*angazaz

A thematicization of an inherited Proto-Indo-European neuter s-stem *h₂émǵʰ-os ~ *h₂emǵʰ-és-os, yielding pre-Germanic *h₂émǵʰ-os-o-s > *angazaz (Kroonen 2013: 28). The noun belongs to Proto-Indo-European *h₂emǵʰ- (> *h₂enǵʰ- ); the older *m is supported especially by Hittite 𒄩𒈠𒀭𒆠 (ḫa-ma-an-ki /ḫamank-/) / 𒄩𒈪𒅔𒆠 (ḫa-mi-in-ki /ḫamink-/) whereas the familiar forms with *-n- characterize the non-Anatolian reflexes. Direct nominal cognates include Vedic Sanskrit अंहस् (áṃhas-), Younger Avestan 𐬄𐬰𐬀𐬵 (ązah-), and Latin angor; compare also Ancient Greek ἄγχω (ánkhō) and Latin angō from the same root (de Vaan 2008: 42; Norbruis 2021: 172–73; Rix et al. 2001: 264–65; Wodtko et al. 2008: 301). The semantic development ‘constriction, narrowness’ > ‘distress, anxiety’ is an Indo-European development.