H1163 בָּעַט bâʻaṭ → Root
11 languagesRoot of the בעט bâʻaṭ family (1 member).
To strike out forcefully with the foot, to kick, often used both in literal contexts (trampling with the foot) and metaphorically for rejecting, rebelling against, or despising authority or instruction. The primary usage is physical, but it features prominently in figurative speech, expressing contempt, rejection, or spurning of something or someone.
Etymology
From the root בָּעַט (בעט), a verbal root in Hebrew denoting striking or kicking. The root meaning is 'to kick' or 'to strike with the foot.' The verb form used in Biblical Hebrew expresses the act of kicking, from which the more abstract sense of despising or rejecting arises through metaphorical extension. Cognates are not attested in related Semitic languages, making the root distinctive to Hebrew.
Reflexes · not yet grouped by proto-form
| Language | Word | Meaning | Segmentation | Root |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chokwe | beta | to hit, beat | -beta | |
| Kikongo | beta | to hit, beat, strike, play (an instrument) | -beta | |
| Kikongo | bita | to strike, beat, hit | -bita | |
| Kimbundu | beta | to hit, beat, strike (e.g., a drum) | -beta | |
| Kimbundu | kú-bita | to strike, beat | bita | |
| Lingala | bɛta | to hit, beat, strike (with, on or against something) | -bɛta | |
| Lingala | kóbéta | to strike, hit, beat, play (an instrument) | bita/beta | |
| Luba-Kasai | bɛta | to strike, beat | beta/bita | |
| Lunda | beta | to hit, to beat | -beta | |
| Umbundu | beta | to hit, to strike, to beat | -beta | |
| Umbundu | ovita | to strike, hit, wound | bita |