աւօտ

Old Armenian

Alternative forms

• աւաւտ (awawt)

Etymology

Ačaṙyan understand the meaning as “time” and leaves the origin open.

Ałayan identifies with the ending of առաւօտ (aṙawōt) and takes the word to mean “the time of sun-rise”, deriving *aw from Proto-Indo-European *sāu-, +‎ -աւտ (-awt); see առաւօտ (aṙawōt) for more on this.

J̌ahukyan accepts the connection with առաւօտ (aṙawōt) but derives both from Proto-Indo-European *aus- (“to shine”).

Noun

աւօտ • (awōt)

1. The meaning of this term is uncertain. Possibilities include:
   1. time
   2. the time of sunrise

Usage notes

The word is a hapax legomenon and its meaning is not clear from the only attested passage.

Derived terms

• շաղաւօտ (šaławōt, “4th nocturnal hour”)
• կամաւօտ (kamawōt, “5th nocturnal hour”)

Related terms

• առաւօտ (aṙawōt)

References

• Petrosean, Matatʻeay (1879) “աւօտ”, in Nor Baṙagirkʻ Hay-Angliarēn [New Dictionary Armenian–English], Venice: S. Lazarus Armenian Academy
• Awetikʻean, G., Siwrmēlean, X., Awgerean, M. (1836–1837) “աւօտ”, in Nor baṙgirkʻ haykazean lezui [New Dictionary of the Armenian Language] (in Old Armenian), Venice: S. Lazarus Armenian Academy
• Ačaṙean, Hračʻeay (1979) “աւօտ”, in Hayerēn armatakan baṙaran [Armenian Etymological Dictionary] (in Armenian), 2nd edition, a reprint of the original 1926–1935 seven-volume edition, volume IV, Yerevan: University Press, page 363a
• Aġayan, Ēduard (1974) Baṙakʻnnakan ew stugabanakan hetazotutʻyunner [Lexicological and Etymological Studies]‎^[1] (in Armenian), Yerevan: Academy Press, pages 24–27
• J̌ahukyan, Geworg (2010) “աւօտ”, in Vahan Sargsyan, editor, Hayeren stugabanakan baṙaran [Armenian Etymological Dictionary] (in Armenian), Yerevan: Asoghik, page 99b