Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/barwaz

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

Alternative forms

• *baruz

Etymology

This word only has cognates in Slavic. Kroonen states that the reconstructed proto-form would reflect *bʰorwos, and states that it is a Germanic-Slavic isogloss. See Proto-Slavic *borъ (“pine tree”). Orr considers the possibility that it is a loan, in particular the ŭ-declension being copied. In this case the Germanic meaning would be more derived, with a shift from the Slavic sense “pine grove” to “forest (in general)" for which compare Proto-Slavic *dǫbrava (“oak grove; forest in general”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɑr.wɑz/

Noun

*barwaz m

1. coniferous forest; pinewood
2. wood; grove

Inflection

masculine a-stemDeclension of *barwaz (masculine a-stem)
	singular	plural
nominative	*barwaz	*barwōz, *barwōs
vocative	*barw	*barwōz, *barwōs
accusative	*barwą	*barwanz
genitive	*barwas, *barwis	*barwǫ̂
dative	*barwai	*barwamaz
instrumental	*barwō	*barwamiz

Related terms

• ⇒? *barō

Descendants

• Proto-West Germanic: *baru
  • Old English: bearu, bearo
    • Middle English: berwe, barwe, berewe, barewe, barou
    • Middle English: ber, bere, beare, byar, biare, byare, bir (in placenames only) (merged with descendant of Old English bǣr (“pasture”))
  • Old Saxon: *baro; bere (< *baruz?)
  • Old High German: baro
• Old Norse: bǫrr (“a kind of tree”)
  • Icelandic: bör