H3909 לָט lâṭ Root

4 languages

Root of the לט family (1 member).

The state or act of being hidden, secret, or covert; the noun can refer to secrecy or a concealed circumstance. By semantic extension, the word can denote an act performed in secret, or, on rare occasions, an incantation or form of magic, likely due to the association of secrecy with magical rites. The adverbial use stresses the manner of doing something covertly or quietly.

Etymology Derived from the root לוט (l-w-ṭ), which means 'to wrap, envelop, cover'; לָט is either a derived noun or participle form, indicating that which is covered or concealed. The root meaning concerns the act of covering or enveloping, which developed into the notion of secrecy or hiddenness as found in this noun.
Language Word Meaning Segmentation Root
Chokwe kuta to hide, to cover -luta / -kuta
Kikongo luta to hide, to keep secret -luta
Kimbundu kuta to hide -luta / -kuta (metathesis/lenition)
Umbundu kuta to hide, to conceal -luta / -kuta