σπιγγ-

Grammatical information: v.

Meaning: of birds `to squeak, to chirp' (Arat., Thphr.).

Other forms: Also σπίνος m. `finch' (com., Thphr., Arat.) with σπιν-ίον, - ίδιον (com.); byforms: σπίνα ὁ σπίνος, σπινθία εἶδος ὀρνιθαρίων, σπίνοι; σπίγγον σπίνον; also πίγγαν νεόσσιον. Άμερίας, σπύγγας ὄρνις H.

Derivatives: Beside it σπίζα f. `common chaffinch' (S. Fr. 431, Arist., Timo) with σπιζία τὰ ὄρνεα ἅπαντα H.; σπιζ-ίας m. `sparrow hawk' (Arist.), = εἶδος ἱέρακος H., - ίτης m. (Arist.), = εἶδος αἰγιθάλου ὀρνέου H. (Redard 84); ὀρό-σπιζος m. `brambling' (Arist.).

Origin: LW [a loanword which is (probably) not of Pre-Greek origin] Eur.

Etymology: With σπίζω cf. τρίζω a. o., to which σπίζα. The form σπίνος has perh. assimilated itself to the adj. σπινός `meager', as Swed. spink as birdname cannot be separated from spink(e) `meager man', spink `scrap'. The other forms including σπίζω, σπίζα can, with the exception of πίγγαν, be derived from a common σπιγγ-, so that they differ only through the anlaut. σ- from the Germanic name of the finch, OHG fincho, OE finc, PGm. *fink(i̯)an-, * finki-. (Here may be adduced with aspiration Skt phiṅgaka- m. `the strangler with forked tail' (Germ.: der gabelschwänziger Würger) (Lex.)). Original sonnection is therefore possible; on the other hand these words were clearly exposed so several associations and following transformations, so that a phonetical and undisturbed genealogy becomes impossible. For Greek one was reminded except of σπινός also of σπιγνόν μικρόν, βραχύ and σπίκανον σπάνιον; s. Persson Beitr. 1, 402 f. (also 1, 266 n. 3) with extensive treatment of the Germanic words and rather quick rejection of a rather obvious onomatop. origin. Details w. lit. in WP. 2, 682 (Pok. 999). - The connection with Germanic may go back to a European substratum word, or a `Wanderwort'; there are no indications for a Pre-Greek word. The variations can in no way be understood.

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