Some Precontact Widespread Lexical Forms in the Languages of Greater Amazonia

Abstract

Six lexical forms found in similar phonetic shapes in numerous languages of Greater Amazonia are presented and traced throughout various linguistic lineages of this region. Besides a detailed lexical documentation of the six forms in languages and proto-languages of South America, this article provides appropriate maps showing the geographical distribution of each of these forms. Five of the six lexical forms have not been discussed before in the literature, and for three of them a precise etymology will be indicated.