Etymologically
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прѣжде

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Forms

прѣжде (prěžde); Glagolitic ⱂⱃⱑⰶⰴⰵ[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Proto-Slavic *perdje, in origin the neuter comparative of Proto-Slavic *perdъ (“before, in front of”), the source of прѣдъ.[2][3] Sadnik and Aitzetmüller describe прѣжде and прѣди as forms of прѣ extended with d.[4] The same adverb is Old East Slavic переже (pereže), Ukrainian пе́ріже (périže), Serbo-Croatian пре̏ђе (prȅđe), Slovene prẹ̑je and Upper Sorbian prjódcy.[2]

The preposition *perdъ is from Proto-Indo-European *per-dʰh₁-om, from *per- (“before”) and *dʰeh₁- (“to put, to place”), formed like Proto-Slavic *nadъ (“above”).[5][1] The root *per- is also in Lithuanian per (“through”), Gothic 𐍆𐌰𐌹𐍂 (fair), Latin per and Ancient Greek περί (perí).[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

In the Gospels прѣжде renders Ancient Greek πρῶτον (prôton, “first”) and other Greek adverbs of earlier time: ꙇштѣте же прѣжде цѣсарьствиѣ божиѣ “but seek first the kingdom of God” (Mt 6, 33 Zogr As Sav), where the Marianus has паче.[6] As a preposition with the genitive it renders Ancient Greek πρό (pró, “before”), as in ꙇзгънашѧ пророкꙑ • ꙇже бѣшѧ прѣжде васъ “they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Mt 5, 12 Zogr).[7]

Semantic evolution

As an adverb it means earlier, first or long ago, for πρῶτον, πρότερον, πρώην and πάλαι, and it combines with verbs to render Greek compounds in προ-, such as прѣжде бꙑти and прѣжде вѣдѣти.[7][6] As a preposition it takes the genitive (прѣжде трии дьнии “three days before”, Supr 168, 17), and прѣжде вьсего means first of all.[7] Once, in the manuscript Slepč (E 3, 20), it means above or over, for ὑπέρ, where other manuscripts have паче.[7] With даже or даже не it introduces a clause, “before”.[8][6]

Timeline

  • End of the 9th – beginning of the 10th century – the Euchologium Sinaiticum uses прѣжде for πρίν and πρό.[9]
  • By the early 15th century – a Serbian translation of the Rila Monastery uses it for πρό, beside прѣдъ and прѣди.[9]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. before, earlier, first; long ago; for πρῶτον, πρότερον, πρώην, πάλαι.[7][6][1]

Preposition

  1. With the genitive, before (in time); for πρό.[7][6]
  2. With the genitive, above, over; for ὑπέρ.[7]

Word family

  • прѣждьнь
  • прѣждьникъ

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b Vasmer, Max (1964–1973), Ètimologičeskij slovar' russkogo jazyka, transl. and suppl. by O. N. Trubačev, 4 vols., Moskva: Progress, p. 3, 237
  3. ^ Vasmer, Max (1964–1973), Ètimologičeskij slovar' russkogo jazyka, transl. and suppl. by O. N. Trubačev, 4 vols., Moskva: Progress, p. 3, 357
  4. ^ a b Sadnik, Linda; Aitzetmüller, Rudolf (1955), Handwörterbuch zu den altkirchenslavischen Texten, Heidelberg: Winter / 's-Gravenhage: Mouton, p. 289
  5. ^ Derksen, Rick (2008), Etymological Dictionary of the Slavic Inherited Lexicon, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 4, Leiden / Boston: Brill, p. 396
  6. ^ a b c d e Slovník nejstarších staroslověnských památek (digital ed., Gorazd, Slovanský ústav AV ČR, gorazd.org); cf. Cejtlin, R. M.; Večerka, R.; Blagova, É. (eds.) (1994), Staroslavjanskij slovar' (po rukopisjam X–XI vekov), Moskva: Russkij jazyk
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Kurz, Josef; Hauptová, Zoe (eds.) (1958–1997), Slovník jazyka staroslověnského / Lexicon linguae palaeoslovenicae, 4 vols. + supplements, Praha: Academia; digital ed. gorazd.org
  8. ^ Miklosich, Franz (1862–1865), Lexicon palaeoslovenico-graeco-latinum emendatum auctum, Vindobonae: Braumüller
  9. ^ a b SlaVaComp Metaglossar Griechisch–Kirchenslavisch, Universität Freiburg, slavistik-portal.de