Number: 2519
Proto-Semitic: *ṣVl-
Meaning: kind of bird of prey
Akkadian: ṣallalu 'a nocturnal bird' SB [CAD ṣ 73], [AHw. 1077]. Known from lexical lists (= Sum. NÁ.A MUS̆EN, Akk. iṣṣūr mūši 'a night-bird') and bird-omina of šummā ālu, identified with long-eared owl in [Salonen Vögel 168, 232, 262]. Both dictionaries derive it from the verb ṣalālu 'to sleep' (according to Salonen, '(während des Tages) schlafender Vogel') which might be rather a popular etymology in view of possible Sem. cognates quoted below. One has to admit, however, that Sum. NÁ.(A.)MUS̆EN (NÁ = eršu 'bed', nâlu 'to sleep') was known already in Presargonic.
Syrian Aramaic: ṣalṣūlā 'avis quae pisces venatur' [Brock. 631], [PS 3413].
Geʕez (Ethiopian): ṣilat (in ʕofa ṣilat) 'kite (bird)' [LGz. 556].
Amharic: č̣ululle 'kite, bird of prey' [K 2200], č̣ǝlat 'sparrow hawk' [ibid. 2201].
Harari: č̣ulullu 'kind of bird of prey' [LHar. 51], ṭilli 'hawk' [ibid. 153].
Gurage: Sod. Zwy. č̣ululle, Gog. č̣ulule, Msq. č̣ulǝlle 'kind of hawk' [LGur. 180].
Notes: Not very reliable since the Eth. forms are thought to be Cushitisms by Leslau whereas the Akk. term is probably a deverbal derivate.
