Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/bi

This Proto-Germanic 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-Germanic

Etymology

From Pre-Germanic *h₁pi, zero-grade of Proto-Indo-European *h₁epi (“on, at”), with voicing due to Verner's law. Cognate with Ancient Greek ἐπί (epí, “on, at”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bi/

Preposition

*bi

1. by, at [with accusative or dative]
2. near, around [with accusative or dative]

See also

• *bi-

Descendants

• Proto-West Germanic: *bī
  • Old English: bi, be
    • Middle English: by, be, bi
      • English: by
        • → Mandarin: by (bāi), BY (bāi)
      • Scots: by, bye, bi', be, b'
      • Yola: bee, bie, be, by
  • Old Frisian: bi, be
    • North Frisian: bi
    • Saterland Frisian: bie
    • West Frisian: by
  • Old Saxon: bi, bī
    • Middle Low German: bi
      • Low German: bi
        • → Swedish: bi
  • Old Dutch: bī
    • Middle Dutch: bi
      • Dutch: bij
      • Limburgish: bie
  • Old High German: bī, pī
    • Middle High German: bī
      • Alemannic German: bii
      • German: bei
      • Vilamovian: by
      • Yiddish: בײַ (bay)
• Gothic: 𐌱𐌹 (bi)