This is exactly what I propose to
reconsider. The root *bHerg^H- (with its hill-fort semantics) is perhaps closer
to 'strong, secure' than simply 'tall, high'. Sanskrit participial brhant- <
*bHrg^H-ont- means 'high' but also 'important, powerful, firm', the verb
brm.hati means 'augment, fortify, strengthen, ...'. In Celtic we have meanings
like 'lofty, noble'. There would be no basis for reconstructing the adjective
*bHrg^H-ú- if it weren't for Hittite parku-; if, on the other hand, parku- <
*prk-ú-, we see at least why quercus should be a u-stem. Just a
suggestion.
Piotr
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2001 1:54 PM
Subject: Re: [tied] Re: Poets, linguists and countrymen. Lend me
your ears...
Hittite parku- "tall" (cf. Pergamos) < *bhergh- bhrghu-
"tall, high,
mountain", cf. barrow, berg, burg, fortis, Brigantia,
Brhu-