Nechtan ... was Re: Picts, Celts and IE

> Way back on Tue Mar 7, 2000 Chris Gwinn wrote:
>
> "*Nechtonos "divine descendant" or "god of the waters" (*Nep-t-on-os
> or *Nebh-t-on-os related to Roman Neptune)"
>
> as possibly etymologies for Nechtan.
> Could Chris or anyone simply clarify anything about how the
> development would occur -- especially in the case of *Nep-t-on-os as
> I believe that would be the proper form to also have an association
> with (Apam) Napat ??

Well, the etymologies are very speculative, but it's possible that the
roots necht- and nept- in Irish Nechtain and Latin Neptunus may come
from either a reduced form of *nepo:t, "descendant/grandson/nephew,"
or a suffixed form of PIE *nebh- (ie *nebh-t-), "cloud, moist"

- Chris Gwinn