Proto-North Caucasian: *qărć̣wV̆
Meaning: shoulder, arm
Notes: Reconstructed for the PEC level. In PTs there occurred a (not uncommon) metathesis; PN reflects a variant *qwarć̣(w)V with shift of labialisation (possibly under influence of *pħā 'arm', *pħōš 'sleeve' q.v.). The most difficult problem is presented by the PA form (which should be regularly *qač̣u). We probably deal with a result of a complicated contamination here. Two different PEC roots, *gwǝćV 'arm' and *qarć̣wV 'shoulder, arm' should have yielded at first PA *gʷVčV and *qač̣u respectively. The former must have acquired a uvular Anlaut( > *ʁʷVčV q.v.) under influence of the latter, and the latter must have developped into *ʁač̣u, with a subsequent assimilation to *ʁažu, under influence of the former (note that the two roots have stayed separate only in some Akhv. and Kar. dialects - everywhere else they have completely merged).
