Reconstruction:Proto-Finnic/mees

This Proto-Finnic entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Finnic

Etymology

Unclear. Two possibilities have been proposed:

From earlier *meexes, borrowing from Proto-Germanic *mēgaz (“male in-law”).
(less likely) Relationship to the Proto-Uralic root *mäńśɜ, reflected in the ethnonyms Mansi and Magyar, of Indo-Iranian origin (compare Proto-Balto-Slavic *mangjás (“man”), Sanskrit मनुष्य (manuṣyá)).

Both proposals have phonetic problems. At any rate, the word is an innovation replacing Proto-Uralic *koje (“man”).

Noun

*mees

man, male
husband

Descendants

Estonian: mees
Finnish: mies
Ingrian: mees
Karelian: mies
Livonian:
- Courland Livonian: mīez
- Vidzeme Livonian: mies
Livvi: mies
Ludian: miez
Veps: mez'
Võro: miis'
Votic: meez

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