кутър

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *kutrъ, cognate with Macedonian кутре (kutre, “puppy”), of unclear further origin. Proposed hypotheses include: * Of onomatopoeic origin, related to the call кут-кут (kut-kut) (for calling up canines or birds), initially referring specifically to puppies or cubs and later generalized to convey smallness. Compare Russian кутёнок (kutjónok, “cub”); * Derived from the root of dialectal ку́я (kúja, “to hew, to forge”) (with obsolete suffix *-trъ); * Akin to Iranian terms, among which Persian کوچک (kučak, “small, young”). Specifically for the figurative meaning “pitiful”, BER also considers possible borrowing from Ancient Greek κούτρα (koútra, “nob”), probably of onomatopoeic origin (cf. κουτός (koutós, “stupid”)).