-ārijaz (Proto-Germanic)
Where does "-ārijaz" come from?
The Proto-Germanic noun suffix '-ārijaz', used to form agent nouns and occupations, is usually held to be a borrowing from the Latin suffix '-ārius'[1]. At the very least, the Proto-Germanic form was probably influenced and reinforced by the Latin suffix[1]. Alternative theories suggest the suffix could be a native formation derived from earlier forms related to feminine agent noun suffixes and Proto-West Germanic '-astrijā'[1].
Open questions
- The suffix is traditionally viewed as a borrowing from Latin, but an alternative theory derives it from a native Proto-Germanic formation. [1]
Full etymology tree
- *-ārijaz (Proto-Germanic), '-er. Forms agent nouns, especially denoting occupations, from other nouns.'
- borrowed -arius (Latin), 'Used to form adjectives from nouns or numerals.'
Ancestors
- -arius (Latin)
Descendants and derived words
- -𐌰𐍂𐌴𐌹𐍃 (Gothic)
Sources
Updated August 2026
Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris