Re: Romance words for 'small' (was: Pequeno etc)

MorphemeAddict@WMCONNECT.COM wrote:
> In a message dated 4/6/2008 12:08:18 PM Central Daylight Time,
> ray@CAROLANDRAY.PLUS.COM writes:
>
>
>>  The
>> Romanian word for 'small, little [in size]' is _mic_ and this, surely,
>> must come from a different source. The latter, I guess, is related to
>> Latin _mica_ (a little bit, a crumb).
>>
>
> That's interesting.  I always assumed it was from Greek "mikr-" (cf. micron).
I have wondered about that also - and I am not altogether happy with the
suggestion of Latin _mica_ as, in the classical language, it's a
feminine _noun_. It could, of course, be the feminine of an adjective
*micus, used substantivally - but AFAIK there is no actual evidence for
that.

But altho Romanian has been influenced by Slav languages, I'm not
certain that there's been any or much Greek influence (but I could be
wrong) except, of course, in borrowings that come as part of Orthodox
Christianity. Nor can I account for the loss of final -ro-.

But I recall that _mikko-_ is also found in some ancient Greek dialects.
This looks like a form that originated in 'child language.' I wonder if
_mikko-_ had a wider use in child-language in the Balkans.

Does anyone know?

--
Ray
==================================
http://www.carolandray.plus.com
==================================
Frustra fit per plura quod potest
fieri per pauciora.
[William of Ockham]