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R (linguistics)
(387 words)

[German version]

In Greek and Latin, the letter R denotes a voiced alveolar trill ('R rolled with the tip of the tongue'); however, the aspirated r in ῥ θρ φρ χρ (cf. Latin rhetor, Armen. xṙetor for Greek ῥήτωρ, Latin Trhaso for Greek Θράσων) was voiceless [1. 39 f.; 2. 32; 3. 65, 204]. In inherited Greek and Latin words, r is derived from Proto-Indo-European r (Greek τρεῖς, Latin trēs < Proto-Indoeuropean*tréi̯es 'three'). In initial position, Greek ῥ- can be traced back to sr- or u̯r- , which in Latin appears as fr- or r- (Greek ῥῖγος, Latin frīgus 'coldness'< *srīg- became Polish śryż 'drift…

Cite this page
Meiser, Gerhard (Halle/Saale), “R (linguistics)”, in: Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and , Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e1017920>
First published online: 2006
First print edition: 9789004122598, 20110510



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