PIE Roots

An index of reconstructed Proto-Indo-European roots. Each entry links to a full page with descendant tables, sound law references, and scholarly discussion.

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B3 roots

Root	Meaning	Semantic Field	Confidence
bʰer-d-	to cut with a sharp edge, to shave	bodytool	high
bʰerh₃-	to bore, to pierce through	actiontool	high
bʰeyh₂-	to strike, to cut	actiontool	high

G3 roots

ǵembʰ-	to bite, tooth, comb	bodytool	high
ǵombʰ-	tooth, row of teeth, to bite	bodytool	medium
gʷher-mn̥-	warm thing, heated substance	temperaturetool	high

H14 roots

h₂éḱ-	sharp, pointed	qualitytool	high	26
h₂eḱ-es-	spike of grain, pointed ear of wheat	agriculturetool	high	0
h₂eḱ-meh₂-	anvil, striking surface	toolcraft	medium	0
h₂eḱ-men-₃	stone tool, sharp implement	toolsharpness	medium	0
h₂eḱ-s-lo-	axle, turning rod	tooltransport	high	0
h₂eḱ-s-mn̥-	a sharpening, edge, axis	toolinquiry	high	0
h₂eḱ-sti-	sharp awl, bristle	toolplantsharpness	medium	0
h₂enk-₂	to bend, to form a hook or angle	bodytool	high	0
h₂enk-tro-	hooking device, anchor	toolmaritime	high	0
h₂erH-tl-	plough, tilling tool	agriculturetool	high	0
h₂erh₃-tro-	plowing instrument	agriculturetool	high	0
h₂eyg-mn̥-	pointed thing, stinger	shapetool	high	0
h₂ḱew-mn̥-	sharpened thing, stone tool	toolmedicine	high	0
h₂melh₂-mn̥	act of grinding, a mill	foodtool	high	0

K7 roots

ḱeh₂-p-tro-	grasping tool, handle	toolpossession	high
ḱeh₂-yd-	to cut, to strike down	actiontool	high
ḱeh₂k-	to be able, help, enable	abilitytool	medium
kelh₂-d-	to strike, to hew with a tool	actiontool	medium
kes-₂	to scratch, comb	actiontool	medium
kleh₂w-	to hook, to fasten with a clasp	toolaction	high
kʷekʷlo-₂	turning thing, wheel, cycle	shapemovementtool	high

L2 roots

lewk-mn̥-₂	a light, lamp, illumination	lighttool	high	0
lewk-tro-	light-bearing, lamp	lighttool	high	0

M4 roots

meh₁-tl-	instrument for cutting, middle point	materialtool	high
meld-eyo-	to keep grinding, milling	actiontool	high
meld-mn̥-	a grinding, milled substance	foodtool	high
men-tro-	instrument of thought, counselor	cognitiontool	high

P3 roots

pewg-mn̥	a pricking, pointed action	actiontool	high
pewH-tro-	instrument for cutting, pruning tool	toolagriculture	medium
pewk-tro-	stabbing tool, pointed instrument	toolaction	high

S4 roots

sew-tl-	instrument for sewing, needle or awl	crafttool	medium
sḱeh₂-	to cut, to separate with a blade	actiontool	medium
sḱel-	to cut, to split apart	actiontool	high
skey-d-tro-	splitting tool, thing that divides	tooldivision	high

T1 root

terkʷ-₂

to twist, to turn repeatedly

actiontool

high