Reconstruction:Proto-Mongolic/nixe-

This Proto-Mongolic 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-Mongolic

Reconstruction

Nugteren reconstructs *nexe-, but the Middle Mongol data seem better explained through the common assimilation of *-ixe- to *-exe-.

The raising found in some Qinghai-Gansu languages could have probably developed from either variant.

Etymology

Most likely related in some way to Proto-Tungusic *nī- (“to open”). Another somewhat similar form is Proto-Uralic *nᴕje- (“to open”).

Compare Evenki нӣмӣ (ņīmī), Manchu ᠨᡝᠶᠮᠪᡳ (neymbi), Tundra Nenets нэсь (nesʹ°), Hungarian nyílik.

Verb

*nixe-

1. to open

Descendants

• Middle Mongol:
  • Mongolian: ᠨᠡᠭᠡᠬᠦᠢ (negeküi)
  • Arabic:

    Muqaddimat: نيبه, نيكسن, نييكسان

    Rasulid Hexaglot: نياكو

  • Chinese:

    Secret History: (/⁠ne'e-⁠/), (/⁠nege-⁠/), (/⁠neke-⁠/)

    Hua-Yi Yiyu: (ni'e-), (ne'e'ülge-) (causative)

• Central:
  • Mongolian:
    • Classical: ᠨᠡᠭᠡᠭᠡᠬᠦ (negegekü)
    • Khalkha Mongolian: нээх (neex)
    • Ordos: /neː/
  • Oirat:
    • Written: ᠨᡄᡃᡍᡉ (nēkü)
    • Kalmyk: неех (neex)
  • Buryat: нээхэ (neexe)
  • Khamnigan Mongol: neekü
• Daur: neegw
• Qinghai-Gansu:
  • East Yugur: nii
  • Shirongolic:
    • Monguor:
      • Mongghul: nee, nii
      • Mangghuer: ni, nie
    • Baonanic:
      • Baonan:
        • Gansu: nei
        • Qinghai: nee
      • Dongxiang: nie
      • Kangjia: Kangjia ne

References

• Nugteren, Hans (2011) Mongolic phonology and the Qinghai-Gansu languages (dissertation)‎, Utrecht: LOT, pages 453-454
• Sun Zhu (1990) 蒙古语族语言词典 [Dictionary of Mongolic Languages] (in Chinese), Qinghai, page 502
• Rozycki, William Vincent (1994) Mongol Elements in Manchu (Uralic and Altaic series; 157), Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University, Research Institute for Inner Asian Studies, page 214