dužь

dužь Grammatical information: adj. jo Proto-Slavic meaning: `strong'

Page in Trubačev: V 167-168

Russian:

djúžij `sturdy, hefty, robust, healthy' [adj jo];

dúžij (dial.) `strong, healthy' [adj jo]

Old Russian:

djúžij `strong' [adj jo]

Belorussian:

dúžy `strong, vigorous' [adj jo]

Ukrainian:

dúžyj `strong, healthy' [adj jo]

Czech:

duží (rare) `firm, strong' [adj jo]

Slovak:

dúži `strong, big, healthy' [adj jo]

Polish:

duży `big, (16th-18th c., dial.) strong' [adj jo];

dużo `much, many, (16th-18th c.) very' [adv] \{1\}

Lithuanian:

daũg `much, many' [adv];

daugi (OLith.) `much, many' [adv] ;

daũgia (dial.) `much, many' [adv]

Latvian:

daũdz(i) `much, many' [adv]

Comments: If the Polish forms are "Ruthenianisms", there is no objection against positing a root containing a nasal, cf. dęga, dęglъ(jь)i, nedǫgъ. On the other hand, the parallellism between Pl. dużo and Lith. daũgia is suggestive. Possibly, the roots *dǫg- and *dug- were confused (cf. Shevelov 1964: 321-322, ESSJa 25: 126). The latter root may reflect *dʰougʰ-, cf. Go. daug `is useful'.

Notes:

\{1\} According to Bańkowski (II: 312), duży `strong' and dużo (duże) `very', which are attested since the 16th century, originate from Ukrainian. Duży `big' is recorded sporadically from 1600 onwards and more frequently since the 18th century, while dużo `much, many' occurs only since the 18th century.