# \*khl: 'be able'

> Proto-Semitic *khl, 'be able': reflexes in 15 language(s).

A page of the Linear A Lexicon's research wiki, in [Wiki](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/index.md>) › [Kaphtor Semitic Roots](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/index.md>) › [K](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/k/index.md>). Updated 2026-10-22.

## Root

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Reconstruction | \*khl |
| Meaning | 'be able' |
| Basis | SED |
| SED | SEDonline semet 3161 |

## Reflexes

| Language | Form | Sources | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Ethiopic | Wol. čalä |  | gloss withheld |
| Gurage | Sod. šalä, Chaha ḵaräm |  | gloss withheld |
| Gafat | šalä |  | gloss withheld |
| Epigraphic South Arabian | Sab khl (SD 77; Biella 241; Sabaweb lemma 2685) | SD 77; Biella 241; Sabaweb lemma 2685 | gloss withheld |
| Geez | kəhla (LGz. 277) | LGz. 277 | gloss withheld |
| Arabic | (Dat) kahil, kāhil, kahala (LGz. 277) | LGz. 277 | gloss withheld |
| Soqotri | khel (LGz. 277) | LGz. 277 | gloss withheld |
| Aramaic | khel (LGz. 277; DNWSI 489) | LGz. 277; DNWSI 489 |  |
| Tigre | kähala (LGz. 277) | LGz. 277 |  |
| Tigrinya | käʾalä (LGz. 277) | LGz. 277 |  |
| Argobba | čahala (LGz. 277) | LGz. 277 |  |
| Jibbali | khɛl (Kogan 2015, ch. 2 §4.2 no. 29) | Kogan 2015 ch. 2 §4.2 no. 29 | gloss withheld |
| Mehri | kəhēl (Kogan 2015, ch. 2 §4.2 no. 29) | Kogan 2015 ch. 2 §4.2 no. 29 | gloss withheld |
| Amorite | khl: kahalum, kihilum (Gelb AS 21, 23); kahlu: abū kahli, a-bu ka-a-li (M.11858) (Streck 2000, 101; Streck 2011, 366); kihlu, kahalu (Buck 2019, 328) | Gelb AS 21 23; Streck 2000 101; Streck 2011, 366; Buck 2019, 328 | gloss withheld |
| Biblical Aramaic | khl (HALOT BArm. s.v. כהל) | HALOT BArm. s.v. כהל | gloss withheld |

A form keeps its source's gloss only when the source is public domain or openly licensed.

## Linked from

- [K](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/k/index.md>)

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Page: https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/k/2626_be_able/
Licence: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Cite as: di Mino, Tom. 2026. Linear A Lexicon. Plasma AI. https://linear-a.ai/. Data: kaphtor, commit add28e94.