լաճ

From Middle Armenian լաճ (lač).

• (Eastern Armenian) IPA^(key): /lɑt͡ʃ/,
• (Western Armenian) IPA^(key): /lɑd͡ʒ/,

• Audio (Eastern Armenian):

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լաճ • (lač)

1. (dialectal) boy

   Synonyms: տղա (tġa), մանչ (mančʻ)

• Sargsyan, Artem et al., editors (2001–2012), “լաճ”, in Hayocʻ lezvi barbaṙayin baṙaran [Dialectal Dictionary of the Armenian Language] (in Armenian), Yerevan: Hayastan
• “լաճ”, in Žamanakakicʻ hayocʻ lezvi bacʻatrakan baṙaran [Explanatory Dictionary of Contemporary Armenian] (in Armenian), Yerevan: Academy Press, 1969–1980

Ačaṙean compares similar words in other languages: Imereti Georgian ლაჭი (lač̣i, “boy”), Northern Kurdish lac (“boy”), Zazaki lac (“son, boy”) and Amharic ልጅ (ləǧ, “child”), without being able to solve the interrelationship of these forms.^[1]

Perhaps borrowed from a descendant of Proto-Georgian-Zan *leḳw- (“puppy”): compare especially Laz ლაჭი (laç̌i, “dog”) from that root. For the sense development ‘puppy’ → ‘boy’ compare Armenian լակոտ (lakot, “puppy; child”), which incidentally is from the same Proto-Georgian-Zan source. Alternatively, an Iranian borrowing: in addition to Kurdish and Zazaki listed above compare also Vafsi (lāza, “son”), Zoroastrian Dari (leyǰa, “child”), Eshtehardi (lazák, “child”)^[2] and Central Kurdish لاژە (laje), لاژوو (lajû), لاژِگ (lajig, “unintelligent, stupid”).

լաճ • (lač)

1. boy
2. servant, lackey^[3]

• Awetikʻean, G., Siwrmēlean, X., Awgerean, M. (1836) “լաճ”, in Nor baṙgirkʻ haykazean lezui [New Dictionary of the Armenian Language] (in Old Armenian), volume I, Venice: S. Lazarus Armenian Academy, page 877b
• J̌ahukyan, Geworg (2010) “լաճ”, in Vahan Sargsyan, editor, Hayeren stugabanakan baṙaran [Armenian Etymological Dictionary] (in Armenian), Yerevan: Asoghik, page 290b
• Kapancjan, G. A. (1975) Историко-лингвистические работы. Том II [Historical-Linguistic Works. Volume II] (in Russian), Yerevan: Academy Press, pages 370–371