tuksnesis

From the same stem as tukšs (“empty”) (q.v.). The ending is probably the result of the reinterpretation of a previoius *tuksnes, plural of *tuksne (with the suffix -ne), as singular, leading to *tuksness → tuksnesis; note the variations in form in older sources (tuksnis, tuksnese). The current form, tuksnesis, is attested from the 18th century on.[1]

• IPA^(key): [tuksnɛsis]

tuksnesis m (2nd declension)

1. desert (large barren area, with little or no vegetation, usually because of lack of water)

   smilšu tuksnesis ― sandy desert

   akmeņu, māla tuksnesis ― stone, clay desert

   Sahāras tuksnesis' ― Sahara desert

   tuksnešu fauna ― desert fauna

   tuksnešu zonas ― desert area

   Tuvie Austrumi: tā ir saules svelmē sakarsētu tuksnešu un reizē auglīgu dārzu zeme ― the Middle East: that is a land of sun-heated deserts and at the same time fertile gardens

• tukšs