Where does “sýček” come from?

sýček (Czech) comes from Upper Sorbian syc, from Proto-Slavic sěťi, from Proto-Indo-European sek- — to cut, cut off, sever.

sýček (Czech): any of several smaller species of owl, particularly a member of the genus Athene or owlet

Definitions

  1. any of several smaller species of owl, particularly a member of the genus Athene or owlet

Ancestry of “sýček”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Upper Sorbiansycto mow, hew
2Proto-Slavicsěťito cut, mow
3Proto-Indo-Europeansek-to cut, cut off, sever
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sek- →Every word from Proto-Slavic sěťi →Every word from Upper Sorbian syc →