*317-ni-
‘(unknown)’
- Language
- Hieroglyphic Luwian
- Grammar
- subst, n.
- ID
- 3558
1. Individual Anatolian Languages
1.1 Hieroglyphic Luwian
*317-ni-
‘(unknown)’1.1.1Transmission
This lexeme is attested once in a letter found in Assur dating to the late 8th century BCE.
[A.P.]
1.1.2Forms
| nom./acc. sg. | /…/ | *317-ni-za | ASSUR letter e, §27 (Assur) |
[A.P.] [AH.B.]
1.1.3Graphic Features
1.1.3.1Phonological Interpretation
Unclear save for a stem ending in /°n(n)i(ya)-/, which can undergo contraction to /°n(n)i-/. The sign *317 takes the form of a rectangle with a diagonal line cutting though it and a hook attached to one bottom corner, a shape that still escapes interpretation. It is found only once more in a likewise mostly unclear word, i.e. *317.CRUS2(-)pa-sa-.
[AH.B.]
1.1.4Meaning
The word is semantically opaque. It appears to denote a tradable commodity made or sourced in Tyre,For the geographical identification see Simon 2012b including his extensive review of the existing literature. but the context provides no further clues. ASSUR letter e, §27 reads: zú+ra/i-wa/i-za-ha-i-wa/i-mu-u *317-ni-za VIA-wa/i-ni, approx. /Zurawan=za=ha=wa=mu …-n(n)iyan=za hwarwanni/, translating as ‘Dispatch to me a *317-niya- from Tyre!’ (cf. Hawkins 2000a:536). If the present word should be related to the other lexeme using the sign *317, a meaning from the domain of wool may be considered, provided the very tentative interpretation of *317.CRUS2(-)pa-sa- as a loan from Babylonian should be correct. The meaning would certainly fit the context of ASSUR letter e, §27.
[AH.B.]
1.1.5Stem
The word is clearly a neuter noun based on an adjective in /-i(ya)-/ as is evident from the presence of the /=sa, =za/ neuter particle. Any further analysis will require additional textual data.
[AH.B.]