Root of the חָתַךְ châthak family (1 member).

To cut, sever, divide (physically); to decide or determine (figuratively); to make a definitive judgment, apportion, prescribe. The primary meaning involves a physical act of cutting or dividing, while figurative uses extend to legal, judicial, and administrative contexts in which a decision is made or an allotment is assigned.

Etymology Root ח-ת-ךּ (חָתַךְ) is a common Semitic root meaning 'to cut' or 'to sever.' The verb form is used in Hebrew as a basic root, with related forms and cognates in other Semitic languages (cf. Aramaic חְתַךְ, Arabic خَتَكَ). The sense of 'to decree' or 'determine' develops from the idea of 'cutting' or 'fixing' a decision or fate.

Reflexes  · not yet grouped by proto-form

LanguageWordMeaningSegmentationRoot
Bemba kata to cut kat-
Chichewa katha to be used up, exhausted (from cutting off) kath-
Chokwe kata to cut kat-
Kikongo kata to cut kat-
Kikuyu gata to cut kat-/gat-
Kimbundu kala to cut, to slice kat-/kal-
Kinyarwanda gakata to cut off sharply kat-/gakat-
Kinyarwanda gata to cut kat-/gat-
Kirundi gakata to cut off sharply kat-/gakat-
Kirundi gata to cut kat-/gat-
Kongo (Kikongo) kata to cut -kata
Lingala kata to cut kat-
Lozi kata to cut kat-
Luganda kakata to cut precisely/sharply katak-
Luganda kasa to cut kas-/kat-
Lunda kata to cut kat-
Swahili kata to cut, to sever -kata
Tonga (Zambia) kata to cut kat-
Umbundu kala to cut kal-/kat-
Umbundu okata to cut kata