serrieq

Maltese

Root
s-r-q
7 terms

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sɛrˈrɪːʔ/

Etymology 1

Probably from Arabic سَرّاق (sarrāq), سَرّاقة (sarrāqa, “kind of small saw”). This may itself be a borrowing from a Romance derivative of Latin serra (compare Sicilian sirraccu, Catalan xerrac). However, the perfect phonetic identity between the Arabic and Maltese forms makes inheritance likely. If so, the word must have entered Arabic fairly early on.

Noun

serrieq m (plural srieraq)

1. saw (tool)

   Synonym: (less common) munxar

Alternative forms

• serrieqa

Etymology 2

From Arabic سَرَّاق (sarrāq).

Noun

serrieq m (plural serrieqa or serriqin, feminine serrieqa)

1. (rare) Synonym of ħalliel (“thief”)