Translingual

Symbol

𒊕

1. Cuneiform sign SAG

Usage notes

dictionary notes

• Borger (2003): 184
• Borger (1981): 115
• HZL: 192

phonetic values

• Sumerian: SAG, SUR₁₄
• Akkadian: šag, šak, šaq, riš
• Hittite: —

sign evolution

1. the pictogram as it was drawn around 3000 BC;

2. the rotated pictogram as written around 2800 BC;

3. the abstracted glyph in archaic monumental inscriptions, from ca. 2600 BC;

4. the sign as written in clay, contemporary to stage 3;

5. late 3rd millennium (Neo-Sumerian);

6. Old Assyrian, early 2nd millennium, as adopted into Hittite;

7. simplified sign as written by Assyrian scribes in the early 1st millennium.

References

• R. Borger, Assyrisch-Babylonische Zeichenliste, 2nd ed., Neukirchen-Vluyn (1981)
• R. Borger, Mesopotamisches Zeichenlexikon, Münster (2003).
• Chr. Rüster, E. Neu, Hethitisches Zeichenlexikon (HZL), Wiesbaden (1989)

Akkadian

Etymology

From Proto-Semitic *raʾš-.

Noun

𒊕 ‎(rēšu, qaqqadu) [SAG]

1. head (of a person, animal)
2. top, upper part
3. beginning
4. top quality, the best

References

• ePSD

Sumerian

Noun

𒊕 ‎(SAG)

1. head

Derived terms

• [script needed] ‎(SAG(.KAL), “first one”)
• [script needed] ‎((LÚ.)SAG, “a palace official”)
• [script needed] ‎(ZARAḪ=SAG.PA.LAGAB, “lamentation, unrest”)
• [script needed] ‎(SAG.DUL, “a headgear”)
• [script needed] ‎(SAG.KI, “front, face, brow”)