Elen
Dutch
Etymology
First attested as hellini in 1150. (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈeː.lə(n)/
Audio (file) - Hyphenation: Elen
- Rhymes: -eːlən
Derived terms
- Elenaar
- Elens
German
Alternative forms
- Elend (obsolete)
Etymology
From Middle High German eln, elent (mid-13th c.). Usually derived from Old Lithuanian elenis (“deer”, modern élnias), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁el-. This derivation is supported by the fact that the el(e)n form appears during a time when the elk was gradually dying out in the German-speaking lands. However, it must be noted that the Lithuanian word does not refer to the elk specifically. Even more importantly, elen (from elhen by regular loss of prevocalic h in Central and Low German dialects) can represent a generalised oblique case or plural of Proto-Germanic *elhô, weak-stem variant of *elhaz. This would make it a mere byform of Elch.[1]
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈeːlən/
Noun
Elen n or m (strong, genitive Elens, plural Elen)
- (archaic) moose, Eurasian elk (Alces alces)
- Synonym: Elch
Declension
Derived terms
- Elenantilope
- Elentier
Related terms
- Elendshaut
- Elendskoller
References
- Philippa, Marlies, Debrabandere, Frans, Quak, Arend, Schoonheim, Tanneke, van der Sijs, Nicoline (2003–2009) “eland”, in Etymologisch woordenboek van het Nederlands (in Dutch), Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press
Further reading
- “Elen” in Duden online