λυγκός

λύγξ, 2 λυγκός (-γγός)

Grammatical information: m. f.

Meaning: `lynx' (h. Hom. 19, 24, E., Arist., Thphr., Ael.).

Other forms: λυγγός E. fr. 683.

Compounds: As 1. member in λυκό-λυγξ `wolflynx' (pap. in Sb. Heidelb. 1923: 2, 14, 13); λυγγούριον (λυγκ-, λιγκ- u. a.) n. kind of amber (Thphr., Delos III^a), s. v.

Derivatives: λυγκίον dimin. (Callix.), λύγγιος `of the lynx' (Edict. Diocl.). On ambivalent PN Λυγκεύς (Hdt., Pi.) s. Boßhardt 130f.; from there λυγκεύς as name of an eye-salve (medic.).

Origin: LW [a loanword which is (probably) not of Pre-Greek origin] Eur. substr.

Etymology: Old name of the lynx, found also in Armenian, German and Balto-Slavic. Except for the nasal λύγξ has a counterpart in Lith. consonant stem lūš-ų (gen. pl.), with as innovation the i-stem lū́š-is. The same transformation show the Slav. words, which however through influence of an other word (*rysъ `sotted, red'?) got an initial r-: Russ. rýsь etc. Also elsewhere transformstions have occurred: with thematic vowel in Swed. lō `lynx' (PGm. *luh-a-, IE *luḱ-o-); with s-sufflx in Westgermanic: OHG luhs, OE lox (cf. Germ. Fuchs, OE fox); with n-suffix in Arm. lus-an-un-k` (ἅπ. εἰρ.) pl., which also supposes old full grade (IE *leuḱ- or louḱ-). The Arm. n-fomation might be connected somehow with the Greek nasalinfix, which reappers also in Lith. dial. (Zem.) lųnšis. - Details and further connections in Bq, WP. 2, 411 f., Pok. 690, Fraenkel Wb. s. lū́šis, Vasmer Wb. s. rýsь. - Fur. 121 adduces considerations that show that it is in origin a non-IE word. The word has been connected with the root *leuḱ- `see' and would refer to the sharp sight of the animal. But this cannot explain the long ū of Balto-Slavic. Nor can the -n- be explained; nor the g of Gr. λύγγ-ιος. So the word is non-IE, prob. a loan from a Eur. substratum. - I see no reason to connect the gloss λουνόν λαμπρόν H. The PN Λυγκεύς may be cognate or not. S. also λυγγούριον.

Page in Frisk: 2,141-142