STUDIES IN ARMENIAN ETYMOLOGY - Get a Free Blog

a‰uk a‰uk a‰uk a‰uk `groin (the fold or depression on either side of the body between the abdomen and
the upper thigh); pubis; pelvis; thigh'.
Attested only in Nerse�s Palienc` (14th cent.). NHB (1: 50b; 2: 1060b) represents
as a dialectal word synonymic to eran-k`, c`ayl-k`, and Turk. /gasəg/. The dialectal
form is cited in plural: a‰uk-k` (NHB 2: 1060b).
Now more attestations are found in MArm. sources, such as "B��karan jioy" (13th
cent.) [C�`ugaszyan 1980: 154 L-8 , 158 L9 ; 178 (note)] etc. [Mij�HayBar� 1, 1987: 36a].
����DIAL DIAL In Polis, Aslanbek, R�odost`o, Nor Naxij�ewan, Axalc`xa, Ham�en, Ararat,
Karin, Xarberd, Akn, Arabkir, Adana, Zeyt`un [HAB 1: 141-142]. In Mu� and
Ala�kert, in a compound with tak `under, below': Mu� a‰əx-tək-ner, Ala�kert
aj�əx-dag (HAB 1: 142a); cf. *y-ant`Vtak, s.v. an(u)t` `armpit'. See also below, on
Sasun.
As is pointed out by A‰ar�yan (HAB 1: 142a), the meaning slightly differs in
dialects; e.g. in Polis it refers to the joint of the two thighs where the genitals are
located (pubis; cf. also Amatuni 1912: 1b, as synonymous to agr�-me�j�), whereas for
Ararat and Axalc`xa it is described as follows "the little pits at the two sides beneath
the navel (i.e. groins)". Malat`ia aj�ug denotes `pelvis' (rendered ModArm. konk`)
[Danielyan 1967: 185a], and Xarberd: `thigh' [HayLezBrbBar� 1, 2001: 46a].
Sasun aj�ug `the joint between the abdomen and the upper thigh, groin; armpit',
aj�ɫ-dag `armpit' [Petoyan 1954: 104; 1965: 443-444].
Dersim (Berri) aj�ug əynil `to have pain in groins' [Baɫramyan 1960: 112a].
Sebastia a‰uk `the upper thigh; the lower part of the abdomen (= Turk. /gasəg/,
Fr. aine)' [Gabikean 1952: 55].
����ETYM ETYM A‰ar�yan (HAB 1: 141b) does not record any acceptable etymology.
J�ahukyan (1967: 169; 1982: 58; 1987: 142) connects with Skt. p�jasya�- n. `belly,
loins', Russ. pax `loins', etc. (cf. Mallory/Adams 1997: 517-519), reconstructing
*pəgi�o- for Armenian.
In view of the widespread belief that the groin is related with the process of
growing of children, A. Abrahamyan (1958: 61-62; I cite from J�ahukyan 1982:
21673) treats a‰uk as a participial formation in -uk from the verbal stem a‰- `to grow'
(q.v.). J�ahukyan (1982: 21673) considers this less probable. M. Hanneyan (1979: 173)
mentions the former etymology (from *pəgi�o-) without a reference; then she
represents Abrahamyan's interpretation and considers it more logical.
In favour of Abrahamyan's etymology one notes the following arguments: 1) the
derivational suffix -uk fits in the interpretation; 2) the Armenian word is not attested
in the Classical period and does not look old; 3) there are formal problems (one
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