syfrdan
Welsh
Etymology
From Middle Welsh syfrdan, from Proto-Celtic *s(t)umrVtanos, which has a shape so bizarre it defies further etymology. Cognate to Breton saouzan (“surprise”) and Cornish sowdhanas (“to surprise”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈsəvrdan/
Adjective
syfrdan (feminine singular syfrdan, plural syfrdan, equative mor syfrdan, comparative mwy syfrdan, superlative mwyaf syfrdan, not mutable)
Derived terms
- pensyfrdan (“stunned, dizzy”)
- syfrdanod (“astonishment, amazement”)
- syfrdanol (“stunning, astounding, amazing”)
- syfrdanu (“to stun, to daze; to astonish, to amaze”)
Further reading
- D. G. Lewis, N. Lewis, editors (2005–present), “syfrdan”, in Gweiadur: the Welsh–English Dictionary, Gwerin
- R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “syfrdan”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies