Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/Nerþuz

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

Etymology

Unknown. Possibly a derivative of Proto-Indo-European *h₂nḗr (“power, vitality, force”). Compare Old Irish nert (“strength”), Sanskrit सूनृत (sūnṛtá, “pleasant”) (< *Hsu-Hnr̥tás), Old English (ġe-)neorð (“contented”); for the suffix, see *-þuz. More at Njörðr, Njörun, and Nerthus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈner.θuz/

Proper noun

*Nerþuz f or m(chiefly North Germanic)

1. A Germanic god or goddess: Njord, Nerthus.

Inflection

u-stemDeclension of *Nerþuz (u-stem)
	singular
nominative	*Nerþuz
vocative	*Nerþu
accusative	*Nerþų
genitive	*Nerþauz
dative	*Nirþiwi
instrumental	*Nerþū

Reconstruction

The feminine gender and assumption of a goddess are based on Tacitus' description of the worship of a Mother Earth–like goddess "Nerthus", but why a goddess would have a masculine name with only masculine cognates is unclear. The u-stem of Old Norse is presumed original.

Derived terms

• *Nerþauz harugaz (“Nerthus' grove”)

Descendants

• Old Norse: Njǫrðr
  • Icelandic: Njörður
  • Faroese: Njørður
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: Njord
  • Swedish: Njärd, Njord
  • Danish: Njørd, Njord
  • → English: Njorth, Njord
• → Latin: Nerthus