The Etymology of Lwāt: A Tale of Two Prepositions. (17th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pat-El, Na'ama
• Is Part Of: Journal of Semitic studies. Volume 65:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2020-02-17
• Subjects: Semitic philology -- Periodicals; Jews -- Periodicals; 299.2
• DOI: 10.1093/jss/fgz046
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4480

Abstract

Abstract: The Aramaic preposition lwāt has two distinct meanings: kinetic ('towards') and stative ('with'). In this paper, I discuss the origin and etymology of this preposition, previous attempts to account for its form and other examples of similar polysemy in Semitic. I suggest that it is a derivation from two separate roots that have fallen together in Northwest Semitic: √lwy 1 'to be with, accompany' and √lwy 2 'to encircle'.