Re: [tied] Latin -es and anomaly of canes/canis

On Čet, svibanj 17, 2007 3:33 pm, Joao S. Lopes reče:

> Is there a consensual explanation for the es-endings in many Latin names
> of animals, like fe:le:s (fe:lis) "cat"; cane:s (canis) "dog", me:le:s
> "badger, marten", ape:s (apis) "bee", vulpe:s "fox" ?
>
> Latin canis seems to be very anomalous, the expected would be *co: (gen.
> cunis or conis). Perhaps akin to cuniculus "rabbit", and it's similar to
> Lydian kan- in Kandaules.
>
> Other IE source, non-Italic?

I wouldn't rush it. The change of *o > *a after labials is a known
(sporadic) change in Latin (for instance mare, parie:s etc.) and *qua- >
ca- also occurs in ca:seus (~ Slavic kvasU). So canis could indeed be pure
Latin.

Mate