*gwh in Gmc.

[Steve Gustafson]

Miguel Carrasquer Vidal wrote:

>> In P-Italic you have p_p_('pompe'). On the other hand, not all Germanic has
>> f_f_: Swedish 'femt', mirroring Greek 'pente' (NGr. 'pende'), where t < *kw.
>> As a non-specialist, I'm really confused. Help!

> <fimt> is from *<penkwtis>, cf. Slavic *<pe~tI> (> Russ. <pjat'>).

The unmarked modern Swedish word for -five- is -fem-.  -Femt- is the neuter;
and rather than seeking an ancient explanation for the -t, it is likelier
that it is the -t suffix that attaches to most neuter adjectives.  The ON
was -fimm-, indeclinable.  -Fifth- is -femte-, ON -fimmti-; and here of
course a dental suffix is expected.

--
But ah!  when first to breathe man does begin
He then inhales the noxious seeds of sin,
Which every goodly feeling does destroy
And more or less his after life annoy.
                        --- Robert Peter (fl. 19th century)

Ceterum censeo sedem Romanam esse delendam.