial v. also adds t; see pp. 235-237, where fl (to lie down) , kdyas (house), ksM (to dwell, possess) become %el^ai, xii'l^w, xTt'ot?, xT(46(i,at, xTi)(Jia; and ki (to collect stones, heap, count) becomes xfwv, xtiXw. Kt£I^o) loses its x; becoming tiu, tivu, Tfots; in the same way [kas], kim, -kis, Latin quis become the Greek [xTt?], tf?. The ti or digamma of early Greek was lost except in dialectical use ; in the hiatus of Homeric words (IsXBwp, IXsew) ; in a rough breathing; and in the Laconian and ^olic initial ^ and y. The combination sv is represented by 09 in oipet?, ocpfYyo), docpu? and other words. Sanskrit y becomes i or X,. Latin loses initial v in idus, inanis, idoneus. ]\%\{ «\. Both Greek and Latin form b from hardened v and so do the Celtic languages. In Slavonic this occurs less frequently. The Teutonic has many such forms inherited from a former period (pp. 271-275). The rough breathing in Greek usually represented a lost or digamma, but its usage became confused; it is lost in many cases, while in others it has been erroneously inserted, as in (5:(i.apT«v(i), p. 95. Sanskrit employs I for d in certain cases {vadabhis, valabhis, p. 276), and this peculiarity reappears in Greek and Latin, where we have Xdoio?, Xiyvij?, lacruma, levir representing an initial d. Both Greek and Latin occasionally lose initial p before I, after the Celtic fashion. Instances are X!av, XiQvd?, X'^po?, Xaijpot, XfOo?, XexdvY), Xa^, Xa^eiiw, lautus, larix, later, lutum, lanx, lien, renes, -^e. Greek euphony prefixed a vowel before sibilant combinations (doT^Qp, (iofiipa-cos, oa sharp) ; as [fotmans] to hurl, speed, flash; dsa, astra bow. Zd. aMs/t to see; ash to shine, Of ^i. Of to bone. Gk. (I)(Jioe shoulder [forms ansas, amsas, omsos] ; a>iXo? shoulder; dy'^^v elbow-joint ; de^ivt) [whirling] axe (ci. parafus) ; erxo? spear (of. a^us); S^«v axle; Six-a?a [double-axle], wagonj^^f^sov bone, Sa-:psov oyster; 'oGzaM^, Sffxaxo? crab; S^-cpu? [bone-woodj^kom-beam, daTp£i;(o to cast dice; Sa-rpt?, Sffxpixo?, SarpaTaXo? die, vertebra ankle- bone. Umbrian onse = m umero; Lat. [umesus], umerus shoulder; 05 {ossis) bone; [ansus,' ansinus, axinus], asinus [strong-shouldered, enduring] ass; ag-dso ass-driver; ancilla maidservant (strong-armed; of. Macht, Magd); Anxur shoulder, ridge, promontory; asser prop, lever, pole; ansa handle; ensis (Sk. asi), [whirling] sword; [astal hasta spear ; axis axle ; axilla, dla arm-socket, arm-pit, wing ; aiea[whirlmg] die. Goth, amsa shoulder; ans joint, beam; asts branch; azeti [whirling, ready], ease; O. H. G. amisala, Ger. Amsel, A. S. osU ousel, black- bird (strong- wing) ; Goth, asilus ass; O. H. G. ahsala shoulder; A. S. ancleov ankle; dic lance; o^^axle; O. N. os&r ash-tree (lancewood) ; askr tub (rounded, trimmed); cLss axle, oar, beam; Ger. Ast bough; O. N. axla to take on the shoulder; aska (Goth, azgo) ashes (whirling cf. cinis, xivew) ; As god of light (anfus). Lith. ashis axle; eishmas spear; O. R. osi axle; osilu ass. Ir. ocha, ochsal arm-pit; asclang shoulder-load; asse [whirling], quick, easy; ais readiness, free will; ais iis [shoulder], back-bone, back; asna rib; W., Corn, asen bone, rib, rafter; W., Cor., Bret, ascorn, eskornhone; Bret, esked phantom (whirl- ing) ; askleden pole; izili limbs, bones; askel wing; dhel axle, rivet; osk, uesk joint, knot of stalk; Ir. enech, W. enep face {voltus, Antlitz; turning to speaker); Ir. enech [presence], "your honor," honor (cf. aiged); Bret. Snep. opposite, adversary; O.C. Carc-asso rock-ridge (Ir. carric +ais). Sk. an( [anh] to roll together, [twist apart], divide; of iksh to roll up, heap up, fill, occupy; angas, ansas, portion, share, booty; anguka wrapping, band, tunic ; ankala border. Persian d/avT) corn-measure, bushel. Gk. S^to? of equal weight, value; valuable, worthy; dx^u? enveloping darkness; 'A^^-Xwo? [flooding, rushing] stream. Lat. [angvas,agvas], aegwM^ equal, just, fair, kind; 05 (a^^w) money of account; aestimo to value; [agman, d^sxav], ex-dmen, agina tongue of balance; [ag-curvus], acervus rounded heap; ocreae leg-bands, leggings; Aequi mountaineers; Aquinum, Aequana; Equus Tuticus (mountain-town). A. S. dhtan to value, estimate ; aeht possession ; ehtian, Goth, aistan to esteem, honor; Aestii. Ir. ochrad leggings; 6sca [waxing] moon; assil share, portion; Bret, esked tumor. — 3 — Sk. ang, aksh to heap, accumulate, fill; ashtdu, ashtan [heap, number], eight; ashtamas eighth. Zd. astan; astema. Gk. dx-cd); 8y8oo?. Lat. octo, octavus. Goth, ahtau, A. S. eahta. Lith. ashtuni, O. R. osmi. Ir. ocht, W. [ocith, oith], wyih; Bret, eiz, eih, O. C. Octo;f,annae (eight fair ones; nymphs) ; Octo-gesa, Octonius. Sk. an(, aksh to heap; ag to heap, fill, [stufE]; angas, ansas portion [of food]; [af] to be keen, eager; ag {agnami) to eat, enjoy; dgas eating, food; dgd, dgis hope, desire, prayer; dgi fang; dkhu rat. Gk. moaz-q barley, food ; axuXo? acorn (mast) ; axoXo? morsel ; Axpf? locust (devourer) ; Sxjifjvo? hungry; dxti^ com, meal; dxloiJiai to relieve thirst, appease, calm, cure; &v.ctk6q, calm; dxiQ healing, calm, silence; ^xa calmly, gently. Lat. acinus berry (cf . bacca, bhaksh) ; esca bait ; esculentus; aesculus oak (mast-bearer). A. S. dhsyan to seek, desire; dgg, O. H. G. agi, ei egg (g for 5 as in edge) ; O. N. egg egg; egna to fish with bait; ogw, {dgn) bait. R. yaHmen'ba.rley, ya^M manger; yaitzo egg. Ir. acras, accorus, ocras hunger. Sk. angas revolving shoulder; angus spoke of wheel, ray of sun; angumant sun ; ahan, ahas day ; [anksh], dshtram vault of heaven, atmo- sphere. Zd. anhu [round] world, [glorious] lord. Gk. [angti, agtin], ii^Tiq (-tvos) spoke; ray; dxTTj [heaped, curving] shore; 'AxTa-i'wv pole- circler (twv) ; ava^ lord, Apollo ; &-(av[a\i]a'Kti