sč̓meptn – Root Word

This preliminary list catalogs 560+ identified root word shells in the Salish language. Root word shells are consonantal orientation units—the most reduced, foundational forms from which Salish words are built. They do not contain a primary vowel and are not complete words on their own. Instead, they establish a core orientation or stance: how something is positioned, engages, holds, separates, extends, or relates within experience.

Root word shells do not encode fixed meanings like English roots. Rather, they provide a structural orientation that becomes interpretable only when a vowel is introduced. Vowels activate the root shell by shaping how the orientation is experienced—for example, as significant or emphasized (a), embodied or ongoing (e), resultative (i), or carried/inherent (u). The vowel does not add lexical content; it configures experiential stance.

A Salish word’s meaning emerges from the interaction of the root shell, vowel configuration, and additional suffixes or prefixes. The vowel allows the root shell to become legible in experience, completing it as a usable word. Understanding root word shells helps learners move beyond memorizing vocabulary and toward reading how meaning is constructed, revealing the deeper orientation-based logic of Salish expression.

This work is only possible because of generations of speakers, teachers, researchers, learners, and community efforts dedicated to the continuity of Salish languages. The identification and organization of root word shells presented here emerges from many years of listening, study, comparison, discussion, and ongoing refinement across multiple sources and traditions of knowledge. Contemporary efforts such as the Salish Root Project, along with the work of many others across Salish communities, continue contributing to the development of accessible structural approaches to language learning and documentation. If this work is meaningful or useful to you, please consider supporting the broader continuation of Salish language research, teaching, preservation, and community-driven projects that help sustain and expand access to these languages for future generations.

sč̓meptn, root word

s-, č̓m, -ep, -tn | s-, nominal; č̓m, exteremity; -ep, embody the base; -tn, agentive means/thing for s.t. The word, sč̓meptn, s-, that, č̓m, extremity, -ep, being the foundation, -tn, to be for.

Understanding root shells is crucial for both language learners and linguists as they provide insights into the structural and semantic building blocks of Salish. This list serves as a dynamic resource that will be regularly updated with new information and examples to reflect ongoing research, community contributions, and input from the public.

• Root Word Shells: Core morphological units, a-temporal without a primary vowel.
• Vowel Interaction: Vowels inserted in root shells enhance or specify meanings and provide temporality. For example, the shell tl̕ might turn into tel̕ to express a specific aspect of its core meaning.
• Alternate Spellings: Provided in parentheses, these help capture the sounds of pharyngeals, and the consonants y, and w which are pivotal in Salish phonology.
• Examples: Will be added progressively as this document expands.

As this is a preliminary list, feedback and contributions from Salish speakers, linguists, and language enthusiasts are welcomed to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness. Regular updates are made to refine definitions, add examples, and expand the list. Check back periodically to see new content and revisions.

ʕc, restrain, confine (Ɂac, ac)

• ʕcmist, to trap.
• ʕcmintn, used to restrain, catching rope, trap.
• ʕccnew̓s, shoestring, shoe lace, got tied together.
• ʕcpeyn, trap.
• ʕculeɁxʷ, tie to ground.
• čʕcew̓s, tie up high, tie between/together.
• sčʕcew̓s, Sunday, week.
• nʕcqneɬxʷ, tied tipi poles.
• snʕcups, trailer.
• ʕac, restrained state
  • es ʕac, It remains tied/restrained.
• ʕic, result in restraint, confinement
  • ʕict, travel by night, result in confinement.

ʕc̓, train at/on (Ɂac̓, ac̓)

• ʕc̓ewt, last.
• ʕc̓in̓t, what did she say?
• ʕc̓‍‍wtscut, put self last.
• čʕc̓‍‍x̌íc̓‍‍eɁ, inspect.
• k̓ʷɬʕc̓‍‍x̌mist, look out for self.
• ʕc̓‍‍x̌usm, look at face.
• ʕac̓, gaze upon.
  • ʕac̓‍‍x̌m, look at something.
  • k̓ʷɬʕac̓‍‍x̌, look under/within.
• ʕec̓, be the focus.
  • ʕc̓ec̓lt, wild child.

• ʕč          materialize, emerge (Ɂeč, eč)
• ʕh          annoy (Ɂeh, eh)
• ʕk̓ʷ        interior cohesive firmness (Ɂek̓ʷ, ek̓ʷ)
• ʕl           separate away (Ɂal, al, Ɂel, el, el̕)
• ʕl̕           exert effort at (Ɂal̓, al̓, Ɂel̕, el̕)
• ʕɬ          engulf, subsume (Ɂaɬ, aɬ, Ɂeɬ, eɬ)
• ʕm         diminished condition (Ɂam, am, Ɂem, em)
• ʕm̓         procure resource, depart to (Ɂem̓ em̓)
• ʕn          transcendent experience, meta sense (Ɂen, en)
• ʕp          sustained state of culmination (ep, Ɂep)
• ʕp̓          remain in contact, wipe (ep̓, Ɂep̓)
• ʕq̓          interior full-extent engagement (aq̓, Ɂaq̓)
• ʕs          diverge, disperse (Ɂes, es)
• ʕt          dormant (Ɂat, at, Ɂet, et)
• ʕw         go in turn (Ɂew, ew)
• ʕw̓         drip, bead, dribble (Ɂaw̓, aw̓)
• ʕx̌          emulate, align (Ɂax̌, ax̌)
• ʕxʷ        convey sound (Ɂexʷ, exʷ)
• ʕx̌ʷ        scrape (Ɂax̌ʷ, ax̌ʷ)
• ʕy          arrange together (Ɂay, ay, Ɂey, ey)
• ʕy̓          vigor (Ɂay̓, ay̓)
• ʕ̓n         go (en̓, Ɂen̓)
• cʕ          scream (ca, ce, cɁ)
• ch          favored
• ckʷ        pull      
• cl           five, fully expand/outstretch  
• cɬ           isolate
• cm         soft consistency
• cm̓         miniture 
• cn         sustain act, do extendedly
• cʕʷ        fringe-like, fray (co)
• cʕ̓ʷ        beat, punch (coɁ)
• cp          open to within      
• cq          open side up    
• cqʷ        encase in designated position
• cs          clatter, rattle
• cš          extend influence from a boundary
• ct          situate inside
• cw        emulate, copy (cu) 
• c̓ʕ         pervade (c̓a, č̓e, č̓Ɂ)           
• c̓ʕ̓         rattle sound (c̓aɁ, c̓eɁ)  
• c̓č         gore, impale
• c̓č̓         shine, radiant     
• c̓kʷ       unfavored
• c̓k̓ʷ       rigid     
• c̓l          plant/stand pl.
• c̓l̕          assemble       
• c̓ɬ          cold
• c̓m        constrict            
• c̓m̓        compacted resisting boundary, bone
• c̓n         tight, secure      
• c̓ʕʷ       in set (c̓o)
• c̓p         grounded contact
• c̓p̓         adhere together            
• c̓q         precipitate        
• c̓q̓         strike with projectile
• c̓qʷ       expulsion, vent out, force-out, exude          
• c̓q̓ʷ       point, act/condition of
• c̓s          clear, deplete
• c̓š         socially marked exposure
• c̓w        separate, discrete (c̓u) 
• c̓w̓        remove, wash (c̓uɁ) 
• c̓x̌         intense surface engagement
• c̓xʷ      resolved boundary surfaced
• c̓x̌ʷ      derive from
• c̓y        heighten, accentuate
• c̓y̓        recoil, retract
• čʕ         open uncover, reveal (ča,če, čɁ)
• čc         arrive at
• čc̓         long object lays
• čl         engage
• čɬ        separate out, hunt, pursue           
• čm       scavenge
• čm̓       reject      
• čn         contact
• čn̓         grasp    
• čʕʷ       yell out (čo, čw čaw)
• čp         soft, spongy
• čq          engage reach
• čš          go along            
• čt̕          on/at the mark
• čw         easy movement, unrestricted (ču, čuw)
• čx̌ʷ       pass 
• čy̓          outward-projecting act/condition
• č̓ʕ          emplaced (č̓e, č̓a, č̓Ɂ)
• č̓ʕ̓          draw near (č̓eɁ, č̓aɁ, č̓Ɂ)
• č̓c̓          lie down, recumbent
• č̓l           transit, transition
• č̓l̓           inverted passage
• č̓ɬ           deposited emergence
• č̓ƛ̓          brown, grey, dirty
• č̓m         extremity          
• č̓n          enclose
• č̓ʕʷ        employ (č̓u, č̓o, č̓w)
• č̓p̓          pinch grasp
• č̓s          unpleasant, bad
• č̓š          caught off guard
• č̓t          half        
• č̓w        gone    
• č̓xʷ       decline, shrink   
• č̓y         shade (č̓i)
• č̓y̓         associated with, next to (č̓iɁ, č̓ii)
• hʕ         bestow attention (he, ha, hɁ)       
• hʕ̓         outwardly expressed stance; number eight         
• hl contrastive presence within continuity
• hm        held proximity
• hn        lightly perceived, light pink
• hʕʷ       awed (haw)
• hqʷ       altered presence
• hw       wide open
• hw̓ central interior alignment
• hy        cease
• kʷʕ       spontaneous change, grow (kʷa, kʷe, kʷɁ)
• kʷc        irregular, off-kilter
• kʷč       cohesive enclosure
• kʷkʷ     soft cohesive bulk
• kʷk̓ʷ      firm structural emphasis      
• kʷl         red/yellow, salient, vivid
• kʷl̕         perspire             
• kʷɬ        edgy, insecure     
• kʷƛ̓        cohere into form
• kʷm       position away
• kʷn        hold, sing
• kʷn̓        prior-connected orientation
• kʷq         compromised function
• kʷp        exert force, push 
• kʷs        compact            
• kʷt        eminent            
• kʷxʷ      move by sliding, dragging       
• k̓ʷʕ        bite (k̓ʷe, k̓ʷa, k̓ʷɁ) 
• k̓ʷc̓        immovable, fixed
• k̓ʷč̓        forceful boundary release
• k̓ʷl̕         create 
• k̓ʷƛ̓        reveal, open up  
• k̓ʷn        quantity, amount
• k̓ʷn̓        examine, inspect, choose              
• k̓ʷs        surprise
• k̓ʷt̕        spring forth, suddenly emerge
• k̓ʷw̓      pressure-held cohesion
• k̓ʷxʷ     unsecure, untether
• k̓ʷy       diminutive, small
• lʕ          position over (la, le, lɁ)
• lʕ̓          boundary emergent
• lc held relational position
• lč̓          bind
• lkʷ         far, distant
• lk̓ʷ         sever, break away 
• lm         pleasing
• lʕʷ         in place (loo, lo)
• lʕ̓ʷ         loose/ill fit (loɁ, lw̓)
• lp̓           fit in hole
• lq           pull out rooted
• lq̓           bury
• lqʷ         fall off/away/from, shed
• lq̓ʷ         unobstructed
• lš           directed extension, outwardly laid relation
• lt           extended, narrow continuity
• lw          comes off from, ring, chapped skin
• lw̓          extend into central compression, thump
• lxʷ         descend in/on
• lx̌ʷ         impacting interface compression
• ly̓           unstable resonance; rattling contact
• l̕q           spread/drawn across surface
• l̕q̓           scratch with object
• l̕x̌          unimpeded, lack barrier or blockage
• ɬʕ          abut (ɬe, ɬa, ɬɁ)
• ɬc          laid side by side, put one to the other
• ɬc̓          whip punish      
• ɬkʷ        scoop out, lap up             
• ɬk̓ʷ        pierce and hold       
• ɬm         detach, isolate   
• ɬm̓         remove portion
• ɬʕʷ         rebound, become present by springing out
• ɬn         project out
• ɬp          cease, diminish, contract  
• ɬp̓          uniform
• ɬq          affix upon          
• ɬq̓          lay flat, recumbent       
• ɬqʷ        redistributed extent across a domain
• ɬq̓ʷ        distinct, devoid
• ɬt̕           disturb from position
• ɬw         without, few (ɬu)
• ɬw̓         pierce, probe (ɬuɁ)
• ɬx̌          engage with      
• ɬxʷ        envelop
• ɬx̌ʷ        passage/open   
• ƛ̓ʕ          project into (ƛ̓e, ƛ̓a, ƛ̓Ɂe)
• ƛ̓c̓          solid, hardy, hard 
• ƛ̓č          expose 
• ƛ̓kʷ        move off
• ƛ̓k̓ʷ         contained energy, force, potential
• ƛ̓l           inanimate, still 
• ƛ̓m         position fore
• ƛ̓m̓         purple, blood/berry stain
• ƛ̓ʕʷ        harden (ƛ̓aw, ƛ̓o, ƛ̓Ɂw, ƛ̓Ɂu)
• ƛ̓p          adhered
• ƛ̓q        open expose
• ƛ̓q̓        hot, cross threshold 
• ƛ̓qʷ       poke     
• ƛ̓q̓ʷ       fight spouse/partner
• ƛ̓w̓         look with purpose (ƛ̓uɁ) 
• ƛ̓x̌          extreme
• ƛ̓xʷ        prevail            
• ƛ̓y          edge-act (ƛ̓i) 
• mʕ         active engagement (ma, me, mɁ) 
• mc         erode
• mc̓         viscous
• mč           interior boundary readiness
• mh         animal vocal signals
• mkʷ       perceivable, discernible
• mk̓ʷ       snow, blanket
• ml         out of position/place 
• ml̕         aimless, unsubstantial    
• mɬ         dismantle, topple           
• mƛ̓        applied with substance
• mm       assemble together
• mn        contra  
• mn̓        apply color
• mʕʷ       flow (moo, mo)
• mʕ̓ʷ       break (maw̓)
• mq        prevent
• mq̓        full, sated   
• mq̓ʷ      mound, bump
• ms         four, assure, confident       
• mš         limited, none  
• mt         congest, jam-packed      
• mt̕         compressed firmness at a threshold      
• mx̌        differing
• mxʷ      dishevel    
• mx̌ʷ      soft layered   
• my        experience, perceive, know (mi)
• m̓c        settle down; collapse into supported contact
• m̓č        compressed interior at a boundary
• m̓kʷ     dense enclosed firmness
• m̓l̓         compressed extension
• m̓n̓        interior pressure at boundary
• m̓qʷ     reduced reach
• m̓s        compressed intentional sensing
• m̓y        tell, make known (m̓i)
• m̓y̓        settle into certainty (m̓iɁ)
• nč         inner purpose, herd migration
• nč̓        cut
• nh internalized situational presence
• nkʷ      sustained co-presence       
• nk̓ʷ      one, single
• nl         poison
• nm       non-functioning
• nq        single, solitary
• nq̓        saturated exposure
• nq̓ʷ      steal
• ns        make wet
• nw̓       persist, maintain sensation or presence (nuɁ)
• nx̌ʷ      establish connection, become close
• n̓q        off-domain
• ʕʷl       accumulate energy (Ɂol, Ɂul, ol, ul, wl)
• ʕʷɬ       integrate (oɬ, uɬ)
• ʕʷs      lost, astray (os, Ɂos)         
• ʕʷx̌ʷ    string out (ox̌ʷ, Ɂox̌ʷ)        
• ʕʷy      laugh, thaw (oy, Ɂoy)     
• ʕ̓ʷs      cohesion intentionally exceeded (oɁs)
• pʕ        contrast state to changed state (pa, pe, pɁ)
• pc        repetitious        
• pč        encase
• pč̓        interior-defined base         
• pkʷ      pour solid objects          
• pl        yielding
• pɬ        copious, abundant
• pm       much, great deal             
• pn        time period       
• pn̓        malform, bend, deform
• pʕʷ       lay on thick, supersede, apply white (po, poo)
• pq        white   
• pq̓        intense action/change   
• ps         deviate markedly         
• pš         light weight, thin, pliant       
• pt         goes through    
• pw       drum sound  (pu)
• pw̓       recursive (puɁ)
• px̌        rub for some purpose, glide, polish
• pxʷ      emanate, blow, odor            
• px̌ʷ      distribute/elder
• py        happy (pi)
• p̓ʕ        apply force, press (p̓a, p̓e, p̓Ɂ)
• p̓c̓        squirt   
• p̓č̓        emanating field of exposure
• p̓k̓ʷ       stoop, bend
• p̓l         turn in on          
• p̓ɬ         successive    
• p̓ƛ̓         release 
• p̓m        smoked, orange, tan
• p̓n         lay down     
• p̓ʕʷ       ignore  (p̓au, p̓aw, p̓o)
• p̓q̓         sustained force engaging full extent
• p̓q̓ʷ       release granular mass, sputter    
• p̓s         bulged out        
• p̓š         unravel      
• p̓t̕          make viscous    
• p̓w̓        noticeable, smell (p̓uɁ)
• p̓x̌         sear
• p̓xʷ       glow, gleam 
• p̓x̌ʷ       old       
• p̓y         expand, broaden (p̓i)      
• qʕ         taper, narrow (qa, qe, qɁ)
• qc         shrink   
• ql          apex     
• ql̕          encompass        
• qɬ          awake
• qm       things at rest
• qn        sustain connection
• qp        protect, cushion
• qq        invoking, serenade, chant
• qt         repeat in a sequential or linear fashion
• qw       come out into awareness across a field, itch (qu)
• qx̌        of many, great   
• qxʷ      ward off
• qx̌ʷ      depth-domain turbulent interface
• qy̓         experiential interaction (qiɁ)
• q̓ʕ         snuggly within (q̓a, q̓e, q̓Ɂ)
• q̓ʕ̓         fully extended outward form (q̓aɁ, q̓eɁ)
• q̓c̓        weave, entwine, compact together
• q̓l          loop onto   
• q̓ɬ         under-rib
• q̓ƛ̓         reach, attain    
• q̓m       ingest, intake, crave
• q̓n        contract, fold, draw up/in
• q̓p        entangle compression        
• q̓p̓        enclosure resisting compression, hard shell
• q̓s         long time          
• q̓t          skin      
• q̓t̕          hook out        
• q̓w        cast, charm, witch (q̓o, q̓u)
• q̓w̓        break (q̓oɁ, q̓uɁ)
• q̓x̌          unmoving, blocked         
• q̓xʷ       conceited 
• q̓y         splay, split, fork (q̓i, q̓ey)
• q̓y̓         differentiate appearance, mark, color (q̓iɁ, q̓ey̓)      
• qʷʕ      conform (qʷa, qʷe, qʷɁ)
• qʷc      warm
• qʷl         express voice    
• qʷl̕         change state     
• qʷɬ        persist on          
• qʷm      depart pl.         
• qʷm̓      not quite           
• qʷn       green, light green, sky blue     
• qʷn̓       pity
• qʷqʷ     expansive field-event
• qʷs        unbound, free from form, constraint, maturity, or established structure
• qʷt        with, accompaniments         
• qʷw       pliant, limber (qʷo, qʷu)
• qʷx̌ʷ     upright pl
• qʷy       much, often (qʷi)
• q̓ʷʕ       slide, move (q̓ʷa, q̓ʷɁ)
• q̓ʷʕ̓       pinch, squeeze, wring (q̓ʷaɁ)
• q̓ʷc       fat
• q̓ʷc̓       fill
• q̓ʷl        compact
• q̓ʷɬ        tireless 
• q̓ʷƛ̓       fill gap 
• q̓ʷm      bunch together
• q̓ʷm̓      act at a group, hold things
• q̓ʷs        cluster 
• q̓ʷt        bend multiples
• q̓ʷt̕        nod
• q̓ʷy       drawn in, black (q̓ʷi, q̓ʷey)   
• q̓ʷy̓       turbulent oscillation; stirring rhythmic motion (q̓ʷiɁ, q̓ʷey̓)
• sʕ         settled stance; established ground (sa, se, sɁ)
• sc̓         apply covering layer
• sč̓         half, part          
• sl          objects positioned or long held position
• sl̕          out of it
• sƛ̓         asserted configuration, prominence
• sm        structured interior consolidation, pallor
• sm̓        sniff, smell
• sn         eminent            
• sʕʷ       melt/drain away, consume, evaporate (so, soo)
• sp         transpostion
• sp̓         strike with object      
• sq̓         split, crack     
• sq̓ʷ      spring, fly, quick jump
• ss         drink
• sš         surface/boundary shift (səš)
• st         twist, wrap, braid
• st̕         stretch
• sw       discern, determine (su)
• sw̓       inwardly gathered expression/presence (suɁ)
• sx̌        scrape against  
• sxʷ       recognize, discernible
• sx̌ʷ       descend             
• sy         power, ability (si)
• sy̓         cold, chill (siɁ)
• šʕ         approach (ša, še, šɁ)
• šc̓ directed integrity
• šč̓         miss, fail               
• šl          rotate  
• šl̓          pull/advance in stages; re-grip,  re-articulate
• šƛ̓         level, even, sequential
• šm        partition            
• šn̓         flat cover, lay flat 
• šp         consume
• št          slice, cut through       
• št̕          stand planted   
• šw         extend (šu)
• šy̓          proceed, continue (šiɁ)   
• tʕ          at the edge (ta, te, tɁ)   
• tc          make contact
• tč          collective multiplicity
• tkʷ       tight formation 
• tl           straight out       
• tl̕           transit from 
• tm         independent of, related but separate     
• tm̓         prominent, has use         
• tn          taut      
• tn̓         structure, order
• tʕʷ       condense (to, tu)
• tʕ̓ʷ       crowd things together (tuɁ, tuw̓)
• tp         tint, darken        
• tq         occlude
• tqʷ      bounded accumulation at a threshold
• tq̓ʷ      edge-ruptured mass
• ts         make loud noise
• tš          full stature
• tw        advance, buy (tu)
• tw̓        diminished condition (tuɁ)
• tx̌         sharp sensed     
• txʷ       add to  
• tx̌ʷ       straight
• ty         forward-facing orientation or aim (ti)
• ty̓         give way (tiɁ)
• t̕ʕ          prominent, striking (t̕a, t̕e, t̕Ɂ)
• tc̓         smooth, straighten out
• t̕č̓         out of place   
• t̕kʷ      go over
• t̕k̓ʷ      situate, position (tk̓ʷ)
• t̕l          part away    
• t̕l̕          adjust toward balance 
• t̕ɬ          adhere/plaster on
• t̕m        hold fast to    
• t̕m̓        gather/hold together        
• t̕n          supple
• t̕p          increase dimension        
• t̕q          stack    
• t̕q̓          position away from
• t̕qʷ       join to  
• t̕s          stiff, sturdy       
• t̕š          sweet 
• t̕w        group/crowd act (tu)
• t̕w̓        release from cohesion, disassociate (tuɁ)
• t̕x̌          unfurl
• t̕xʷ       striking, abnormal
• t̕y         fall (t̕i)
• wʕ       vigor, succession (wa, we, wɁ)
• wc       freely/loosely connected (oc, uc)
• wc̓       pry/pick out (oc̓, uc̓)
• wč       find, see (uč)
• wh       bark, communicate (uh)
• wkʷ     secrete (ukʷ)
• wl         flame, shimmer (ol, ul)
• wl̕         askew (ul̓)
• wɬ         course (uɬ)
• wm      power, spiritual power (um)
• wn        undeniable, obvious, clear-cut (un)
• wp        hair (up)
• wq̓        guarded (oq̓, uq̓)
• wq̓ʷ      continue outward independently (ʔuq̓ʷ, uq̓ʷ)
• ws         comes to be of some length (os, us)
• wš         align, orient (uš)
• wt         go away from location to more protected/safe/bountiful place/area (ut)   
• wt̕         insert elongated obj. (ut̕)   
• ww        recur (uw, wu)
• wx̌         patterned surface separation (ux̌, ox̌)
• wxʷ       freeze (uxʷ, oxʷ)
• wy         reveal forth (wi)
• wy̓        complete (uy̓, wiɁ)
• w̓w̓       central clustering, gathering (w̓uɁ)
• w̓xʷ      hang, sag (uɁxʷ, uxʷ)
• x̌ʕ         noticeable, unmistakeable, dramatic, distinct, impressive (x̌a, x̌e,x̌Ɂ)    
• x̌c         make ready       
• x̌l          void
• x̌ƛ̓         resistive to removal           
• x̌m        set, fixed            
• x̌m̓        dry    
• x̌n         incomplete         
• x̌n̓         injure
• x̌p         layer, pile, stack
• x̌p̓         line, coat
• x̌q         clear away        
• x̌s         good    
• x̌y        interact through continuous change (x̌i, x̌ey)       
• x̌y̓         prominent realization (x̌iɁ, x̌ey̓) 
• xʷʕ       recursive movement (xʷa, xʷe, xʷɁ)
• xʷʕ̓       much, many (xʷɁ, xʷeɁ)   
• xʷc       reduce, shorten 
• xʷc̓       present, exhibit
• xʷkʷ     culmination, refinement, poised for use
• xʷk̓ʷ     in order, ordered, clean
• xʷl        active, animate
• xʷƛ̓       whittle 
• xʷm      display red        
• xʷm̓      secure, safe  
• xʷn       animate contact
• xʷp        spread, open outward, unfold 
• xʷs        act/condition of departure           
• xʷt        split-up, partition
• xʷt̕        active vs mundane         
• xʷw      okay, modulative action/size/intensity (xʷu)     
• xʷy        translocate, go (xʷi) 
• xʷy̓        focused acts (xʷiɁ)
• x̌ʷʕ        zest, tenacious (x̌ʷa, x̌ʷe, x̌ʷɁ)
• x̌ʷc        pass by/through/over multiple entities or times
• x̌ʷc̓        sever or reduce by removing the significant portion, leaving a residual base
• x̌ʷl         separate free from fixed, independent
• x̌ʷl̓         patterned reversal
• x̌ʷɬ        quicken for some purpose/outcome  
• x̌ʷƛ̓        make pieces, be part      
• x̌ʷn        rapid, rhythmic motion/sound   
• x̌ʷp        act of limitation
• x̌ʷq̓ʷ     act of separation
• x̌ʷs        froth, foam            
• x̌ʷt        cut off  
• x̌ʷy       sharp-edged (x̌ʷi)
• x̌ʷy̓       fade away/off (x̌ʷiɁ) 
• yʕ          remain (ya, ye, yɁ, ia)
• yʕ̓          gather (yaɁ, yeɁ, yaa, iaɁ)
• yc̓          compress, compact (ic̓)
• yč          distributed emergence; scattered appearance (ič)
• yh          interlude, let-up (ih)
• ykʷ        distinct, solitary (ikʷ)
• yl           immerse, enjoin (il)
• yl̕          irregular, distorted, erratic (il̓)
• ym         solidify (im)
• ym̓         distress (im̓)
• yn          curve in (in)
• yʕʷ        strong, intense (yo)
• yq         cohere, mass/cluster together (iq)
• yq̓         present, emerge (iq̓)
• yqʷ        lie (iqʷ)
• yq̓ʷ       rot, spongy (iq̓ʷ)
• ys          hinder, limit (is)
• yš        lower, descend (iš)
• yt          welter, jumble (it)
• yw        remain together loosely (iw, iu)
• yw̓        move (iw̓)
• yx̌         abrade (ix̌)
• yxʷ       descend lower (ixʷ)
• yx̌ʷ       clear away/out (ix̌ʷ)
• yy         cross weave (iy, yi)
• y̓ʕ         meager (iɁe, iɁa)
• y̓y̓         resolved change, discretely configured (iɁiɁ)

• -a, significant, specialized, grandiose
• -e, to be, embody, the kind being
• -i, resultative, process oriented
• -u, inherent, intrinsic, of itself, potential