qrata-^(d)

This lexeme is found in two inscriptions from Sardis, one of which, i.e. LW 23, has recently been dated to 542-41 BCE (see Euler & Sasseville 2019a). The other one, LW 80, has been dated by Gusmani 1975b:53 to the fourth century, though solely on paleographic grounds.

[D.S.]

3sg. pres. act.	ẽtqratad	LW 23.17 (Sardis)
3sg. pres. act.(?)	ẽtqra[tad(?)	LW 80.16 (Sardis)

Against the grammatical interpretation of -tad as medio-passive, see under Meaning.

[D.S.]

Gusmani 1972a:157 attributes ẽtqra[ … ] to the same lexeme as ẽtqratad. The ending restored for the second attestation is not assured, but possible if two verbs in an asyndetic construction are assumed, i.e. fašitawad ẽtqra[tad ‘he … (and) he …’. Alternatively, ẽtqra[tad could be the beginning of the next clause, if it is followed by the particle chain. To remedy the problem, Gusmani 1975b:22f. suggests instead that ẽtqra[- is a non-finite verbal form. All these suggestions are possible, and none can be verified.

[D.S.]

Carruba 1960a:58 suggests translating ẽtqratad as ‘to execute’ on contextual grounds. Since the verb does not have a direct object, he suggests tentatively that the form could be passive, which Gusmani 1964a:110 follows, positing a passive ending in -tad. However, this claim is not necessary, since denominative verbs in -a-^(d) can be intransitive. Moreover, this putative medio-passive ending -tad was rejected by Melchert 1992a:44f. on phonological grounds and a more fitting interpretation is offered in Melchert 2006b (followed by Sasseville 2021a:283). The semantics suggested by Carruba are followed by Gusmani 1964a:110, Dusinberre 2003a:230 ‘to be executed’, Bouzid-Adler 2014a:14 ‘sera accompli’, Euler & Sasseville 2019a:132f. ‘wird ausgeführt’, Sasseville 2021a:109, 165 ‘one will proceed’ (contra Schürr 2006b:1581 ‘in Besitz nehmen’).

[D.S.]

For the denominal stem class in -a-^(d), see recently Sasseville 2021a:106-113.

[D.S.]

The root qr- has been connected tentatively to PIE *k^u̯er- ‘to cut’ by Gusmani 1964a:110 and Sasseville 2021a:109; see PAnat. *k^u̯ér-/*k^u̯r-´.

[D.S.]