gavia
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Of uncertain origin.
One theory, preferred by De Vaan, derives the word from Proto-Indo-European *gowh₂-i- (“shouter”), seemingly from either *geH- (“to sing, cry”) or *gewH- (“to call, cry out”), and adduces as cognates Sanskrit गु (gu, “to proclaim”), Ancient Greek γοάω (goáō, “to groan, weep”), Proto-Slavic *gȍvorъ (“grumble, talk”), and perhaps Old English ċīeġan (“to call”). He also mentions an alternative connection to gaius (“jaybird”), via an independent onomatopoeic root in Proto-Italic *gā̆-.[1]
Another theory derives the word from Proto-Indo-European *gʰabʰl- (“fork, branch of tree”) (due to the similarity of a hawk's claws to a pitchfork), from *gʰeh₁bʰ- (“to grab, take”); compare Old High German gabila, gabala (“sparrow hawk”).
gāvia f (genitive gāviae); first declension
The identity of the gāvia in Classical Latin is uncertain, possibly the gull and the seagull. Modern taxonomic Latin applies the term Gavia to the loon (diver), but Classical Latin called this bird mergus.
First-declension noun.
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