/usuttari-/, (BONUS)u-su-tara/i-
‘to improve’
- Language
- Hieroglyphic Luwian
- Grammar
- verb
- ID
- 2050
1. Individual Anatolian Languages
1.1 Hieroglyphic Luwian
/usuttari-/, (BONUS)u-su-tara/i-
‘to improve’1.1.1Transmission
This hapax is attested in a single inscription from Maraş, dating to the late 9th century BCE.
[A.P.]
1.1.2Forms
|
1sg. pret. ind. act. |
/usuttariHa/ |
(BONUS)u-su-tara/i-ha |
1.1.3Graphic Features
1.1.3.1Phonological Interpretation
The phonological interpretation of this word is largely clear, because it belongs to the family around HLuw. /wasu-/ ‘good’, which is also seen in CLuw. wāšu- ‘good’. The family contains several words with the root /was-/ shortened to /us-/ (or a zero grade from the start). Moreover, the link is strengthened graphemically by the use of the logogram BONUS (sign *165) for a determinative.
[AH.B.]
1.1.4Meaning
The meaning assigned to this word is based on its morphological structure, spelling, and context of attestation. The link to the word family around /wasu-/ ‘good’ suggests a beneficial action, which is further supported by the logographic determinative BONUS. Thus, Hawkins 2000a:264 tentatively suggested ‘to benefit’, but ‘to improve’ is a better fit for the context. MARAŞ 1, §5 runs: “SOLIUM”(-)x-ma-ma-pa-wa/i (BONUS)u-su-tara/i-ha (DEUS)TONITRUS-hu-ta-sá-ti-i (DEUS)i-ia-sa-ti-ha LEPUS+ra/i-ia-ti, approx. /…-mamma=ba=wa usuttariHa Tarhuntassadi Iyassadi=ha tabariyadi/, meaning ‘And I improved the settlements by the command of (the storm-god) Tarhunt and (the god) Ea’ (cf. Hawkins 2000a:263).
[AH.B.]
1.1.5Stem
From the form attested at MARAŞ 1, §5, it cannot be determined which verbal stem class the verb belongs to; possible are /-i-(ti)/ with unlenited endings, or /-(a)i-(di)/ or /-i(ya)-(di)/ with lenited endings (cf. Sasseville 2021a:133, 219, 321). The putative base is likely an unattested noun or adjective of the shape */usuttar-/ or */usuttar(i)-/, itself ultimately deriving from the adjective /wasu-/ ‘good’, either in zero grade or with subsequent shortening of the root syllable to /us-/.
[AH.B.]