фос

Ossetian

Alternative forms

• фонс (fons) (Digor)

Etymology

• Abaev reconstructs the earlier form as *pans and compares it with Avar панз (panz, “cattle”). In view of the absence of a secure Iranian etymology, he claims borrowing from Avar.
• It is also possible to borrow from Proto-Tsezian *pɔsu (“cattle”), if do not to accept into account external data, due to the Northeast Caucasian family. And if to accept these external data, then from Proto-Tsezian *pɔ̃su (“cattle”).

Noun

фос • (fos)

1. (Iron) cattle
2. (Iron) property; goods; wealth

Descendants

• → Chechen: хӏонц (honc)
• → Ingush: фос (fos)

References

• Bigulajev, B. B., Gagkajev, K. Je., Kulajev, N. X., Tuajeva, O. N. (1970) “фос”, in A. M. Kasajev, editor, Осетинско-русский словарь [Ossetian–Russian Dictionary], 3rd edition, Ordzhonikidze: Ir
• Abajev, V. I. (1958) Историко-этимологический словарь осетинского языка [Historical-Etymological Dictionary of the Ossetian Language] (in Russian), volume I, Moscow and Leningrad: Academy Press, pages 478–479