E 0868         STALK

The word " stalk " is of Germanic origin .

H 0940                 ל ת ש                

Concept of root : developing plant

Hebrew word

pronunciation

English meanings

ל ת ש

shetel

plant, sprout

Related English words

stalk

Comparison between European words and Hebrew

Languages

Words

Pronunciation

English meanings

Similarity in roots

Hebrew

ל ת ש

shetel

plant, sprout

sh . t . l

Latin

stilus;

-

-

-

stilare

-

stilus;

-

-

-

stilare

-

stem, stalk, long-handled tool;

to grow up straight

s t . l

English

stalk

stalk

s t . l k

German

Stiel

shtìl

stalk, stem

sh t . l

Dutch

steel

stél

stalk, stem

s t . l

 

 

Proto-Semitic *SHATAL --- *STŪL- Indo-European

 

 

The words of this entry are, understandably, also used for different things from the stalk of a plant, either in metaphorical or figurative senses. But the basic one that links them is the botanic one.

 

Yet in Germanic languages the root " S T L " is used as well to express the wide concept of "to make stand, put up, place" naturally also in figurative sense. This is already found in Old English "stiellan", besides German and Dutch "stellen". Also Greek "στελλω , stello" in Classic Greek has the same meaning, from which it has developed also "to prepare" in general and "to send". In modern Greek this last meaning of "to send", in the process changing also the verb into "stelno", has monopolized this root.

 

Note:
  • Proto-Semitic .The root "SH T L" is used in Aramaic and Syriac "ש ת ל , shetal = to plant, transplant, insert". Arabic "shatl, shatala = plant, to plant". Akkadian "satālu = to plant". This root was probably present in Proto-Semitic: "*ש ת ל , SH T L".

 

Note:
  • Latin " stilus " is also used in various other senses: "pointed pole" used either to work the land or in war ; "writing instrument" , in English "stylus, style" and in French "stylograph" or "stylo" for fountainpen ; "writing-exercise" and "style of writing", that has travelled triumphantly into modern languages with the meaning of " style " in many aspects.

 

Note:
  • Greek. . In Greek, already in Homer, we find the word "στειλια , steilia = handle of a tool", especially of an axe. There seems to be no evidence of the other, botanic meaning. Greek also has "στελε , stele", loaned into English as "stele" and "στυλος , stülos" = column, pillar, (and consequently also:) prop". The meaning of "column" is also present in Old Frisian "stīl" and Dutch and Middle Dutch "stijl (> stīl)" . There can be little doubt that all these words are related and based on the concept of "standing solidly upright".

 

Note:
  • German and Dutch for the stalk of a plant also use the related words " Staengel" and "stengel". These have their sisters in Nordic, as does "stalk". Norwegian in fact uses "stilk" and "stengel".

 

Note:
  • Proto-Germanic . We find in Old Saxon "stil = stem, shaft", in Old English "stela, steola = stalk", in Old High German "stil= stalk, stem, shaft, long handle". In modern German the word "Stiel" says "stem, stalk, shaft, long handle" and Dutch "steel" carries the same meanings.

     

    The initial "ST" and the consonant "L" after the vowel are common to about all older and newer Germanic languages. It must be noted that the root of this entry is part of a very vast number of roots, that have in common a concept of verticality as in "to stand", steep, stake, stall, stalk" and many others. Upon a basic form " S T A = stand ( on one's feet)" Indo European languages have built great developments.

     

    In the case of this entry, with Germanic "*ST . L" it is important to see the development towards the noun "stalk" where a final "K" is added to diversify meanings. Without the final "K", the vowel is mostly an E-sound, but for example Old High German had "stil = stalk, stem, shaft, long handle". Seen the long " Ī " also in Latin, Proto-Germanic presumably had "*ST Ī L-" . This developed into "E" in various languages, but not in the group of German.

 

Note:
  • Indo-European. An existing hypothesis of "*(S)T E Y-" for "pointed stick" seems to be based on the Avestan words "staēra-" and "taēra-" for "mountain-peak". The semantic difference is too great though. Instead one finds support in Greek.

     

    Greek has the words "στυλος, stülos = wooden pole for support, pillar, "στυλις, stülis = flagpole, small column" and, "στυλικος, stülikos = stick, prop, support". These words are probable cognates of the words in the above table and likewise have their origin in names for wooden poles or sticks.

     

    Indo-European probably used the combination "*S T W L" for "stalk, stem, (usable) treetrunk", with a pronunciation of "*ST Ō L and/or "*ST Ū L" . These vowels may have developed into Greek "Ü" and Germanic "Ī", later also "Ē".

     

    Russian offers a word "столб, stolb = stick, pole, post, pillar, column, scaffolding" that is a probable cognate of the words of this entry. There is no clear explanation for the adding of the final " B " though. This "B" alternates with a " P ".

 

 

 

 

 
Created: Tuesday 6 November 2007 at 22.30.54 Updated: 04/12/2012 at 18.01.50