zanë

Albanian

Alternative forms
  • zërë (Tosk)

Etymology

Identical to and derived from zë (“voice”), with a sense development motivated by the main characteristic of these mythological figures. The term might have been contaminated with Latin Diāna (compare Romanian zână, Aromanian dzãnã, Asturian xana, Sardinian giàna). Another hypothesis, given her characteristics of muse of heroes and warrior, is the relationship with Ἀθηνᾶ (Athēnâ) (Mycenean a-ta-na) which, according to Beekes, has a Pre-Greek origin.

Noun

zanë f (indefinite plural zana, definite singular zana, definite plural zanat)

  1. mountain fairy, woodnymph
  2. muse of heroes
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