nikns

From an unattested verb *nikt, similar in meaning to the Lithuanian cognate (see below; compare also Latvian dialectal verb nikties (“to annoy, to disturb”)), formed with an extra -n (compare verb īgt, adjective īgns); *nikt is derived from Proto-Indo-European *nēyk-, *nik- (“to attack, to start quickly”), from Proto-Indo-European *ney- (“to be in motion, to be excited; to shine”). Cognates include Lithuanian ni̇̀kti (“to tackle, to get quickly (to work)”), Russian прони́кнуть (proníknutʹ, “to penetrate”).^[1]

nikns (definite niknais, comparative niknāks, superlative visniknākais, adverb nikni)

1. (of animals) wild, furious, raging (having a propensity to attack)

   nikns gailis ― wild, angry rooster

   nikns bullis ― wild, raging bull

   nikni suņi klūp man virsū ― wild dogs pounced on me

2. angry, furious, harsh

   ko tu šodien tik nikns? ― why are you so angry today?

   nikns sargs ― angry guard, watch

   “tā!” Janko kļuva arvien niknāks ― “that one!” Janko got angrier and angrier

   Rudmetu Vilis ir tik karsts un nikns... lai kur kāds runā, viņš tūdaļ pretī ar savu ― Rudmetu Vilis is so hot and wild... whenever someone talks, he immediately (goes) against him with his (ideas)

3. angry, furious, ferocious

   nikns lauvas rēciens ― ferocious lion's roar

   niknas suņa rejas ― angry dog barks

   nikna atbilde ― angry answer

   nikns protests ― angry, furious protest

   katrs vārds ir pilns niknas spītības ― every word is full of angry spite

4. (figuratively) angry, wild, raging (strong in its effects, dangerous, intense)

   nikna kauja ― wild, raging battle

   nikna apšaude ― furious gunfire

   nikna slimība ― unrelenting disease

   nikns sals ― raging, intense frost

   ārā plosās nikna novembra vētra ― outside a furious november storm was raging

• lēns

• niknums