nun͂tãta

This word is found in a grave inscription.

[D.S.]

indecl. (?)

nuñtãta

TL 131.3 (Limyra)

Although nun͂tãta could be regarded as inflected in the nominative/accusative neuter plural (see Hajnal 1995a:159 n. 172, Melchert 2000b:60f.), it is also possible that the -a represents the default indeclinable form; cf. Lyc. B trija, Lyc. A sñta.

[D.S.]

The word nun͂tãta modifies uwa ‘cattle’, which are supposed to be handed over as a penalty fee. It was recognized very early as a number connected to 9 from an Indo-European perspective, although it has been much debated whether it means ‘ninety’ (thus see Savelsberg 1878a:102, Bugge 1889a:49, Meriggi 1936b:267f.), ‘nine’ (thus Carruba 1974a:586f., Carruba 1979a:191f., Hajnal 1995a:159 n. 172, Melchert 2000b:60 n. 26., DLL:44) or even ‘nine hundred’ (Laroche 1967a:47) or ‘nine thousand’ (Deecke 1889a:215); undecided Eichner 1992a:87, 90, who also mentions ‘nineteen’ as a possibility. The lower numbers 9 or 19 are better supported from a contextual and comparative perspective with similar Greek inscriptions from Anatolia, see Lyc. A kbisn͂tãta, and are adopted here as the two most likely options until further evidence emerges.

[D.S.]

For the derivational base, see Lyc. *nun͂-.