*aþuliją

A neuter *-(i)ją derivative of the *aþalą word family. Heidermanns (1993: 108–09) and Orel (2003: 27) reconstruct a neuter *-ja- formation beside *aþala-, reflected in Old Norse ǫðli/eðli, Old English æþelu, and related West Germanic forms. Kroonen (2013: 40) instead reconstructs *aþulja- beside *aþala-, primarily in the adjective *aþulijaz, with Old Norse ǫðli/eðli as a corresponding neuter substantive. Johnsen (2005a: 151) shows that Old Norse ǫðli requires Proto-Norse *aþulija-, its final -i pointing to earlier *-ij- after two short syllables. The exact function of *-ija- is uncertain; a substantivized neuter beside *aþulijaz is at least as plausible as a specifically collective formation.