[ˈɡɑ̂ɫva]
CilmeFrom Proto-Balto-Slavic *galˀwā́ˀ, from Proto-Indo-European *golHwéh₂, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gelH- (whence also Latvian gals), ablauted to *gʷol- and with an extra suffix *-weh₂. The meaning evolution was probably 'point, spike, peak' > 'top part' > 'head'. Other, less convincing sources have been suggested (e.g., Proto-Indo-European *gʰel-). Close cognates include Lithuanian galvà, Proto-Slavic *golvà.
- declension-4head (top or front of the body, where the brain is located)
“cilvēka, suņa, čūskas galva” — a human, dog's, snake's head
“galvas muskuļi” — head muscles
“pagriezt galvu” — to turn one's head
- declension-4hair, feathers (on the head)
“sirma galva” — gray hair
“mazgāt galvu” — to wash one's hair
“sukāt, ķemmēt galvu” — to brush, to comb one's hair
- declension-4on, or around, the head (1)
“likt cepuri galvā” — to put a hat on one's head
“siet lakatu galvā” — to tie a scarf around one's head
- declension-4life
“riskēt ar savu galvu” — to gamble with one's head (= life)
- declension-4mind, intelligence, understanding, memory
“gaiša, gudra galva” — bright, smart head
“cilvēks ar galvu” — a person with head (= wise, intelligent)
“zināt no galvas” — to know (something) from the head (= by heart)
- declension-4top (especially round) part of an object
“naglas, skrūves galva” — the head of a nail, a screw
“āmura, cirvja galva” — the head of a hammer, an axe
- declension-4authoritative person, boss, leader
“valdības galva” — the head of the government
“ģimenes galva” — the head of the family
- declension-4a person or animal as a counting unit
“septiņu galvu liela ģimene” — a family with seven heads (= members)
Formasgal̂va(canonical, feminine) · galva(nominative, singular) · galvas(nominative, plural) · galvas(genitive, singular) · galvu(genitive, plural) · galvai(dative, singular) · galvām(dative, plural) · galvu(accusative, singular) · galvas(accusative, plural) · galvu(instrumental, singular) · galvām(instrumental, plural) · galvā(locative, singular) · galvās(locative, plural) · galva(singular, vocative) · galvas(plural, vocative)