Reconstruction:Proto-Dravidian/kaḷam

This Proto-Dravidian entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Dravidian

Alternative forms

*kaḷan

Etymology

Compound of *kaḷ +‎ *-am. Disputed to have a connection with Elamite 𒄩𒌌 (hal, “land”).

Noun

*kaḷam^[1]^[2]

an open place (threshing floor, battle ground)

Descendants

South Dravidian:
- Tulu: ಕಲ (kala)
- Tamil-Kannada:
  - Kannada: ಕಣ (kaṇa), ಕಳ (kaḷa)
  - Kodava: ಕಳ (kaḷa)
  - Kota (India): கள்ம் (kaḷm), கவால் (kavāl)
  - Tamil-Malayalam:
    - Malayalam: കളം (kaḷaṁ), കളരി (kaḷari), കള്ളി (kaḷḷi)
    - Tamil: களம் (kaḷam), களன் (kaḷaṉ), களமர் (kaḷamar), களரி (kaḷari)
South-Central Dravidian:
- Telugu: కళ్లము (kaḷlamu), కళ్ళాము (kaḷḷāmu), కడ్లాము (kaḍlāmu), కలను (kalanu)
- Gondi: कड़ा, కలం (kalaṁ)
- Manda (India): କା୕ଡ଼ା (kāṛa)
- Kui (India): କ୍ଲାଇ (klai)
- Kuvi: କ୍ଡ଼ାନୂ (kṛanū), କାଲୋ୕ମି (kalōmi)
Central Dravidian:
- Kolami: కలవె (kalave)
- Southeastern Kolami: కళవె (kaḷave), కలై (kalai)
- Ollari: కలిన్ (kalin)
North Dravidian:
- Kumarbhag Paharia: क़लु
- Kurukh: ख़ल्ल (xall)
→ Sanskrit: खल (khala) (see there for further descendants)

References

^ Krishnamurti, Bhadriraju (2003) The Dravidian Languages (Cambridge Language Surveys), Cambridge University Press, →ISBN.
^ Burrow, T., Emeneau, M. B. (1984) A Dravidian etymological dictionary, 2nd edition, Oxford University Press, →ISBN.