chervu

Sardinian

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkervu/

Etymology 1

From Latin cervus, from Proto-Italic *kerwos, from Proto-Indo-European *ḱr̥h₂wós, from *ḱerh₂- (“horn”). Compare Campidanese cerbu.

Alternative forms

• cherbu (Nuorese)
• crebu, crefu (Logudorese, metathesized)

Noun

chervu m (plural chervos, feminine cherva) (Logudorese, Nuorese)

1. deer
2. stag

Etymology 2

From Latin acerbus, from Proto-Italic *akriðos, derived from *akris (“sharp, sour-tasting”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱ- (“sharp”).

Alternative forms

• cherbu, cherfu
• chélviu, chérviu
• aghervu

Adjective

chervu (feminine singular cherva, masculine plural chervos, feminine plural chervas) (Logudorese)

1. unripe, premature

   Synonyms: agru, cruu, cruonzu

   Antonyms: fattu, giómpidu, maduru

2. acerbic, sour, bitter

   Synonyms: agru, aspru, àspidu

Related terms

• crefu

References

• Rubattu, Antoninu (2006) Dizionario universale della lingua di Sardegna, 2nd edition, Sassari: Edes
• Wagner, Max Leopold (1960–1964) “kérvu¹”, in Dizionario etimologico sardo, Heidelberg
• Wagner, Max Leopold (1960–1964) “kérvu²”, in Dizionario etimologico sardo, Heidelberg