rrafsh

Albanian

Etymology

Formerly believed to be a Back-formation from rrafshoj; the latter is derived from unattested *rravsh + -oj, the first element of which is borrowed from a South Slavic language, ultimately derived from Proto-Slavic *orvьnъ (“even”); compare Old Church Slavonic равьнъ (ravĭnŭ), Serbo-Croatian ravan, Bulgarian равен (raven). However this is less likely, as Omari doubts a Slavic origin due to phonological problems. Most likely from rraf, Gheg form of rrah (“to beat, strike, to flatten; grubbed out land”). Consider also northeastern Gheg "rrapsh", as found in Malsia. Possibly related to rrjep (“to peel”) and rrap (“plane tree”), as it would explain the change from -psh- to -fsh-.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /rafʃ/

Noun

rrafsh m

1. plain, flat area, field
2. flatland
3. (figuratively) field

Derived terms

• rrafshoj
• rrafshinë
• rrafshinor
• rrafshnaltë

Related terms

• rrah