H2178 זַן zan → ← H2109 זוּן zûwn
4 languagesA category or grouping of things or beings sharing common characteristics; a kind, type, or sort. Used in enumerative or classificatory contexts to specify classes or groups distinguished by particular attributes. Most often denotes types of living organisms, but may be applied more broadly to denote any set distinguished from others by shared features.
Etymology
Root is זן, which in both Hebrew and Aramaic means 'to feed' or 'to provide food.' The nominal form as used here refers to 'kind' or 'category,' likely relating originally to sorts or categories of living things as they pertain to feeding or provision. The semantic development is from the action of providing nourishment (the verbal root), to the classification of those things which are provided (the nominal form).
Reflexes · not yet grouped by proto-form
| Language | Word | Meaning | Segmentation | Root |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kikuyu | aina | kind, type, sort | -ina | |
| Luganda | eina | kind, type, category, sort | -ina | |
| Lugisu (Lumasaba) | eina | kind, type, category, sort | -ina | |
| Swahili | aina | kind, type, category, sort | ina |