Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/-ist

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

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /-ist/

Suffix

*-ist (adjective *-istaz)

1. -est. Forms the superlative of certain adverbs.

Usage notes

This was the normal superlative suffix for all i-, u- and ja-stem adverbs. The regular a-stem adverbs sometimes used this suffix, and sometimes the related suffix *-ōst without any predictable rule. Proto-Germanic superlative adverbs

Derived terms

Proto-Germanic superlative adverbs

Descendants

This suffix probably became unproductive, largely being a relic in the few words it existed.

• Old English: -est, -st
  • Middle English: -est
  • English: -st
• Old Frisian: -ist
• Old Dutch: -ist
  • Middle Dutch: -st
    • Dutch: -st
• Old High German: -ist
  • German: -st
• Old Norse: -st
  • Icelandic: -st
  • Faroese: -st
• Gothic: -𐌹𐍃𐍄 (-ist)