Lemizh / English dictionary
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cgàc.
to make hedgehogs
Usage notes
As in many cultures, the hedgehog is the proverbial non-agressive but well-defended animal. Phrases along the lines of là cgÌcem. ‘withdraw defensively (and anyone trying to get through the defenses is doing so at their own risk)’, lit. ‘behave like a hedgehog’, have been attested since Old Lemizh.
Etymology
simplification of
< NLem cgjir‑a
< LMLem, MLem hUgjir‑yr
< OLem shügjir‑
< PLem *sū‑gjer‑, clarifying compound of
PLem *sū‑ ‘pig’
< PIE *súh₂‑s
—and—
PLem *gjer‑ ‘hedgehog’
< PIE *g̑ʰér‑s
Expected would be ModLem **cgcàc., which has lost one of its cs for obvious reasons.
Cognates
Eng sow; Gk χήρ ‘hedgehog’