Reconstruction:Proto-Celtic/-isamos

This Proto-Celtic 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.

Proto-Celtic

Alternative forms

*-samos

Etymology

From a combination of *-is- (zero-grade intensive adjectival suffix) +‎ *-tm̥mós (superlative suffix).

Suffix

*-isamos^[1]

forms superlative adjectives
‎*senos (“old”) + ‎*-isamos → ‎*senisamos (“oldest”) (whence Old Irish sinem and Welsh hynaf)

Inflection

O/ā-stem
masculine	singular	dual	plural
nominative	*-isamos	*-isamou	*-isamoi
vocative	*-isame	*-isamou	*-isamoi
accusative	*-isamom	*-isamou	*-isamons
genitive	*-isamī	*-isamous	*-isamom
dative	*-isamūi	*-isamobom	*-isamobos
instrumental	*-isamū	*-isamobim	*-isamobis
feminine	singular	dual	plural
nominative	*-isamā	*-isamai	*-isamās
vocative	*-isamā	*-isamai	*-isamās
accusative	*-isamam	*-isamai	*-isamans
genitive	*-isamās	*-isamous	*-isamom
dative	*-isamai	*-isamābom	*-isamābos
instrumental	*?	*-isamābim	*-isamābis
neuter	singular	dual	plural
nominative	*-isamom	*-isamou	*-isamā
vocative	*-isamom	*-isamou	*-isamā
accusative	*-isamom	*-isamou	*-isamā
genitive	*-isamī	*-isamous	*-isamom
dative	*-isamūi	*-isamobom	*-isamobos
instrumental	*-isamū	*-isamobim	*-isamobis

Descendants

Proto-Brythonic: *-haβ̃
- Old Breton: -ham
  - Breton: -añ
- Old Welsh: -ham
  - Middle Welsh: -af
    - Welsh: -af
Old Irish: -em (superlative suffix)
Gaulish: -isamos

References

^ R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “-af”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies

[1] R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “-af”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies

[1]