A WS lexeme with the lateral sibilant *ŝ, appropriately rendered with the combination -lt- in the cuneiform (Jursa 2009, 156f., Kogan 2011, 78). Cf. *bVŝVm- ‘balsam’.
The original form is baštu rather than baltu (George 2016, 113f.). No etymology can be suggested.
Akkadian
balu, balāt - without, without the consent of, apart from, in the absence of
(CAD B 70, AHw. 100)
See related forms with the suffixed -t: OA, NA balāt ‘apart from’ (CAD B 45, AHw. 101), OA, NA balāt ‘apart from’ (CAD B 45, AHw. 101), MA balut ‘without’ (CAD B 76, AHw. 101).
Akkadian
bālu - “nothingness” (designation of the planet Mars)
(CAD B 74)
Or. ballu.
No definitive etymology can be suggested. In Oelsner 2005–2006:121 and Horowitz 2014:234, fn. 1584 it is proposed to derive bālu from baˀālu ‘to be large’. This interpretation, although semantically plausible, is hampered by the absence of the “strong aleph” in bālu (one would expect *baˀlu).
Akkadian
balû - to become extinguished, to come to an end
(CAD B 72, AHw. 121)
Var. belû. Derived words: belû ‘extinguished’ (CAD B 94, AHw. 121).
Var. bantu, pandu.
Cf. bamāniš ‘in halves’ (CAD B 76, AHw. 101).
No definitive etymology can be suggested as no clear Semitic cognates with comparable meanings have been detected.
Akkadian
banaikānu - (a group or organization)
(CAD B 79, AHw. 101)