# \*zapp-/\*zabb-: '(much) hair (on the head), bristle'

> Proto-Semitic *zapp-/*zabb-, '(much) hair (on the head), bristle': reflexes in 8 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>) › [Z](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/z/index.md>). Updated 2026-10-22.

## Root

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Reconstruction | \*zapp-/\*zabb- |
| Meaning | '(much) hair (on the head), bristle' |
| Basis | SED |
| SED | SEDonline semet 97 |

## Reflexes

| Language | Form | Sources | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arabic | zabb- 'great quantity of hair on the head, thick head of hair' \[BK 1 968\]; zabab- 'down (on birds or other animals); great abundance of hair on the head, thick head of hair' \[ibid.\]. | BK 1 968 |  |
| Akkadian | zappu, zabbu, azappu OA on \[CAD z 49\], \[AHw 1511\] | CAD z 49; AHw 1511 | gloss withheld |
| Mandaic Aramaic | zapa \[DM 160\]. | DM 160 | gloss withheld |
| Modern Aramaic | HRT zapta \[J Hert 202\]. | J Hert 202 | gloss withheld |
| Hebrew | PB zayip 'bristles; eye-brows' \[Ja 395\] | Ja 395 |  |
| Judaic Aramaic | zaypā, zēpā 'eye-brow' \[Ja 395\] | Ja 395 |  |
| Syrian Aramaic | zappǝtā, zeppǝtā, zeppātā 'hair (of the head)' \[Brock 203\]. | Brock 203 |  |
| Amharic | ǯofǯoffe, ǯoffa (SED I 268) | SED I 268 | gloss withheld |

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

## Linked from

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

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Page: https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/z/163_much_hair_on_the_head_bristle/
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.