Notes:*-u- may be a secondary development due to the influence of *m-. As a nominal anatomic term based on AKK and MOD ETH only.
Very likely related with a meaning shift is ARB kumm-, pl. ʔakmām-, 'manche (d'une robe, d'une chemise)' [BK 2 927]. There is also GEZ kǝmam, pl. ʔakmām, ʔakmāmāt, 'fine vestment worn by officiating priest, embroidered cuffs, maniple' [LGz 28 ], which is, according to Leslau, from ARB kumm- 'sleeve'; this is quite plausible especially in view of a coincidence of plural forms.
Note also what may be a derived verb with a possible meaning shift in JIB ktum (-t- infixed ?) 'to sit crosslegged' [JJ 137]
Number:2466
Proto-Semitic:*ḳVmḥ-
Meaning:kind of insect
Syrian Aramaic:ḳamḥā (in nāḥǝlat ḳamḥā) 'insectum quoddam' [Brock. 423], [PS 2337]. Literally 'sifting-the-flour'. Both elements may go back to original faunal terms (cf. No. ... for nāḥǝlat), later re-inter- preted by popular etymology.
Tigre:ḳomḥay 'fourmi qui mange le miele' [LH 237].
Notes:Not quite reliable because of the doubtful status of the Syr. form. Further possible cognates in Eth. (with metathesis) may be Gez. ḳāhm (ḳǝhm, ḳāḥm) 'kind of ant; drone' [LGz. 425], Tgr. ʔaḳ(ǝ)ḥma (ʔaḳḥomä) 'ants' [LH 365], Tna. .... .
