Reconstruction:Proto-Finnic/mato

This Proto-Finnic 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.

From Proto-Finno-Permic *mača-w (compare Proto-Samic *muocē (“moth”)), probably borrowed from Proto-Indo-Iranian *mákš ~ *mačás (“midge, fly, bee”)^[1]. The semantics are not entirely clear, but Häkkinen (2004) notes that these species have a larval stage,^[2] and the larvae resemble worms to some degree. If this theory is true, the word would be from the same origin as *mehiläinen, but a later borrowing.

The Finnic word has also been compared with Proto-Germanic *maþô (“worm, maggot”). Both directions of loaning have been suggested (the Germanic word has no solid Indo-European etymology). If the Finnic word is borrowed from Germanic, it cannot be related to the Samic word, since pre-Finnic *č and Germanic *þ cannot be reconciled.

Yet another theory proposes derivation from *matadak (“to crawl”) +‎ *-o, but the suffix *-o is not otherwise known to form agent nouns.

*mato^[3]

1. worm

• Estonian: madu
• Finnish: mato
• Ingrian: mato
• Karelian:
  • North Karelian: mato
  • South Karelian: mado
• Livvi: mado
• Ludian: mado
• Veps: mado
• Võro: mado
• Votic: mato
• → Proto-Samic: *mātō (see there for further descendants)

• “madu”, in Eesti etümoloogiasõnaraamat [Estonian Etymological Dictionary] (in Estonian) (online version), Tallinn: Eesti Keele Sihtasutus (Estonian Language Foundation), 2012
•  Itkonen, Erkki, Kulonen, Ulla-Maija, editors (1992–2000), Suomen sanojen alkuperä [The origin of Finnish words]‎ (in Finnish) (online version; note: also includes other etymological sources; this source is labeled "SSA 1992–2000"), Helsinki: Institute for the Languages of Finland/Finnish Literature Society, →ISBN