mlm͂m(e)i-^(di)

This lexeme is found in the grave inscription of Ikuwe, which contains a long biography with military content.

[D.S.]

3pl. pret. act.

mlm͂meite

TL 29.8 (Tlos)

Melchert (DLL:40) mentions the possibility of seeing a nominal form in the dat./loc. pl., which would theoretically be a participle in -nt(i)- to the same verb assumed here. Though possible, it seems less likely since the clause demands a predicate and a 3pl. parallels the 3pl. pijẽte ‘they gave’ in the same line from a previous sentence.

[D.S.]

No meaning has been assigned (DLL:40, Neumann 2007a:220, Sasseville 2021a:239) and the sentence in which mlm͂meite is found is obscure. Considering the previous passage with zzatija… pijẽte ‘they gave a share of offerings’ and the mentioning of the author Ikuwe as being in charge of the temenos (see hrm͂maza-^(ti)), a verb of offering for mlm͂m(e)i-^(di), which could be etymologically supported (see under Stem), is entirely possible. Thus, ‘(a verb of offering)’ is adopted here tentatively.

[D.S.]

Sasseville 2021a:239 interprets mlm͂m(e)i-^(di) as a denominative verb from an unattested noun *mlm͂me/i-. This noun would be in turn a substantivized participle derived from a verb, perhaps *mla-^(ti)?. Melchert (DLL:40) evokes an etymological connection with the noun mla- c. ‘votive offering’Thus also Shevoroshkin 1977a:137 but with outdated semantics), which is possible but difficult to prove without a meaning.

[D.S.]