# \*nṣp: 'to serve, do service'

> Proto-Semitic *nṣp, 'to serve, do service': reflexes in 2 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>) › [N](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/n/index.md>). Updated 2026-10-27.

## Root

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Reconstruction | \*nṣp |
| Meaning | 'to serve, do service' |
| Basis | project |

## Reflexes

| Language | Form | Sources | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arabic | naṣafa 'to serve someone as a domestic'; IV ʾanṣafa 'to serve someone as a domestic'; V tanaṣṣafa 'to be a domestic, serve as a domestic' (BK 2 1273) | BK 2 1273 |  |
| Epigraphic South Arabian | Sab nṣf (SD 99) (Biella 312) (Sabaweb lemma 2387); tnṣf (SD 99); mnṣf (Biella 312) (Sabaweb lemma 4690) | SD 99; Biella 312; Sabaweb lemma 2387; Sabaweb lemma 4690 | gloss withheld |

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

## Notes

Biella 312 sets Arabic naṣafa 'serve' beside the Sabaic. Lane 3033 (the abridged part) gives nṣf 'justice' and 'halving' only; Arabic niṣf 'half' (BK 2 1272–1273) is another word. Not 2739 \*ʕVbd- 'to serve, work' or 3585 \*ḫdm 'to serve', other roots with the same sense, nor 1036 \*nVšVp- 'to blow, winnow'.

## Linked from

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

---

Page: https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/n/3708_to_serve_do_service/
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.