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This analysis explores the relationship between Hittite denominatives in A and Indo-European verbs ending in -āyō.

April 24, 2026

Hittite Denominatives in a ( i ) and One Source of Indo-European Nouns in Long ā

Key Points

This analysis explores the relationship between Hittite denominatives in A and Indo-European verbs ending in -āyō.
Examined etymologies of Hittite denominatives and Indo-European verbs
Compared the formation methods of Latin and Hittite verbs
Analyzed patterns in the Rig Veda and Homer relating to -āyō verbs
Confirmed correspondence of Hittite denominatives in A with Indo-European verbs in -āyō
Identified that many -āyō verbs lack corresponding ā-stems in Indo-European literature
Proposed that Indo-European ā-stems may be backformations based on dissyllabic bases

Abstract

That Hittite denominatives in a ( i ) correspond to IE verbs in -āyō is supported by etymologies ( ) and by agreement with Latin in method of formation (cf. aestuāre but piscārī ) from u- and i -stems. In Hittite no ā -stems have been recognized, the suffix is therefore not a conglomerate. This adds new interest to the fact that in IE (esp. Rig Veda and Homer) many -āyō verbs have no corresponding ā -stem. Probably the IE ā -stems are largely ‘backformations’ patterned on a number of ā -stems that were (cf. Hirt) simply dissyllabic bases.

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E. H. Sturtevant

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Yale University

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Hittite Denominatives in a ( i ) and One Source of Indo-European Nouns in Long ā

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Abstract

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Discussion

Authors

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