Joao S. Lopes:
> What's the meaning of ON Gna: , a messenger goddess, similar to Iris?
> Snorri links Gna: to gnaefir, what would imply a proto-form
> *Gnai(h)wo:(n) or *Gnae:(h)wo:(n).
> Was G- a preffix ?
I've been waiting for somebody knowledgable to answer, but apparently not.
A frozen g- prefix, cognate to German ge-, is found with vaguely
intensifying meaning in a few ON words: <granni> "neighbour, comrade",
<greiða> "make, mend, prepare, ..." and probably a couple more that I
can't remember.
The word <gná> is even used as a kenning for "woman", or so says my
dictionary. With <ná> meaning "near, close", a g- prefixed <gná> might
possibly have meant "(the) very close" or "(the) approaching". I've no
idea if it makes sense, but I do like it.
--
Trond Engen