safn

Icelandic

Etymology

From safna, from Old Norse safna, a by-form of samna (“to collect, assemble”), from Proto-Germanic *samnōną (“to gather, collect”). More at sam.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sapn/

  Rhymes: -apn

Noun

safn n (genitive singular safns, nominative plural söfn)

1. (institution) a museum
2. a collection
3. a flock of sheep

Declension

declension of safn

n-s	singular		plural
	indefinite	definite	indefinite	definite
nominative	safn	safnið	söfn	söfnin
accusative	safn	safnið	söfn	söfnin
dative	safni	safninu	söfnum	söfnunum
genitive	safns	safnsins	safna	safnanna

Synonyms

• (flock of sheep): fjárhópur

Derived terms

• bókasafn
• byggðasafn (a local museum)
• kvæðasafn (collected poems)
• listasafn
• minjasafn
• náttúrugripasafn
• orðasafn
• ritsafn
• safna
• safnvörður
• skjalasafn
• sædýrasafn
• vaxmyndasafn
• þjóðminjasafn
• þjóðskjalasafn

Welsh

Etymology

Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *stómn̥ (“mouth, muzzle”). Compare Cornish sâwn, Cornish sawan (“chasm”), Breton staoñ (“palate”), and, outside of Brittonic, Ancient Greek στόμα (stóma, “mouth”).

Noun

safn m or f (plural safnau, diminutive sefnyn, not mutable)

1. mouth, jaws

Usage notes

Sometimes derogatory when applied to people.

Synonyms

• (mouth): ceg

Derived terms

• safnaid (“mouthful”)
• safngrwn (“hagfish”)
• safnrhwth (“open-mouthed”)

Further reading

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