List of Romanian words of possible

Dacian origin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of Romanian words believed to be of Dacian origin and thus representing
the Eastern Romance substratum. In fact, it is not clear if they belonged to the Dacian
language or the Thracian language (or both), as the relation between the two is uncertain,
and that both Dacian and Thracian are very poorly attested. This list does not include the
Dacian plant names, collected by Dioscorides and Pseudo-Apuleius.

The Sources column indicates the linguist(s) or the works who suggested including the
words in the list:

"Hasdeu": Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu, Etymologicum Magnum Romaniae.

"Russu": Ion I. Russu, Limba traco-dacilor, published in 1967 at Editura
tiinific. The words that have been identified by I. I. Russu to have cognates in
Albanian are marked with (Alb.).
"Vraciu": Ariton Vraciu, Limba daco-geilor, published in 1980 at Editura Facla,
Timioara.
"NODEX": Noul dicionar explicativ al limbii romne (The New Dictionary of the
Romanian Language), Litera Internaional Publishing House, 2002. In this
dictionary substratum words are labeled cuvnt autohton (native word).
"Olteanu": Sorin Olteanu, "The TDM Palatal".[1]

The Notes column contains information found in various dictionaries. "Not in current
use" indicates words not found in dictionaries of contemporary Romanian.

Word / Name English Sources Notes

Hasdeu, Not in current use. Dacian:
abe ?
Vraciu *abhesya.
Abrud Abrud Hasdeu Place name in Romania.
Hasdeu,
Cf. Albanian avull (steam).
Russu
abur steam, vapour Dacian: *abhula. PIE: *h2ep-
(Alb.),
h3n.-lo
Vraciu
Alternative etymology: Latin
aca to hang, to catch Russu
*accaptire (to catch) Current
 Romanian form: aga.
adman Vraciu Not in current use.
Cf. Hungarian adomny (gift,
ademeni to tempt, to lure Hasdeu
grant).
Alternative etymology: Latin
adia to breeze gently Russu
*adiliare. Current form: adia.
aghiu devil Hasdeu Cf. Greek gios (saint).
Alternative etymology: from
aidoma alike, identical Hasdeu
Slavic vidom (visible).
Cf. Hungarian alakor, which,
however, has foreign origin,
possibly Romanian. Alternative
Einkorn wheat
alac Hasdeu etymology: Latin alica (spelt)
(Triticum monococcum)
Other possible origins: Albanian
aku or Albanian lakr
(greenery) of Greek origin.
Alternative form: hal;
a monster that unleashes
al Hasdeu alternative etymology:
storms
Bulgarian, Slavic (h)ala
aldea ? Hasdeu
Alternative etymology: Latin
amei to make/get dizzy Russu *ammattere (to bludgeon) or
*ammitre.
amurg twilight, dusk Russu See murg below.
Alternative etymology: Latin
anina to hang, to hook Russu *anninre (to swing) or
*allevinare.
Alternative etymology: Latin
aprig fiery, hot-blooded Russu aprcus (warm) or *apricus
from aper (wild boar).
Hasdeu,
loom (or particular boards Russu
argea
of a loom) (Alb.),
Vraciu
Arge Arge Hasdeu Place name, river name.
Alternative etymology: Latin
arunca to throw, to cast Russu
eruncare (to weed out).
Not in current use (see also
azug ? Hasdeu Azuga, a town in the Prahova
County)
Hasdeu, Cf. Hungarian bcsi (uncle).
baci (chief) shepherd Russu Compare Bulgarian
(Alb.), (bacho/bacio).
 Vraciu
rope, belt; coin necklace; Alternative etymology: Latin
baier, baier Russu
talisman; bail (handle) baiulus (a porter).
Russu Cf. Albanian bajg (same
balig dung, manure
(Alb.) meaning).
Russu Cf. Albanian balt (mud, soil)
balt pool, puddle
(Alb.) and Serbian blato (mud).
Alternative etymology: Serbian
bar marsh Hasdeu
bara (?)
"Cot"(lit: elbow)
represented a unit for
measuring length, equal to
the length of the average
Barb-cot fore-arm; "Barb" = beard. Hasdeu
"Barb-cot" = dwarf-like
fairy-tale character sporting
a disproportionately long
beard
Hasdeu,
Russu, Cf. Albanian barth, feminine
barz stork (Ciconia ciconia)
Vraciu, bardh (white).
Olteanu
Hasdeu,
basc beret Russu
(Alb.)
Alternative etymology: Turkish
battal (useless) from Arabic
batal (to mutilate), which also
batal wether (castrated ram) Hasdeu
gave Spanish baldar (cripple).
Also Cf. Albanian batal and
Bulgarian (useless).
Hasdeu,
blaur Russu Cf. Albanian boll (snake) and
dragon, monster
balaur (Alb.), Serbian blavor (slowworm).
Vraciu
Alternative etymology: Latin
bga to insert, to thrust Russu *bgre, from bis (twice) +
*iuga.
biat boy Russu
blond (person), white- Alternative etymology: Slavic
blan Hasdeu
haired (animal) bl (white)
Cf. Serbian berikat (?).
beregat throat, larynx Russu
Alternative etymology: Latin
 *verucata, from *veruca.
Cf. Albanian vrz (plane
a piece of wood or iron that
(tool)?), Slovenian brdce (piece
binds together the coulter,
of wood holding a trawl), and
brs the share and mouldboard NODEX[2]
Moravian brdce (piece of wood
of a plough (the plough
across the main shaft of a
beam?)
carriage).
Albanian: bor (snow);
boare breeze Russu Alternative etymology: Latin
boreas (the north wind).
Hasdeu,
bordei (buried or half-buried) hut
Russu
bort hole, hollow, archway Hasdeu Cf. Ukrainian bort.
Hasdeu,
brad
Russu Cf. Albanian bradh or bredh
(archaic form fir (any tree of genus Abies)
(Alb.), (same meaning).
*bradz)
Olteanu
crocus, primula (Crocus
Cf. Bulgarian brenduka and
brndu heuffelianus and other Russu
Serbian brndua.
similar flowers)
spawned German
Hasdeu,
de:Brinsenkse, Slavic
brnz cheese Russu,
ru:[3], bryndza in Slovak
Vraciu
and Polish[citation needed]
Russu
bru belt, waist Cf. Albanian bres or brezi
(Alb.)
bur (large-leafed plant, Russu
brusture
Lappa) (Alb.)
bucura (verb) Russu Cf. Albanian zbukuroj (beautify)
(to be) glad, to enjoy
bucuros (adj.) (Alb.) bukurosh (handsome).
buiestru pace (a horse gait) Russu
Hasdeu,
Russu
bunget thick and dark forest Cf. Albanian bunk.
(Alb.),
Vraciu
Alternative etymology: Turkish
burghiu drilling bit Hasdeu burgu (gimlet, corkscrew),
Serbo-Croatian burgija
Cf. Turkish burgu (pipe,
burlan spout, water pipe Russu
trumpet).
Cf. Albanian barku (same
burt belly, stomach Russu
meaning).
burtuc ? Hasdeu Not in current use.
burtu ? Hasdeu Not in current use.
Alternative etymology: Latin
*bottum (blunt and snout),
butuc log, stump Russu Cuman butak (branch), or
Turkish buduk (short-legged).
Cf. Hungarian butuk.
Probably a similar etymology
butur log, stump Russu
with butuc.
Cf. Albanian buz (same
Russu meaning). Similar in Bulgarian
buz lip
(Alb.) but the meaning is shfited into
cheek.
Alternative etymology: Latin
caier tuft of wool, etc. to be spun Russu
*caiulus.
long stick ending with a See aca above. Cf. Albanian
ca Russu
hook, used by shepherds cita (weaving sticks)
Albanian ksul'(same
Russu
cciul brimless hat meaning). Similar in Bulgarian,
(Alb.)
meaning hood.
Russu
cpu tick Cf. Albanian kpush.
(Alb.)
Cf. Albanian kputs;
Alternative etymology: Slavic
upper side of a foot; Russu
cput kopyto > Romanian copit
footwear covering it (Alb.)
(hoof), Slavic kopytce,
Hungarian kapta (last)
Cf. Albanian katund (village),
Russu
ctun hamlet Serbian katun (summer
(Alb.)
pasture).
Hasdeu, Cf. Albanian sorr (same
cioar crow
Vraciu meaning).
Cf. Turkish oban (same
cioban shepherd Hasdeu
meaning).
Cf. Albanian ok (hammer,
knuckle). Compare with the
Hasdeu,
cioc beak Bulgarian word
Vraciu
(chovka/ciovca) with the same
meaning (bill, beak).
ciocrlie skylark Hasdeu Derived from cioc, see above.
Cf. Turkish omak (same
ciomag club, cudgel Hasdeu meaning), Cf. Albanian omage
(big hammer)
crlan sheep or goat weanling; Russu
 colt, foal
crlig hook Russu Cf. Bulgarian krlik (?).
Alternative etymology: Latin
Hasdeu, *quodrum (from quadrum (a
codru wide old forest
Vraciu square), Cf. Albanian koder
(hill)
Russu Cf. Albanian kopae (big piece
copac tree
(Alb.) of wood).
Cf. Albanian kopil (bastard),
copil child Russu Serbian and Bulgarian kopile
(bastard).
cre curly; curly haired Russu
Russu
crua to pardon, to spare
(Alb.)
Y-shaped piece of wood
cujb used to hold the kettle over Hasdeu
the fire
culbec snail Hasdeu Variant: cubelc.
to tighten (a rope); to cut, Russu
curma Cf. Albanian kurmue.
stop (Alb.)
Russu
curpn vine, twining stem Cf. Albanian kurpen (?).
(Alb.)
Russu
Cf. Albanian kurth (same
curs trap, snare (Alb.),
meaning).
Olteanu
Possible etymology: Romanian
custur blade, knife edge, knife Russu
cuit (knife) + the suffix tur
darari ? Russu Not in current use.
Russu
da ram Albanian: dash (same meaning).
(Alb.)
Cf. Albanian: dermoj (to hurt
Russu
drma to demolish, to knock down someone) Alternative
(Alb.)
etymology: Latin *deramare.
deh ? Hasdeu Not in current use.
Alternative etymology: Latin
deretica to tidy up Russu
*deradicare (to root out).
desca to unhook Russu des-ca
descurca to disentangle Russu Antonym of ncurca, see below.
desghina to divide, to separate Russu current: dezbina
to break from a bad habit,
dezbra Russu
to rid
dezgauc ? Hasdeu
Cf. Latvian and Lithuanian
Hasdeu,
doin Romanian lyrical folk song daina (song, traditional form of
Vraciu
Baltic music and poetry).
don ? Hasdeu
dop cork, plug Russu Cf. Saxon dop.
Cf. Albanian droe or droje
crowd, large number (of
droaie Russu (shyness from the crowd
people or animals) [clarification needed]
).
Hasdeu, Alternative etymology: Polish
dulu mastiff
Vraciu dolow or dolaw.
Russu Cf. Albanian thrrime (same
frm crumb, fragment
(Alb.) meaning).
Russu Cf. Albanian gardh (same
gard fence
(Alb.) meaning) and old Slavic grad.
Russu Cf. Albanian gati (same
gata ready, done
(Alb.) meaning).
Russu Cf. Albanian glbaz, klbaz
glbeaz fascioliasis
(Alb.) (phlegm).
Hasdeu, Alternative etymology: Latin
genune abyss
Russu *gyro.
Alternative etymology: 1. Latin
*ungularis (claw, talon)
*nghiare n ghiare (in [its]
claws); 2. Romanian unghioar
(small fingernail) nghiar.
Cf. Albanian dor (arm,
ghear claw, talon Russu
clutches, fist, flipper, hand,
handful, mitt, palm, quality),
dar (nippers, pincers,
pinchers), jerr (clapperclaw,
lacerate, scratch, tear up), grric
or gervish (scratch)
ghes a poke, a goad Russu
Russu Cf. Albanian gjmp, gjemb
ghimpe thorn
(Alb.) (same meaning).
ghiob cheese barrel Hasdeu Cf. Hungarian dbny (?).
Russu
ghionoaie woodpecker Cf. Albanian gjon (night bird).
(Alb.)
ghiont a nudge, a poke Russu
Hasdeu, Cf. Albanian gjysh
ghiuj old, decrepit man
Vraciu (grandfather).
gde executioner Hasdeu
gdel ? Hasdeu
Romanian kind of grapes
gordin Hasdeu
used in winemaking
Alternative etymology:
Sessile oak (Quercus
gorun Russu Bulgarian gorun (same
petraea)
meaning).
Russu Cf. Albanian grep, grep
grap harrow
(Alb.) (fishing rod, [its] hook).
Russu
gresie sandstone, whetstone Cf. Albanian gres (?).
(Alb.)
Russu Cf. Albanian grop (same
groap hole, pit
(Alb.) meaning).
Alternative etymology: Latin
grui hilltop, hillock Russu
*grunnium
Russu
Cf. Albanian gurmaz or grmaz
grumaz neck (Alb.),
(throat).
NODEX
a lump of stiff but brittle
Russu
grunz substance, such as a block Cf. Albanian grund (?).
(Alb.)
of salt
Cf. Albanian gudulis (to tickle);
cf. Romanian gdila (to tickle),
gudura to fawn Russu cf. Bulgarian
(gdelichkam),
(gdel me e) (to tickle)[4]
Cf. Albanian gush (same
meaning, plus Adam's apple),
a bird's crop; double chin, Russu
gu Serbian gua (throat),
goiter (Alb.)
Bulgarian. Alternative
etymology: Latin *geusiae.
Hasdeu, Alternative etymology:
hojma repeatedly, continuously
Vraciu Ukrainian homa.
ugly and evil apparition,
iazm Hasdeu
ghost
mythological characters Cf. Serbian vile (nymphs),
(white-clad beautiful girls, Slavic mythology. Alternative
iele Hasdeu
bewitching men with their etymology: from Romanian ele
song and dance) (feminine form of they).
Alternative etymology: Latin
ncurca to entangle, to mix up Russu *incolicare (from colus =
distaff).
nghina to assemble, to put together Russu Cf. Romanian mbina.
 to wrinkle the edge of a
ngurzi fabric or the sole of a shoe Russu
with a thread
Currently preferred form:
nsila; alternative etymology:
Turkish say (saw or a delicate
nseila to stitch, to sew temporarily Russu
kind of serge, or woolen
cloth)[5]. Cf. Serbian iti (to
sew)
to recover after illness or
ntrema Russu
fatigue
Hasdeu, Etymology given for current
jil, jiel tall-backed (arm)chair
Vraciu form je: German Sitz.
Alternative etymology: Latin
leagn cradle, swing Russu *liginare from ligare (to
tie/bind).
Alternative etymology: Latin
lapidare (to throw stones). Cf.
lepda to drop; to take off (clothes) Russu
Serbian pada, opada (to drop,
to fall).
lespede stone slab Russu
leina to faint Russu From Serbian leina (carcass)
Hasdeu,
Russu
mal shore Cf. Albanian mal (mountain).
(Alb.),
Vraciu
a small load (of wood, hay, Alternative etymology: Greek
maldac Hasdeu
etc.) mandakis.
Hasdeu,
Russu
Cf. Albanian modh and
mazre pea (Pisum sativum) (Alb.),
modhull.
Vraciu,
Olteanu
sweetbrier (Rosa
mce Russu
eglanteria)
mdri to pamper, to spoil (a child) Russu
Russu Cf. Albanian magul (same
mgur hill, knoll
(Alb.) meaning).
After millet was largely
replaced by corn, the word
mlai millet flour Hasdeu
changed its meaning into corn
flour.
mmlig cornmeal mush (mmlig) Hasdeu Albanian mmelig (same
 meaning)
mrcat ? Russu Not in current use.
Russu
mtur broom Serbian metla (broom)
(Alb.)
Mehadia Mehadia Hasdeu
Hasdeu,
melc snail Russu,
Vraciu
mieru bluish Russu
Hasdeu,
mire bridegroom Russu, Cf. Albanian mir (good).
Vraciu
Albanian: mistrec (captious
mistre wild boar Russu kid)[citation needed]. Alternative
etymology: Latin *mixticius.
mica to move, to stir Russu
Cf. Albanian mz (same
meaning). It is agreed that the
Thracian inscription
Russu (meznai, in Greek alphabet) on
mnz foal, colt
(Alb.) the Duvanli gold ring means
horseman. The PIE root
*mend(i)- is thought to mean
horse.
morman pile, heap Russu
mosoc large shepherd dog Hasdeu
Probably a backformation from
Russu
mo old man moa (midwife); cf. Albanian
(Alb.)
mosh (age).
mo tuft, crest Hasdeu
Russu
mugure bud Cf. Albanian mugull (gemma).
(Alb.)
munun hilltop Russu
Russu
murg dark brown (animal, horse) Cf. Albanian murg (monk?).
(Alb.)
muat handsome Russu
limbless lizard (Anguis Russu Cf. Albanian neprk, nprk
nprc
fragilis); viper (Alb.) (viper).
nsrmb prank, mischief Hasdeu
niel a little Russu
noian multitude, heap Russu
 rich (of a shepherd);
ortoman handsome (of an outlaw); Hasdeu
quick (of a horse)
Russu Cf. Albanian pista, bishtaj
pstaie pod, capsule, hull
(Alb.) (beans).
Alternative etymology:
pstra to keep Russu
Bulgarian pastrja (?).
pnz cloth, linen, fabric Russu
Cf. Albanian prrua (creek,
Russu stream); also might be related to
pru brook, creek
(Alb.) Romanian ru (river, stream)
from Latin rivus (stream).
Alternative etymology: Latin
prunc small child Russu
*puerunculus (small child).
Russu Alternative etymology: Latin
pururea always, ever
(Alb.) purus (pure, also absolute).
Hasdeu, Cf. Albanian ros (same
ra duck
Vraciu meaning) and Serbian raca (?).
any of several kinds of Alternative etymology: Turkish
ravac Hasdeu
wine or must ravak (?).
rbda to bide, bear, endure Russu
reazem support, backing, prop Russu
Alternative etymology: Latin
ridica to raise, lift Russu
eradicare (to uproot).
rmf ? Hasdeu Not in current use.
Hasdeu,
gizzard; any of several Russu
rnz Cf. Albanian rrnds (rennet).
stomach diseases (Alb.),
Vraciu
sarbd Russu Cf. Albanian tharbt (?).
(today insipid (Alb.), Alternative etymology: Latin
searbd) Olteanu exalbidus (white).
Sarmisegetuza Sarmizegetusa Hasdeu
to strike a flintstone (to Russu Cf. Albanian sqepar (small axe
scpra
start a fire) (Alb.) for cutting meat)
Russu Cf. Albanian shkrum, shkrumb
scrum ashes
(Alb.) (same meaning)[citation needed].
Albanian shkul (uproot)
Russu
scula to get up, to wake Alternative etymology:
(Alb.)
*excubulare (to get up, wake).
to scrape or dig (with snout, Alternative etymology:
scurma Russu
claws, beak, tools) *excorrimare (?).
 Russu
(Alb.), Cf. Albanian sumbull or
smbure pit (fruit kernel)
NODEX, thumbull (?).
Olteanu
smvea (?) Hasdeu
Russu Alternative etymology: Slavic
spnz hellebore
(Alb.) spreji (?).
Hasdeu, Alternative etymology: Slavic
stpn master, owner
Vraciu stopan (same meaning).
Alternative etymology: Latin
strnut sneeze Russu
sternutare (to sneeze).
Hasdeu, Alternative etymology:
stejar oak
Vraciu Bulgarian (stejer) (?).
icicle-shaped soot
steregie Russu
concretion in chimneys
Russu Albanian: shterp (same
sterp sterile, infertile
(Alb.) meaning).
Hasdeu,
stn sheep fold Vraciu,
NODEX
Cf. Albanian shtrngat (same
strghiat storm Russu
meaning).
larva living in foodstuff Russu
strepede Cf. Albanian shtrep (?).
(Piophila casei) (Alb.)
Russu,
strugure grape
NODEX
Russu
place for milking sheep;
strung (Alb.), Cf. Albanian shtrung (?).
narrow passage, canyon
NODEX
From sub (under) and grumaz
sugruma to strangle, to burke Russu
(throat, see above).
From sub (under) and gu
sugua to strangle, to burke Russu
(goiter, see above).
Cf Albanian shale (thigh),
Russu
ale hips Alternative etymology: Latin
(Alb.)
sella (seat).
Hasdeu,
ir spine
Russu
Hasdeu,
Russu
oprl lizard
(Alb.),
Vraciu
oric pig skin Russu
Russu
ut hornless Albanian: shyt (same meaning)
(Alb.)
tare hard Russu
Albanian trast, trajst (same
meaning), cf. Romanian
traist bag Hasdeu
synonym strai and Albanian
strajc
tulei (young) whiskers Hasdeu
Russu
ap he-goat Albanian: cjap (ibex, billy-goat)
(Alb.)
Russu
pen, fold (fenced enclosure
arc (Alb.), Cf. Albanian cark or thark (?).
for animals)
Olteanu
arin country Russu
ru pole, pale, picket Russu
mburu
a small, usually round, Cf. Albanian thumbull (?) and
(today Olteanu
protrusion on a surface, nub cf. Romanian smbure.
umburu)
undr . Hasdeu
urc traditional Romanian game Hasdeu
respectively: to look, to Altern. etym. Latin *oblitare (to
(a se/ a) uita Russu
forget forget).
undrea sewing needle Russu current form: andrea
urca climb Russu
Altern. etym. hordeolus
urcior eyesore Russu
(eyesore).
Hasdeu,
urd cottage cheese Russu,
Vraciu
Altern. etym. Latin ordinare (to
urdina . Russu
set in order).
Altern. etym. Latin *horridor
urdoare Gelatinous ocular secretion Russu
(rough, horrible).
Hasdeu,
Albanian vatre (fireplace)
vatr hearth, home, fireplace Russu
(Vraciu), Serbian vatra (fire)
(Alb).
Altern. etym. Latin victimare (to
vtma to hurt, to injure Russu
sacrifice).
one year old kid (goat & Russu
vtui Latin vitellus (a little calf).
doe); hare (Alb.)
viezure Russu Cf. Albanian vjedhull (the
(archaic form badger (Alb.), thief, from the verb vjeth, to
viedzure) Olteanu steal).
viscol blizzard Russu
Albanian dhall (same
zar buttermilk Russu meaning), cf. Romanian zr, zer
below
zr Russu, Cf. Albanian dhall (sour milk,
whey
(today zer) Olteanu diluted yogurt).
zburda jump around, prance, frolic Russu
Similar to the Bulgarian word
zestre wedding gift, or wealth Russu.
(zestra).
Russu
zgard collar Cf. Albanian shkardh
(Alb.)
Russu Altern. etym. Latin *scaberare <
zgria scratch
(Alb.?) scaber (itchy)
scratch (searching for
zgrma Russu cf. Romanian scurma above
something)
(zimbru is a different word,
zmbru, a coniferous tree, Pinus Hasdeu,
meaning bufalo, i.e., Bison
zmbru cembra Vraciu
bonasus)
black nightshade (Solanum
zrn, zrn Hasdeu Altern. etym. Old Slavic zrno
nigrum)

[edit] References
(Romanian) Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu, Etymologicum Magnum Romaniae, 1887-
1895
(Romanian) Ion. I. Russu, Limba traco-dacilor, Editura tiinific, Bucureti,
1967
(Romanian) Ion. I. Russu, Elemente autohtone n limba romn, Editura
Academiei RSR, Bucureti, 1970
(Romanian) Ion. I. Russu, Etnogeneza romnilor, Editura tiinific i
Enciclopedic, Bucureti, 1981
(Romanian) Ariton Vraciu, Limba daco-geilor, Editura Facla, Timioara, 1980
 (Romanian) Alexandru Ciornescu, Dicionarul etimologic romn, Universidad
de la Laguna, Tenerife, 1958-1966 (in part available online at DEX online)
(Romanian) George Pruteanu, "Limba traco-dacilor", transcript of a TV show
broadcast March 25 and 26, 1996, on PRO TV; the transcript is followed by a
"List of words considered by specialists as most probably belonging to the Dacian
language".
(Romanian) DEX online: a collection of Romanian dictionaries
Albanian <-> English Dictionary

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