polynya

The story

1. Russian · borrowed fromполыньи́
2. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*pleh₂-“flat”
3. Old East Slavic · derived fromполъ“uncovered”
4. zle-mru · derived fromполыньѧ
5. Russian · borrowed fromполынья́“polynya”
6. English todaypolynya

Borrowed from Russian полынья́ (polynʹjá, “polynya”) in the 1850s, from Middle Russian полыньѧ (polynʹja) (att. in 1639), from полыи (polyi, “open from above, uncovered; hollow”), whence also Russian полый (polyj, “hollow”), from Old East Slavic полъ (polŭ, “uncovered”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂- (“flat”). The rare plural form polynyi is borrowed from Russian полыньи́ (polynʹí).

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from mid 19th c. A naturally formed transient area of open water surrounded by sea ice, especially in polar or subpolar seas.