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i?6 Word-Formation [§ 389

COMPOUND NOUNS.

$ 889. In compound nouns formed by composition the second element is always a noun, but the first element may be a noun, adjective, or a particle. The declension and gender of compound nouns are determined by the final element.

The final vowel of the first element generally remained in the pure a-stems, but there are many exceptions which it is difficult to account for. Examples are: álhra-tunđi, thornbush; áina-baur, first-born; áiza-smíþa, coppersmith ; arma-haírtei, mercy; daúra-wards, door-keeper; dwala-waúrđei, foolish talk ; figgra-gulþ, finger-ring; garda-waldanđs (but see § 197), master of the house; hunđa-faþs, centurion; hunsla-staþs, altar; lagga-mōđei, long-suffering; láuna-wargs, unthankful person; láusa-waúrdi, empty talk; lukarna-staþa, candlestick; waíla-dēþs, benefit; waurda-jiuka, a strife about words; weina-garđs, vineyard; weina-triu, vine. But on the other hand: áin-falþei, simplicity; all-waldanđs, the Almighty; gud-hūs, temple; guþ-blōstreis, worshipper of God; hals-agga, neck; láus-handus (adj.), empty-handed; maoag-falþs (adj.), manifold; sigisláun, prize ; wein-drugkja, wine-bibber.

The -a remained in the short ja-stems, but disappeared in the long, as midja-sweipáins, the flood ; niuja-satiþs, novice; wilja-halþei, respect of persons; but frei-hals, freedom, arbi-numja, heir; agláiti-waúrdei, indecent language.

The final vowel of the first element regularly remained in the ō-, jō·, i-, and u-stems, as mōta-staþs, toll-place. þūsundi-faþs, leader of a thousand men. gabaúrþi-waúrda, genealogy; mari-sáiws, sea; mati-balgs, wallet; náudi-bandi, fetter; but brūþ-faþs, bridegroom, asilu-qaírnus, mill-stone; faíhu-gaírnei, covetousness ; filu-waúrdei, much talking; fōtu-baúrd, footboard; grundu-waddjus, foundation ; hardu-haírtei, hard-heartedness.



		i?6 Word-Formation [§ 389 COMPOUND NOUNS. $ 889. In compound nouns formed by composition the second element is always a noun, but the first element may be a noun, adjective, or a particle. The declension and gender of compound nouns are determined by the final element. The final vowel of the first element generally remained in the pure a-stems, but there are many exceptions which it is difficult to account for. Examples are: álhra-tunđi, thornbush; áina-baur, first-born; áiza-smíþa, coppersmith ; arma-haírtei, mercy; daúra-wards, door-keeper; dwala-waúrđei, foolish talk ; figgra-gulþ, finger-ring; garda-waldanđs (but see § 197), master of the house; hunđa-faþs, centurion; hunsla-staþs, altar; lagga-mōđei, long-suffering; láuna-wargs, unthankful person; láusa-waúrdi, empty talk; lukarna-staþa, candlestick; waíla-dēþs, benefit; waurda-jiuka, a strife about words; weina-garđs, vineyard; weina-triu, vine. But on the other hand: áin-falþei, simplicity; all-waldanđs, the Almighty; gud-hūs, temple; guþ-blōstreis, worshipper of God; hals-agga, neck; láus-handus (adj.), empty-handed; maoag-falþs (adj.), manifold; sigisláun, prize ; wein-drugkja, wine-bibber. The -a remained in the short ja-stems, but disappeared in the long, as midja-sweipáins, the flood ; niuja-satiþs, novice; wilja-halþei, respect of persons; but frei-hals, freedom, arbi-numja, heir; agláiti-waúrdei, indecent language. The final vowel of the first element regularly remained in the ō-, jō·, i-, and u-stems, as mōta-staþs, toll-place. þūsundi-faþs, leader of a thousand men. gabaúrþi-waúrda, genealogy; mari-sáiws, sea; mati-balgs, wallet; náudi-bandi, fetter; but brūþ-faþs, bridegroom, asilu-qaírnus, mill-stone; faíhu-gaírnei, covetousness ; filu-waúrdei, much talking; fōtu-baúrd, footboard; grundu-waddjus, foundation ; hardu-haírtei, hard-heartedness.