xzzuna

This lexeme is found in an inscription written during the reign of Pttule, a dynast of uncertain identity.

[D.S.]

unclear	xzuna	TL 35.14 (Kadyanda)
	xzzuna	TL 35.18 (Kadyanda)

The interpretation as an infinitive based on the Luwian infinitive ending -una is tempting but unsupported, since there is no independent evidence for the preservation of -una in Lycian (cf. DLL:87 and Serangeli 2019a:228 n. 2). A way to circumvent the problem would be to assume a verbal stem in -u-, i.e. xzzu-, which would make the infinitive interpretation as -na acceptable. As an alternative, Melchert (DLL:87) suggests a nom./acc. pl. n. in apposition to the other accusative nouns in the passage, which is possible but difficult to prove. A new approach would be a loc. sg. in -a, but no evidence can be adduced. Thus, the grammatical interpretation of the word is marked here as unclear.

[D.S.]

No semantics could yet be assigned (cf. DLL:87, Neumann 2007a:145, Gehrisch 2018a:48). Neumann 2007a:145 convincingly suggests a connection with Hitt. ḫazziye/a-^(mi) ‘to carve’. Unfortunately, this cannot be readily accepted and remains to be proven. The comparison by Shevoroshkin 1977a:142 n. 2 with Hitt. ḫaššuwē-^(mi) ‘to rule as king’ is phonologically untenable.

[D.S.]

The suffix -una- could be related to the Anatolian suffix *-u̯er/n-, which would make xzz- the verbal stem. For other Lycian nouns in -una-, see Christiansen 2020a:268.

[D.S.]