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Prefix signifying a notion of getting something by some means, usually through conscious effort.
er- + arbeiten(“to work”) → erarbeiten(“to gain something by means of working for it”)
Usage notes
In sense 3, the prefix is of almost unlimited productivity, provided that the underlying verb has initial stress. Such random constructs as sich etwas ertanzen(“to get something by dancing”), sich etwas erkuscheln(“to get something by cuddling”), etc., are all possible and intelligible.
Adams, Douglas Q. (2013) “er-”, in A Dictionary of Tocharian B: Revised and Greatly Enlarged (Leiden Studies in Indo-European; 10), Amsterdam, New York: Rodopi, →ISBN, pages 98-99
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.
Further reading
R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “er-”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies