առաւիր
Old Armenian
Etymology
The origin is unknown.
Ačaṙyan wonders whether the first part is the preposition առ (aṙ) and leaves the origin open.[1] According to J̌ahukyan, the word is probably composed of the preposition առ (aṙ) + *աւիր (*awir), the latter an unknown root perhaps of Iranian origin.[2] In this respect compare Northern Kurdish vir (“lie”).
According to Ałayan, the word originally meant “empty, vain talk” and is composed of the preposition առ(ա)- (aṙ(a)-) + *վիր (*vir, “nonsense, silly prattle”), a hypothetical unattested root from Proto-Indo-European *werh₁- (“to speak”). He also connects վեռ (veṙ).[3]
Adverb
առաւիր • (aṙawir)
- in vain
- թէ առաւիր ― tʿē aṙawir ― in vain
Synonyms
- վայրապար (vayrapar), ի զուր (i zur)
Derived terms
- առվիրական (aṙvirakan)
- թառաւիր (tʿaṙawir)
References
- Ačaṙean, Hračʿeay (1971), “առաւիր”, in Hayerēn armatakan baṙaran [Armenian Etymological Dictionary] (in Armenian), volume I, 2nd edition, a reprint of the original 1926–1935 seven-volume edition, Yerevan: University Press, page 256a
- J̌ahukyan, Geworg (2010), “առաւիր”, in Vahan Sargsyan, editor, Hayeren stugabanakan baṙaran [Armenian Etymological Dictionary] (in Armenian), Yerevan: Asoghik, page 73b
- Ałayan, Ēduard (1974) Baṙakʿnnakan ew stugabanakan hetazotutʿyunner [Lexicological and Etymological Studies] (in Armenian), Yerevan: Academy Press, pages 23–24
Further reading
- Petrosean, H. Matatʿeay V. (1879), “առաւիր”, in Nor Baṙagirkʿ Hay-Angliarēn [New Dictionary Armenian–English], Venice: S. Lazarus Armenian Academy
- Awetikʿean, G.; Siwrmēlean, X.; Awgerean, M. (1836–1837), “առաւիր”, in Nor baṙgirkʿ haykazean lezui [New Dictionary of the Armenian Language] (in Old Armenian), Venice: S. Lazarus Armenian Academy