Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
proto-germanic
noun
/ˈproʊtoʊ ˈɡɜrmənɪk/
Definition
Proto-Germanic is the reconstructed ancestor of the Germanic languages.
Examples
- The Proto-Germanic word for ‘night’ is believed to be *nahts.
- This language is the root of modern Germanic languages such as English, German, and Dutch.
- Many linguists study Proto-Germanic to understand the evolution of its descendant languages.
Meaning
It represents the language that was spoken by the early Germanic peoples before the split into different Germanic languages.
Synonyms
- None applicable; it is a specific linguistic term.
