záv

Záv is a common initial segment in Czech and Slovak lexicon. It is not a standalone word in standard usage, but it appears at the start of a number of words across different semantic fields. The precise sense of záv- varies by word and cannot be attributed to a single meaning. In Czech, several well-established words begin with záv-, illustrating the range of its lexical functions: závod (race or factory); závazek (obligation); závit (thread); závěs (curtain or hanging); závora (barrier).

In linguistics, záv- is studied as an example of productive derivation in Slavic languages, where a common initial morpheme yields multiple related but distinct terms. The origin of each word is different, with the common form reflecting historical phonology rather than a shared semantic field.

As a string, záv- may also occur in proper names or toponyms in Czech, Slovak and neighboring languages, though there is no widely recognized standalone term "Záv" in standard reference works.