H3034 יָדָה yâdâh → Root

3 languages

Root of the ידה family (12 members).

To acknowledge, praise, or give thanks, especially with an outward gesture such as the extension of the hands. In various contexts, it can mean to express gratitude or praise (often directed toward a deity), confess or admit (especially sin or wrongdoing), or—less commonly—to throw or cast (as with stones or arrows, usually in an archaic or poetic sense). The term generally encompasses the public and verbal declaration of acknowledgment, whether thanksgiving or confession.

Etymology From the root ידה, which grows out of יָד ("hand"), capturing the concept of extending or using the hand. The literal root meaning is 'to extend the hand.' In practice, the denominative verb יָדָה came to mean 'to throw' and metaphorically, through a ritual gesture, to offer praise, thanks, or confession, as extending the hand became symbolic of making a declaration. The transition from physical movement to verbal act reflects the close association in Semitic languages between physical gesture and speech act.
Language Word Meaning Segmentation Root
Kikongo yidika to praise, to thank, to confess (esp. God) yidik-
Kikongo (Fiote/FYote dialect) yidika to confess, to declare, to praise -yidik-
Lingala eyíká to confess, to admit, to declare -yik-

Family members (11)

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

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