A Comparative Grammar of the Modern Aryan Languages of India v1.c4.54

v1.c4.54

(oxytone), we get H. खेत, M. शेत, and a consonantal ending in all the languages. We should therefore set down the first of these words as an early, the second as a late, Tadbhava. So also when we see that Skr. क्षीर “milk” (oxytone), makes, not khīrá, but खीर khīr, in all the languages, we have grounds for holding that the word has been resuscitated in comparatively modern times; and in the case of this particular word we are supported in this idea by the fact that khīr is not the ordinary word for “milk.” In all the languages the common word is दूध, an undoubtedly ancient Tadbhava from Skr. दुग्ध; khīr is rather an affectation of modern times, and in some of the languages has a secondary meaning; while to dūdh is reserved the simple primary signification; khīr is used for a preparation of boiled rice and milk.