Proto-Altaic: *k`ḗja ( ~ -o)
Meaning: to slide, swim
Russian meaning: скользить, плыть
Comments: A rather complicated Western isogloss. The TM form is compared (in SKE 61-62, АПиПЯЯ 297) with Kor. hǝ̀i- 'swim'; this seems now dubious because of the apparent lack of development PA *k`- > Kor. *h-. The Korean word should rather be considered as having lost the initial vowel (*hǝ̀i- < *uhǝ̀i-) and be derived < PA *úku q. v. On the other hand, Evk. kajama, Orok qajama 'bare (not fur-lined) skis' are most probably borrowed < Mong. qaiba 'a k. of oar' (or perhaps from some unattested Yakut form, cf. the meaning 'skis' in Yak.?).
