Re: the /twi/ in /twilight/ ?

--- In conlang@yahoogroups.com, Rodlox R <rodlox@H...> wrote:
>Does the /twi-/ in /twilight/ have the same general origins (ie
>linguistic or social or grammatical or something else) as /nigh/ ?
>(as in "it was well nigh").
No. This "twi-" is related to "two" and means "half," the half-light
between day and night.  It is cognate to beTWEEn and beTWIxt.  Both
dusk and dawn are twilights.

"Nigh" is not related.  The "gh" is a remnant from the OE "neoh,"
near.  This "gh" is retained in our English word "neighbor." one who
dwells near.

Charlie

Replies