syfrdan

Welsh

Etymology

From Middle Welsh syfrdan, from Proto-Celtic *s(t)umrVtanos, which has a shape so bizarre it defies further etymology. Cognate to Breton saouzan (“surprise”) and Cornish sowdhanas (“to surprise”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈsəvrdan/

Adjective

syfrdan (feminine singular syfrdan, plural syfrdan, equative mor syfrdan, comparative mwy syfrdan, superlative mwyaf syfrdan, not mutable)

1. dazed, stunned
2. giddy, dizzy

Derived terms

• syfrdanod (“astonishment, amazement”)
• syfrdanol (“stunning, astounding, amazing”)
• syfrdanu (“to stun, to daze; to astonish, to amaze”)

References

• R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “syfrdan”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies