llys-

See also: llys

Welsh

Etymology

Perhaps from the same root as lled (“part, partially”) and lled- (“part, partially”) or possibly lled (“challenge to a witness”). Cognate with Cornish les-.

Pronunciation

• (North Wales) IPA^(key): /ˌɬɨːs/, /ɬɨ̞s/
• (South Wales) IPA^(key): /ˌɬiːs/, /ɬɪs/

Prefix

llys-

1. step-

   ‎llys- + ‎merch (“daughter”) → ‎llysferch (“stepdaughter”)

   ‎llys- + ‎tad (“father”) → ‎llystad (“stepfather, stepdad”)

2. somewhat, false, pseudo-

   ‎llys- + ‎enw (“name”) → ‎llysenw (“nickname”)

   ‎llys- + ‎perl (“pearl”) → ‎llysberl (“false pearl”)

Usage notes

Llys- triggers the soft mutation on the following noun. Its original negative meaning of "false", "spurious" has been superseded by its more common meaning nowadays of "step-", which does not necessarily have any negative connotations.

Derived terms

Welsh terms prefixed with llys-

Mutation

Welsh mutation
radical	soft	nasal	aspirate
llys-	lys-	unchanged	unchanged
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

References

R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “llys-”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies