Reconstruction:Proto-Balto-Slavic/lénktei

This Proto-Balto-Slavic entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Formally from Proto-Indo-European *lenk-, which according to Derksen is limited to Balto-Slavic. Tentatively, has been compared with Latin oblīquus (“curved”), Sanskrit अभिव्लग् (abhivlag, “to catch”), both dismissed by Trubačev /ESSJa/ (in context to the Slavic descendant).

Another theory tentatively derives the root from the n-infix present of Proto-Indo-European *(s)lek- or *(s)lekʷ-, whence Latin laqueus (“lace, snare”), Proto-Germanic *slingwaną (“to sling”).

*lénktei^[1][2]

1. to bend, to curve
2. to twine

Fixed accent, thematic present.

Remark: Baltic descendants exhibit je-present, probably under the influence of related *línkti.

• *línktei (jé-present, ā-aorist)
  • Latvian: lìekt (possibly)
  • Lithuanian: liñkti
  • Proto-Slavic: *lękati ~ *lęcati (with progressive palatalization)
• *linkḗˀtei (stative)
• *lankás (“arc, bow”)
• *lánkīˀtei (“to cause to bend”)

• East Baltic:
  • Latvian: lìekt (if not from *línkti)
  • Lithuanian: leñkti
• Proto-Slavic: *lękti (early) > *lęťi

• “lenkti”, in Lietuvių kalbos etimologinio žodyno duomenų bazė [Lithuanian etymological dictionary database], 2007–2012