Eginhard wrote:Yes, ARDAU and RETAS (more obvious with the meaning "thin/sparse") are of that origin as well. It's easier not to think of them being related to EARTH, but all originating from the root meaning SEPARATE with the PIE root being ER-. In the first link he talks about how this meaning shift could have occured: From "separation" to more concrete "surrounding/enclosure/separating space (e.g. between settlements)" to "earth".
He mentions the root AR- as in ARTI (to plough, also Latin ARARE) as well, but says in this case the vowel change from ER- to AR- is rather unlikely, but not impossible.
I don't know of any online resources about this topic, I found this essay, which coincidentally discusses exactly your question, referenced in a Lithuanian Etymological Dictionary (in German).
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