Mapping Indo-European anatomical terminology I: Greek κόλον "large intestine", Armenian k'aɫird & k'aɫirt' "cavity of the body", Brittonic *kalonā "heart", Tocharian B kele "navel; center", and the word family "navel" - "nave"
Abstract
This study analyzes the Greek word κόλον "part of the large intestine" in terms of its documentation, word formation and internal and external etymology. It is promising to connect it with other anatomical terms designating various parts of viscera, namely Armenian k'aɫirt' & k'aɫird "cavity of the body and its organs", Celtic *kalon- "heart; middle, central" and Tocharian B kele "navel; center".
This last term is discussed from a broad semantic point of view, demonstrating that in many languages "navel" got its name from an abdominal organ. For the Greek, Armenian and Celtic forms there is a common semantic denominator consisting in the fact that the relevant organs resemble a "bag".
That is why forms such as PGreek *κολεϝόν "sheath of a sword", Greek κόλυθροι pl. "testicles", and perhaps also Latin cullus & culleus "leather sack" and cōleī pl. "testicles" are added. Taking into account the semantic motivation of Lithuanian pilvas "stomach, belly" from the verb pìlti "to fill", the names of the bag-like organs which are the focus of our etymological interest are explained on the basis of the verb *kelH- "to make full of water".
