Root of the טחן ṭâchan family (3 members).

To grind, particularly grain or meal, using a hand-mill or mortar; by extension, one who grinds (a grinder or miller). In some contexts, the term refers specifically to the action of women grinding grain, which was a common domestic task in ancient Israelite society. Occasionally, 'to grind' is used euphemistically in reference to a woman's status or labor, especially in servitude or as punishment.

Etymology The verb טָחַן derives from the root ט-ח-ן (טחן), which carries the basic sense 'to grind.' This root is well-attested in Northwest Semitic languages with the core meaning of pulverizing or crushing, especially with reference to food preparation. The derived forms mean 'grinder' or someone engaged in grinding. No earlier root is certain beyond this attestation.

Reflexes  · not yet grouped by proto-form

LanguageWordMeaningSegmentationRoot
Kikuyu gwĩsaga to grind (corn, grain, etc.) -sag-
Kinyarwanda gusaga to grind (grain) -sag-
Kirundi gusaga to grind (cereal) -sag-
Luganda okusaga to grind (maize, etc.) -sag-
Shona saga to grind, to mill -sag-
Swahili saga to grind (grain, meal, etc.) saga

Family members (2)

Lexemes that inherit from this canonical via the SilexRoot family or an additional inheritance edge. Tags show the cognate-propagation status.