lebe/i-
‘(unknown)’
- Language
- Lycian B
- Grammar
- subst, c.
- ID
- 2250
1. Individual Anatolian Languages
1.1 Lycian B
lebe/i-
‘(unknown)’1.1.1Transmission
This lexeme is attested in the inscription of the inscribed pillar of Xanthos, dated contextually to shortly after the ascension of Artaxerxes II in 405-404 BCE and stylistically to around 400 BCE ([4835]Borchhardt & Eichner 1997-1999a:19f.).
[D.S.]
1.1.2Forms
| acc. sg. | lebi | TL 44c.61 (Xanthos) | |
| nom./acc. coll. | laba | TL 44c.63 (Xanthos) |
The assignment of the two forms under the same lexeme follows Melchert (DLL:119), hesitant Schürr 2016d:163f. and Neumann 2007a:180, 185.
[D.S.]
1.1.3Meaning
The word lebi refers to something that is driven or sent by a deity to any precinct in which Gergis performs something. In line 63, the collective form laba is mentioned together with wa!xssa ‘bread (?)’ and both are given to the river-valleys. Thus, it should refer to something beneficial. Korolev & Shevoroshkin 1969a:541 and Shevoroshkin 1977a:138 suggest for lebi an etymological connection with PIE *lebh-/labh- ‘to seize’, which is far-fetched and does not contribute to an understanding of the context. Shevoroshkin 2011b:143 n. 2 translates it with ‘takings, spoils’, which is not attractive. No meaning is suggested here; cf. Lyc. B lelebe(/i)-.
[D.S.]