Many words have survived to this day that have changed their meaning more than once, for example, “airplane”. In the modern sense, it is an aircraft, and earlier the plane was called steam or weaving shuttle.
Some remained unchanged, just another meaning of the term came to the fore. The meaning of the word “cherish” is given by many peoples of the world; it means “caress”, “groom”, “undead”, “please”, “keep in the soul”, “amuse”. In English, lull means “lulling,” that is, rocking a child to a song, in ancient Indian lelayati, “rocking”, in German (ein) lullen, “lulling”.
Versions of the origin of the word "cherish"
There are many versions of the origin of the meaning of the word “cherish”. Here are two of them:
- In Slavic mythology, Lala (or Lela) is the goddess of spring, a symbol of the revival of nature in spring. The ceremonies dedicated to Lele began on March 9 (March 22 according to the new style) on the days of the arrival of larks. There was a special holiday for girls - the “jalalnik”. April 22 (May 5) worshiped the "goddess", which was played by the most beautiful girl. They put a wreath on her head, seated on a bench, put offerings (milk, cheese, butter, sour cream, bread), and dances around her.
- The ancient Slavs had the god of love passion Lel (Lello, Lubich), the term “cherish” came from his name - to love and undead. A stork (heron) is considered its sacred bird, which in some languages ​​is called "leleka." Lel kindled the hearts of people with a fierce flame of love, the sparks of which he is metal from his hands, in contrast to the arrows of Amur and Eros. The passion kindled by Lelem flashed especially brightly in spring and on Kupala night. That night was impossible to sleep! It was necessary to sing songs, walk late into the night, jump over the fire and have mercy with your beloved.
Examples of the use of the word
In modern colloquial Russian, the word "cherish" is not used, most often it is used in poetry.
In a moment when love disappears, our heart still cherishes its memory. (A.S. Pushkin)
So that all night, all day, my hearing is cherished, I sang a sweet voice about love. (M. Yu. Lermontov)
So what is “cherish” and what is the meaning of this word? So:
- To look after someone: "The father cherished and spoiled his only daughter."
- Keep in the soul: "He cherished her image in the soul."
- Indulge in any feeling: "Cherish hope for a meeting."
- Delight the feeling: "Cherish the ear with a song."
Now you have learned a little about a word that has been familiar to you since childhood.