# \*katVb-: 'to write, inscribe'

> Proto-Semitic *katVb-, 'to write, inscribe': reflexes in 10 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 | \*katVb- |
| Meaning | 'to write, inscribe' |
| Basis | project |

## Reflexes

| Language | Form | Sources | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arabic | kataba 'to write' (BK 2, 858) | BK 2, 858 |  |
| Ugaritic | ktb (DULAT 463) | DULAT 463 | gloss withheld |
| Phoenician | ktb (Krahmalkov 245); ktb (T 150) | Krahmalkov 245; T 150 | gloss withheld |
| Hebrew | kātab (HALOT 503) | HALOT 503 | gloss withheld |
| Aramaic | ʾaktābū(t) (OLA80 §42.9); ktwb (DNWSI 547) | OLA80 §42.9; DNWSI 547 | gloss withheld |
| Judaic Aramaic | mktbʾ (HALOT 582) | HALOT 582 | gloss withheld |
| Syrian Aramaic | maktᵉbā (HALOT 582) | HALOT 582 | gloss withheld |
| Pre-Islamic North Arabian | Safaitic ktb (Al-Jallad–Jaworska 91); Dadanitic ktb (Al-Jallad 2026, 84) | Al-Jallad–Jaworska 91; Al-Jallad 2026 84 | gloss withheld |
| Punic | N.Pu. ktbt (T 150); mktb (DNWSI 626) | T 150; DNWSI 626 | gloss withheld |
| Biblical Aramaic | ktb (HALOT BArm. s.v. כתב) | HALOT BArm. s.v. כתב | gloss withheld |

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

## Notes

Geez kataba 'write down, write, register' (CDG 297; &lt; Ar). Cf. 3437 \*ktb 'to pierce, prick, sew; awl' (Syr. maktbā 'awl').

## 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/2767_to_write_inscribe/
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.