/husa(n)-/, (*185)hu-sa-
‘life (?)’
- Language
- Hieroglyphic Luwian
- Grammar
- subst, n.
- ID
- 2156
1. Individual Anatolian Languages
1.1 Hieroglyphic Luwian
/husa(n)-/, (*185)hu-sa-
‘life (?)’1.1.1Transmission
This hapax is attested in a single inscription from Karkamiš, dating to the mid-8th century BCE.
[A.P.]
1.1.2Forms
|
nom./acc. sg. |
/husan=za/ |
(*185)hu-sa-za |
1.1.3Graphic Features
1.1.3.1Phonological Interpretation
The phonological interpretation of this word is informed by its spelling mostly, and Hawkins 2000a:150f. rightly calls into question the previously suggested cognate link with Hittite ḫuiš-/ḫuš-(mi) ‘to live’. With a possible cognate link to HLuw. /hwasatt(i)-/ ‘sacred stone (?)’, the phonological shape of the present word seems supported, but cf. the discussions below.
The logogram *185 used as a determinative here is singular in the HLuw. corpus. Its shape consists of a half circle open at the top with a triangle resting inside, opening up a wide range of semantic possibilities.
[AH.B.]
1.1.4Meaning
The semantic interpretation was first put forward tentatively by Meriggi 1953a:42 based on the context and linking it to Hittite ḫuiš-/ḫuš-(mi) ‘to live’ and its word family (followed by Weitenberg 1984a:103f. incl. n. 158, and others), but the connection is phonologically doubtful (cf. the HLuw. words starting with /hwi°/ for more likely cognates with the Hittite root ḫuiš-). Instead, a link with /hwasatt(i)-/ ‘sacred stone (?)’ seems more promising, yet complicates the semantics again.
The only context of attestation at CEKKE, §28 represents the apodosis of a curse formula: wa/i-tú-tá za-zi DEUS-ní-zi “TERRA”-sa (*185)hu-sa-za SCALPRUM-na x á-[...] ARHA i-zi-ia-tú, approx. /wa=du=tta zanzi massaninzi taskwaras husan=za assun … ahha izziyantu/, meaning ‘These gods shall make (all) the earth’s life (?) (into?) a stone … for him!’ (cf. Hawkins 2000a:146). While it seems obvious that /husa(n)-/ must denote something positive, a meaning ‘life’ is by no means the only option; instead, ‘soul’ or ‘spirit’ appear just as likely. The logographic determinative *185 is of little help in the interpretation, since CEKKE, §28 is its only place of attestation. Further textual data are needed.
[AH.B.]
1.1.5Stem
The only attested form shows the word to be a neuter gender noun by the presence of the neuter particle /-sa, -za/. It cannot be said on the basis of the attested form whether the word is an n-stem or an a-stem, cf. Melchert 2003b:195, 197.
[AH.B.]