Academic Journal

At the roots of nominal derivation: Greek πρυμνός 'at the base' and καρπός 'root of the hand'.

Bibliographic Details
Title: At the roots of nominal derivation: Greek πρυμνός 'at the base' and καρπός 'root of the hand'.
Authors: Beek, Lucien van
Source: Glotta; May2026, Vol. 102 Issue 1, p114-134, 21p
Subject Terms: Etymology, Reconstruction (Linguistics), Phonology, Indo-European languages, Nominals (Grammar), Greek language, Morphosyntax
Geographic Terms: Greece
Abstract: The adjective πρυμνός 'at the root/base' has no commonly accepted etymology, but its syntax, semantics and pattern of attestation are suggestive of an archaism. After reviewing the problems with existing analyses, I submit that it reflects *kwr̥p-mn-ó- derived from the Indo-European root *kwrep- (Greek πρέπω 'to be conspicuous', Arm. erewim 'to appear'), for which I propose to reconstruct a proto-meaning 'to protrude'. Moreover, I argue that πρέμνον 'stump, base' is related to πρυμνός, reflecting *kwrép-mn-o-m. In section 1, I discuss the syntax and semantics of πρυμνός in Homer. Then follows a review of the problems with existing etymological interpretations (section 2) and a discussion of the phonological and semantic issues raised by the proposed reconstructions of πρυμνός and πρέμνον (section 3). Finally, in section 4 it is proposed that καρπός 'wrist' < *kwr̥p-ó- also derives from the same root. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Glotta is the property of Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co. KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: At the roots of nominal derivation: Greek πρυμνός &#39;at the base&#39; and καρπός &#39;root of the hand&#39;.
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  Data: &lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;AR&quot; term=&quot;%22Beek%2C+Lucien+van%22&quot;&gt;Beek, Lucien van&lt;/searchLink&gt;
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  Data: Glotta; May2026, Vol. 102 Issue 1, p114-134, 21p
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– Name: Abstract
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  Data: The adjective πρυμνός &#39;at the root/base&#39; has no commonly accepted etymology, but its syntax, semantics and pattern of attestation are suggestive of an archaism. After reviewing the problems with existing analyses, I submit that it reflects *kwr̥p-mn-&#243;- derived from the Indo-European root *kwrep- (Greek πρέπω &#39;to be conspicuous&#39;, Arm. erewim &#39;to appear&#39;), for which I propose to reconstruct a proto-meaning &#39;to protrude&#39;. Moreover, I argue that πρέμνον &#39;stump, base&#39; is related to πρυμνός, reflecting *kwr&#233;p-mn-o-m. In section 1, I discuss the syntax and semantics of πρυμνός in Homer. Then follows a review of the problems with existing etymological interpretations (section 2) and a discussion of the phonological and semantic issues raised by the proposed reconstructions of πρυμνός and πρέμνον (section 3). Finally, in section 4 it is proposed that καρπός &#39;wrist&#39; &lt; *kwr̥p-&#243;- also derives from the same root. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: Abstract
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: &lt;i&gt;Copyright of Glotta is the property of Vandenhoeck &amp; Ruprecht GmbH &amp; Co. KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder&#39;s express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.&lt;/i&gt; (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.13109/glot.2026.102.1.114
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 21
        StartPage: 114
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Greece
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Etymology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Reconstruction (Linguistics)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Phonology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Indo-European languages
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Nominals (Grammar)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Greek language
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Morphosyntax
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: At the roots of nominal derivation: Greek πρυμνός 'at the base' and καρπός 'root of the hand'.
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          Name:
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          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 05
              Text: May2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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