DGK wrote: These look like etymologically distinct words. A plectrum moves
back and forth, so OE <sceacel> in that sense could easily be related to
<sceacan> 'to shake'. The only plausible comparandum I have seen is Skt.
<khajati> 'agitates, churns' which would imply a PIE root *(s)kh3eg-.
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ISHINAN: Thank you for your response. Am I to understand that you are in
disagreement with the OED findings in favor of a sense of "a plectrum moves
back and forth" and linking it to the notion of 'SHAKE'? My understanding
is that this idea was previously investigated and rejected, years ago.
Moreover, I am at a loss as to why this suggestion is being reignited in
light of what the dictionary currently states on this subject. In fact, the
OED is quite explicit in refuting the notion of 'SHAKE'.
Just in case, for your edification, I am taking the liberty of quoting
verbatim, the Oxford English dictionary's entry for 'SHACKLE' (OED Compact
Edition, vol. ii p.585):
"The notion common to these words appears to be that of 'something to fasten
or attach'. On this ground it seems difficult to refer them to the Teut.
*shak- SHAKE v. Falk and Torp suggest to the Teut. *skaek- :-
pre.Teut.*skeg-, a doublet of keg-, whence Teut. *haek-: hak- :hok-) found
in G. haken , OE. hoc HOOK sb.: but this is very doubtful.)"
http://www.theegyptianchronicles.com/LINKS/SHKL.html
Also
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=shackle&searchmode=none
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ISHINAN: It is quite fascinating that Falk and Torp's suggestion that the G.
Haken ((*haek-) mentioned in the Shackle entry in the OED (although
unrelated) also corresponds exactly to Classical Arabic 'H.gn' which means
(hook, hooked, crooked). A JPEG of this latest Arabic entry and its English
translation from the dictionary can be viewed at the end of the article
below (click the following URL).
http://www.theegyptianchronicles.com/LINKS/SHKL.html
At any rate, based on the OED, I am afraid your 'comparandum' with Skt.
<khajati> is out of the question.
Thank you for your response, it is much appreciated.
All the best,
Ishinan