Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/maganą

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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

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Alternative reconstructions

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  • *muganą, *mage (3sg.), *mugunþ (3pl.)[1]
  • *magą[2]

Etymology

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From Proto-Indo-European *(me)mógʰe, from *megʰ-. Cognate with Proto-Slavic *moťi.[1]

Pronunciation

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Verb

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*maganą

  1. to be able, may

Inflection

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Usage notes

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The main distinction between *kunnaną and *maganą is that the former deals with one's own capabilities, whereas the latter indicates ability due to favourable circumstances not under one's control.

Derived terms

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Descendants

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References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 Guus Kroonen (2013) “*mugan-”, in Alexander Lubotsky, editor, Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Germanic (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 11)‎[1], Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, page 373
  2. ^ Vladimir Orel (2003) “*maʒa”, in A Handbook of Germanic Etymology[2], Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, page 252