Proto-North Caucasian: *q̇äwq̇_(w)ĭ
Meaning: moth; worm
Notes: Reconstructed for the PEC level. Most languages reflect an intermediate form *q̇_äqwĭ (with metathesized labialization); Av.-And. languages also reflect a shift of tenseness (*q̇:ʷiḳa < *q̇ʷiḳ:a which would be normally expected). We should note also a form, aberrant phonetically, but possibly also belonging here: Bezht. (Khosh.) q̇imaq̇o 'spider'.
