اللات

Arabic

Etymology

Uncertain. Possible etymologies:[1]

  • From the root ل ت ت‎ (l-t-t), from which the verb لَتَّ‎ (latta, “to mix, or knead, barley-meal”) is derived. This is the explanation given in Arab lexicographical tradition.
  • A feminine form of اللّٰه‎ (allāh) or الإلٰه‎ (al-ʾilāh). This is supported by the form given by Heroditus, who identifies Ἀλιλᾱ́τ (Alilā́t) (which would correspond to *اَلْإِلَات‎ (*alʾilāt)) with Aphrodite,[2] and is explained as having the same ending as some ossified vocative forms like أَخَات (ʾaḵāt) for أُخْت‎ (ʾuḵt, “sister”).[3]

Compare Hismaic 𐪁𐪉‎ (lt).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /al.laːt/

Proper noun

اَللَّات • (al-lāt) f

  1. Allat

Descendants

References
  1. Fahd, T., "al-Lāt", Encyclopaedia of Islam, vol. 5: Khe-Mahi, 2nd edition, ed. by C. E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel, B. Lewis and Ch. Pellat, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1986, page 892
  2. J.F. Healey, The Religion of the Nabataeans: A Conspectus'
  3. Bauer, Hans (1915), “Semitische Sprachprobleme. 5. Die Verwandtschaftsnamen und ilāh „Gott“ im Semitischen”, in Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenländischen Gesellschaft (in German), volume 69, page 561

Further reading
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