Proto-North Caucasian: *q̇_(w)ămʔǝ̄
Meaning: plait, mane; hair
Notes: It is somewhat unclear whether labialisation had been lost in PEC or it appeared secondarily (after the loss of -m-) in PWC; the latter seems more probable. Pharyngealization in PWC obviously appeared under the influence of the lost laryngeal. The comparison seems plausible. Some of the languages (Bagv., Lak., Darg., PL) reflect also an old derivate *q̇_(w)ăm-čV - its derived character being proved by "tense" *q̇ versa "lax" *č (violating the normal structure of "tense" words). Another reflex of the same derivate (but already with "tense" *č, probably by assimilation) is Av. q̇:ʷanš:á 'temple, hair on temples' (which was early borrowed in Lak. as q̇anča 'hairdo, hair; (Khosr.) forelock'. Cf. perhaps also Bezht. Khosh. q̇ämƛ̣äš 'women's shawl, kerchief' (quite isolated within Tsezian and possibly reflecting some analogous compound).
