/wassi(ya)-/, (MENSA)wa/i-si-
‘table’
- Language
- Hieroglyphic Luwian
- Grammar
- subst, neuter
- ID
- 1857
1. Individual Anatolian Languages
1.1 Hieroglyphic Luwian
/wassi(ya)-/, (MENSA)wa/i-si-
‘table’1.1.1Transmission
This lexeme is attested six times exclusively in Commagene. The inscriptions date to between the 9th and 8th centuries BCE.
[AH.B.]
1.1.2Forms
| nom./acc. sg. | /wassin=za/ | (MENSA)wa/i-si-za | BOYBEYPINARI 2, §15 (Commagene) |
| MENSA-za | BOYBEYPINARI 1, §1 (Commagene) | ||
| BOYBEYPINARI 1, §5 (Commagene) | |||
| BOYBEYPINARI 2, §5 (Commagene) | |||
| MENSA | ANCOZ 7, §9 (Commagene) | ||
| dat./loc. sg. | /wassi/ | (MENSA)wa/i-si | ANCOZ 1, §1 (Commagene) |
1.1.3Graphic Features
1.1.3.1Phonological Interpretation
The phonological interpretation of this lexeme is reasonably certain. Besides two fully syllabic spellings, the word is also cognate with CLuw. GIŠwašša- ‘table’, which features a different stem formation, but otherwise provides a good comparison. The logogram MENSA (*294) features heavily in the spelling of HLuw. /wassi(ya)-/, but the same logogram or variations of it are also used in connection with other words, e.g. /istratt(a)-/ ‘throne’ where it is then transcribed as THRONUS.
[AH.B.]
1.1.4Meaning
The meaning, first suggested by Hawkins 1970a:86f., is certain because of its usage and the link with CLuw. GIŠwašš(a)- ‘table’ as well as the very pictographic nature of the logogram MENSA. That CLuw. GIŠwašš(a)- denotes an object, possibly a piece of furniture, was already suggested by Otten 1953a:43, but the interpretation then took a detour when /wassi(ya)-/ was considered to mean ‘stool’ by Bossert 1959a:62-64 because of the shape of its logogram, and this was followed by a number of scholars for some time. Within all BOYBEYPINARI contexts, it is paired with HLuw. /istratt(a)-/ ‘throne’ and used to denote a table used for ritualistic purposes. As can be expected under such circumstances, the word /wassi(ya)-/ features again in the protases of appropriate curse formulae, provided they have survived, as one of the items not to be interfered with.
[AH.B.]
1.1.5Stem
The noun is clearly neuter gender, as shown by the use of the neuter particle /=sa, =za/ in the nom./acc. sg. While it thus shares the same gender category as its CLuw. cognate GIŠwašš(a)- ‘table’, the same cannot be said for its stem formation. Rather, the HLuw. form is a stem in /-i(ya)-/.
[AH.B.]