māsa

From Proto-Indo-European *mā-, a baby language word for “mother,” “mommy” (whence also māte, q.v.). This word, probably at first a term of endearment, has replaced an earlier descendent of Proto-Indo-European *swésōr (still found in Lithuanian sesuõ, genitive form seser̃s). Cognates include Lithuanian móša (“sister-in-law”), Old Prussian moazo ([moaso], “aunt”).[1]

māsa f (4th declension)

1. sister (a daughter of a couple, in relation to their other children)

   vecākā, jaunākā māsa ― older, younger sister

   brāļi un māsas ― brothers and sisters

   īstā māsa ― true, real sister

   dvīņu māsa ― twin sister

   abas rokas izpletis, viņš piepeši metās māsai ap kaklu ― spreading both arms, he suddenly threw himself on his sister's neck (= hugged her)

2. sister (a woman who is closely associated with someone)

   vārda māsas ― namesakes (lit. name sisters, i.e., two women who have the same name)

   līgavas māsas ― bridesmaids (lit. bride's sisters)

   es visiem pazemotiem esmu māsa / un visiem grūtsirdīgiem draudzene ― I am the sister of all humiliated (people) / and the friend of all melancholic (people)

3. nurse (medical assistant who helps a doctor treat patients)

   māsa, medicīnas māsa ― nurse

   operāciju māsa ― operation nurse

   diētas māsa ― diet nurse

   vecākā māsa ― chief (lit. older) nurse

   medicīnas māsu kursi ― nurse training courses

   iegūt medicīnas māsu diplomu ― to get a nurse diploma

4. sister (nun, female member of a religious order)

   māsa Olga zināja daudz ko tādu, ko nezināja Vaikulis ― sister Olga knew many things that Vaikulis didn't know

• (of "nun"): mūķene

• māsīca
• māsiņa

māsa m

1. month
2. a kind of bean, Phaseolus Indica