Early Hick Lexicon, By Field

    The Early Hick lexicon, as attested, consists of mostly noun forms. These nouns can represent a wide range of meanings, including actions, properties, or relationships, which are traditionally the domain of verbs, adjectives, and adverbs in other languages.

    For grammatical information and language overview, see Early Hick.

    Historical Sound Changes

    For Proto-Hick vowel harmony and its development into Early Hick,
    see: Proto-Hick Phonological Processes
    For stress-related vowel changes,
    see: Vowel Allophony

    Usage Notes

    1. Cross-references are marked with →
    2. Etymologies are shown in parentheses
    3. Compound derivations are marked with <
    4. Example sentences show full morphological analysis
    5. Apostrophes (') are used to transcribe glottal stops in phonemic transcriptions

    Semantic Fields Reference

    Abstract Concepts ↩

    wad /wad/
    path
    Basic Terms
    way, manner
    Extended metaphorical meaning
    Sacred, Philosophical Terms, Abstract Concepts
    Proto-Hick *wadu
    im /im/
    evil, abstract negativity
    Used for abstract concepts of evil/negativity
    Sacred, Negation, Abstract Concepts
    Proto-Hick *ʔimru
    thimer /θi.mer/
    spiritual nurturing, penitence
    Used in ritual contexts
    Sacred, Abstract Concepts
    Proto-Hick *ha-meru
    thil /θil/
    virtue, moral
    Abstract Concepts, Sacred Terms, Moral Terms
    Proto-Hick *halu
    Abstract sense developed from basic meaning
    sibris /si.bris/
    love
    Abstract Concepts, Emotional Terms, Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *hibrisu
    Metaphorical extension from 'fire' to 'passion/love'
    sinas /si.nas/
    drift, passage
    Motion Terms, Maritime Terms, Abstract Concepts
    Proto-Hick *senu-asa-u
    Literally 'floating through', shows typical compound reduction
    thid /θid/
    truth
    Sacred Terms, Abstract Concepts
    Proto-Hick *hawadu
    'it /ʔit/
    knot (in wood)
    Specifically refers to natural knots in wood/lumber
    Construction Terms, Natural Features
    falsehood
    Metaphorical extension from deviation in wood grain
    Abstract Concepts
    Proto-Hick *xitu
    torthil /tor.θil/
    arrogance, haughtiness
    Abstract Concepts, Emotional Terms
    Shows ironic compound formation - excessive virtue becoming a flaw
    etilsim /e.til.sim/
    everything changes/transforms (with implications of resignation/indifference)
    Often used as resigned response to change or loss
    Abstract Concepts, Philosophical Terms
    Shows lexicalization of translative case into expression of both transformation and resignation

    Action Terms ↩

    thralthren /θral.θren/
    ritual observation
    The act of watching or performing religious ceremonies
    Sacred, Rituals, Action Terms
    sin /sin/
    floating
    Motion Terms, Maritime Terms, Action Terms
    Proto-Hick *senu
    haran /ha.ran/
    split, separate
    Action Terms
    divide (numbers)
    Number System
    Proto-Hick *haranu
    'irek /ʔi.rek/
    stand, firmness
    Basic Terms, Position Terms, Action Terms
    Proto-Hick *hi-reku
    Shows archaic animacy marking through glottal prefix
    'irek'er /ʔi.rek.ʔer/
    to stand
    'irek + -'er (verbalizer)
    'ilis /ʔi.lis/
    knowledge
    Mental Terms, Perception Terms, Action Terms
    Proto-Hick *hi-lisu
    Semantic extension from 'sight' to 'knowledge'
    'ilis'er /ʔi.lis.ʔer/
    to know
    'ilis + -'er (verbalizer)
    mabarak /ma.ba.rak/
    march, collective walking
    Motion Terms, Action Terms, Military Terms
    Collective motion from plural marker
    mabarak'er /ma.ba.rak.ʔer/
    to march
    mabarak + -'er (verbalizer)
    ar /ar/
    cut, cutting action
    Action Terms, Tool Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *xaru
    ar'er /ar.ʔer/
    to cut
    ar + -'er (verbalizer)
    'ilisimris /ʔi.li.sim.ris/
    to teach
    Mental Terms, Social Terms, Action Terms
    Shows productive use of ellative for causative meanings
    imwes /im.wes/
    invade, encroach upon
    Action Terms, Conflict Terms
    Shows productive use of im- prefix for harmful actions
    us /us/
    grasp, possession
    Basic Terms, Action Terms
    Proto-Hick *ʔulu-isu
    Developed from locative form of *ʔulu (~400 PF) specializing in 'grasp' meaning
    us'er /us.ʔer/
    to possess,to own
    us + -'er (verbalizer)
    hisimris /hi.sim.ris/
    show
    Contrasts with hilis'er 'to look'
    Perception Terms, Action Terms
    Shows productive use of ellative case for causative meanings
    takimris /ta.kim.ris/
    to attack, to oppose
    Action Terms, Conflict Terms
    Shows development of aggressive meaning through ellative case
    'ilisal /ʔi.li.sal/
    visit (a place)
    Mental Terms, Action Terms, Motion Terms
    experience personally
    Mental Terms, Action Terms
    confirm via experiment
    Mental Terms, Action Terms
    Shows semantic development from 'knowledge-person' to active experiential learning
    'ilisal'er /ʔi.li.sal.ʔer/
    to visit, to experience firsthand
    'ilisal + -'er (verbalizer)
    'ilisal /ʔi.li.sal/
    visit (a place)
    Mental Terms, Action Terms, Motion Terms
    experience personally
    Mental Terms, Action Terms
    confirm via experiment
    Mental Terms, Action Terms
    Shows semantic development from 'knowledge-person' to active experiential learning
    'ilisal'er /ʔi.li.sal.ʔer/
    to visit, to experience firsthand
    'ilisal + -'er (verbalizer)
    'ilisal /ʔi.li.sal/
    visit (a place)
    Mental Terms, Action Terms, Motion Terms
    experience personally
    Mental Terms, Action Terms
    confirm via experiment
    Mental Terms, Action Terms
    Shows semantic development from 'knowledge-person' to active experiential learning
    'ilisal'er /ʔi.li.sal.ʔer/
    to visit, to experience firsthand
    'ilisal + -'er (verbalizer)

    Agricultural Terms ↩

    sedgral /sed.gral/
    field
    Plant Terms, Agricultural Terms
    sedter /sed.ter/
    planting time
    Flora, Plant Terms, Rituals, Seasonal Terms, Agricultural Terms
    granmal /gran.mal/
    grain storage
    Agricultural Terms, Storage Terms
    sedok /se.dok/
    planter, farmer
    Agricultural Terms, Occupations
    graswad /gras.wad/
    pasture path
    Pasture Terms, Agricultural Terms
    'ibri /ʔib.ri/
    manure, fertilizer
    Agricultural Terms, Tool Terms
    Proto-Hick *'ibari
    'ibrigral /ʔib.ri.gral/
    farmlands, cultivated fields
    Agricultural Terms, Landscape Terms
    Shows development from fertilization practice to agricultural land

    Animal Terms ↩

    temerok /te.me.rok/
    killer, murderer
    Basic Terms, Social Terms
    predator
    Animal Terms, Basic Terms
    Shows metaphorical formation 'death-bringer' for both human killers and predatory animals
    krakrak /kra.krak/
    fang
    Body Terms, Animal Terms
    Shows nasal deletion in compound. Forms specialized term contrasting with general krak 'tooth'
    rek /rek/
    bark (of dog/wolf)
    Basic term for canine vocalization
    Sound Terms, Animal Terms
    Proto-Hick *reku
    Shows onomatopoeic origin from sound of canine bark
    rek'er /rek.ʔer/
    to bark
    rek + -'er (verbalizer)
    rekrek /rek.rek/
    repeated barking
    rek + rek (reduplication)

    Animals ↩

    mer /mer/
    bird
    Animals, Bird Terms
    parent
    Extended meaning through cultural metaphor
    Kinship Terms
    Proto-Hick *meru
    tornes /tor.nes/
    whale
    Animals
    tor-nes
    toren /to.ren/
    horse
    Shows semantic extension through size metaphor
    Animals
    kor /kor/
    cow
    Early borrowing showing cultural contact with Iutlandish herders
    Animals
    sumerok /su.me.rok/
    goat
    Shows compound reduction and metaphorical extension through agentive marking
    Animals
    torba /tor.ba/
    goat
    Shows metaphorical extension linking goats to mountains and paternal authority
    Fauna, Animals, Pastoral Terms
    rok /rok/
    horse
    Shows elvish introduction of horses
    Animals, Pastoral Terms
    momer /mo.mer/
    chicken
    Animals, Basic Terms
    Shows semantic development where negated 'bird' specifies flightless bird
    aniko /a.ni.ko/
    animal (general term)
    Animals, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *xani-kostu
    Shows semantic extension from descriptive 'four-legged' to general term for animal
    grapar /gra.par/
    earthworm
    Animals, Earth Terms
    Shows descriptive compound formation based on movement
    vinusak /vi.nu.sak/
    dog
    Basic term for domesticated canines
    Animals, Domestic Animals
    domesticated wolf
    Technical/historical sense reflecting origin
    Animals, Domestic Animals
    Shows recognition of dogs as domesticated wolves through compound formation
    vinusak'er /vi.nu.sak.ʔer/
    to hunt with dogs
    vinusak + -'er (verbalizer)
    vinusak /vi.nu.sak/
    dog
    Basic term for domesticated canines
    Animals, Domestic Animals
    domesticated wolf
    Technical/historical sense reflecting origin
    Animals, Domestic Animals
    Shows recognition of dogs as domesticated wolves through compound formation
    vinusak'er /vi.nu.sak.ʔer/
    to hunt with dogs
    vinusak + -'er (verbalizer)

    Artistic Terms ↩

    arum /a.rum/
    sketch; draw
    Tool/Craft Terms, Artistic Terms
    Shows semantic extension from physical cutting to artistic marking

    Basic Actions ↩

    wak'eth /wak.ʔeθ/
    to nurse
    Body Parts, Basic Actions

    Basic Terms ↩

    gras /gras/
    grass
    Plant Terms, Natural World, Pastoral Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *grasu
    gras'er /gras.ʔer/
    to graze
    gras + -'er (verbalizer)
    wad /wad/
    path
    Basic Terms
    way, manner
    Extended metaphorical meaning
    Sacred, Philosophical Terms, Abstract Concepts
    Proto-Hick *wadu
    his /his/
    to see (passive/unintentional perception)
    Perception Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *hisu
    Reintroduced from dialect to maintain distinction from demonstrative -is
    duwes /du.wes/
    food, nourishment
    Basic term for both food and eating
    Food & Consumption Terms, Basic Terms
    Semantic extension from 'meat-container' to general 'food'
    duwes'er /du.wes.ʔer/
    to eat
    duwes + -'er (verbalizer)
    ward /ward/
    direction, guidance
    Base nominal form
    Basic Terms, Sacred
    Proto-Hick *wardu
    ward-'er /war.dʔer/
    to guide/direct (verbal form)
    ward + -'er (verbalizer)
    ter /ter/
    flow, fluid motion
    Basic Terms, Motion Terms
    Proto-Hick *teru
    ter'er /ter.ʔer/
    to drink
    ter + -'er (verbalizer)
    stor /stor/
    growth
    Basic Terms
    addition, increment
    Mathematical sense developed from basic meaning 'growth'
    Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *storu
    Base form preserved in sacred terms
    stor-'er /stor.ʔer/
    to grow, to increase
    stor + -'er (verbalizer)
    stor /stor/
    growth
    Basic Terms
    addition, increment
    Mathematical sense developed from basic meaning 'growth'
    Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *storu
    Base form preserved in sacred terms
    stor-'er /stor.ʔer/
    to grow, to increase
    stor + -'er (verbalizer)
    gnar /gnar/
    correct
    Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *gnaru
    gnar-'er /gnar.ʔer/
    to be correct
    gnar + -'er (verbalizer)
    tak /tak/
    strike, impact
    Basic Terms
    right (direction)
    Directional sense from cultural association with dominant striking hand
    Directional Terms
    Proto-Hick *taku
    Onomatopoeic origin
    etil /e.til/
    thing
    Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *etilu
    'il /ʔil/
    good, kind
    Basic Terms, Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *hi-halu
    Shows archaic animacy marking through glottal prefix
    vinud /vi.nud/
    building, dwelling
    Structure Terms, Settlement Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *venu-wudu
    Semantic shift from 'wood structure' to 'dwelling'
    vinud'er /vi.nu.dʔer/
    to build, to dwell
    vinud + -'er (verbalizer)
    'irek /ʔi.rek/
    stand, firmness
    Basic Terms, Position Terms, Action Terms
    Proto-Hick *hi-reku
    Shows archaic animacy marking through glottal prefix
    'irek'er /ʔi.rek.ʔer/
    to stand
    'irek + -'er (verbalizer)
    hilis /hi.lis/
    sight, active vision
    Perception Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *hilisu
    Forms two contrasting verbs: hilis'er (active looking) vs his'er (passive seeing)
    ar /ar/
    cut, cutting action
    Action Terms, Tool Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *xaru
    ar'er /ar.ʔer/
    to cut
    ar + -'er (verbalizer)
    gnater /gna.ter/
    desire
    Mental Terms, Emotional Terms, Basic Terms
    asam /a.səm/
    rest, resting place
    Source of subessive case marker -asam through grammaticalization
    Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *xasamu
    wes /wes/
    cover, enclose
    Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *wesu
    bres /bres/
    wind
    Weather Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *bresu
    'ir /ʔir/
    movement, motion
    Motion Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *heru
    Source of verbalizer suffix -'er through grammaticalization
    paket /pa.ket/
    talk
    Communication Terms, Basic Terms, Social Terms
    Proto-Hick *pakata
    ven /ven/
    yoke, burden
    Basic Terms, Tool Terms
    Proto-Hick *venu
    Reintroduced from dialect after original *venu developed into vin
    ger /ger/
    metal
    Metals, Material Culture, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *kuru-garu
    ul /ul/
    thumb
    Body Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *ʔulu
    Original root (~800 PF) had meanings 'thumb/grasp/possession'. By Late Proto-Hick (~400 PF), bare form specialized to 'thumb/possession'. Source of possessive suffix -ul through grammaticalization.
    -ul /ul/
    possessive marker
    grammaticalized possessive suffix
    ul'er /ul.ʔer/
    to grasp
    ul + -'er (verbalizer)
    us /us/
    grasp, possession
    Basic Terms, Action Terms
    Proto-Hick *ʔulu-isu
    Developed from locative form of *ʔulu (~400 PF) specializing in 'grasp' meaning
    us'er /us.ʔer/
    to possess,to own
    us + -'er (verbalizer)
    uran /u.rən/
    inch (unit of length, approximately thumb-width)
    Measurement Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *ulu-haranu
    Shows development of measurement system from body parts
    brastran /bras.tran/
    foot (unit of length, approximately arm-length)
    Measurement Terms, Basic Terms
    Shows development of -ran as measurement suffix from *haranu 'length'
    'ibris'er /ʔi.bris.ʔer/
    to burn
    Basic Terms, Elemental Terms, Fire Terms
    Base form for metaphorical extensions to passion and anger
    eltek /el.tek/
    compacted, condensed (especially of soil)
    Basic Terms, Earth Terms
    shaped from loose material
    Basic Terms, Earth Terms
    Proto-Hick *ʔelu-taku
    From phrase 'grale ʔelu taku' (soil together hit). Shows development from physical action to resultant state
    eltek /el.tek/
    compacted, condensed (especially of soil)
    Basic Terms, Earth Terms
    shaped from loose material
    Basic Terms, Earth Terms
    Proto-Hick *ʔelu-taku
    From phrase 'grale ʔelu taku' (soil together hit). Shows development from physical action to resultant state
    momer /mo.mer/
    chicken
    Animals, Basic Terms
    Shows semantic development where negated 'bird' specifies flightless bird
    aniko /a.ni.ko/
    animal (general term)
    Animals, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *xani-kostu
    Shows semantic extension from descriptive 'four-legged' to general term for animal
    temerok /te.me.rok/
    killer, murderer
    Basic Terms, Social Terms
    predator
    Animal Terms, Basic Terms
    Shows metaphorical formation 'death-bringer' for both human killers and predatory animals
    temerok /te.me.rok/
    killer, murderer
    Basic Terms, Social Terms
    predator
    Animal Terms, Basic Terms
    Shows metaphorical formation 'death-bringer' for both human killers and predatory animals
    ken /ken/
    snow
    Weather Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *kenu
    mirik /mi.rik/
    ice
    Weather Terms, Basic Terms, States of Matter
    Proto-Hick *mirikrakhar
    Shows semantic development from 'biting cold' to 'ice'
    kaken /ka.ken/
    snowy, snow-covered
    Weather Terms, Basic Terms
    Shows typical adjectival reduplication pattern
    tal /tal/
    place, location
    Forms many location compounds
    Spatial Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *halu
    Borrowed from Pre-Hick dialect where spatial meaning developed

    Bird Terms ↩

    murmer /mur.mer/
    night-bird, owl
    Bird Terms, Nocturnal Animals
    mer /mer/
    bird
    Animals, Bird Terms
    parent
    Extended meaning through cultural metaphor
    Kinship Terms
    Proto-Hick *meru

    Bodily Functions ↩

    murvinu /mur.vi.nu/
    stillbirth
    Body Terms, Bodily Functions, Sacred Terms
    Uses mur- 'darkness' metaphorically for death
    murvinuiter /mur.vi.nu.i.ter/
    abortion
    Body Terms, Bodily Functions, Sacred Terms
    Uses ellative case to indicate 'from/out of stillbirth'
    tir'er /tir.ʔer/
    to wince
    Bodily Functions
    fermentation
    Process Terms
    Proto-Hick *tir

    Body Actions ↩

    imlisitar /im.li.si.tar/
    to flinch, startle
    Motion Terms, Body Actions, Emotional Terms
    Uses superlative case to indicate sudden upward movement

    Body Parts ↩

    mar /mar/
    blood, life-fluid; red
    Body Parts, Colors
    Proto-Hick *maru
    mar-'er /mar.ʔer/
    to be red (stative verbal form)
    mar + -'er (verbalizer)
    kost /kost/
    foot
    Body Parts
    Proto-Hick *kostu
    tag /tag/
    hand
    Body Parts
    Proto-Hick *tagu
    pir /pir/
    ear
    Body Parts, Perception Terms
    Proto-Hick *piru
    pir'er /pir.ʔer/
    to listen
    pir + -'er (verbalizer)
    kar /kar/
    nose
    Body Parts
    Proto-Hick *karu
    kar'er /kar.ʔer/
    to smell
    kar + -'er (verbalizer)
    kun /kun/
    knee
    Body Parts
    Proto-Hick *kunu
    sul /sul/
    liver
    Body Parts
    Proto-Hick *sulu
    kol /kol/
    neck
    Body Parts
    Proto-Hick *kolu
    wak /wak/
    breast
    Body Parts
    Proto-Hick *waka
    wak'eth /wak.ʔeθ/
    to nurse
    Body Parts, Basic Actions
    wakat /wa.kət/
    nipple
    Body Parts
    wak'ai /wak.ʔai/
    milk
    Body Parts, Food & Drink
    trask /trask/
    leg
    Body Parts
    Proto-Hick *tarasaku
    ret /ret/
    arm
    Body Parts
    Proto-Hick *retu
    mil /mil/
    tallow, animal fat
    Body Parts, Food & Consumption Terms
    Proto-Hick *melu
    kanmil /kan.mil/
    brain
    Body Parts
    vinusam /vi.nu.sam/
    shoulder
    Body Parts
    Proto-Hick *vinu xasamu
    dorgar /dor.gər/
    spine
    Body Parts
    kir'irur /kir.ʔi.rur/
    ribcage
    Shows parallel metaphorical extension with 'irurlis 'gourd/container'
    Body Parts
    kirgar /kir.gər/
    rib
    Plural makirgar refers to full set of ribs
    Body Parts
    kabrast /ka.brast/
    skilled with hands, manually dexterous
    Specifically for craft skills requiring hand coordination; does not extend to martial or athletic dexterity
    Body Parts
    Shows metaphorical extension to manual craft skills
    brastok /bras.tok/
    craftsman, artisan
    General term for skilled manual craftworkers
    Body Parts
    Shows cultural importance of manual craft skills

    Body Terms ↩

    mes /mes/
    heart
    Body Terms, Sacred Terms, Emotional Terms
    Proto-Hick *mesu
    murvinu /mur.vi.nu/
    stillbirth
    Body Terms, Bodily Functions, Sacred Terms
    Uses mur- 'darkness' metaphorically for death
    murvinuiter /mur.vi.nu.i.ter/
    abortion
    Body Terms, Bodily Functions, Sacred Terms
    Uses ellative case to indicate 'from/out of stillbirth'
    sinibel /si.ni.bel/
    taste
    Shows metaphorical extension of floating motion to sensory perception
    Taste Terms, Body Terms
    imeresp /i.me.resp/
    sleep
    Shows metaphorical extension of breath/spirit sinking
    Spirit Terms, Body Terms
    imeresp'er /i.me.res.pʔer/
    to sleep
    imeresp + -'er (verbalizer)
    kawak /ka.wak/
    soft
    Shows cultural association between softness and nurturing
    Tactile Properties, Body Terms
    vin /vin/
    pregnancy
    Body Terms, Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *venu
    Maritime standard form. Inland dialects preserve venu-sedu > vinused
    vinlas /vin.las/
    fetus, unborn child
    Person Terms, Body Terms, Life Stages
    Shows lexicalization of case marking spatial relationship
    arsil /ar.sil/
    open wound, cut
    Medical Terms, Body Terms, Injury Terms
    dudup /du.dup/
    swollen muscle
    Body Terms, Medical Terms
    kandup /kan.dup/
    head lump, bump on head
    Body Terms, Medical Terms, Injury Terms
    imbel /im.bel/
    bad language, swear words
    Speech Terms, Body Terms, Taboo Terms
    saw /saw/
    shit
    Taboo Terms, Body Terms
    gralimris /gra.lim.ris/
    excrement
    Medical Terms, Body Terms
    ul /ul/
    thumb
    Body Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *ʔulu
    Original root (~800 PF) had meanings 'thumb/grasp/possession'. By Late Proto-Hick (~400 PF), bare form specialized to 'thumb/possession'. Source of possessive suffix -ul through grammaticalization.
    -ul /ul/
    possessive marker
    grammaticalized possessive suffix
    ul'er /ul.ʔer/
    to grasp
    ul + -'er (verbalizer)
    krantak /kran.tak/
    physical pain
    Body Terms, Physical States
    Shows cultural distinction between physical and emotional pain
    siltak'er /sil.tak.ʔer/
    to feel physical pain
    siltak + -'er (verbalizer)
    krakrak /kra.krak/
    fang
    Body Terms, Animal Terms
    Shows nasal deletion in compound. Forms specialized term contrasting with general krak 'tooth'
    imtirdu /im.tir.du/
    rotting meat
    Food Terms, Death Terms
    cadaver
    Body Terms, Death Terms
    Shows semantic extension from rotting meat to cadaver. Contrasts with du for fresh meat
    par /par/
    crawl
    Motion Terms, Body Terms
    *paru-heru
    Shows semantic development from 'belly-motion' to general 'crawl'
    'ilibris'er /ʔi.li.bris.ʔer/
    (euphemistic) to make love, have sexual intercourse
    Body Terms, Sacred Terms
    Euphemistic term showing cultural preference for warmth/fire metaphors in intimate contexts
    'ilsul /ʔil.sul/
    happiness, joy
    Often appears in well-wishing expressions
    Emotional Terms, Body Terms
    Shows cultural conceptualization of liver as seat of emotions, particularly positive ones
    'ilsul'er /ʔil.sul.ʔer/
    to be happy
    'ilsul + -'er (verbalizer)
    mes'er /mes.ʔer/
    to feel (emotion), experience emotion
    Emotional Terms, Body Terms
    Shows cultural distinction between heart-based emotions and liver-based deeper feelings
    merkran /mer.kran/
    emotional pain, heartache
    Emotional Terms, Body Terms
    Shows metaphorical conceptualization of emotional pain as heart-piercing
    merkran'er /mer.kran.ʔer/
    to feel emotional pain
    merkran + -'er (verbalizer)
    aiesp /ai.esp/
    bathe
    Basic term for immersion in water
    Water Terms, Motion Terms, Body Terms
    Shows lexicalization of subessive case into basic verb stem
    aiesp'er /ai.esp.ʔer/
    to bathe, to immerse in water
    aiesp + -'er (verbalizer)
    'u'u /ʔu.ʔu/
    cry, weep (in sorrow/pain)
    Often reduplicated for continuous crying
    Sound Terms, Emotion Terms, Body Terms
    Proto-Hick *'uhu-'uhu
    Onomatopoeic origin from crying/sobbing sound
    'u'u'er /ʔu.ʔu.ʔer/
    to cry, to weep
    'u'u + -'er (verbalizer)
    bresubel /bre.su.bel/
    shout, yell
    Basic term for loud vocal expression
    Sound Terms, Body Terms, Communication Terms
    Proto-Hick *bresu-belu
    Shows typical compound formation with body part term
    bresubel'er /bre.su.bel.ʔer/
    to shout, to yell
    bresubel + -'er (verbalizer)

    Borrowed Terms ↩

    tamin /ta.min/
    forge, smithy
    Borrowed technical term from Eldrim metalworking traditions
    Construction Terms, Tool Terms, Borrowed Terms
    Direct borrowing of Quenya technical term for forge/smithy
    lik /lik/
    dragon
    Cultural borrowing showing Eldrim mythological influence
    Mythological Terms, Borrowed Terms
    Shows semantic narrowing from general serpentine being to specific dragon concept

    Building Terms ↩

    parmatal /par.ma.tal/
    library
    Institutional term for book repository
    Writing Terms, Building Terms
    Shows productive use of -tal for institutional locations
    'ilistal /ʔi.lis.tal/
    library
    Place for storing and accessing knowledge
    Learning Terms, Building Terms
    school
    Place for formal instruction
    Learning Terms, Building Terms
    Shows development of dedicated learning spaces
    'ilistal'er /ʔi.lis.tal.ʔer/
    to study formally, to attend school
    'ilistal + -'er (verbalizer)
    'ilistal /ʔi.lis.tal/
    library
    Place for storing and accessing knowledge
    Learning Terms, Building Terms
    school
    Place for formal instruction
    Learning Terms, Building Terms
    Shows development of dedicated learning spaces
    'ilistal'er /ʔi.lis.tal.ʔer/
    to study formally, to attend school
    'ilistal + -'er (verbalizer)

    Celestial Bodies ↩

    thrakel /θra.kel/
    sun
    Celestial Bodies, Sacred
    murkel /mur.kel/
    night sky
    Time Terms, Celestial Bodies

    Celestial Terms ↩

    thralkel /θral.kel/
    The celestial home of the gods
    The celestial realm in religious context
    Sacred, Celestial Terms

    Character Terms ↩

    imasamok /i.ma.sa.mok/
    coward
    Person Terms, Character Terms
    Shows productive use of agentive suffix with compound base

    Colors ↩

    mar /mar/
    blood, life-fluid; red
    Body Parts, Colors
    Proto-Hick *maru
    mar-'er /mar.ʔer/
    to be red (stative verbal form)
    mar + -'er (verbalizer)

    Common Phrases ↩

    'imeritares /ʔi.me.ri.ta.res/
    welcome; raised spirits
    Common Phrases, Spirit Terms, Sacred Terms
    Dialectal loss of initial glottal allows reanalysis with imer 'breath/soul'
    'ilitar sarespes /ʔi.li.tar sa.res.pes/
    Happy New Year (greeting)
    Traditional greeting exchanged on New Year's Day
    Common Phrases, Sacred Terms, Time Terms

    Communication Terms ↩

    paket /pa.ket/
    talk
    Communication Terms, Basic Terms, Social Terms
    Proto-Hick *pakata
    tenwa /ten.wa/
    writing; spellcraft
    Communication Terms, Sacred Terms, Magical Terms
    Eldrim tengwa
    Shows semantic extension from basic writing to magical inscription
    tenwa'er /ten.wa.ʔer/
    to write; to make spells
    tenwa + -'er (verbalizer)
    bresubel /bre.su.bel/
    shout, yell
    Basic term for loud vocal expression
    Sound Terms, Body Terms, Communication Terms
    Proto-Hick *bresu-belu
    Shows typical compound formation with body part term
    bresubel'er /bre.su.bel.ʔer/
    to shout, to yell
    bresubel + -'er (verbalizer)

    Conflict Terms ↩

    imwes /im.wes/
    invade, encroach upon
    Action Terms, Conflict Terms
    Shows productive use of im- prefix for harmful actions
    harabran /ha.ra.bran/
    conflict, grievance (especially between families/clans)
    Social Terms, Conflict Terms
    Shows cultural conceptualization of conflict as family/clan division
    takimris /ta.kim.ris/
    to attack, to oppose
    Action Terms, Conflict Terms
    Shows development of aggressive meaning through ellative case

    Conjunction ↩

    ru /ru/
    and
    Conjunction

    Construction Terms ↩

    asad /a.sad/
    bridge
    Shows typical development of infrastructure terms from natural materials
    Infrastructure, Construction Terms
    Proto-Hick *hasa-wadu
    'it /ʔit/
    knot (in wood)
    Specifically refers to natural knots in wood/lumber
    Construction Terms, Natural Features
    falsehood
    Metaphorical extension from deviation in wood grain
    Abstract Concepts
    Proto-Hick *xitu
    tamin /ta.min/
    forge, smithy
    Borrowed technical term from Eldrim metalworking traditions
    Construction Terms, Tool Terms, Borrowed Terms
    Direct borrowing of Quenya technical term for forge/smithy
    brismal /bris.mal/
    forge (native term)
    Construction Terms, Tool Terms

    Cultivated Plants ↩

    gransed /gran.sed/
    grain
    Flora, Place Terms, Cultivated Plants
    malris /mal.ris/
    water reed
    Flora, Plant Terms, Cultivated Plants
    ranris /ran.ris/
    river reed
    Flora, Plant Terms, Cultivated Plants
    thirwud /θir.wud/
    white wood
    Flora, Plant Terms, Timber Terms, Cultivated Plants
    marwud /mar.wud/
    red wood
    Flora, Plant Terms, Timber Terms, Cultivated Plants

    Cultural Terms ↩

    eldalulbres /el.da.lul.bres/
    north wind
    Replaced torulbres in most dialects after Eldrim contact
    Weather Terms, Directional Terms, Cultural Terms
    Emerged after Eldrim conflicts, showing cultural trauma
    toreldal /to.rel.dal/
    High Elf
    Shows cultural perception of High Elves through augmentative prefix
    Peoples, Cultural Terms, Sacred Terms
    From first elven migration period, uses native augmentative to distinguish High Elves

    Death Terms ↩

    imtirdu /im.tir.du/
    rotting meat
    Food Terms, Death Terms
    cadaver
    Body Terms, Death Terms
    Shows semantic extension from rotting meat to cadaver. Contrasts with du for fresh meat
    imtirdu /im.tir.du/
    rotting meat
    Food Terms, Death Terms
    cadaver
    Body Terms, Death Terms
    Shows semantic extension from rotting meat to cadaver. Contrasts with du for fresh meat

    Demonstratives ↩

    -eth /-eθ/
    that (medial, inanimate, hidden, sensed)
    Demonstratives, Grammatical Terms
    Proto-Hick *etha
    -thir /-θir/
    that (medial, animate, sensed)
    Demonstratives, Grammatical Terms
    Proto-Hick *thira
    -um /-um/
    that (inanimate, distant)
    Demonstratives, Grammatical Terms
    Proto-Hick *uma
    -rum /-rum/
    that (animate, distant)
    Demonstratives, Grammatical Terms
    Proto-Hick *ruma
    -is /-is/
    this (inanimate, sensed, proximal)
    Demonstratives, Grammatical Terms
    Proto-Hick *isa
    -ʔis /-ʔis/
    this (animate, sensed, proximal)
    Demonstratives, Grammatical Terms
    Proto-Hick *ʔisa
    -en /-en/
    that (inanimate, visible, medial)
    Demonstratives, Grammatical Terms
    Proto-Hick *ena
    -tan /-tan/
    that (animate, visible, medial)
    Demonstratives, Grammatical Terms
    Proto-Hick *tana

    Directional Terms ↩

    tak /tak/
    strike, impact
    Basic Terms
    right (direction)
    Directional sense from cultural association with dominant striking hand
    Directional Terms
    Proto-Hick *taku
    Onomatopoeic origin
    torulbres /to.rul.bres/
    north wind
    Original term for north wind, later often replaced by eldalulbres
    Weather Terms, Directional Terms
    eldalulbres /el.da.lul.bres/
    north wind
    Replaced torulbres in most dialects after Eldrim contact
    Weather Terms, Directional Terms, Cultural Terms
    Emerged after Eldrim conflicts, showing cultural trauma
    thilulbres /θi.lul.bres/
    south wind
    Associated with favorable weather and good fortune
    Weather Terms, Directional Terms, Sacred Terms
    kethulbres /ke.θul.bres/
    east wind
    Common in eastern coastal regions
    Weather Terms, Directional Terms, Maritime Terms
    aitarulbres /ai.ta.rul.bres/
    west wind
    Primary term in coastal regions, associated with rainfall patterns
    Weather Terms, Directional Terms, Maritime Terms
    eldul /el.dul/
    north
    Derived from term for north wind
    Directional Terms, Wind Terms
    Shows historical Eldrim influence on directional system
    kethul /ke.θul/
    east
    Derived from term for east wind
    Directional Terms, Maritime Terms
    Shows maritime influence on eastern regions
    thilul /θi.lul/
    south
    Derived from term for south wind
    Directional Terms, Sacred Terms
    Shows cultural association of south with favorable omens
    tarul /ta.rul/
    west
    Derived from term for west wind
    Directional Terms, Weather Terms
    Shows climatic influence on directional terms

    Distal ↩

    'alum /ʔa.lum/
    who (unknown person)
    Interrogatives, Distal, Personal
    Proto-Hick *haka-al-um
    'atum /ʔa.tum/
    where (unknown location)
    Interrogatives, Distal, Spatial
    Proto-Hick *haka-tal-um
    'etelum /ʔe.te.lum/
    when (unknown time)
    Interrogatives, Distal, Temporal
    Proto-Hick *haka-tel-um
    'akerum /ʔa.ke.rum/
    how (unknown manner)
    Interrogatives, Distal, Manner
    Proto-Hick *haka-er-um
    'aterum /ʔa.te.rum/
    when (unknown time)
    Interrogatives, Distal, Temporal
    Proto-Hick *haka-ter-um

    Distance Terms ↩

    barakter /ba.rak.ter/
    league (distance walkable in one hour, roughly 3-4 miles)
    Often shortened to rakter in colloquial speech
    Measurement Terms, Distance Terms, Time Terms
    Distance measure based on one hour's walking time. Shows temporal suffix used for distance measurement.
    rakter /rak.ter/
    colloquial form for league
    shortened form of barakter

    Domestic Animals ↩

    vinusak /vi.nu.sak/
    dog
    Basic term for domesticated canines
    Animals, Domestic Animals
    domesticated wolf
    Technical/historical sense reflecting origin
    Animals, Domestic Animals
    Shows recognition of dogs as domesticated wolves through compound formation
    vinusak'er /vi.nu.sak.ʔer/
    to hunt with dogs
    vinusak + -'er (verbalizer)
    vinusak /vi.nu.sak/
    dog
    Basic term for domesticated canines
    Animals, Domestic Animals
    domesticated wolf
    Technical/historical sense reflecting origin
    Animals, Domestic Animals
    Shows recognition of dogs as domesticated wolves through compound formation
    vinusak'er /vi.nu.sak.ʔer/
    to hunt with dogs
    vinusak + -'er (verbalizer)

    Earth Terms ↩

    eltek /el.tek/
    compacted, condensed (especially of soil)
    Basic Terms, Earth Terms
    shaped from loose material
    Basic Terms, Earth Terms
    Proto-Hick *ʔelu-taku
    From phrase 'grale ʔelu taku' (soil together hit). Shows development from physical action to resultant state
    eltek /el.tek/
    compacted, condensed (especially of soil)
    Basic Terms, Earth Terms
    shaped from loose material
    Basic Terms, Earth Terms
    Proto-Hick *ʔelu-taku
    From phrase 'grale ʔelu taku' (soil together hit). Shows development from physical action to resultant state
    grapar /gra.par/
    earthworm
    Animals, Earth Terms
    Shows descriptive compound formation based on movement

    Eldrim Terms ↩

    torlambe /tor.lam.be/
    High Elven (Quenya)
    Formal term for High Elven language
    Language Terms, Eldrim Terms
    Shows parallel formation to toreldal 'High Elf'
    wudlambe /wud.lam.be/
    Wood Elven (Sindarin)
    Common term for Wood Elven language
    Language Terms, Eldrim Terms
    Parallels edel 'Wood Elf', most common Elven contact language
    murlambe /mur.lam.be/
    Dark Elven (Drow)
    Rare term, mainly in historical or scholarly contexts
    Language Terms, Eldrim Terms
    Parallels ithiril 'Dark Elf', rarely encountered in Early Hick period
    matakulambe /ma.ta.ku.lam.be/
    Elven languages (collectively)
    Formal term for all Elven languages as a group
    Language Terms, Eldrim Terms, Scholarly Terms
    Uses Eldrim's own term for their languages collectively. Shows typical compound reduction pattern.

    Elemental Terms ↩

    'ibris'er /ʔi.bris.ʔer/
    to burn
    Basic Terms, Elemental Terms, Fire Terms
    Base form for metaphorical extensions to passion and anger

    Elements ↩

    al /al/
    natural rock
    Natural World, Elements
    Proto-Hick *xalu
    gar /gar/
    stone
    Natural World, Elements
    Proto-Hick *garu

    Emotion Terms ↩

    'ilibris /ʔi.li.bris/
    passion; inspire fervor
    Emotion Terms, Sacred Terms
    Shows positive metaphorical extension of burning sensation
    imibris /im.i.bris/
    rage, anger; wrath
    Emotion Terms, Sacred Terms
    Shows negative metaphorical extension of burning sensation
    'u'u /ʔu.ʔu/
    cry, weep (in sorrow/pain)
    Often reduplicated for continuous crying
    Sound Terms, Emotion Terms, Body Terms
    Proto-Hick *'uhu-'uhu
    Onomatopoeic origin from crying/sobbing sound
    'u'u'er /ʔu.ʔu.ʔer/
    to cry, to weep
    'u'u + -'er (verbalizer)

    Emotional Terms ↩

    mes /mes/
    heart
    Body Terms, Sacred Terms, Emotional Terms
    Proto-Hick *mesu
    sibris /si.bris/
    love
    Abstract Concepts, Emotional Terms, Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *hibrisu
    Metaphorical extension from 'fire' to 'passion/love'
    gnater /gna.ter/
    desire
    Mental Terms, Emotional Terms, Basic Terms
    imlis /im.lis/
    fear, dread
    Emotional Terms, Mental Terms
    Shows semantic development from 'seeing evil' to general fear
    imlisrur /im.lis.rur/
    anxiety, constant fear
    Emotional Terms, Mental Terms
    Shows extension of iterative aspect to ongoing mental state
    imlis'er /im.li.sʔer/
    to flee, run from fear
    Contrasts with trask'er 'run (neutral)'
    Motion Terms, Emotional Terms
    Shows natural development from fear to flight response
    imlisitar /im.li.si.tar/
    to flinch, startle
    Motion Terms, Body Actions, Emotional Terms
    Uses superlative case to indicate sudden upward movement
    imasam /i.ma.sam/
    to cower, hide from fear
    Motion Terms, Position Terms, Emotional Terms
    Shows metaphorical extension of 'resting under' to fearful hiding
    torthil /tor.θil/
    arrogance, haughtiness
    Abstract Concepts, Emotional Terms
    Shows ironic compound formation - excessive virtue becoming a flaw
    'ilsul /ʔil.sul/
    happiness, joy
    Often appears in well-wishing expressions
    Emotional Terms, Body Terms
    Shows cultural conceptualization of liver as seat of emotions, particularly positive ones
    'ilsul'er /ʔil.sul.ʔer/
    to be happy
    'ilsul + -'er (verbalizer)
    'imsai /ʔim.sai/
    self-doubt, anxiety
    Mental Terms, Emotional Terms
    Shows cultural conceptualization of anxiety as negative self-reflection
    'imsai'er /ʔim.sai.ʔer/
    to doubt oneself, be anxious
    'imsai + -'er (verbalizer)
    mes'er /mes.ʔer/
    to feel (emotion), experience emotion
    Emotional Terms, Body Terms
    Shows cultural distinction between heart-based emotions and liver-based deeper feelings
    merkran /mer.kran/
    emotional pain, heartache
    Emotional Terms, Body Terms
    Shows metaphorical conceptualization of emotional pain as heart-piercing
    merkran'er /mer.kran.ʔer/
    to feel emotional pain
    merkran + -'er (verbalizer)

    Family Terms ↩

    storbran /stor.bran/
    marriage, family union
    Family Terms, Social Terms, Sacred Terms
    Shows formalization of marriage as union between family lines
    brismer /bris.mer/
    passionate lover
    Love Terms, Person Terms, Family Terms
    Shows ambiguous compound analysis between 'passionate-parent' and 'fire-heart'

    Fauna ↩

    torba /tor.ba/
    goat
    Shows metaphorical extension linking goats to mountains and paternal authority
    Fauna, Animals, Pastoral Terms

    Fire Terms ↩

    'ibris'er /ʔi.bris.ʔer/
    to burn
    Basic Terms, Elemental Terms, Fire Terms
    Base form for metaphorical extensions to passion and anger

    Flora ↩

    kel /kel/
    leaf
    Flora, Plant Terms
    ris /ris/
    reed
    Flora, Plant Terms
    wud /wud/
    wood, tree
    Flora, Timber Terms, Plant Terms
    sed /sed/
    seed
    Flora, Plant Terms
    bran /bran/
    branch
    Flora, Plant Terms
    wen /wen/
    flower
    Flora, Plant Terms
    gransed /gran.sed/
    grain
    Flora, Place Terms, Cultivated Plants
    malris /mal.ris/
    water reed
    Flora, Plant Terms, Cultivated Plants
    ranris /ran.ris/
    river reed
    Flora, Plant Terms, Cultivated Plants
    thirwud /θir.wud/
    white wood
    Flora, Plant Terms, Timber Terms, Cultivated Plants
    marwud /mar.wud/
    red wood
    Flora, Plant Terms, Timber Terms, Cultivated Plants
    sedter /sed.ter/
    planting time
    Flora, Plant Terms, Rituals, Seasonal Terms, Agricultural Terms
    grasgral /gras.gral/
    meadow, grassland
    Flora, Pastoral Terms, Landforms
    kur /kur/
    moss
    Flora, Plant Terms
    copper
    Metals, Material Culture
    Proto-Hick *kuru
    imtirlis /im.tir.lis/
    mushroom
    Flora, Food Terms
    Shows cultural understanding of mushrooms as fruits of decay
    asamwen /a.sam.wen/
    daffodil
    Common spring flower, Narcissus species
    Flora, Flower Names, Spring Terms
    Named for characteristic drooping posture of flower head

    Flower Names ↩

    asamwen /a.sam.wen/
    daffodil
    Common spring flower, Narcissus species
    Flora, Flower Names, Spring Terms
    Named for characteristic drooping posture of flower head

    Food & Consumption Terms ↩

    duwes /du.wes/
    food, nourishment
    Basic term for both food and eating
    Food & Consumption Terms, Basic Terms
    Semantic extension from 'meat-container' to general 'food'
    duwes'er /du.wes.ʔer/
    to eat
    duwes + -'er (verbalizer)
    mil /mil/
    tallow, animal fat
    Body Parts, Food & Consumption Terms
    Proto-Hick *melu
    milai /mi.lai/
    rendered fat, oil
    Shows parallel formation with tirai 'fermented drink'
    Food & Consumption Terms, Preparation Terms
    kirmil /kir.mil/
    chest/organ fat
    Food & Consumption Terms, Preparation Terms
    palmil /pal.mil/
    belly fat
    Food & Consumption Terms, Preparation Terms
    sulmil /sul.mil/
    liver fat
    Food & Consumption Terms, Preparation Terms
    du /du/
    meat
    Food & Consumption Terms
    Proto-Hick *duha
    kaduwes /ka.du.wes/
    edible
    Shows productive use of ka- prefix for potential/capability
    Food & Consumption Terms

    Food & Drink ↩

    wak'ai /wak.ʔai/
    milk
    Body Parts, Food & Drink

    Food Terms ↩

    imtir /im.tir/
    rot, decay
    Process Terms, Food Terms
    Shows metaphorical extension of fermentation process to negative outcome
    imtirlis /im.tir.lis/
    mushroom
    Flora, Food Terms
    Shows cultural understanding of mushrooms as fruits of decay
    imtirdu /im.tir.du/
    rotting meat
    Food Terms, Death Terms
    cadaver
    Body Terms, Death Terms
    Shows semantic extension from rotting meat to cadaver. Contrasts with du for fresh meat

    Gender Terms ↩

    'imwen /ʔim.wen/
    witch, evil woman
    Pejorative term for female magic user
    Magic Terms, Gender Terms
    Shows pejorative development in magical terminology

    Geographic Terms ↩

    asamgral /a.sam.gral/
    flatlands, plains
    Landscape Terms, Geographic Terms
    Shows metaphorical extension from position to terrain type
    airur /ai.rur/
    karst, water-carved limestone terrain
    Describes limestone regions shaped by water erosion
    Landforms, Water Features, Geographic Terms
    Shows water-landform compound pattern common in geographic terms

    Grammatical Terms ↩

    -nat /nat/
    want to, desire to (desiderative suffix)
    Grammatical Terms, Verbal Morphology
    Grammaticalized from full verb 'desire' to desiderative suffix
    'irur /ʔi.rur/
    repetition, again
    Grammatical Terms, Motion Terms
    Proto-Hick *heru-heru
    From reduplicated form of *heru 'action'. Forms grammaticalized iterative marker -rur/-ur
    -eth /-eθ/
    that (medial, inanimate, hidden, sensed)
    Demonstratives, Grammatical Terms
    Proto-Hick *etha
    -thir /-θir/
    that (medial, animate, sensed)
    Demonstratives, Grammatical Terms
    Proto-Hick *thira
    -um /-um/
    that (inanimate, distant)
    Demonstratives, Grammatical Terms
    Proto-Hick *uma
    -rum /-rum/
    that (animate, distant)
    Demonstratives, Grammatical Terms
    Proto-Hick *ruma
    -is /-is/
    this (inanimate, sensed, proximal)
    Demonstratives, Grammatical Terms
    Proto-Hick *isa
    -ʔis /-ʔis/
    this (animate, sensed, proximal)
    Demonstratives, Grammatical Terms
    Proto-Hick *ʔisa
    -en /-en/
    that (inanimate, visible, medial)
    Demonstratives, Grammatical Terms
    Proto-Hick *ena
    -tan /-tan/
    that (animate, visible, medial)
    Demonstratives, Grammatical Terms
    Proto-Hick *tana

    Honor Terms ↩

    sibar /si.bar/
    distinguished one, unique person
    Person Terms, Honor Terms, Social Terms
    Shows development of honorific from concept of unique naming

    Identity Terms ↩

    bar /bar/
    name, mark of identity
    Identity Terms, Social Terms
    Proto-Hick *baru
    barlass /bar.las/
    personal name
    bar + -las (illative)
    barimris /ba.rim.ris/
    reputation, public name
    bar + -imris (elative)
    bar'er /bar.ʔer/
    to name, to call
    bar + -'er (verbalizer)
    thralbar /θral.bar/
    sacred name
    thral + bar
    barul /ba.rul/
    name-keeper
    bar + -ul (possessive)
    mobar /mo.bar/
    unnamed, nameless
    mo- + bar (negation)

    Infrastructure ↩

    asad /a.sad/
    bridge
    Shows typical development of infrastructure terms from natural materials
    Infrastructure, Construction Terms
    Proto-Hick *hasa-wadu
    'eldegralen asadimris /ʔel.də.gra.len a.sa.dim.ris/
    The Elven Bridge
    Shows formal/sacred term patterns with case marking
    Place Names, Infrastructure, Sacred Terms
    Shows formal preservation of medial marker and elative case

    Injury Terms ↩

    arsil /ar.sil/
    open wound, cut
    Medical Terms, Body Terms, Injury Terms
    kandup /kan.dup/
    head lump, bump on head
    Body Terms, Medical Terms, Injury Terms

    Interrogatives ↩

    'aka /ʔa.ka/
    what
    Interrogatives
    Proto-Hick *haka
    Basic question root with archaic animacy marking
    'alis /ʔa.lis/
    who (visible/known person)
    Interrogatives, Proximal, Personal
    Proto-Hick *haka-lis
    'ater /ʔa.ter/
    when (visible/known time)
    Interrogatives, Proximal, Temporal
    Proto-Hick *haka-ter-is
    'aker /ʔa.ker/
    how (visible/known manner)
    Interrogatives, Proximal, Manner
    Proto-Hick *haka-er-is
    'ateth /ʔa.teθ/
    where (sensed location)
    Interrogatives, Medial, Spatial
    Proto-Hick *haka-tal-eth
    'eteleth /ʔe.te.leθ/
    when (sensed time)
    Interrogatives, Medial, Temporal
    Proto-Hick *haka-tel-eth
    'akereth /ʔa.ke.reθ/
    how (sensed manner)
    Interrogatives, Medial, Manner
    Proto-Hick *haka-er-eth
    'alum /ʔa.lum/
    who (unknown person)
    Interrogatives, Distal, Personal
    Proto-Hick *haka-al-um
    'atum /ʔa.tum/
    where (unknown location)
    Interrogatives, Distal, Spatial
    Proto-Hick *haka-tal-um
    'etelum /ʔe.te.lum/
    when (unknown time)
    Interrogatives, Distal, Temporal
    Proto-Hick *haka-tel-um
    'akerum /ʔa.ke.rum/
    how (unknown manner)
    Interrogatives, Distal, Manner
    Proto-Hick *haka-er-um
    'atal /ʔa.tal/
    where (what-place-PROX.INAN)
    Interrogatives, Proximal, Spatial
    Proto-Hick *haka-tal-is
    'atereth /ʔa.te.reθ/
    when (sensed time)
    Interrogatives, Medial, Temporal
    Proto-Hick *haka-ter-eth
    'aterum /ʔa.te.rum/
    when (unknown time)
    Interrogatives, Distal, Temporal
    Proto-Hick *haka-ter-um
    'aterbran /ʔa.ter.bran/
    before
    Temporal metaphor using interrogative 'when' + 'dawn'
    Time Terms, Interrogatives

    Kinship Terms ↩

    ba /ba/
    father
    Kinship Terms
    Proto-Hick *bahu
    nai /nai/
    mother
    Kinship Terms
    Proto-Hick *nahi
    thirba /θir.ba/
    grandfather
    Kinship Terms
    thirnai /θir.nai/
    grandmother
    Kinship Terms
    mer /mer/
    bird
    Animals, Bird Terms
    parent
    Extended meaning through cultural metaphor
    Kinship Terms
    Proto-Hick *meru
    lis /lis/
    child
    See also: Diminutive Formation, Basic Numbers
    Kinship Terms
    Proto-Hick *li-su
    From diminutive prefix *li- + *su 'one', lit. 'little one'
    vinok /vi.nok/
    baby, infant
    Person Terms, Kinship Terms, Life Stages
    Shows semantic extension from agentive to resultative meaning

    Landforms ↩

    tor /tor/
    height, peak
    See Augmentative Prefix
    Natural World, Landforms
    Proto-Hick *toru
    thrantor /θran.tor/
    mountain range
    Natural World, Landforms
    val /val/
    valley, water-cut lowland
    Natural World, Landforms
    Proto-Hick *valu
    nagral /na.gral/
    black earth
    Natural World, Landforms
    kirtor /kir.tor/
    cliff face
    Natural World, Landforms
    dortor /dor.tor/
    back slope
    Natural World, Landforms
    dortor'er /dor.tor.ʔer/
    to slope
    dortor + -'er (verbalizer)
    palmal /pal.mal/
    deep pool
    Natural World, Landforms, Water Features
    thalgral /θal.gral/
    hillside
    Natural World, Landforms
    thralgral /θral.gral/
    sacred earth; Consecrated ground used for rituals or burials
    Consecrated ground used for rituals or burials
    Sacred, Sacred Terms, Landforms
    grasgral /gras.gral/
    meadow, grassland
    Flora, Pastoral Terms, Landforms
    torken /tor.ken/
    snow-peak, snow-capped mountain
    Landforms, Weather Terms
    parduwes /par.du.wes/
    cavern, cave network
    Originally 'worm-eaten,' extended to mean cave networks
    Landforms, Mythological Terms
    Shows compound reduction of grapar-duwes to parduwes
    parduwes'er /par.du.wes.ʔer/
    to form cave networks, to hollow out (of mountains)
    parduwes + -'er (verbalizer)
    airur /ai.rur/
    karst, water-carved limestone terrain
    Describes limestone regions shaped by water erosion
    Landforms, Water Features, Geographic Terms
    Shows water-landform compound pattern common in geographic terms

    Landscape Terms ↩

    asamgral /a.sam.gral/
    flatlands, plains
    Landscape Terms, Geographic Terms
    Shows metaphorical extension from position to terrain type
    'ibrigral /ʔib.ri.gral/
    farmlands, cultivated fields
    Agricultural Terms, Landscape Terms
    Shows development from fertilization practice to agricultural land

    Language Terms ↩

    takutakal /ta.ku.ta.kal/
    language
    Language Terms, Sound Terms
    Shows conceptual link between rhythm and language
    torlambe /tor.lam.be/
    High Elven (Quenya)
    Formal term for High Elven language
    Language Terms, Eldrim Terms
    Shows parallel formation to toreldal 'High Elf'
    wudlambe /wud.lam.be/
    Wood Elven (Sindarin)
    Common term for Wood Elven language
    Language Terms, Eldrim Terms
    Parallels edel 'Wood Elf', most common Elven contact language
    takulambe /ta.ku.lam.be/
    Common Elven (Sindarin-based lingua franca)
    Trade and diplomatic contexts
    Language Terms, Trade Terms
    Shows development of inter-cultural trade language
    murlambe /mur.lam.be/
    Dark Elven (Drow)
    Rare term, mainly in historical or scholarly contexts
    Language Terms, Eldrim Terms
    Parallels ithiril 'Dark Elf', rarely encountered in Early Hick period
    matakulambe /ma.ta.ku.lam.be/
    Elven languages (collectively)
    Formal term for all Elven languages as a group
    Language Terms, Eldrim Terms, Scholarly Terms
    Uses Eldrim's own term for their languages collectively. Shows typical compound reduction pattern.

    Learning Terms ↩

    'ilistal /ʔi.lis.tal/
    library
    Place for storing and accessing knowledge
    Learning Terms, Building Terms
    school
    Place for formal instruction
    Learning Terms, Building Terms
    Shows development of dedicated learning spaces
    'ilistal'er /ʔi.lis.tal.ʔer/
    to study formally, to attend school
    'ilistal + -'er (verbalizer)
    'ilistal /ʔi.lis.tal/
    library
    Place for storing and accessing knowledge
    Learning Terms, Building Terms
    school
    Place for formal instruction
    Learning Terms, Building Terms
    Shows development of dedicated learning spaces
    'ilistal'er /ʔi.lis.tal.ʔer/
    to study formally, to attend school
    'ilistal + -'er (verbalizer)

    Life Stages ↩

    vinok /vi.nok/
    baby, infant
    Person Terms, Kinship Terms, Life Stages
    Shows semantic extension from agentive to resultative meaning
    vinlas /vin.las/
    fetus, unborn child
    Person Terms, Body Terms, Life Stages
    Shows lexicalization of case marking spatial relationship

    Love Terms ↩

    brismer /bris.mer/
    passionate lover
    Love Terms, Person Terms, Family Terms
    Shows ambiguous compound analysis between 'passionate-parent' and 'fire-heart'

    Magic Terms ↩

    'imwen /ʔim.wen/
    witch, evil woman
    Pejorative term for female magic user
    Magic Terms, Gender Terms
    Shows pejorative development in magical terminology
    wenkulok /wen.ku.lok/
    sorceress
    Neutral/respectful term for female magic user
    Magic Terms, Professional Terms
    Shows regularization of gender marking in professional terms

    Magical Terms ↩

    kul /kul/
    magic, sorcery
    Magical Terms, Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *kulu
    kul-'er /kul.ʔer/
    to perform magic
    kul + -'er (verbalizer)
    kulok /ku.lok/
    sorcerer
    kul + -ok (agentive)
    malthrenok /mal.θre.nok/
    pool-watcher, diviner
    One who practices divination through watching pools/water
    Magical Terms, Sacred Terms
    imurkulok /i.mur.ku.lok/
    necromancer
    Literally 'evil magic worker'
    Magical Terms, Sacred Terms
    tenwa /ten.wa/
    writing; spellcraft
    Communication Terms, Sacred Terms, Magical Terms
    Eldrim tengwa
    Shows semantic extension from basic writing to magical inscription
    tenwa'er /ten.wa.ʔer/
    to write; to make spells
    tenwa + -'er (verbalizer)

    Manner ↩

    'aker /ʔa.ker/
    how (visible/known manner)
    Interrogatives, Proximal, Manner
    Proto-Hick *haka-er-is
    'akereth /ʔa.ke.reθ/
    how (sensed manner)
    Interrogatives, Medial, Manner
    Proto-Hick *haka-er-eth
    'akerum /ʔa.ke.rum/
    how (unknown manner)
    Interrogatives, Distal, Manner
    Proto-Hick *haka-er-um

    Maritime Terms ↩

    materok /ma.te.rok/
    vessel-guide, boatman
    Maritime Terms, Occupations
    bramis /bra.mis/
    sea mist, coastal fog
    Natural World, Precipitation, Maritime Terms
    sin /sin/
    floating
    Motion Terms, Maritime Terms, Action Terms
    Proto-Hick *senu
    kaketh /ka.keθ/
    salty
    Literally 'sea-like', shows maritime influence on taste terminology
    Taste Terms, Maritime Terms
    sinas /si.nas/
    drift, passage
    Motion Terms, Maritime Terms, Abstract Concepts
    Proto-Hick *senu-asa-u
    Literally 'floating through', shows typical compound reduction
    kethulbres /ke.θul.bres/
    east wind
    Common in eastern coastal regions
    Weather Terms, Directional Terms, Maritime Terms
    aitarulbres /ai.ta.rul.bres/
    west wind
    Primary term in coastal regions, associated with rainfall patterns
    Weather Terms, Directional Terms, Maritime Terms
    kethul /ke.θul/
    east
    Derived from term for east wind
    Directional Terms, Maritime Terms
    Shows maritime influence on eastern regions

    Marriage Terms ↩

    'irursibris /ʔi.rur.sib.ris/
    ceremonial gift, dowry
    Used for significant life events and marriage gifts
    Sacred Terms, Social Terms, Marriage Terms
    Used for ceremonial and marriage gifts

    Material Culture ↩

    'iruretil /ʔi.ru.re.til/
    gift
    Always inanimate, reflecting cultural norms
    Material Culture, Social Terms
    Shows cultural link between containers and proper gifts
    kur /kur/
    moss
    Flora, Plant Terms
    copper
    Metals, Material Culture
    Proto-Hick *kuru
    ger /ger/
    metal
    Metals, Material Culture, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *kuru-garu

    Material Terms ↩

    krakiger /krak.i.ger/
    flint, chert
    Material Terms, Tool Terms
    Proto-Hick *kraku-garu

    Measurement Terms ↩

    uran /u.rən/
    inch (unit of length, approximately thumb-width)
    Measurement Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *ulu-haranu
    Shows development of measurement system from body parts
    brastran /bras.tran/
    foot (unit of length, approximately arm-length)
    Measurement Terms, Basic Terms
    Shows development of -ran as measurement suffix from *haranu 'length'
    barakter /ba.rak.ter/
    league (distance walkable in one hour, roughly 3-4 miles)
    Often shortened to rakter in colloquial speech
    Measurement Terms, Distance Terms, Time Terms
    Distance measure based on one hour's walking time. Shows temporal suffix used for distance measurement.
    rakter /rak.ter/
    colloquial form for league
    shortened form of barakter

    Medial ↩

    'ateth /ʔa.teθ/
    where (sensed location)
    Interrogatives, Medial, Spatial
    Proto-Hick *haka-tal-eth
    'eteleth /ʔe.te.leθ/
    when (sensed time)
    Interrogatives, Medial, Temporal
    Proto-Hick *haka-tel-eth
    'akereth /ʔa.ke.reθ/
    how (sensed manner)
    Interrogatives, Medial, Manner
    Proto-Hick *haka-er-eth
    'atereth /ʔa.te.reθ/
    when (sensed time)
    Interrogatives, Medial, Temporal
    Proto-Hick *haka-ter-eth

    Medical Terms ↩

    arsil /ar.sil/
    open wound, cut
    Medical Terms, Body Terms, Injury Terms
    dup /dup/
    pearl; lump, mass
    Natural Terms, Medical Terms
    Proto-Hick *dupu
    Shows semantic extension from 'pearl' to general 'rounded mass'
    dudup /du.dup/
    swollen muscle
    Body Terms, Medical Terms
    kandup /kan.dup/
    head lump, bump on head
    Body Terms, Medical Terms, Injury Terms
    gralimris /gra.lim.ris/
    excrement
    Medical Terms, Body Terms

    Mental Terms ↩

    'ilis /ʔi.lis/
    knowledge
    Mental Terms, Perception Terms, Action Terms
    Proto-Hick *hi-lisu
    Semantic extension from 'sight' to 'knowledge'
    'ilis'er /ʔi.lis.ʔer/
    to know
    'ilis + -'er (verbalizer)
    gnater /gna.ter/
    desire
    Mental Terms, Emotional Terms, Basic Terms
    'ilisimris /ʔi.li.sim.ris/
    to teach
    Mental Terms, Social Terms, Action Terms
    Shows productive use of ellative for causative meanings
    'ilisok /ʔi.li.sok/
    teacher
    Mental Terms, Social Terms, Occupations
    imlis /im.lis/
    fear, dread
    Emotional Terms, Mental Terms
    Shows semantic development from 'seeing evil' to general fear
    imlisrur /im.lis.rur/
    anxiety, constant fear
    Emotional Terms, Mental Terms
    Shows extension of iterative aspect to ongoing mental state
    kasai /kas.əi/
    introspection, self-reflection
    Mental Terms, Sacred Terms
    From ancient practice of water-gazing meditation. Shows metaphorical extension from physical reflection to mental contemplation
    sai /sai/
    sense of self
    Mental Terms, Sacred Terms
    inner voice
    Mental Terms, Sacred Terms
    Shows folk etymology where kasai 'introspection' (< kasu-ai 'reflection-water') was reanalyzed as ka-sai leading to extraction of sai as independent term
    sai /sai/
    sense of self
    Mental Terms, Sacred Terms
    inner voice
    Mental Terms, Sacred Terms
    Shows folk etymology where kasai 'introspection' (< kasu-ai 'reflection-water') was reanalyzed as ka-sai leading to extraction of sai as independent term
    'imsai /ʔim.sai/
    self-doubt, anxiety
    Mental Terms, Emotional Terms
    Shows cultural conceptualization of anxiety as negative self-reflection
    'imsai'er /ʔim.sai.ʔer/
    to doubt oneself, be anxious
    'imsai + -'er (verbalizer)
    'ilisal /ʔi.li.sal/
    visit (a place)
    Mental Terms, Action Terms, Motion Terms
    experience personally
    Mental Terms, Action Terms
    confirm via experiment
    Mental Terms, Action Terms
    Shows semantic development from 'knowledge-person' to active experiential learning
    'ilisal'er /ʔi.li.sal.ʔer/
    to visit, to experience firsthand
    'ilisal + -'er (verbalizer)
    'ilisal /ʔi.li.sal/
    visit (a place)
    Mental Terms, Action Terms, Motion Terms
    experience personally
    Mental Terms, Action Terms
    confirm via experiment
    Mental Terms, Action Terms
    Shows semantic development from 'knowledge-person' to active experiential learning
    'ilisal'er /ʔi.li.sal.ʔer/
    to visit, to experience firsthand
    'ilisal + -'er (verbalizer)
    'ilisal /ʔi.li.sal/
    visit (a place)
    Mental Terms, Action Terms, Motion Terms
    experience personally
    Mental Terms, Action Terms
    confirm via experiment
    Mental Terms, Action Terms
    Shows semantic development from 'knowledge-person' to active experiential learning
    'ilisal'er /ʔi.li.sal.ʔer/
    to visit, to experience firsthand
    'ilisal + -'er (verbalizer)

    Metals ↩

    kur /kur/
    moss
    Flora, Plant Terms
    copper
    Metals, Material Culture
    Proto-Hick *kuru
    ger /ger/
    metal
    Metals, Material Culture, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *kuru-garu

    Military Terms ↩

    mabarak /ma.ba.rak/
    march, collective walking
    Motion Terms, Action Terms, Military Terms
    Collective motion from plural marker
    mabarak'er /ma.ba.rak.ʔer/
    to march
    mabarak + -'er (verbalizer)
    brastak /bras.tak/
    weapons, armaments
    Often used collectively for military equipment
    Weapon Terms, Military Terms
    Shows metonymic extension from action to implements

    Moral Terms ↩

    thil /θil/
    virtue, moral
    Abstract Concepts, Sacred Terms, Moral Terms
    Proto-Hick *halu
    Abstract sense developed from basic meaning

    Motion Terms ↩

    sin /sin/
    floating
    Motion Terms, Maritime Terms, Action Terms
    Proto-Hick *senu
    ter /ter/
    flow, fluid motion
    Basic Terms, Motion Terms
    Proto-Hick *teru
    ter'er /ter.ʔer/
    to drink
    ter + -'er (verbalizer)
    mabarak /ma.ba.rak/
    march, collective walking
    Motion Terms, Action Terms, Military Terms
    Collective motion from plural marker
    mabarak'er /ma.ba.rak.ʔer/
    to march
    mabarak + -'er (verbalizer)
    sinas /si.nas/
    drift, passage
    Motion Terms, Maritime Terms, Abstract Concepts
    Proto-Hick *senu-asa-u
    Literally 'floating through', shows typical compound reduction
    'ir /ʔir/
    movement, motion
    Motion Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *heru
    Source of verbalizer suffix -'er through grammaticalization
    'irur /ʔi.rur/
    repetition, again
    Grammatical Terms, Motion Terms
    Proto-Hick *heru-heru
    From reduplicated form of *heru 'action'. Forms grammaticalized iterative marker -rur/-ur
    imlis'er /im.li.sʔer/
    to flee, run from fear
    Contrasts with trask'er 'run (neutral)'
    Motion Terms, Emotional Terms
    Shows natural development from fear to flight response
    imlisitar /im.li.si.tar/
    to flinch, startle
    Motion Terms, Body Actions, Emotional Terms
    Uses superlative case to indicate sudden upward movement
    imasam /i.ma.sam/
    to cower, hide from fear
    Motion Terms, Position Terms, Emotional Terms
    Shows metaphorical extension of 'resting under' to fearful hiding
    par /par/
    crawl
    Motion Terms, Body Terms
    *paru-heru
    Shows semantic development from 'belly-motion' to general 'crawl'
    'ilisal /ʔi.li.sal/
    visit (a place)
    Mental Terms, Action Terms, Motion Terms
    experience personally
    Mental Terms, Action Terms
    confirm via experiment
    Mental Terms, Action Terms
    Shows semantic development from 'knowledge-person' to active experiential learning
    'ilisal'er /ʔi.li.sal.ʔer/
    to visit, to experience firsthand
    'ilisal + -'er (verbalizer)
    aiesp /ai.esp/
    bathe
    Basic term for immersion in water
    Water Terms, Motion Terms, Body Terms
    Shows lexicalization of subessive case into basic verb stem
    aiesp'er /ai.esp.ʔer/
    to bathe, to immerse in water
    aiesp + -'er (verbalizer)

    Music Terms ↩

    meltek /mel.tek/
    song
    Basic term for melodic vocal performance
    Music Terms, Performance Terms
    melodic rhythm
    Technical term for musical patterns
    Music Terms, Sound Terms
    Proto-Hick *melu-takutaku
    Shows preservation of first syllable of second element in compound reduction
    meltek'er /mel.tek.ʔer/
    to sing
    meltek + -'er (verbalizer)
    meltek /mel.tek/
    song
    Basic term for melodic vocal performance
    Music Terms, Performance Terms
    melodic rhythm
    Technical term for musical patterns
    Music Terms, Sound Terms
    Proto-Hick *melu-takutaku
    Shows preservation of first syllable of second element in compound reduction
    meltek'er /mel.tek.ʔer/
    to sing
    meltek + -'er (verbalizer)

    Mythological Terms ↩

    lik /lik/
    dragon
    Cultural borrowing showing Eldrim mythological influence
    Mythological Terms, Borrowed Terms
    Shows semantic narrowing from general serpentine being to specific dragon concept
    parduwes /par.du.wes/
    cavern, cave network
    Originally 'worm-eaten,' extended to mean cave networks
    Landforms, Mythological Terms
    Shows compound reduction of grapar-duwes to parduwes
    parduwes'er /par.du.wes.ʔer/
    to form cave networks, to hollow out (of mountains)
    parduwes + -'er (verbalizer)

    Natural Features ↩

    'it /ʔit/
    knot (in wood)
    Specifically refers to natural knots in wood/lumber
    Construction Terms, Natural Features
    falsehood
    Metaphorical extension from deviation in wood grain
    Abstract Concepts
    Proto-Hick *xitu

    Natural Terms ↩

    thral /θral/
    sun; sacred
    Sacred Terms, Natural Terms
    Proto-Hick *harala
    dup /dup/
    pearl; lump, mass
    Natural Terms, Medical Terms
    Proto-Hick *dupu
    Shows semantic extension from 'pearl' to general 'rounded mass'

    Natural World ↩

    ai /ai/
    water
    See Maritime Terms, Water Features
    Natural World
    Proto-Hick *ahi
    al /al/
    natural rock
    Natural World, Elements
    Proto-Hick *xalu
    gral /gral/
    earth, soil
    Natural World
    Proto-Hick *gralu
    gar /gar/
    stone
    Natural World, Elements
    Proto-Hick *garu
    mal /mal/
    pool, standing water
    Natural World, Water Features
    Proto-Hick *malu
    ran /ran/
    stream, flowing water
    Natural World, Water Features
    Proto-Hick *ranu
    toran /to.ran/
    river, flowing water
    Natural World, Water Features
    Proto-Hick *ranu
    tor /tor/
    height, peak
    See Augmentative Prefix
    Natural World, Landforms
    Proto-Hick *toru
    thrantor /θran.tor/
    mountain range
    Natural World, Landforms
    val /val/
    valley, water-cut lowland
    Natural World, Landforms
    Proto-Hick *valu
    nagral /na.gral/
    black earth
    Natural World, Landforms
    kirtor /kir.tor/
    cliff face
    Natural World, Landforms
    dortor /dor.tor/
    back slope
    Natural World, Landforms
    dortor'er /dor.tor.ʔer/
    to slope
    dortor + -'er (verbalizer)
    palmal /pal.mal/
    deep pool
    Natural World, Landforms, Water Features
    thalgral /θal.gral/
    hillside
    Natural World, Landforms
    aitar /ai.tar/
    rain
    Natural World, Precipitation
    bramis /bra.mis/
    sea mist, coastal fog
    Natural World, Precipitation, Maritime Terms
    miraitar /mi.rai.tar/
    cold rain
    Natural World, Precipitation
    gras /gras/
    grass
    Plant Terms, Natural World, Pastoral Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *grasu
    gras'er /gras.ʔer/
    to graze
    gras + -'er (verbalizer)

    Negation ↩

    imur /i.mur/
    evil, negative force
    Sacred, Negation
    Proto-Hick *imuru
    im /im/
    evil, abstract negativity
    Used for abstract concepts of evil/negativity
    Sacred, Negation, Abstract Concepts
    Proto-Hick *ʔimru

    Nocturnal Animals ↩

    murmer /mur.mer/
    night-bird, owl
    Bird Terms, Nocturnal Animals

    Number System ↩

    sin /sin/
    one
    Number System
    Proto-Hick *su-inu
    From counting form with *-inu suffix
    tir /tir/
    two
    Number System
    Proto-Hick *tiru
    From basic form
    haran /ha.ran/
    split, separate
    Action Terms
    divide (numbers)
    Number System
    Proto-Hick *haranu

    Occupations ↩

    materok /ma.te.rok/
    vessel-guide, boatman
    Maritime Terms, Occupations
    sedok /se.dok/
    planter, farmer
    Agricultural Terms, Occupations
    'ilisok /ʔi.li.sok/
    teacher
    Mental Terms, Social Terms, Occupations

    Pastoral Terms ↩

    gras /gras/
    grass
    Plant Terms, Natural World, Pastoral Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *grasu
    gras'er /gras.ʔer/
    to graze
    gras + -'er (verbalizer)
    grasgral /gras.gral/
    meadow, grassland
    Flora, Pastoral Terms, Landforms
    torba /tor.ba/
    goat
    Shows metaphorical extension linking goats to mountains and paternal authority
    Fauna, Animals, Pastoral Terms
    rok /rok/
    horse
    Shows elvish introduction of horses
    Animals, Pastoral Terms

    Pasture Terms ↩

    graswad /gras.wad/
    pasture path
    Pasture Terms, Agricultural Terms

    Peoples ↩

    toreldal /to.rel.dal/
    High Elf
    Shows cultural perception of High Elves through augmentative prefix
    Peoples, Cultural Terms, Sacred Terms
    From first elven migration period, uses native augmentative to distinguish High Elves

    Perception Terms ↩

    his /his/
    to see (passive/unintentional perception)
    Perception Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *hisu
    Reintroduced from dialect to maintain distinction from demonstrative -is
    'ilis /ʔi.lis/
    knowledge
    Mental Terms, Perception Terms, Action Terms
    Proto-Hick *hi-lisu
    Semantic extension from 'sight' to 'knowledge'
    'ilis'er /ʔi.lis.ʔer/
    to know
    'ilis + -'er (verbalizer)
    hilis /hi.lis/
    sight, active vision
    Perception Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *hilisu
    Forms two contrasting verbs: hilis'er (active looking) vs his'er (passive seeing)
    pir /pir/
    ear
    Body Parts, Perception Terms
    Proto-Hick *piru
    pir'er /pir.ʔer/
    to listen
    pir + -'er (verbalizer)
    hisimris /hi.sim.ris/
    show
    Contrasts with hilis'er 'to look'
    Perception Terms, Action Terms
    Shows productive use of ellative case for causative meanings

    Perception ↩

    thren /θren/
    observation, watching
    Sacred Terms, Perception
    Proto-Hick *threnu
    thren-'er /θren.ʔer/
    to watch/observe (verbal form)
    thren + -'er (verbalizer)

    Performance Terms ↩

    meltek /mel.tek/
    song
    Basic term for melodic vocal performance
    Music Terms, Performance Terms
    melodic rhythm
    Technical term for musical patterns
    Music Terms, Sound Terms
    Proto-Hick *melu-takutaku
    Shows preservation of first syllable of second element in compound reduction
    meltek'er /mel.tek.ʔer/
    to sing
    meltek + -'er (verbalizer)

    Person Terms ↩

    ma'al /ma.ʔal/
    community, tribe
    Collective term implying social/political unity
    Person Terms, Political Terms
    kiris /ki.ris/
    outsider
    Person Terms, Social Terms
    Proto-Hick *kiru-ʔisu
    Shows archaic directional suffix
    kiriter /ki.ri.ter/
    foreigner, stranger
    Person Terms, Social Terms
    Borrowed from inland dialects with productive ellative suffix -iter (vs coastal -imris)
    natlas /nat.las/
    friend
    Person Terms, Social Terms
    Shows cluster simplification and case lexicalization. From 'one in a state of desire/affection' to 'friend'
    vinok /vi.nok/
    baby, infant
    Person Terms, Kinship Terms, Life Stages
    Shows semantic extension from agentive to resultative meaning
    vinlas /vin.las/
    fetus, unborn child
    Person Terms, Body Terms, Life Stages
    Shows lexicalization of case marking spatial relationship
    imasamok /i.ma.sa.mok/
    coward
    Person Terms, Character Terms
    Shows productive use of agentive suffix with compound base
    brismer /bris.mer/
    passionate lover
    Love Terms, Person Terms, Family Terms
    Shows ambiguous compound analysis between 'passionate-parent' and 'fire-heart'
    sibar /si.bar/
    distinguished one, unique person
    Person Terms, Honor Terms, Social Terms
    Shows development of honorific from concept of unique naming

    Personal ↩

    'alis /ʔa.lis/
    who (visible/known person)
    Interrogatives, Proximal, Personal
    Proto-Hick *haka-lis
    'alum /ʔa.lum/
    who (unknown person)
    Interrogatives, Distal, Personal
    Proto-Hick *haka-al-um

    Philosophical Terms ↩

    wad /wad/
    path
    Basic Terms
    way, manner
    Extended metaphorical meaning
    Sacred, Philosophical Terms, Abstract Concepts
    Proto-Hick *wadu
    etilsim /e.til.sim/
    everything changes/transforms (with implications of resignation/indifference)
    Often used as resigned response to change or loss
    Abstract Concepts, Philosophical Terms
    Shows lexicalization of translative case into expression of both transformation and resignation

    Physical States ↩

    krantak /kran.tak/
    physical pain
    Body Terms, Physical States
    Shows cultural distinction between physical and emotional pain
    siltak'er /sil.tak.ʔer/
    to feel physical pain
    siltak + -'er (verbalizer)

    Place Names ↩

    'eldegralen asadimris /ʔel.də.gra.len a.sa.dim.ris/
    The Elven Bridge
    Shows formal/sacred term patterns with case marking
    Place Names, Infrastructure, Sacred Terms
    Shows formal preservation of medial marker and elative case

    Place Terms ↩

    gransed /gran.sed/
    grain
    Flora, Place Terms, Cultivated Plants

    Plant Terms ↩

    kel /kel/
    leaf
    Flora, Plant Terms
    ris /ris/
    reed
    Flora, Plant Terms
    wud /wud/
    wood, tree
    Flora, Timber Terms, Plant Terms
    gras /gras/
    grass
    Plant Terms, Natural World, Pastoral Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *grasu
    gras'er /gras.ʔer/
    to graze
    gras + -'er (verbalizer)
    sed /sed/
    seed
    Flora, Plant Terms
    bran /bran/
    branch
    Flora, Plant Terms
    wen /wen/
    flower
    Flora, Plant Terms
    malris /mal.ris/
    water reed
    Flora, Plant Terms, Cultivated Plants
    ranris /ran.ris/
    river reed
    Flora, Plant Terms, Cultivated Plants
    thirwud /θir.wud/
    white wood
    Flora, Plant Terms, Timber Terms, Cultivated Plants
    marwud /mar.wud/
    red wood
    Flora, Plant Terms, Timber Terms, Cultivated Plants
    sedgral /sed.gral/
    field
    Plant Terms, Agricultural Terms
    sedter /sed.ter/
    planting time
    Flora, Plant Terms, Rituals, Seasonal Terms, Agricultural Terms
    kur /kur/
    moss
    Flora, Plant Terms
    copper
    Metals, Material Culture
    Proto-Hick *kuru

    Political Terms ↩

    ma'al /ma.ʔal/
    community, tribe
    Collective term implying social/political unity
    Person Terms, Political Terms

    Position Terms ↩

    'irek /ʔi.rek/
    stand, firmness
    Basic Terms, Position Terms, Action Terms
    Proto-Hick *hi-reku
    Shows archaic animacy marking through glottal prefix
    'irek'er /ʔi.rek.ʔer/
    to stand
    'irek + -'er (verbalizer)
    imasam /i.ma.sam/
    to cower, hide from fear
    Motion Terms, Position Terms, Emotional Terms
    Shows metaphorical extension of 'resting under' to fearful hiding

    Precipitation ↩

    aitar /ai.tar/
    rain
    Natural World, Precipitation
    bramis /bra.mis/
    sea mist, coastal fog
    Natural World, Precipitation, Maritime Terms
    miraitar /mi.rai.tar/
    cold rain
    Natural World, Precipitation

    Preparation Terms ↩

    milai /mi.lai/
    rendered fat, oil
    Shows parallel formation with tirai 'fermented drink'
    Food & Consumption Terms, Preparation Terms
    kirmil /kir.mil/
    chest/organ fat
    Food & Consumption Terms, Preparation Terms
    palmil /pal.mil/
    belly fat
    Food & Consumption Terms, Preparation Terms
    sulmil /sul.mil/
    liver fat
    Food & Consumption Terms, Preparation Terms

    Process Terms ↩

    tir'er /tir.ʔer/
    to wince
    Bodily Functions
    fermentation
    Process Terms
    Proto-Hick *tir
    imtir /im.tir/
    rot, decay
    Process Terms, Food Terms
    Shows metaphorical extension of fermentation process to negative outcome

    Professional Terms ↩

    wenkulok /wen.ku.lok/
    sorceress
    Neutral/respectful term for female magic user
    Magic Terms, Professional Terms
    Shows regularization of gender marking in professional terms

    Proximal ↩

    'alis /ʔa.lis/
    who (visible/known person)
    Interrogatives, Proximal, Personal
    Proto-Hick *haka-lis
    'ater /ʔa.ter/
    when (visible/known time)
    Interrogatives, Proximal, Temporal
    Proto-Hick *haka-ter-is
    'aker /ʔa.ker/
    how (visible/known manner)
    Interrogatives, Proximal, Manner
    Proto-Hick *haka-er-is
    'atal /ʔa.tal/
    where (what-place-PROX.INAN)
    Interrogatives, Proximal, Spatial
    Proto-Hick *haka-tal-is

    Regional Terms ↩

    libres /li.bres/
    gentle wind
    Used primarily inland for weakened western winds after mountain crossing
    Weather Terms, Regional Terms

    Religious Terms ↩

    tharala /θa.ra.la/
    deity
    Sacred Terms, Religious Terms
    Proto-Hick *harala
    Religious term showing resistance to regular sound changes

    Rituals ↩

    sedter /sed.ter/
    planting time
    Flora, Plant Terms, Rituals, Seasonal Terms, Agricultural Terms
    thralthren /θral.θren/
    ritual observation
    The act of watching or performing religious ceremonies
    Sacred, Rituals, Action Terms

    Sacred Terms ↩

    mur /mur/
    night, darkness
    Time Terms, Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *muru
    thral /θral/
    sun; sacred
    Sacred Terms, Natural Terms
    Proto-Hick *harala
    tharala /θa.ra.la/
    deity
    Sacred Terms, Religious Terms
    Proto-Hick *harala
    Religious term showing resistance to regular sound changes
    thren /θren/
    observation, watching
    Sacred Terms, Perception
    Proto-Hick *threnu
    thren-'er /θren.ʔer/
    to watch/observe (verbal form)
    thren + -'er (verbalizer)
    thralter /θral.ter/
    ritual progression
    The proper sequence of ritual actions or ceremonies
    Sacred, Sacred Terms, Time Terms
    thralgral /θral.gral/
    sacred earth; Consecrated ground used for rituals or burials
    Consecrated ground used for rituals or burials
    Sacred, Sacred Terms, Landforms
    istor /is.tor/
    growth (living)
    Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *hi-storu
    With animate prefix hi-
    kul /kul/
    magic, sorcery
    Magical Terms, Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *kulu
    kul-'er /kul.ʔer/
    to perform magic
    kul + -'er (verbalizer)
    kulok /ku.lok/
    sorcerer
    kul + -ok (agentive)
    malthrenok /mal.θre.nok/
    pool-watcher, diviner
    One who practices divination through watching pools/water
    Magical Terms, Sacred Terms
    imurkulok /i.mur.ku.lok/
    necromancer
    Literally 'evil magic worker'
    Magical Terms, Sacred Terms
    'imer /ʔi.mer/
    life
    Spirit Terms, Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *hi-mer
    temer /te.mer/
    death
    Spirit Terms, Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *telu-himeru
    Literally 'end of life'
    'etil /ʔe.til/
    living thing
    Spirit Terms, Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *hi-etilu
    thil /θil/
    virtue, moral
    Abstract Concepts, Sacred Terms, Moral Terms
    Proto-Hick *halu
    Abstract sense developed from basic meaning
    'il /ʔil/
    good, kind
    Basic Terms, Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *hi-halu
    Shows archaic animacy marking through glottal prefix
    vinuiter /vi.nu.i.ter/
    to give birth
    Verbal Terms, Sacred Terms
    Lexicalized from ellative case
    mes /mes/
    heart
    Body Terms, Sacred Terms, Emotional Terms
    Proto-Hick *mesu
    sibris /si.bris/
    love
    Abstract Concepts, Emotional Terms, Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *hibrisu
    Metaphorical extension from 'fire' to 'passion/love'
    murvinu /mur.vi.nu/
    stillbirth
    Body Terms, Bodily Functions, Sacred Terms
    Uses mur- 'darkness' metaphorically for death
    murvinuiter /mur.vi.nu.i.ter/
    abortion
    Body Terms, Bodily Functions, Sacred Terms
    Uses ellative case to indicate 'from/out of stillbirth'
    thranal /θra.nal/
    seasons
    Shows cyclical time through metaphor of countless sacred days
    Time Terms, Sacred Terms
    'eldegralen asadimris /ʔel.də.gra.len a.sa.dim.ris/
    The Elven Bridge
    Shows formal/sacred term patterns with case marking
    Place Names, Infrastructure, Sacred Terms
    Shows formal preservation of medial marker and elative case
    'imeritares /ʔi.me.ri.ta.res/
    welcome; raised spirits
    Common Phrases, Spirit Terms, Sacred Terms
    Dialectal loss of initial glottal allows reanalysis with imer 'breath/soul'
    thid /θid/
    truth
    Sacred Terms, Abstract Concepts
    Proto-Hick *hawadu
    'ilitar sarespes /ʔi.li.tar sa.res.pes/
    Happy New Year (greeting)
    Traditional greeting exchanged on New Year's Day
    Common Phrases, Sacred Terms, Time Terms
    'irursibris /ʔi.rur.sib.ris/
    ceremonial gift, dowry
    Used for significant life events and marriage gifts
    Sacred Terms, Social Terms, Marriage Terms
    Used for ceremonial and marriage gifts
    thilulbres /θi.lul.bres/
    south wind
    Associated with favorable weather and good fortune
    Weather Terms, Directional Terms, Sacred Terms
    toreldal /to.rel.dal/
    High Elf
    Shows cultural perception of High Elves through augmentative prefix
    Peoples, Cultural Terms, Sacred Terms
    From first elven migration period, uses native augmentative to distinguish High Elves
    vin /vin/
    pregnancy
    Body Terms, Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *venu
    Maritime standard form. Inland dialects preserve venu-sedu > vinused
    lithar /li.θar/
    star
    Sacred Terms
    Stars conceptualized as lesser deities
    tenwa /ten.wa/
    writing; spellcraft
    Communication Terms, Sacred Terms, Magical Terms
    Eldrim tengwa
    Shows semantic extension from basic writing to magical inscription
    tenwa'er /ten.wa.ʔer/
    to write; to make spells
    tenwa + -'er (verbalizer)
    storbran /stor.bran/
    marriage, family union
    Family Terms, Social Terms, Sacred Terms
    Shows formalization of marriage as union between family lines
    'ilibris /ʔi.li.bris/
    passion; inspire fervor
    Emotion Terms, Sacred Terms
    Shows positive metaphorical extension of burning sensation
    imibris /im.i.bris/
    rage, anger; wrath
    Emotion Terms, Sacred Terms
    Shows negative metaphorical extension of burning sensation
    kasai /kas.əi/
    introspection, self-reflection
    Mental Terms, Sacred Terms
    From ancient practice of water-gazing meditation. Shows metaphorical extension from physical reflection to mental contemplation
    sai /sai/
    sense of self
    Mental Terms, Sacred Terms
    inner voice
    Mental Terms, Sacred Terms
    Shows folk etymology where kasai 'introspection' (< kasu-ai 'reflection-water') was reanalyzed as ka-sai leading to extraction of sai as independent term
    sai /sai/
    sense of self
    Mental Terms, Sacred Terms
    inner voice
    Mental Terms, Sacred Terms
    Shows folk etymology where kasai 'introspection' (< kasu-ai 'reflection-water') was reanalyzed as ka-sai leading to extraction of sai as independent term
    'ilibris'er /ʔi.li.bris.ʔer/
    (euphemistic) to make love, have sexual intercourse
    Body Terms, Sacred Terms
    Euphemistic term showing cultural preference for warmth/fire metaphors in intimate contexts
    'iltakutak /ʔil.ta.ku.tak/
    peace, harmony
    Social Terms, Sacred Terms
    Shows cultural conceptualization of peace as harmonious rhythm
    thilul /θi.lul/
    south
    Derived from term for south wind
    Directional Terms, Sacred Terms
    Shows cultural association of south with favorable omens

    Sacred ↩

    thrakel /θra.kel/
    sun
    Celestial Bodies, Sacred
    wad /wad/
    path
    Basic Terms
    way, manner
    Extended metaphorical meaning
    Sacred, Philosophical Terms, Abstract Concepts
    Proto-Hick *wadu
    thralwad /θral.wad/
    ritual path
    Both literal processional paths and metaphorical spiritual journeys
    Sacred, Spatial Terms
    thralter /θral.ter/
    ritual progression
    The proper sequence of ritual actions or ceremonies
    Sacred, Sacred Terms, Time Terms
    thralgral /θral.gral/
    sacred earth; Consecrated ground used for rituals or burials
    Consecrated ground used for rituals or burials
    Sacred, Sacred Terms, Landforms
    thralkel /θral.kel/
    The celestial home of the gods
    The celestial realm in religious context
    Sacred, Celestial Terms
    thralthren /θral.θren/
    ritual observation
    The act of watching or performing religious ceremonies
    Sacred, Rituals, Action Terms
    imur /i.mur/
    evil, negative force
    Sacred, Negation
    Proto-Hick *imuru
    im /im/
    evil, abstract negativity
    Used for abstract concepts of evil/negativity
    Sacred, Negation, Abstract Concepts
    Proto-Hick *ʔimru
    ward /ward/
    direction, guidance
    Base nominal form
    Basic Terms, Sacred
    Proto-Hick *wardu
    ward-'er /war.dʔer/
    to guide/direct (verbal form)
    ward + -'er (verbalizer)
    thimer /θi.mer/
    spiritual nurturing, penitence
    Used in ritual contexts
    Sacred, Abstract Concepts
    Proto-Hick *ha-meru

    Scholarly Terms ↩

    matakulambe /ma.ta.ku.lam.be/
    Elven languages (collectively)
    Formal term for all Elven languages as a group
    Language Terms, Eldrim Terms, Scholarly Terms
    Uses Eldrim's own term for their languages collectively. Shows typical compound reduction pattern.

    Seasonal Terms ↩

    sedter /sed.ter/
    planting time
    Flora, Plant Terms, Rituals, Seasonal Terms, Agricultural Terms

    Sensory Terms ↩

    imurai /i.mu.rai/
    stinky
    Sensory Terms
    Proto-Hick *imur-ai

    Settlement Terms ↩

    vinud /vi.nud/
    building, dwelling
    Structure Terms, Settlement Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *venu-wudu
    Semantic shift from 'wood structure' to 'dwelling'
    vinud'er /vi.nu.dʔer/
    to build, to dwell
    vinud + -'er (verbalizer)

    Social Terms ↩

    bar /bar/
    name, mark of identity
    Identity Terms, Social Terms
    Proto-Hick *baru
    barlass /bar.las/
    personal name
    bar + -las (illative)
    barimris /ba.rim.ris/
    reputation, public name
    bar + -imris (elative)
    bar'er /bar.ʔer/
    to name, to call
    bar + -'er (verbalizer)
    thralbar /θral.bar/
    sacred name
    thral + bar
    barul /ba.rul/
    name-keeper
    bar + -ul (possessive)
    mobar /mo.bar/
    unnamed, nameless
    mo- + bar (negation)
    'iruretil /ʔi.ru.re.til/
    gift
    Always inanimate, reflecting cultural norms
    Material Culture, Social Terms
    Shows cultural link between containers and proper gifts
    'irursibris /ʔi.rur.sib.ris/
    ceremonial gift, dowry
    Used for significant life events and marriage gifts
    Sacred Terms, Social Terms, Marriage Terms
    Used for ceremonial and marriage gifts
    paket /pa.ket/
    talk
    Communication Terms, Basic Terms, Social Terms
    Proto-Hick *pakata
    'ilisimris /ʔi.li.sim.ris/
    to teach
    Mental Terms, Social Terms, Action Terms
    Shows productive use of ellative for causative meanings
    'ilisok /ʔi.li.sok/
    teacher
    Mental Terms, Social Terms, Occupations
    kiris /ki.ris/
    outsider
    Person Terms, Social Terms
    Proto-Hick *kiru-ʔisu
    Shows archaic directional suffix
    kiriter /ki.ri.ter/
    foreigner, stranger
    Person Terms, Social Terms
    Borrowed from inland dialects with productive ellative suffix -iter (vs coastal -imris)
    natlas /nat.las/
    friend
    Person Terms, Social Terms
    Shows cluster simplification and case lexicalization. From 'one in a state of desire/affection' to 'friend'
    storbran /stor.bran/
    marriage, family union
    Family Terms, Social Terms, Sacred Terms
    Shows formalization of marriage as union between family lines
    temerok /te.me.rok/
    killer, murderer
    Basic Terms, Social Terms
    predator
    Animal Terms, Basic Terms
    Shows metaphorical formation 'death-bringer' for both human killers and predatory animals
    harabran /ha.ra.bran/
    conflict, grievance (especially between families/clans)
    Social Terms, Conflict Terms
    Shows cultural conceptualization of conflict as family/clan division
    'iltakutak /ʔil.ta.ku.tak/
    peace, harmony
    Social Terms, Sacred Terms
    Shows cultural conceptualization of peace as harmonious rhythm
    sibar /si.bar/
    distinguished one, unique person
    Person Terms, Honor Terms, Social Terms
    Shows development of honorific from concept of unique naming

    Sound Terms ↩

    takimer /ta.ki.mer/
    echo
    Sound Terms, Spirit Terms
    takutakal /ta.ku.ta.kal/
    language
    Language Terms, Sound Terms
    Shows conceptual link between rhythm and language
    meltek /mel.tek/
    song
    Basic term for melodic vocal performance
    Music Terms, Performance Terms
    melodic rhythm
    Technical term for musical patterns
    Music Terms, Sound Terms
    Proto-Hick *melu-takutaku
    Shows preservation of first syllable of second element in compound reduction
    meltek'er /mel.tek.ʔer/
    to sing
    meltek + -'er (verbalizer)
    rek /rek/
    bark (of dog/wolf)
    Basic term for canine vocalization
    Sound Terms, Animal Terms
    Proto-Hick *reku
    Shows onomatopoeic origin from sound of canine bark
    rek'er /rek.ʔer/
    to bark
    rek + -'er (verbalizer)
    rekrek /rek.rek/
    repeated barking
    rek + rek (reduplication)
    'u'u /ʔu.ʔu/
    cry, weep (in sorrow/pain)
    Often reduplicated for continuous crying
    Sound Terms, Emotion Terms, Body Terms
    Proto-Hick *'uhu-'uhu
    Onomatopoeic origin from crying/sobbing sound
    'u'u'er /ʔu.ʔu.ʔer/
    to cry, to weep
    'u'u + -'er (verbalizer)
    bresubel /bre.su.bel/
    shout, yell
    Basic term for loud vocal expression
    Sound Terms, Body Terms, Communication Terms
    Proto-Hick *bresu-belu
    Shows typical compound formation with body part term
    bresubel'er /bre.su.bel.ʔer/
    to shout, to yell
    bresubel + -'er (verbalizer)

    Spatial Terms ↩

    thralwad /θral.wad/
    ritual path
    Both literal processional paths and metaphorical spiritual journeys
    Sacred, Spatial Terms
    tal /tal/
    place, location
    Forms many location compounds
    Spatial Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *halu
    Borrowed from Pre-Hick dialect where spatial meaning developed

    Spatial ↩

    'ateth /ʔa.teθ/
    where (sensed location)
    Interrogatives, Medial, Spatial
    Proto-Hick *haka-tal-eth
    'atum /ʔa.tum/
    where (unknown location)
    Interrogatives, Distal, Spatial
    Proto-Hick *haka-tal-um
    'atal /ʔa.tal/
    where (what-place-PROX.INAN)
    Interrogatives, Proximal, Spatial
    Proto-Hick *haka-tal-is

    Speech Terms ↩

    imbel /im.bel/
    bad language, swear words
    Speech Terms, Body Terms, Taboo Terms

    Spirit Terms ↩

    'imer /ʔi.mer/
    life
    Spirit Terms, Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *hi-mer
    temer /te.mer/
    death
    Spirit Terms, Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *telu-himeru
    Literally 'end of life'
    'etil /ʔe.til/
    living thing
    Spirit Terms, Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *hi-etilu
    takimer /ta.ki.mer/
    echo
    Sound Terms, Spirit Terms
    'imeritares /ʔi.me.ri.ta.res/
    welcome; raised spirits
    Common Phrases, Spirit Terms, Sacred Terms
    Dialectal loss of initial glottal allows reanalysis with imer 'breath/soul'
    imeresp /i.me.resp/
    sleep
    Shows metaphorical extension of breath/spirit sinking
    Spirit Terms, Body Terms
    imeresp'er /i.me.res.pʔer/
    to sleep
    imeresp + -'er (verbalizer)

    Spring Terms ↩

    asamwen /a.sam.wen/
    daffodil
    Common spring flower, Narcissus species
    Flora, Flower Names, Spring Terms
    Named for characteristic drooping posture of flower head

    States of Matter ↩

    mirik /mi.rik/
    ice
    Weather Terms, Basic Terms, States of Matter
    Proto-Hick *mirikrakhar
    Shows semantic development from 'biting cold' to 'ice'
    aimirik /ai.mi.rik/
    slush, partially melted snow/ice
    Weather Terms, States of Matter
    Describes mixture state between water and ice

    Stone Terms ↩

    kasger /kas.ger/
    mirror (especially polished stone mirror)
    Tool Terms, Stone Terms
    Shows technological origin in polished stone mirrors

    Storage Terms ↩

    granmal /gran.mal/
    grain storage
    Agricultural Terms, Storage Terms

    Structure Terms ↩

    vinud /vi.nud/
    building, dwelling
    Structure Terms, Settlement Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *venu-wudu
    Semantic shift from 'wood structure' to 'dwelling'
    vinud'er /vi.nu.dʔer/
    to build, to dwell
    vinud + -'er (verbalizer)

    Taboo Terms ↩

    imbel /im.bel/
    bad language, swear words
    Speech Terms, Body Terms, Taboo Terms
    saw /saw/
    shit
    Taboo Terms, Body Terms

    Tactile Properties ↩

    kawak /ka.wak/
    soft
    Shows cultural association between softness and nurturing
    Tactile Properties, Body Terms

    Taste Terms ↩

    mel /mel/
    sweetness
    Associated with ripeness and edibility
    Taste Terms
    Proto-Hick *melu
    kras /kras/
    bitter
    Used for both taste and metaphorical bitterness
    Taste Terms
    Proto-Hick *krasu
    kaketh /ka.keθ/
    salty
    Literally 'sea-like', shows maritime influence on taste terminology
    Taste Terms, Maritime Terms
    sinibel /si.ni.bel/
    taste
    Shows metaphorical extension of floating motion to sensory perception
    Taste Terms, Body Terms

    Temporal ↩

    'ater /ʔa.ter/
    when (visible/known time)
    Interrogatives, Proximal, Temporal
    Proto-Hick *haka-ter-is
    'eteleth /ʔe.te.leθ/
    when (sensed time)
    Interrogatives, Medial, Temporal
    Proto-Hick *haka-tel-eth
    'etelum /ʔe.te.lum/
    when (unknown time)
    Interrogatives, Distal, Temporal
    Proto-Hick *haka-tel-um
    'atereth /ʔa.te.reθ/
    when (sensed time)
    Interrogatives, Medial, Temporal
    Proto-Hick *haka-ter-eth
    'aterum /ʔa.te.rum/
    when (unknown time)
    Interrogatives, Distal, Temporal
    Proto-Hick *haka-ter-um

    Timber Terms ↩

    wud /wud/
    wood, tree
    Flora, Timber Terms, Plant Terms
    thirwud /θir.wud/
    white wood
    Flora, Plant Terms, Timber Terms, Cultivated Plants
    marwud /mar.wud/
    red wood
    Flora, Plant Terms, Timber Terms, Cultivated Plants

    Time Terms ↩

    murkel /mur.kel/
    night sky
    Time Terms, Celestial Bodies
    mur /mur/
    night, darkness
    Time Terms, Sacred Terms
    Proto-Hick *muru
    thralter /θral.ter/
    ritual progression
    The proper sequence of ritual actions or ceremonies
    Sacred, Sacred Terms, Time Terms
    'aterbran /ʔa.ter.bran/
    before
    Temporal metaphor using interrogative 'when' + 'dawn'
    Time Terms, Interrogatives
    thranal /θra.nal/
    seasons
    Shows cyclical time through metaphor of countless sacred days
    Time Terms, Sacred Terms
    'ilitar sarespes /ʔi.li.tar sa.res.pes/
    Happy New Year (greeting)
    Traditional greeting exchanged on New Year's Day
    Common Phrases, Sacred Terms, Time Terms
    barakter /ba.rak.ter/
    league (distance walkable in one hour, roughly 3-4 miles)
    Often shortened to rakter in colloquial speech
    Measurement Terms, Distance Terms, Time Terms
    Distance measure based on one hour's walking time. Shows temporal suffix used for distance measurement.
    rakter /rak.ter/
    colloquial form for league
    shortened form of barakter

    Tool Terms ↩

    ar /ar/
    cut, cutting action
    Action Terms, Tool Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *xaru
    ar'er /ar.ʔer/
    to cut
    ar + -'er (verbalizer)
    ven /ven/
    yoke, burden
    Basic Terms, Tool Terms
    Proto-Hick *venu
    Reintroduced from dialect after original *venu developed into vin
    tamin /ta.min/
    forge, smithy
    Borrowed technical term from Eldrim metalworking traditions
    Construction Terms, Tool Terms, Borrowed Terms
    Direct borrowing of Quenya technical term for forge/smithy
    brismal /bris.mal/
    forge (native term)
    Construction Terms, Tool Terms
    'ibri /ʔib.ri/
    manure, fertilizer
    Agricultural Terms, Tool Terms
    Proto-Hick *'ibari
    kasger /kas.ger/
    mirror (especially polished stone mirror)
    Tool Terms, Stone Terms
    Shows technological origin in polished stone mirrors
    krakiger /krak.i.ger/
    flint, chert
    Material Terms, Tool Terms
    Proto-Hick *kraku-garu
    krakesi /kra.ke.si/
    sword, long bladed weapon
    Originally referred to wooden paddle with obsidian teeth inserts
    Weapon Terms, Tool Terms
    Proto-Hick *krak-kasigaru
    Shows semantic extension from wooden paddle with obsidian teeth to any long bladed weapon

    Tool/Craft Terms ↩

    arum /a.rum/
    sketch; draw
    Tool/Craft Terms, Artistic Terms
    Shows semantic extension from physical cutting to artistic marking

    Trade Terms ↩

    takulambe /ta.ku.lam.be/
    Common Elven (Sindarin-based lingua franca)
    Trade and diplomatic contexts
    Language Terms, Trade Terms
    Shows development of inter-cultural trade language

    Vehicle Terms ↩

    tre /tre/
    wagon, cart
    Vehicle Terms
    Proto-Hick *mataru
    Back-formed through reanalysis of ma- as plural prefix

    Verbal Morphology ↩

    -nat /nat/
    want to, desire to (desiderative suffix)
    Grammatical Terms, Verbal Morphology
    Grammaticalized from full verb 'desire' to desiderative suffix

    Verbal Terms ↩

    vinuiter /vi.nu.i.ter/
    to give birth
    Verbal Terms, Sacred Terms
    Lexicalized from ellative case

    Water Features ↩

    mal /mal/
    pool, standing water
    Natural World, Water Features
    Proto-Hick *malu
    ran /ran/
    stream, flowing water
    Natural World, Water Features
    Proto-Hick *ranu
    toran /to.ran/
    river, flowing water
    Natural World, Water Features
    Proto-Hick *ranu
    palmal /pal.mal/
    deep pool
    Natural World, Landforms, Water Features
    airur /ai.rur/
    karst, water-carved limestone terrain
    Describes limestone regions shaped by water erosion
    Landforms, Water Features, Geographic Terms
    Shows water-landform compound pattern common in geographic terms

    Water Terms ↩

    aiesp /ai.esp/
    bathe
    Basic term for immersion in water
    Water Terms, Motion Terms, Body Terms
    Shows lexicalization of subessive case into basic verb stem
    aiesp'er /ai.esp.ʔer/
    to bathe, to immerse in water
    aiesp + -'er (verbalizer)

    Weapon Terms ↩

    krakesi /kra.ke.si/
    sword, long bladed weapon
    Originally referred to wooden paddle with obsidian teeth inserts
    Weapon Terms, Tool Terms
    Proto-Hick *krak-kasigaru
    Shows semantic extension from wooden paddle with obsidian teeth to any long bladed weapon
    brastak /bras.tak/
    weapons, armaments
    Often used collectively for military equipment
    Weapon Terms, Military Terms
    Shows metonymic extension from action to implements

    Weather Terms ↩

    bres /bres/
    wind
    Weather Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *bresu
    torulbres /to.rul.bres/
    north wind
    Original term for north wind, later often replaced by eldalulbres
    Weather Terms, Directional Terms
    eldalulbres /el.da.lul.bres/
    north wind
    Replaced torulbres in most dialects after Eldrim contact
    Weather Terms, Directional Terms, Cultural Terms
    Emerged after Eldrim conflicts, showing cultural trauma
    thilulbres /θi.lul.bres/
    south wind
    Associated with favorable weather and good fortune
    Weather Terms, Directional Terms, Sacred Terms
    kethulbres /ke.θul.bres/
    east wind
    Common in eastern coastal regions
    Weather Terms, Directional Terms, Maritime Terms
    aitarulbres /ai.ta.rul.bres/
    west wind
    Primary term in coastal regions, associated with rainfall patterns
    Weather Terms, Directional Terms, Maritime Terms
    libres /li.bres/
    gentle wind
    Used primarily inland for weakened western winds after mountain crossing
    Weather Terms, Regional Terms
    ken /ken/
    snow
    Weather Terms, Basic Terms
    Proto-Hick *kenu
    mirik /mi.rik/
    ice
    Weather Terms, Basic Terms, States of Matter
    Proto-Hick *mirikrakhar
    Shows semantic development from 'biting cold' to 'ice'
    torken /tor.ken/
    snow-peak, snow-capped mountain
    Landforms, Weather Terms
    aimirik /ai.mi.rik/
    slush, partially melted snow/ice
    Weather Terms, States of Matter
    Describes mixture state between water and ice
    kaken /ka.ken/
    snowy, snow-covered
    Weather Terms, Basic Terms
    Shows typical adjectival reduplication pattern
    tarul /ta.rul/
    west
    Derived from term for west wind
    Directional Terms, Weather Terms
    Shows climatic influence on directional terms

    Wind Terms ↩

    eldul /el.dul/
    north
    Derived from term for north wind
    Directional Terms, Wind Terms
    Shows historical Eldrim influence on directional system

    Writing Terms ↩

    parmatal /par.ma.tal/
    library
    Institutional term for book repository
    Writing Terms, Building Terms
    Shows productive use of -tal for institutional locations