Proto-Lezghian: *s:äm (~s-)
Meaning: 1 lamb (after 6 months) 2 milch sheep
Lezghian: sam-ʁal 2
Tabasaran: sum-ag 1
Agul: sem
Kryz: säm 2
Comment: Cf. also Ag. Fit. sim. The Kryz. form has a more specific meaning: "a sheep or goat having once born a young one". The component -ʁal in Lezg. is not clear etymologically.In Tab. the form contains a diminutive -ag; the vowel in the 1st syllable is a result of reduction and assimilation to -m- already after suffixation (sum-ag < *sim-ag). There is not enough evidence to choose between *s:- or *s- in initial position, or to reconstruct the vocalic obl. base (there are only the Ag. forms: Burk. semu-, Fit. sima-).
