magh-

To be able, have power.

Derivatives include dismay, might¹, machine, and magic.

1.

a. may¹, from Old English magan, to be able;

b. dismay, from Old French esmaier, to frighten. Both a and b from Germanic *magan, to be able.

2. might¹, from Old English miht, power, from Germanic suffixed form *mah-ti-, power.

3. main, from Old English mægen, power, from Germanic suffixed form *mag-inam, power.

4. Suffixed lengthened-grade form *māgh-anā-, “that which enables.” machine, mechanic, mechanism, mechano-, from Greek (Attic) mēkhanē, (Doric) mākhanā, device.

5. Possibly suffixed form *magh-u-. magic, magus, from Old Persian maguš, member of a priestly caste (< “mighty one”).

 

[Pokorny magh- 695.]

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