Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/liþuz

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

Of uncertain origin; Kroonen considers the word as cognate with *limuz (“limb”).^[1] Other theories include derivation from Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-, *leyH- (“to bend”). A relationship with Latin lituus is sometimes suggested, but is doubtful as it is likely a loanword from Etruscan.^[2] Given the variety of forms, which are difficult to reconcile as inherited, origin in a substrate language is possible.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈli.θuz/

Noun

*liþuz m

a bend
Synonyms: *baugaz, *buhtiz
a joint
Synonyms: *gawissiz, *knukô
a body part, limb, member
Synonym: *limuz

Inflection

u-stemDeclension of *liþuz (u-stem)
	singular	plural
nominative	*liþuz	*liþiwiz
vocative	*liþu	*liþiwiz
accusative	*liþų	*liþunz
genitive	*liþauz	*liþiwǫ̂
dative	*liþiwi	*liþumaz
instrumental	*liþū	*liþumiz

Related terms

Derived terms

Descendants

Proto-West Germanic: *liþu
- Old English: liþ
  - Middle English: lyth, lith, lythe, lithe, lyþ, liþ, liþe, liþthe, liyþe, litht, leth, lethe
    - English: lith
    - Scots: lith
- Old Frisian: lith, leth
  - North Frisian: leth, lath, lass
  - Saterland Frisian: Lid
  - West Frisian: lid
- Old Saxon: lith
  - Middle Low German: lit
    - ⇒ Middle Low German: gelit
- Old Dutch: *lith
  - Middle Dutch: lit, let
    - Dutch: lid
      - Afrikaans: lid
      - → Indonesian: lid
      - Negerhollands: lid, leden, leeden
- Old High German: lid
  - Middle High German: lit
    - Alemannic German: Lid
    - German: Lied
  - ⇒ Old High German: gilid
    - Middle High German: gelit, glit
      - German: Glied
      - Luxembourgish: Glidd
Old Norse: liðr
- Icelandic: liður
- Faroese: liður
- Norwegian: lid
- Old Swedish: liþer
  - Swedish: led
- Danish: led
Gothic: 𐌻𐌹𐌸𐌿𐍃 (liþus)
→ Proto-Samic: *lëδës, *lëttō (see there for further descendants)

References

^ Guus Kroonen (2013) “*liþu-”, in Alexander Lubotsky, editor, Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Germanic (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 11)‎^[1], Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, page 340
^ Philippa, Marlies, Debrabandere, Frans, Quak, Arend, Schoonheim, Tanneke, van der Sijs, Nicoline (2003–2009) “lid”, in Etymologisch woordenboek van het Nederlands‎^[2] (in Dutch), Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press

[1] Guus Kroonen (2013) “*liþu-”, in Alexander Lubotsky, editor, Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Germanic (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 11)‎^[1], Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, page 340

[Philippa_EWN_2009-2] Philippa, Marlies, Debrabandere, Frans, Quak, Arend, Schoonheim, Tanneke, van der Sijs, Nicoline (2003–2009) “lid”, in Etymologisch woordenboek van het Nederlands‎^[2] (in Dutch), Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press

[1]

[2]