𐏋

𐏋 U+103CB, 𐏋 OLD PERSIAN SIGN XSHAAYATHIYA ← 𐏊 [U+103CA] Old Persian 𐏌 → [U+103CC]

Old Persian

Alternative forms

• 𐎧𐏁𐎠𐎹𐎰𐎡𐎹 (x-š-a-y-θ-i-y)

Etymology

A vrddhi derivative with suffix -𐎡𐎹 (-i-y /⁠-iyaʰ⁠/, adjectival suffix) from *xšayaθa- (“rule”), an abstract noun derived from the root *xšay- (“to rule”), from Proto-Iranian *xšáyati, from Proto-Indo-Iranian *kšáyati (“he rules, he has power over”), whence Sanskrit क्षयति (kṣáyati); from Proto-Indo-European *tek- (“to gain power over, gain control over”).

Sometimes suggested to be a borrowing from Old Median, being a doublet of 𐎧𐏁𐏂𐎶 (xšaçam, “realm, province”), but this is disputed.

Cognate with Sanskrit क्षत्र (kṣatrá, “might, power”), Avestan 𐬑𐬱𐬀𐬚𐬭𐬀 (xšaθra, “kingdom”), Bactrian ϸαο (šao), Old Armenian աշխարհ (ašxarh), Ancient Greek κτάομαι (ktáomai, “to get, acquire”).

Noun

𐏋 (XŠ /xšāyaθiyaʰ/)

1. king

Descendants

• Middle Persian: 𐭬𐭫𐭪𐭠 (MLKA /⁠šāh⁠/)
  • Persian: شاه (šâh) (see there for further descendants)