[gothic-l] Russ/ross

[M. Carver]

on 11/19/00 2:28 PM, sig at sigmund at algonet.se wrote:

> I would like to know the etymology of russ/ross since I know
> that this word is actively in use on the island of Gotland
> to-day in the sense of horse; one race of small horses is
> called Gotlands-russ. Does it even have some conceivable
> link to rus?
> 
> john gregory presco wrote:
> ..
>> Hrosmund, German for a "horse barn", or, Rosmund, ros being a fortified
>> prominance. Ross is also, horse?


Hails

The element rus- in names seems to meen rust or rusty color; perhaps
referring to 'reddish' hair? cf. Rosomil, Rosmunda, Rosamunda, Rosamud,
Rosamoni < *Rusamals? *Rusamunda (, *Rusamods), *Rusamunan. At least we know
of Go. rauþs and rusma, both meaning red. Another possibility which Koebler
overlooks (perhaps for good reason?) but I find intriguing is the nymic
element Raus 'fame', as in Rausimodus. This at least seems much more in
keeping with naming tradition; often this au "diphthong" is seen in latinic
transcriptions as 'o'.

The goths, at least of Wulfila's era, used the word 'marhs' to indicate
horse, though certain types of horses had specific names, e.g. Guta "Gothic"
(perhaps not used by the Goths themselves), Bala "Blaze" whence Byzantine
Bala's. 'Aihvs' was known (cf. Lat. equus, OE eoh) but mainly as the name of
the rune E. 


Matþaius



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