rrafsh

Albanian

Etymology

Formerly believed to be a Back-formation from rrafshoj; the latter is derived from unattested *rravsh + -oj, the first element of which is borrowed from a South Slavic language, ultimately derived from Proto-Slavic *orvьnъ (“even”); compare Old Church Slavonic равьнъ (ravĭnŭ), Serbo-Croatian ravan, Bulgarian равен (raven).[1] However this is less likely, as Omari doubts a Slavic origin due to phonological problems.[2] Most likely from rraf, Gheg form of rrah (“to beat, strike, to flatten; grubbed out land”). Consider also northeastern Gheg "rrapsh", as found in Malsia. Possibly related to rrjep (“to peel”) and rrap (“plane tree”), as it would explain the change from -psh- to -fsh-.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /rafʃ/

Noun

rrafsh m

  1. plain, flat area, field
  2. flatland
  3. (figuratively) field

Derived terms
  • rrafshoj
  • rrafshinë
  • rrafshinor
  • rrafshnaltë

References
  1. Orel, Vladimir E. (1998) “rrafsh”, in Albanian Etymological Dictionary, Leiden, Boston, Köln: Brill, →ISBN, page 377
  2. Omari, Anila (2012) “rrafsh”, in Marrëdhëniet Gjuhësore Shqiptaro-Serbe, Tirana, Albania: Krishtalina KH, pages 257-258
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