Root of the חתף châthaph family (1 member).

To seize or snatch swiftly and forcefully, often with the implication of taking something suddenly or unexpectedly. The term is used both for literal acts of grabbing or capturing and for figurative instances of sudden removal or abduction.

Etymology Root is ח-ת-ף (חתף), whose core idea is taking or seizing. The verb חָתַף is a denominative root formation referring to the physical or figurative action of snatching. Derivation implies a forceful, abrupt taking, possibly linked to cognate terms in other Semitic languages conveying similar acts of violent or sudden seizure.

Reflexes  · not yet grouped by proto-form

LanguageWordMeaningSegmentationRoot
Bemba bata to catch, touch, hold -bata-
Chichewa bata to hold, touch, grab -bata-
Lenje bata to hold, touch -bata-
Lunda bata to catch, hold -bata-
Luvale bata to hold, seize, touch -bata-
Ndebele thatha to take, to seize -thath-
Shona bata to catch, grasp, seize, hold bata
Tonga (Zambia) bata to touch, hold, catch -bata-
Xhosa thatha to take, to seize -thath-
Zulu thatha to take, to seize, to grab thatha