なえる

From earlier form なゆ (nayu).^[1][2] First attested in the Utsubo Monogatari of the late 900s;^[1] possibly from Old Japanese. Cognate with Northern Amami Ōshima ねーるり (nēruri), Okinawan ねーゆん (nēyun).

Later appears to have been conflated with verb なふ (nafu), modern spelling なう (nau), also with the lower bigrade conjugation pattern, as attested in compounds such as 蹇・跛 (ashinae, “partial mobility impairment in the legs or feet; someone with such an impairment”) and 手萎・攣 (tenae, “partial mobility impairment in the hands; someone with such an impairment”). While nafu referred to a partial mobility impairment, nayu in reference to a body part indicated weakness or outright paralysis, and the differences in meaning and conjugation likely indicate that these were originally separate derivations.^[1]

That said, both Old Japanese ふ (-pu, later -fu) and ゆ (-yu) were auxiliary verb suffixes, respectively indicating repetition or resulting state, and spontaneous state or action, so it is possible that both nafu and nayu share the same verb root.

Japanese references list the resulting modern verb with only the historical spelling なえる.^[1][2][3]

Likely related to adverb なよなよ (nayonayo, “pliantly, flexibly, supplely”), adjective なよやか (nayoyaka, “pliant, flexible, supple”), verb なよぶ (nayobu, “to be pliant, flexible, supple”).

• (Tokyo) なえる (Nakadaka – )^[1][3][4][5]
• IPA^(key):

• (Kyoto) なえる  (Teiki – )^[1]

なえる • (naeru) ^{←なえる (naeru)?}intransitive ichidan (stem なえ (nae), past なえた (naeta))

1. to lose strength, to become physically weaker; to become numb and paralyzed, as in the hands or legs
2. to lose one's drive
3. to wither, to droop
4. to bend (such as a branch)
5. to become flexible and soft from wear (said of textiles, either from the fibers breaking down, or from the starch used for stiffening wearing off)
6. to be turned off, to recoil

   Synonym: ひく (hiku)