m̃mai(je)-
‘pertaining to buildings (vel sim.)’
- Language
- Lycian A
- Class
- Base
- Grammar
- adj
- ID
- 252
1. Individual Anatolian Languages
1.1 Lycian A
m̃mai(je)-
‘pertaining to buildings (vel sim.)’1.1.1Transmission
The lexeme is a hapax legomenon found in the late inscription TL 29 dated shortly after 330 BCE.
[D.S.]
1.1.2Forms
| nom./acc. pl. n. | m̃maja | TL 29.8 (Tlos) |
1.1.3Graphic Features
The orthographic form m̃maja is a reduced spelling for expected *m̃maija (DLL:42).
[D.S.]
1.1.4Meaning
The suggested meaning is based on the association with m̃me/i- und tãma- ‘building’ (DLL:42). In TL 29.8, m̃maja is substantivized and it is the direct object of the verb hrmazaxa. This verb is a denominative derived from the non-attested agent noun *hrm̃maza- ´the one in charge of the temenos´, which contains the nominal stem hrm̃ma- ‘temenos’. This brings contextual support to the etymological approach, but the exact meaning of the sentence remains obscure. The analysis of Carruba 1969b:82 n. 77 as a personal pronoun is outdated.
[D.S.]
1.1.5Stem
The single instance of the lexeme m̃mai(je)- is a substantized adjective in -ai(je)- in the neuter plural (DLL:42).
[D.S.]
2. Reconstruction
2.1Reconstruction
The substantivized adjective m̃maja is a derivative in -i(je)- (< *-i̯o-). In this instance, the stem vowel has been preserved. Due to the phenomenon of vowel harmony, which is very persistent in the neuter plural /-e- – -a-/ → /-a- – -a-/ (cf. Hajnal 1995a:79f.), it is difficult to decide which stem represents the base of the derivation. From the synchronic perspective, the nominal base could be (A) tãma-, i.e. a noun in *-eh2-, or (B) m̃me/i-, i.e. a noun in *-o-. However, one should say that in most cases, the stem vowel of the derivational base in adjectives in -ai(je)- is not affected by the vowel harmony; cf. ebeija (← ebe(n)-), adaijẽ (← ada- coll.). Based on this tendency, option (A), although not assured, becomes more likely: tãma- (< *doméĥ2-) + -i(je)- (< *-i̯o-) → (with syncope) m̃mai(je)-.
[D.S.]
For the base of the derivative see Lyc. A tãma-.