Hebrew

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Etymology

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The “dust” meaning is cognate to Aramaic א־ב־ק (ʾ-b-q, dust).[1] Compare also Arabic ء ب ق (ʔ b q, fleeing, evaporating),[2] but the semantic link may be considered tenuous.[3]

Various connections between the “dust” and “wrestling” senses have been proposed, but some sources treat them as separate roots.[2] The latter may relate to ח־ב־ק (ḥ-b-q, embracing); compare Aramaic אבק (to attach).

Root

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א־ב־ק (ʾ-b-q)

  1. Related to dust, powder.
  2. Related to wrestling.

Derived terms

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References

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  1. ^ ˀbq”, in The Comprehensive Aramaic Lexicon Project, Cincinnati: Hebrew Union College, 1986–
  2. 2.0 2.1 Klein, Ernest (1987) A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the Hebrew Language for Readers of English[1], Jerusalem: Carta, →ISBN, page 4b
  3. ^ A. Murtonen (1989) “ʾBQ II”, in Hebrew in Its West Semitic Setting, Part I, Section Bb, Leiden: Brill, →ISBN, page 81

Further reading

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  • אבק” in the Hebrew Terms Database of the Academy of Hebrew Language
  • א־ב־ק”, in Hebrew dictionary and conjugation tables, Pealim.com