Reconstruction:Proto-Finnic/encimeinen

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

Proto-Finnic ordinal numbers
1st 2nd  > 
    Cardinal : *ükci
    Ordinal : *encimeinen

Alternative reconstructions

  • *encimäinen

Etymology

*enci +‎ *-ime- (superlative marker) +‎ *-inen

Adjective

*encimeinen

  1. first

Usage notes

Descendant languages in which the superlative suffix remains productive have reshaped the superlative marker, suggesting that the word was still understood as a derivative at that time.

Inflection

Descendants

  • Estonian: esimene
  • Votic: esimein

From *encimäinen:

  • Finnish: ensimmäinen (with reshaped superlative marker)
  • Ingrian: ensimäin
  • Karelian:
    • North Karelian: ensimmäini
    • South Karelian: enzimmäine
  • Livvi: enzimäine
  • Ludian: ezmaine
  • Veps: ezmäine
  • Votic: (dialectal) esimäin

See also

Further reading

  • Itkonen, Erkki, Kulonen, Ulla-Maija, editors (1992–2000), “ensi”, in Suomen sanojen alkuperä [The Origin of Finnish Words]‎[1] (in Finnish) (online version; note: also includes other etymological sources; this source is labeled "SSA 1992–2000"), Helsinki: Institute for the Languages of Finland/Finnish Literature Society, →ISBN