Proto-North Caucasian: *c̣_wɨ̆jVkwŏ
Meaning: brand, spark, brilliance
Notes: The etymology seems reliable, despite some assimilative/dissimilative processes and metatheses, usual in roots of this structure. The PN reflex *sṭ- is explained by the influence of *-j- (preserved in the WC form).
In some languages there is confusion between this root and the diminutive form of the PNC word for star, *ʒ_hwăr-ḳV (/*ʒ_hwăr-kV). The latter is certainly reflected in Ub. c̣ʷa(n)-ḳ́ and Lak. c̣uku (cf. plur. c̣ur-t:i). The Cham. (Gig.) form c̣aka 'star' reflects probably a merger of the two roots (opposed, e.g., in the closely related Tindi language: c̣akʷa 'spark' vs. c:aru 'star').
