# \*saḥm-: 'red, black'

> Proto-Semitic *saḥm-, 'red, black': reflexes in 5 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>) › [S](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/s/index.md>). Updated 2026-10-22.

## Root

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Reconstruction | \*saḥm- |
| Meaning | 'red, black' |
| Basis | SED |
| SED | SEDonline semet 1755 |

## Reflexes

| Language | Form | Sources | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arabic | saḥm-; ʾasḥam- (Kogan 2011, 199); saḥima; ʾasḥamu (Lane 1321) | Kogan 2011 199; Lane 1321 | gloss withheld |
| Akkadian | sāmu |  |  |
| Syrian Aramaic | šḥāmā (Kogan 2011, 199) | Kogan 2011 199 | gloss withheld |
| Jibbali | šḥamúm (Kogan 2011, 199) | Kogan 2011 199 | gloss withheld |
| Eblaitic | sa-ma-ti, É.SI₄.AN = sa-ma-du sa-rí-im /Sāmt/ (Sanmartín GlOS 2, 210) | Sanmartín GlOS 2, 210 | gloss withheld |

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

## Notes

Kogan reconstructs PWS \*šḥm for a dark-brown hue and calls Akk. sāmu etymologically obscure (Kogan 2011, 199).

## Linked from

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

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Page: https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/s/1646_red_black/
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.