From: andythewiros
Message: 64873
Date: 2009-08-20
>Could it be that the original meaning was "to enclose", from *tu:nam "enclosure = enclosed place", and that the meanings "to hedge in, fence in" are derived from that, rather than the other way around? The meaning "enclosure = enclosed place" would seem to be the more natural original meaning if derived from Celtic "fortified place, fortified height", rather than "fence, hedge", I think?
>
>
> By the way, no one's yet mentioned OE <ty:nan> 'to hedge in,
> fence, enclose', from PGmc. *tu:njan, a *-jan derivative of
> *tu:na- 'fence'.
>
> Brian
>