m̃m(e)i-(di)
‘to build (vel sim.)’
- Language
- Lycian A
- Class
- Derivative
- Grammar
- verb
- ID
- 251
1. Individual Anatolian Languages
1.1 Lycian A
m̃m(e)i-(di)
‘to build (vel sim.)’1.1.1Transmission
This lexeme is a hapax legomenon attested on the inscribed pillar of Xanthos, which is dated shortly after the ascension of Artaxerxes II in 405-404 BCE.
[D.S.]
1.1.2Forms
| 3pl. tense unknown ind. act. | m̃meit[.] | TL 44a.14 (Xanthos) |
1.1.3Graphic Features
Due to the fragmentary state of the context, it is not possible to decide, whether the verb is in the present tense, in which case one would reconstruct an [i], or in the preterit, in which case one would reconstruct an [e], cf. DLL:42, Neumann 2007a:231.
[D.S.]
1.1.4Meaning ‘to build (vel sim.)’
The verb m̃meit[.] takes prñnawa- ‘grave-house’ as its direct object, which supports the etymological connection with m̃me/i- and m̃ma(i)-(di). Although the precise semantics of m̃m(e)i-(di) remain unknown for now, it is surely a verb of building; cf. DLL:42.
[D.S.]
1.1.5Stem
The diphthong -ei- in the 3rd plural ending point towards the Lycian class of stems in -(e)i-(di) (DLL:42).
[D.S.]
2. Reconstruction
2.1Reconstruction ‘to build (vel sim.)’
The Lycian verbal suffix -(e)i-(di) goes back historically speaking to two different suffixes (Melchert 1997b:134f.): Therefore, the verb m̃m(e)i-(di) can represent either a causative-iterative formation in *-éi̯e/o- derived from the root *dem- ‘to build’, i.e. *dom-éi̯e/o-, or a denominative in *-e-i̯é/ó- (with retraction of the accent in analogy to the causative-iterative suffix) derived from the nominal base m̃me/i- ‘building’ (< *dóm-o-).
[D.S.]
3. Proto-Indo-European
3.1Semantic Reconstruction
The semantic connection of Lyc.A m̃m(e)i-(di) ‘to build’ (vel sim.) and Khot. pa-dīm- ‘to make, build’ with the underlying root PIE *dem- ‘to build’ is trivial, no matter how the verbal formation is analyzed morphologically. The possible predecessors are:
- a primary iterative formation PIE *dom-éi̯e/o- ‘to assemble (repeatedly)’, cf. LIV²:114
- a factitive denominative PIE *dome-i̯é/ó- ‘to make a building’.This would be derived from the o-stem PIE *dóm-o- ‘building’, which is attested in Lycian A as well, cf. PIE dómo-. Bailey 1979:208 speaks indiscriminately of a “present -ya-”.
3.2Morphological Reconstruction
Khot. pa-dīm- ‘to make, build’ goes back to OIran. *pati-dam-Cf. Bailey 1979:208.which, like Lyc. A m̃m(e)i-(di) ‘to build’, can descend either from *dom-éi̯e/o- ‘to assemble (repeatedly)’ or from *dome-i̯é/o- ‘to make a building’. Since there is no decisive semantic and/or phonological difference between these two formations, no morphological segmentation and no accentuation of the reconstructable form PIE *domei̯e/o- can be provided. Thus, and in view of the weak attestation, it cannot be decided whether there has been a common proto-form at all or not.
[A.O.]
For the derivational base see PAnat. *dem-.
4. Transmission
Khot. pa-dīm- ‘to make, build’
Bailey 1979:208, EWAia I:697