< Reconstruction:Proto-Semitic

Reconstruction:Proto-Semitic/naḥaš-

This Proto-Semitic entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Semitic

Etymology

Perhaps prefixed from a term which is reconstructible for East Cushitic, Somali yexaas (“crocodile”).

Noun

*naḥaš- m

  1. predatory cat, probably a lion

Inflection
Declension of *naḥaš-
Case Singular Dual Plural
Nominative *naḥašum *naḥašāna plural stem + *-ūna
Genitive *naḥašim *naḥašayna plural stem + *-īna
Accusative *naḥašam
possessive forms
1st person *naḥašī / *naḥašVya — *naḥašVni
2nd person m *naḥašVka *naḥašVkumā / *naḥašVkumay *naḥašVkum(ū)
2nd person f *naḥašVki *naḥašVkin(ā)
3rd person m *naḥašVšu *naḥašVšumā / *naḥašVšumay *naḥašVšum(ū)
3rd person f *naḥašVša *naḥašVšin(ā)
Note: the endings -m and -na are dropped in the bound form, which may also undergo syncopation of an unstressed final vowel where possible.

Note: the ending -V before the possessive endings responds to case: *naḥašuya for nom. case, *naḥašiya for gen. case, *naḥašaya for acc. case, etc.

Declension of 2sg m. possessive form (your/thy m.) *naḥaš-
Singular Dual Plural
Nominative *naḥašuka *naḥašāka plural stem + *-ūka
Genitive *naḥašika *naḥašayka plural stem + *-īka
Accusative *naḥašaka
Declension of 2sg f. possessive form (your/thy f.) *naḥaš-
Singular Dual Plural
Nominative *naḥašuki *naḥašāki plural stem + *-ūki
Genitive *naḥašiki *naḥašayki plural stem + *-īki
Accusative *naḥašaki

Descendants
  • East Semitic:
    • Akkadian: 𒌨𒈤 (nēšum, “lion”)
  • West Semitic: “snake”, probably a cobra by comparison of its hood to the lion’s mane
    • Central Semitic:
      • Arabic: حَنَش (ḥanaš), from older *نَحَش (*naḥaš) with irregular ش (š) due to imitation or dissimilation pressure; a regular reflex for “lion” is also transmitted, as نَهَّاس (nahhās), نَهُوس (nahūs), مِنْهَس (minhas)
      • Northwest Semitic:

References
  • Militarev, Alexander, Kogan, Leonid (2005) Semitic Etymological Dictionary, volume II: Animal Names, Münster: Ugarit-Verlag, →ISBN, pages 210–211 Nr. 159
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