PIE Roots An index of reconstructed Proto-Indo-European roots. Each entry links to a full page with descendant tables, sound law references, and scholarly discussion.
A1 root Root Meaning Semantic Field Confidence Descendants angʷʰi- eel, snake, water-serpent animals nature medium 0
B5 roots bʰerǵ-s- to protect by enclosing material nature medium 0 bʰew-sis- nature, growth, being nature knowledge high 0 bʰew-tú- growth, nature, coming-to-be nature growth high 0 bʰleh₁- to blow, to puff motion nature high 0 bʰudʰ-men- bottom, foundation, ground structures nature high 0
D7 roots deru- tree, wood, to be firm nature quality material high 23 deru-₂ firm, solid, steadfast (as a tree) qualities nature high 0 dʰeǵʰ- to burn, to kindle nature fire high 0 dhewb- deep, hollow nature position high 0 dʰews- to scatter, to sprinkle (dew) water liquid nature medium 0 dʰǵʰem- earth, ground nature earth high 0 dóru tree, wood, oak nature material plant high 0
G8 roots gel- cold, to freeze nature weather high 0 ǵʰans- goose animal nature food high 0 ǵʰel- to shine, yellow, green nature light color high 0 ǵʰey- winter, cold, snow nature weather high 0 ǵʰéy-mn̥ winter, snow-season time nature high 0 ǵʰh₂éns goose, waterfowl animals nature high 0 gʰreh₁- to grow, to become green nature plant growth high 0 gʷer- mountain, elevated terrain nature earth medium 0
H26 roots h₂awi-ḱh₂ep- hawk, bird-catcher animals nature medium 0 h₂eǵ-ro- field, pasture nature agriculture high 0 h₂eḱ-men- stone, sharp stone nature earth high 0 h₂eḱ-ro- field, acre, open land agriculture nature high 0 h₂eḱsmen- stone, thunderbolt nature earth medium 0 h₂ékʷeh₂ water, flowing liquid nature element high 11 h₁elh₁ḗn deer, elk, large cervid animals nature medium 0 h₂enh₁- to breathe body state nature high 19 h₃er- eagle, large bird animals nature high 0 h₂erg- to shine, white, silver nature light color high 0 h₂erǵ- to be white, to shine color nature high 0 h₂ew-s-r- dawn, the dawn goddess time nature religion high 0 h₂éwis bird, winged creature animals nature high 0 h₂ews- dawn, east nature celestial time high 16 h₂eyd- to burn, fire nature fire high 0 h₂eyg- goat, shame animal nature medium 0 h₁eyH- ice, frost water liquid nature high 0 h₂ówis sheep, domesticated ovine nature animal high 0 Hreg- to wet, to rain water liquid nature medium 0 h₁regʷ- darkness, night nature time medium 2 h₁rewǵ- to vomit, to belch nature body high 0 h₁reyH- to flow, to stream (river) water liquid nature high 0 h₂ŕ̥tḱos bear, large predator animals nature high 0 h₂ster- star, celestial body nature celestial high 21 h₂weh₁- to blow, to breathe wind nature body high 0 h₂wéh₁n̥tos wind, blowing nature weather high 0
K2 roots ḱelh₁- to rise, to be elevated motion nature high 0 ḱh₂s-en- hare, rabbit animals nature medium 0
L2 roots lewk- light, brightness nature perception celestial high 25 lókus body of still water, lake water liquid nature high 0
M5 roots méh₁n̥s moon, month time nature high 0 mélit honey, sweet substance food nature high 0 móri body of water, sea, lake water liquid nature high 0 mori- sea, body of water nature water high 0 mūs- mouse, small rodent animals nature high 0
N2 roots nebʰ- cloud, mist nature weather high 0 nokʷt- night, darkness, nighttime time nature high 22
P3 roots péh₂wr̥ fire, flame, burning nature fire high 0 peyH- to be fat, to swell body nature high 0 peyH-mn̥- fatness, richness, abundance abundance nature medium 0
R1 root rewk- to be bright, light nature light medium 0
S9 roots saws- dry, to dry out qualities nature medium 0 seh₁- to sow, to plant nature agriculture high 0 seh₂wl̥- salt, mineral seasoning nature food high 0 sḗm- summer, warm season time nature medium 0 sérpents snake, serpent, creeping thing animals nature high 0 snéygʷʰ- snow, frozen precipitation nature weather high 13 sóh₂wl̥ sun, solar body nature celestial high 28 srew- to flow, to stream water liquid nature high 0 stork- stork, stiff-walker animals nature medium 0
W7 roots wékʷ-es-pero- evening, western time nature medium 0 werdʰ-o-₂ rose, thorn-plant plant nature medium 0 wésr̥ spring (season) time nature high 0 wl(o)p- fox, cunning canid animals nature medium 0 wĺ̥kʷos wolf, predatory canid animal nature high 23 wódr̥ water, flowing liquid nature element high 25 wŕ̥mis worm, serpent animals nature high 0
Y1 root yēr- year, season time nature high 0