þagilaz

þagilaz is a Proto-Germanic word reconstructed by linguists. Its exact meaning and usage are subjects of scholarly debate, but it is generally understood to relate to the concept of silence or being quiet. The root *þag- is believed to be the origin of later Germanic words associated with silence and being still.

Etymological research suggests that þagilaz might have functioned as an adjective or possibly a noun in Proto-Germanic. It is thought to be connected to the Proto-Indo-European root *teg-, which also carries connotations of silence or covering. This connection points to a deep linguistic history for the concept of quietude within the Indo-European language family.

The word's presence is inferred from its descendants in various Germanic languages. For instance, it is considered a likely ancestor of Old English þæġ(e)lian, meaning "to be silent," and Old Norse þegja, also meaning "to be silent." These cognates provide the primary evidence for the reconstruction of the Proto-Germanic form þagilaz. The precise phonetic development and grammatical function in Proto-Germanic remain areas of ongoing linguistic investigation.