# \*ṣwn: 'to protect, preserve'

> Proto-Semitic *ṣwn, 'to protect, preserve': reflexes in 4 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>) › [ṣ](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/tsade/index.md>). Updated 2026-10-25.

## Root

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Reconstruction | \*ṣwn |
| Meaning | 'to protect, preserve' |
| Basis | project |

## Reflexes

| Language | Form | Sources | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arabic | ṣāna 'he preserved it, kept it, laid it up, took care of it' (Lane 1750) | Lane 1750 |  |
| Pre-Islamic North Arabian | Safaitic ṣwn (Al-Jallad–Jaworska 129) | Al-Jallad–Jaworska 129 | gloss withheld |
| Geez | ṣawwana, ḍawwana (LGz. 566) | LGz. 566 | gloss withheld |
| Hebrew | \*צנן, in צִנָּה (HALOT 1039, 1037) | HALOT 1039, 1037 | gloss withheld |

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

## Notes

HALOT 1039 calls Hebrew \*צנן a western variant of ṣwn.

## Linked from

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

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Page: https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/tsade/3480_to_protect_preserve/
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.