Reconstruction:Proto-Finnic/mees

This Proto-Finnic 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-Finnic

Etymology

Unclear. Two possibilities have been proposed:

• From earlier *meexes, borrowing from Proto-Germanic *mēgaz (“male in-law”).
• (less likely) Relationship to the Proto-Uralic root *mańćɜ, reflected in the ethnonyms Mansi and Magyar, of Indo-Iranian origin (compare Proto-Balto-Slavic *mangjás (“man”), Sanskrit मनुष्य (manuṣyá)).

Both proposals have phonetic problems. At any rate, the word is an innovation replacing Proto-Uralic *koje (“man”).

Noun

*mees

1. man, male
2. husband

Descendants

• Estonian: mees
• Finnish: mies
• Ingrian: mees
• Karelian: mies
• Livonian:
  • Courland Livonian: mīez
  • Vidzeme Livonian: mies
• Livvi: mies
• Ludian: miez
• Veps: mez'
• Võro: miis'
• Votic: meez