praco

• IPA^(key): /ˈpra.t͡sɔ/
• Rhymes: -at͡sɔ
• Syllabification: pra‧co

praco

1. vocative singular of praca

Disputed.

• Poultney derives the term from Proto-Indo-European *perk-, the same root whence perhaps Latin compescō (“to restrain”), itself of disputed etymology.^[1]
• Weiss connects the term with Tocharian A prākär and Tocharian B prākre (“fixed, firm”) and suggests a Proto-Indo-European root *preh₂k-. The Tocharian terms would, according to this theory, derive from Proto-Indo-European *preh₂k-rós or *pr̥h₂k-rós, while the Umbrian term would derive from *pr̥h₂k-s. Regarding the coeexistence of a root noun and a *rós-adjective, Weiss cites Proto-Indo-European *h₁réwdʰ-s (whence Proto-Celtic *ruts (“red color”)) and *h₁rudʰrós. Weiss further suggests that the original meaning of the Umbrian term was "fastness," which developed into "defensive structure" according to the same model as English fastness, from Old English fæstnes (“fastness, firmness, fortification”).^[2]
• Buck suggests a connection with Latin parcus and English park.^[3] However, according to Weiss, this etymology is impossible as the Latin term actually derives from an older parricus.^[4]

There is a formally identical term praco found in a Paelignian inscription, which is sometimes glossed as "sepulcher." According to the linguist Michael Weiss, it is possible that the Paelignian and Umbrian word are equivalent, with the semantic connection between "defensive structure" and "tomb" premised upon the supposed "well-known fear of revenantism in the ancient world."^[5]

praco f (accusative singular or genitive plural)^[3] (late Iguvine)

1. The meaning of this term is uncertain. Possibilities include:
   1. (per Poultney) some sort of landmark used to define the augural temple, perhaps tower
   2. (per Weiss) bulwark, defensive structure

Given that the term is feminine, it is most probably a consonant stem rather than an o-stem term, as feminine o-stem forms are rare in IE languages.^[6]