Lexicon · 433 entries

A

a

see e

a-

see e-

a- ... m

see e- ... m

-a/-e/-ọ/-oinfl. suff

(-a after a ị ụ; -e after e i u; -ọ after ọ; -o after o) completive or open vowel suffix, used with most verbs in the imperative, the subjunctive, and the sequential forms: Lụ̀a ọlụ̄ Do the work: Kà ànyị jee Let us go: ... ò wèe nalue ụnọ̀ wèe fụ yā ... and then he got home and found it

àdem

this

ife à this (thing)

onye à this person

ebe à this place, here

etu à this way

aà, aāint

Oh! (surprise)

àaint

answer to a call, e.g. yes; a low murmuring or exclamation over tragic news or surprise

Àba1p.n

Aba town Ọ̀bị̀àgèlì bì n’Àba Ọbịageli lives in Aba

àba2n

flatness; lying flat on the back: Ọ tọ̀gbọ̀lụ̀ àba He lay flat A. Àba nà nkọ Fine (lit. Back and sides)

-chalụ àba lie flat on the back: Ọ̀fộ sị̀ mù chàlụ āba Ọfọ asked me to lie flat on my back

-dinà n’àba, dinà àba sleep on the back Idiomatic greeting and response: Q. Kèdụ kà eke sì ànya anwụ̄? How are things? (lit. How is the python enjoying the sun?)

àban

iron hook for fastening windows or doors or joining a canoe, or used by medicine men, usu. forced into ground

àbàchàn

cassava (especially boiled and sliced) (cf. okìlì 2.)

àbàdan

cloth used mostly by women (Dutch print), also akwā àbàda

abadaba, abasālan

width; breadth; state or quality of being wide or broad

-dị abadaba be wide, broad, flat: Wètalụ m̄ nni ǹkè m n’ime afele dị̄ abadaba Bring me my own food in a broad flat plate

àbalàn

fruit of iroko (used for feeding goats, sheep, etc.): also àbalà ọjị̀

àbànàn

water yam (Dioscorea alata Linn.) (also ji àbànà)

àbànị̀1n

midnight; night ètitī àbànị̀ midnight (onye) àbànị̀ dị̀ egwù bandit (lit. the night is dangerous): Onye àbànị̀ dị̀ egwù tibànyèlụ̀ n’ụnọ̀ afụ̀ A bandit broke into that house òtu àbànị̀ dị̀ egwù gang of bandits

àbànị̀2n

royal sword, double-edged and made of brass, with which the king touches the ozì gong to direct the sounding of the war- drums and leads his soldiers to war (also mmā àbànị̀)

àbị, àbịị̀n

yam cv. (sausage-shaped)

abị̀àn

music played on ị̀gbà ogwè, a tall standing drum, when great warriors die

abọ̄n

long basket used for fishing (also ǹkàtà abọ̄)

àbọn

plantation

abọ̀sị̀n

shrub whose twigs are used for chewing-sticks and for àkàloògòlì figures

àbùn

A. plant resembling aŋā, used for its fibres B. the rope made from it

abukèn

wooden vessel used for carrying

abùken

(usu. ọ̀kụkụ̀ abùke) kind of fowl which never grows to a large size but is tough (usually used for sacrifice)

abụ1n

pus

abụ2n

cat-like animal that sleeps by day, probably the Two-Spotted Palm Civet or genet

abụ̀1n

armpit àkpà abụ̀ boil in armpit

abụ̀2n

song; solo B. mourning song

abụ̀ akwā A. song (esp Song of Solomon)

abụ̀ mbido opening song

abụ̀ mgbasà dismissal song

abụ̀ mmeli victory song

abụ̀ nchèta memorial song

abụ̀ ochiè old hymn book

abụ̀ òtuto songs of praise

abụ̀ ọfụụ̄ new hymn book

abụ̀ ọma psalm

-bụ̀ abụ̀ sing (a solo)

ọ̀kwa àbụ̀ soloist

àbụ̀anum

two (= ị̀bụ̀a, ị̀bụ̀ọ)

abụban

feather; leaf; fibre

àbụ̀bàn

fat

-ma àbụ̀bà be fatty, plumpy, fat: M̀kpi ǹkaà màlụ̀ àbụ̀bà This he-goat is fat, or, the meat of this he-goat is fatty

abụbọn

vegetables

nni abụbọ food prepared with vegetables

abụbụ̀n

used in:

abụbụ̀ akwụ̄ pounded palm nut fibre left after removal of kernels

àbụ̀bụ̀1n

patches of grass brought down and abandoned by the flood

àbụ̀bụ̀2

used in: àbụ̀bụ̀ụ jī cooked yam mashed to feed child or for sacrifice

abụzụ̀n

mole-cricket (edible)

àchàlàn

generic name for coarse grass or straw, including bamboo (Oxytenanthera sp.), elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and spear-grass (Imperata cylindrica). òpi àchàlà Peugeot 404

achịn

hip-joint

achịcha

see asịsa

àchị̀chàn

A. biscuit; cake; B. dried food (prepared by boiling plantain or banana and cutting it up into small bits, after removing the skin, and drying it in sun. In the dry form this is stored in a bag and preserved in ùko till used. It is then measured out like beans and steeped in water for a few minutes, removed and wrapped in balls with leaves and boiled. It is then emptied on to boiled pieces of yam or cocoyam, sometimes with vegetables added, and stirred and rolled thoroughly with other ingredients - pepper, oil, etc. - and served)

Adà1p.n

A. a warlike people living to the north of the Ọhafịa, who traditionally acted as head-hunting mercenaries to the Nike and the Arụ B. a feast, celebrated to commemorate a victory of Onitsha North people over the Ada, in which large numbers of small masquerades throw sticks and stones at people

adà 2., adan

a fall

-dà adà fall; fall down (usually of persons) (cf. -dà 1.)

adà akān.p

ganglion, tumour on arm or hand

àdan

eldest daughter; chief woman of family; loosely used for all daughters B. female name

àda èzè princess

àda ị̀bà daughter of the family; female name

àda mmā fine daughter (used to praise a small girl); also female name

àda nne nnà paternal aunt

àda nne nnē maternal aunt

àda Ǹrì female palace dwarf associated with Ezē Ǹrì

àda ọ̀rà daughter of all; female name

Nwaāda A. same as àda (for petting)

ụmụ̄ āda group of married women who originate from a particular town and, even though they are usually married outside it, influence the affairs, of their home town and particularly the women who marry into it.

àdakā1n

baboon (also used to abuse someone)

àdakā2n

(also egbē ādakā) type of locally-made gun

Àdop.n

an old name for Onitsha people

ute Ādo (= ute stiff mat used in burial ceremonies, in roofing, and to make

m̄kpàla) shelters

àdùn

bitter kola (Garcinia kola Heckel)

adụ̀n

creeping plant with edible fruit, like potato in appearance

afan

divination; shells of native mango fruit strung together and used by medicine men in divination

àkpà afā diviner’s bag

-gba afa practise divination. This is part of the work of certain native doctors. A collection of various objects is used, including human and animal teeth, cowries, seeds, coins, pieces of bone, seeds of certain plants. This collection is kept in a container. Divination is then carried out by collecting these objects in the hand and throwing them on the floor or table, picking them up and repeating the throwing one or several times more. The diviner then remains silent or mutters some incantation. He stares steadily at the objects for some minutes, then directs his gaze to his client, to whom he tells the revelation of the divination. Before concluding this report he can throw the objects once, twice or more times with the necessary additional revelation. He sometimes takes up some of the objects and gives them special attention. Some diviners tie the objects of divination to a string. The throwing is then done in this form

afàn

name; sort; kind

-ba afà give a name

-fo afà mention; mention name

-fota afà make mention; mention

-gụ̀ afà name; give a name to

-kpọ afà call by name; name

-malụ afà be well-known, important:

A màlụ̀ afà ya He is well-known

A mārọ afà ya No one has heard of him; he is unknown

-tu afà extol; salute by title, nickname

-za afà bear a name; answer to one’s name

afā Ìgbò i

your Igbo name

afà ị

your personal name

afà nnà ị

your father’s name, surname

afā ōtutu

name by which someone is called on solemn occasions; praise-name

afà Oyìbo ī

your English name

àfaàn

title given to chiefs

àfèn

dress; clothes; sewn garment; mask

àfe m̄mọọ

mask of the masquerader; masquerader’s cloth

àfè ọnụ̄

see àfụ̀ ọnụ̄

àfè ụkà

cloth, garment, robe set aside and devoted to wearing to service; Sunday clothes

àfè ụlā

night-gown

aka àfè

garment sleeve

onye àfè ojiī policeman (-woman)

-wopụ̀ àfè put off clothes

-yi àfè wear cloth

-yili àfè put on clothes: Yili àfè gị kà ànyị je Ụkà Put on your clothes and let us go to Church

afelen

plate; flat dish

afele nsansa flat plate

afele ọ̄wịwa breakable dish

afele ụ̀kọ̀lọ̀ hollow plate

-gbacha afele clean the plate (of food)

afịan

market; trade: Afịa yā dachìghàlụ̀ àzụ, màkà nà o nwērọ ike ịzụ̄ ego e nyèlụ̀ ya His trade declined because he could not build up his capital B. (fig., of person) be useless: Ị sụ̀lụ̀ afịa You are pretty useless

afịa ōlile merchandise; commodity

àtụmafịa commission to buy in the market; order

-gba afịa trade

-ghọ afịa suffer loss in trade

ife afị̄a small edible articles bought by women for their children

izù afị̄a market week of four days

-kpọba afịa expose, display wares for sale

-kwalụ afịa pack and move wares away

-le afịa ọkshọ̀m̀ sell wares at an auction

onye afị̄a merchant; customer; trader

ọmà afị̄a centre of market

ọnụ afị̄a price; market price; cost

-sụ̀ afịa A. flood the market (of excess commodity): Azụ̀ sụ̀lụ̀ afịa The market is flooded with fish: Akpụkpọ ụkwụ̄ m zụ̄talụ n’Àba n’ọnwa gālụ agâ sụ̀lụ̀ afịa The shoes I bought from Aba last month were sold at a loss

-tụ afịa request someone going to market to help buy something; commission someone to buy something

ụnọ̀ afị̄a market stall

-zụ afịa trade; hold market; buy and sell in market

afịfịan

grass; sweepings; parings; herb; native medicine prepared with herbs. Used abusively: Ọ nà-àgwa ụmụ̀ afịfịa okwū He is speaking to low-grade people

afịfịa ọgwụ̀ herb (for the preparation of native medicine)

-gbu afịfịa clear weeds

-kpa afịfịa collect herbs: Onye dibị̀à nà-èje ịkpā afịfịa The native doctor is going to collect the herbs

afọn

stomach; bowels; belly; abdomen (regarded as the seat of the affections) B. have swollen belly

afọ imē pregnancy (lit. belly of pregnancy)

afọ njọ̄ unkindness

afọ nnī gluttony

afọ òfùfù (Biblical) liberality; generosity

afọ ọ̀bàlà dysentery

afọ ọ̄chịchị diarrhoea

afọ ọ̄lụlụ colic; stomach-ache

afọ ọma kindness

afọ ọ̀rà sacrifice before cultivation

afọ ọ̄sịsa dysentery

afọ ọ̀sụ̀sụ̀, afọ ọ̄zịza afọ ukwu flatulence gluttony

afọ ụkwụ̄ calf of leg

arụrụ afọ̄ intestinal worm, very tiny; pinworm (lit. ants of belly)

-bu afọ imē be pregnant (lit. carry pregnant belly): Ngọzī bù afọ imē Ngọzi is pregnant

elili afọ̄ the intestines

-ju afọ satisfy: O jùlù m̀ afọ It satisfies me.: Afộ jùlù m I am satisfied

-kò afọ distend abdomen

-laju afọ drink to satisfy

-lụ afọ have stomach-ache

ngịlị afọ̄ intestine; bowels

-nupụ̀ afọ A. act as purgative;

nwannē afọ̄ brother or sister of same father and mother; full brother or sister (lit. brother or sister of same womb)

-nwe afọ ọma be generous, kind, benevolent

-nyeju afọ feed well

ọgwụ̀ afọ̄ purgative

-tepùlù afọ have distended abdomen like that of ascitic or overfed child

-tepụ̀bè afọ have a bulging distended abdomen

-to afọ have great swollen belly; develop ascites

ụma afọ̄ enlarged spleen; kind of abdominal disorder in children characterized by swelling of the spleen in the left side of the abdomen. It is felt to be round and hard when pressed. It is wrongly believed by many to be a living thing in the stomach which resembles a crab and walks up and down the stomach

Àfọ̀n

a day in the Igbo four-day week, following Oyè, personified as an alụ̄sị Àfọ̀ọma name of female person born on Àfò Nwaàfọ̀ name of male person born on Àfọ̀

Afrịkàn

Africa (E.)

afụ̀1n

halfpenny (E. halfpenny)

afụ̀2dem

that

àkà afụ̀ last year; (generally) old times, days of old

ebe afụ̀ that place; there:

Ònyê nọ̀ ebe afụ̀? èkpè afụ̀ Who is there? then; at that time

etu afụ̀ so; in that manner

m̀gbè afụ̀ then; at that time

ndị afụ̀ those (people)

òfu afụ̀ that very one

onye afụ̀ that person

àfụ̀n

used in:

àfụ̀ ọnụ̄, àfè ọnụ̄ moustache; beard

-gba àfụ̀ ọnụ̄ grow beard, moustache

àfụfān

eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon Linn.) (= aŋàlà)

afụfụn

trouble; difficulty B. very severe punishment or trouble

afụfụ m̄mụọ A. punishment in underworld

afụfụ ụ̀wà misfortune; ups and downs of life

-fụ afụfụ suffer

-ta afụfụ suffer; punish; be in suffering, trouble:

Ị gà-àta afụfụ You will suffer

ụ̀wà afụfụ world of suffering

afụ̀fụ̀n

any rash caused by perspiration; dermatitis; eczema; uticaria; swollen patches due to sensitivity to some particular food, serum, drug, etc. ( -fụ̀ 1. swell)

agā1n

adze

agā2n

large needle for sewing sacks, etc.

àgà1n

variety of yam

àgà2n

barren woman

agàban

A. lion B. name of masquerade

agadīn

old person

agadī nwaànyị̀ old woman

agadī nwaànyị̀ isi awọ (lit. an old woman with grey hair) plant used as medicine to see night witches

agadī nwokē old man

-me agadī be old, decrepit; become old

àgàfùn

bandit; expert thief

agàmeèbùn

A. false thistle (Acanthus montanus T. Anders.) B. name of a masquerade

àgànàn

barbed spear for hunting or fighting

àgìdin

maize gruel (Y. àgìdì)

agịdịgịn

fatness; stoutness; bigness

-gbà agịdịgị be fat, plump; have stout build (of human being only)

àgị̀gọ̀

see àgụ̀gọ̀

agịlị isīn.p

hair of head

agogon

iron gong for proclamations (cf. Y. agogo ‘bell’)

àgòlòn

medicinal plant with reddish seeds

agrị̀n

wild Canna (Canna indica Linn.), seen in Agwụ shrines

agụ̄1n

leopard B. name of a town (lit. leopard of the wilderness)

agụ atā A. jackal-like animal

agụ iyī crocodile

agụ ọgbà leopard which is weaker and less ferocious than the real leopard

nwa agụ̄ very young leopard

obi agụ̄ daring, fearless like a leopard; brave

Ògbu āgụ title; holder of Ògbu āgụ title; name (lit. leopard-killer)

Ọ̀gbà agụ̄ secret night society (using agụ ọgbà); Leopard Society

agụ̄2n

open grassy country; wilderness

agụ̀n

person bearing same name as oneself; namesake (cf. ògbò)

agụ̀ban

razor

àgụ̀gọ̀, àgị̀gọ̀n

denial; plea: Ènwerọ̄ m àgụ̀gọ̀ I have no plea

-gọ àgụ̀gọ̀ deny: Adā m àchọ ụ̄kpa onye nā-agọ àgụ̀gọ̀ ife o mēlụ I do not like the company of anybody who denies what he has done ( - gọ 1. deny)

agụgụn

festival

Agụnyegon

name for a child believed an ọgban̄je (lit. Are we to count you among our family circle (or are you going to leave us again?))

Agụ̀n

see Agwụ̀

agụụ̄n

hunger; desire; eagerness

(agụụ̄) –gụ be hungry

agụụ̄ mmīli thirst

-gụ agụụ̄ hunger; desire; long for ( -gụ 2. desire)

agbā1n

title given to chiefs

agbā2n

tree from which firewood and incense are obtained (Symphonia globulifera or Daniella oliveri/ thurifera (?) or Carpolobia alba/Intea)

àgbà1n

covenant; appointment

Àgbà Ochīè Old Testament

Àgbà Ọfụụ̄ New Testament

-kà àgbà make appointment

àgbà2n

jaw

-nwe àgbà (fig.) have a say in; have influence

àgbà3n

rheumatism (cf. òkpoòmìlì)

àgbadàgba ntị̀n

mumps

Agbàlà1n

A. the author of fertility, one of the manifestations of Chukwu Òkìke, Creator B. male name C. child (usually male) whose pregnancy and delivery was made possible by Agbala B. swear blood-brotherhood; make covenant (between two or more parties) vowing not to do anything to endanger either party’s life safety, etc.

-do Agbàlà A. perform routine sacrifice to Agbala

-je Agbàlà consult the Agbala in Awka, the most famous one

agbàlà2n

(also agbàlà nwaànyị̀) woman of great influence or of strong, stout build

agbàlà3n

an object about 8’ long, made of two long bamboos, with a number of coconut shells fixed between them representing the number of girls the owner was on intimate terms with in his youth

àgbàlà, àgbalàn

cow-itch (Mucuna pruriens Linn.)

àgbàtà1n

boundary line; border

àgbàtà obì neighbourhood; neighbour

onye àgbàtà obì neighbour; next-door neighbour: Ọnwụụ̄kâ bụ̀ onye àgbàtà obì m Ọnwụụka is my neighbour: Proverb: Àgbàtà obī onyê bụ̀ nwa nnē ya A person’s neighbour is his brother (or sister)

Àgbàtà2n

A. a god B. male name

agbèn

long, narrow calabash for carrying water or wine; calabash

agbidin

solid, thick palm oil

agbịsị̀, agbụsị̀n

black ant infesting houses, living in holes in mud floors

agboro

taut

agbòrò

thing?

agbọ̄n

(also agbọ ajọ̄ ọfịa) very thick forest, especially that devoted to a god, out of bounds to all except the priests of that particular god

àgbọ̀1n

growing calabash

àgbọ̀2n

covering cloth

àgbọ̀3n

descent; family; lineage; inheritable characteristic of a family: Àgbọ Ǹgọzî bụ̀ àgbọ nā-adị nkenke Ngọzi’s lineage is one of short people

Àgbọ̀mmā female name

àgbọghọ̀

see àgbọọ̀

agbọlọ̄n

slimy substance, e.g. from fish

àgbọ̀nọ̀

see ọ̀gbọ̀nọ̀

agbọọ̄n

vomit

-gbọ agbọọ̄ vomit: Àda nà-àgbọ agbọọ̄ Ada is vomiting

-rụ̀ agbọọ̄ retch; make to feel nausea; cause nausea

( -gbọ 1. vomit; = ọ̀gbụgbọ)

àgbọọ̀, àgbọghọ̀n

girl of marriageable age; young girl:

àgbọọbị̀à girl of marriageable age Roseline bụ̀ nwa āgbọọ̀ Roseline is a young girl

-me àgbọghọ̀ act as or be a young woman

agbụn

A. bonds; a binding B. rope used for climbing, made from ngwọ̀ fronds

-fie agbụ bind; cord

-ke agbụ bind: O kèlụ̀ yà agbụ He bound him

àgbụgbọ̄n

place where refuse is disposed; dunghill (usually deliberately kept as store of manure for fertilizing land); compost heap; rubbish heap

àkpa āgbụgbọ̄ grub usually found in a decaying compost heap

-kpo àgbụgbọ̄ collect decayed compost for application to crops

agbụ̀lụ̀gadan

molar teeth; part of the jaw where they are situated

agbụsị̀

see agbịsị̀

agha, aya1n

war B. a male name

-bu agha fight

-busò agha fight or war against; carry war against: Ànyị nà-àchọ ibūsò fa agha We are going to carry war against them

-dọ n’agha take prisoner in war

ọdịdọ n’agha captivity; state of being a prisoner of war

ife aghā weapon

-je agha go to war; be recruited into war

ndi aghā soldiers; warriors

-nụ̀ agha fight war; war

-nụ(cid:31)sò agha fight or war against

ọ̀chị̀ agha A. military officer, leader; commanding officer

agha, aya2n

used in: agha ọ̄ghụgha changing of state of things for worse

àghalā, àyalān

lawlessness; confusion: Ọjị̀ nà-àbịa ebe à ịkpā àghalā Ọjị is coming here to cause confusion

-gba àghalā riot; be disorderly; be rascally

-kpọ àghalā cause confusion, riot, tumult

onye āghala lawless person

aghụ̀ghọ̀, awụ̀wọ̀n

guile; deceitfulness; cunning; double-dealing

-ghọ̀ aghụ̀ghọ̀ be tricky, cunning, fond of setting persons against one another (such activity usually being done underground); carry on double-dealing: Èmeka āna aghọ̀ka aghụ̀ghọ̀ Emeka is very fond of double- dealing

-pụ̀ ala aghụ̀ghọ̀ pretend to be mad (in order to cheat or trick)

agwa, agwaān

homesickness; nostalgia

(agwa) –ma miss: Agwa enyì m nwokē nọ̄ n’Òbòdò Oyìbo nà-àma m̄ I miss my friend who is in England (i.e. I feel his absence)

àgwà1n

beans; Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus Linn.)

àgwà ọcha cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp.)

ịfụ̀lịfụ̄ àgwà pod of beans

àgwà2n

colour

-tụ̀ àgwà be spotted, variegated in colour: Akwụkwọ ǹkaà tụ̀lụ̀ àgwà ọcha nà èdò This leaf is coloured white and yellow: Nkịtā m^ tụ̀lụ̀ àgwà kà agụ̄ My dog is spotted like a leopard

àgwà3n

manners; behaviour: Àgwà ya adị̄sịrọ mmā His manners leave something to be desired

àgwà ochīè old custom

-kpa àgwà behave (usually badly)

-kpa àgwà ọjọọ̄ behave badly

agwọn

snake (generic)

agwọ̀n

A. raffia B. raffia dancing-skirt used by masquerades

Agwụ̀, Agụ̀n

an alụ̄sị, or class of alụ̄sị, of ambivalent character, the spirit of afa divination. Agwụ possesses those who are called to serve as ndị dibị̀à, the signs of a vocation being absent- mindedness, disorientation, and the like: Ndị nā-eme Agwụ̀ kà Agwụ̀ nà-àkpa It is those who minister to Agwụ that Agwụ possesses

(Agwụ̀) –kpa be possessed by Agwụ; be mildly eccentric or mentally deranged: Agwụ̀ nà-àkpa Okaàfọ̀; ònyê mà mà ò mego ife anarọ̄ ème ēme? Okaafọ is disturbed in his mind; who knows if he has committed an abomination?

-lu Agwụ̀ perform the preliminary sacrifice before being initiated into Agwụ̀

nne Agwụ̀ figure to the right of Agwụ̀

nwa Agwụ̀ figure to the left of Agwụ̀

ùdènè Agwụ̀ vulture associated with Agwụ̀, an image of which is made

àhaà!int

aha! (surprise)

ajān

earth; trodden clay; building mud; sand

Ajaànà see Ànị̀

aja idèì heap of sand collected by flood after rainfall

aja n̄gwe wall

aja ōdido wall

aja ubòm̀ white sand, got from river, used in building

aja ūke red soil

aja ụpà red clay used for building in upland areas (cf. ụlọ̄)

-do ajā build a wall

-gbu aja ụnọ̀ build walls of mud building

nwa ezè alā aja instep of foot (lit. the king’s baby never licks the sand)

-te ajā rub, smoothe, wet wall; paint wall

-tibo ajā break piece of wall of with blow; remove part of wall with blow

ụ̀wà aja āja troublesome world; world of trials and tribulations (lit. world of sands; any food or beautiful thing, once sand is spilt into it, is fouled)

ajàn

cymbal

àjà1n

sacrifice, particularly the joyless sacrifice offered to pacify or drive out evil spirits

àkàloògòlì, ajọ̄ sometimes, more generally, any sacrifice

mmụọ̄, ekwen̄su

-chụ àjà offer joyless sacrifice to drive out evil spirits

-do àjà deposit joyless sacrifice

ụgbọ àjà roughly-woven basket containing joyless sacrifice

àjà2

Nile Perch, the largest fish in the area (Lates niloticus)

nkọ̄lọ àjà smaller sized àjà

àjàdùn

widower; widow

àjàdù nwaànyị̀ widow

àjàdu nwokè, widower

àjàdu nwokē

ajị1n

hair of humans or animals (excluding hair of head and eyelashes, which are known as ntùtù (isī) and ntùtù anyā respectively)

-kpàcha ajị crop, shave, cut hair

-kpàcha ajị anụ̄ crop, cut hair of animal

ajị2n

used in:

ajị iyī crocodile

ajị̀1n

(also akwà ajị̀) a kind of native woven cloth, rough, coarse and thick

ajị̀2n

used in:

ajị̀ enyī severe dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation) which occurs mostly in young women; in severe cases leaves the patient prostrate, and can be disabling

ajiīn

shortened form of ajị iyī crocodile

ajịlịja1n

sweat; perspiration

-gba ajịlịja perspire

ajịlịja2n

A. smooth pebble B. (fig.) strong and wiry: Ọ bụ̀ ajịlịja mmadụ̀/Ọ dị̀ ajịlịja n’anya He is strong and wiry

ajọ̄a

bad

ajọ̄ arụ bad luck

ajọ̄ ife crime, including abomination and defilement

ajọ̄ isi back luck

ajọ̄ mmụọ̄ bad spirit

ajọ̄ oyi rheumatism

ajọ̄ ọfịa see under ọfịa

ajọ̄ ọlụ very, exceedingly, hard:

Ọ dị̀ ajọ̄ ọlụ It is very hard

ajọ̄ ọnọ̀dụ̀ bad position or condition

ajọ̄ ọnụ bad speech; foul-mouthedness

ajọ̄ ọyà malignant disease

ajọ̄ mmadụ̀ wicked person: Ànyị àmalụgo nà Ọ̀bị̀àgèli abụ̄rọ ajọ̄ mmadụ̀ We know that Ọbịageli is not a wicked person

ajọ̄ uchè bad plan

-lụ ajọ ọ̄lụ do work badly

ajụn

headpad

ajụ ụtabà roll of tobacco

ajụ̀1n

dizziness

(ajụ̀) –bu be dizzy:

Ajụ̀ nà-èbu m̄ I am dizzy

-bu ajụ̀ cause dizziness: Ọgwụ̀ m ŋụ̄lụ n’ụ̀tụtụ̄ à nà-èbu m̄ ajụ̀ The medicine I drank this morning is making me dizzy

-chụ ajụ̀ be giddy; feel giddy

ajụ̀2n

tall coarse grass used for thatching

ajụ̀jụn

question

-jụ ajụ̀jụ ask a question ( -jụ 1. ask)

aka1n

arm; hand; foreleg; handle; part; portion B. pledge: Kà ife à nọ̀dụ n’aka ebē Let this (thing) stand as a pledge B. rigid discipline C. force; violence B. take the hands off; desist from B. be empty-handed: Agà m̀ àgba akā je be ezè I shall go to the King’s house empty-handed

aka àfè sleeve of garment

aka āzụ bribery (lit. back-hand): Ọ nà-àchọ ilī aka āzụ He wants to take a bribe

aka ebē A. witness; surety: Ọ bụ̀ onye aka ebē m He is my witness

aka èkpè left hand

aka ezē toothache

aka ikē A. stinginess

aka ikeǹgà right hand

aka izizē <<shaky hand>> (e.g. some people cannot bear to inflict injury on other even in treatment, as in incision of abscess, injection, etc.)

(aka) –ka āka be stronger than (lit. hand to be greater than hand):

Aka m̄`kà aka yā akâ mèlụ̀ I am stronger than he illicit gin (lit. made by hand)

aka mkpà one’s very own

aka n̄chịchā hand with white patches (due to depigmentation)

aka n̄gwe stone or wooden pestle for pepper, egusi, herbs, etc.

aka ǹkà artistically inclined, talented

aka nkọ̄ handy; quick-handed

aka nlọ̄ gentleness

aka nnī right hand

aka ntadide stinginess

aka n̄tụtụ̀ pilfering; light fingers: Ọ bụ̀ onye aka ntụtụ̀ He is light-fingered

aka odō wooden pestle for yam pounding

aka ōkwute stone for grinding corn

akàlà akā lines on the hand; destiny

akpụ̀ akā biceps

amà akā span (of thumb and forefinger)

ànị̀ ogwē akā forearm

àzụ akā (fig.) hypocrisy (lit. back of hand): Ọ nà-èzi ānyị àzụ akā He is being hypocritical with us. (lit. He is showing us the back of the hand)

-bìkwàsị aka lay hands upon

-bìkwàsị aka n’isi -bìtụ aka confirm (in church confirmation) take hold of, grasp, press with hand lightly (e.g. as when feeling the temperature of a person with the hand)

-chịni aka A. lift up hands

-chịnita aka hold up the hands

-dà aka lay hands on

-dị n’aka be responsible

-du aka help

-dụ aka poke

èfelì akā withered hand

-fe aka beckon

-gado aka hold someone responsible

-gịgàdo aka catch hold of lightly

-gba aka A. snap fingers to show interest

-gba aka nwā be childless

-gba aka ọ̄kpọrọ -gba aka ọlụ̄ be empty-handed be unemployed

ikili akā elbow

iru akā forearm

isi akā thumb

-jì aka be sure; hope: Ì jì aka nà Nwaàmàlụ̀bịa gà-àbịa taà? Ee, ejì m̀ aka nà ọ gà-àbịa taà Are you sure Nwaamalụbịa will come today? Yes, I am sure she will come today: Ejì m̀ aka nà Chukwu gà-ènyelụ ānyị aka I am hopeful that God will help us

-jikọ̀ aka join hands in doing something, esp. in marriage

-jipụ̀ aka be disappointed

-ju aka be plentiful

-kù n’aka nurse; hold in the arms

-kụ aka clap hands

-kụpụ̀ aka fail; give up

-kpukpù aka motion with hands for silence

-kwà aka push; urge; drive

-kwe n’aka shake hands

-kwedo aka lay hold of

-kwọ aka wash the hands

-kwukwù aka clench, close the hand

nkwukwù akā fist

-kwụkọ aka rub the hands together in supplication

-lu aka receive; reach

-malụ aka be friendly; be familiar with

m̀bè aka nnī handful of food (e.g. fufu)

-me aka n̄tụtụ̀ be fond of pilfering, picking and stealing

-metụ aka touch lightly

m̀gbà akā, mgba akā ring

mkpà akā biceps

m̀kpà n’aka walking-stick; staff

m̀kpịsị akā finger

ǹju āka handful

ǹkù akā elbow

-nu aka push

-nye aka help; assist; give a helping hand

nnweju akā sufficiency; enough

ọbụ̀ akā palm of hand

ọ̀chịchị aka ikē tyranny

ọdụ̀ akā little finger

ọgwè akā arm

ọgwụ̀ akā whitlow (on the finger or hand)

ọ̀tụ̀tụ̀ akā arm’s length

-sà aka open the hand

-ti aka strike, beat, with hand

-tinye aka na nni dine; have meal; dine with (in invitation to a friend present during a meal)

-tị aka stretch hands, fingers; crack the knuckles

-tụkpò aka clasp

-tụtụ̀ aka (n̄tụtụ̀) ụmụ̀ akā pilfer; pick and steal (young) children; babes in arms

-wèni aka take hand from; raise hand; abandon; leave alone

-wèni aka enū raise hand up

-wèpụ̀ aka take hands off (e.g. a matter)

-zo aka point at; point with the hand

aka2n

length; distance B. live for long

-bitè aka A. live far away

-butè aka carry to a great distance

-gatè/jetè aka go far away

-tè aka be distant, far, remote; be long (in time)

akàn

kind of bead worn round neck; necklace; bead worn on wrist by renowned men

àkà1n

dwarf; midget (cf. àkàkpọ̀)

àka Ǹrì male palace dwarf associated with Ezē Ǹrì

àkà 2., ọ̀kàn

jigger; animal tick

àkà nwa ǹtùgbu insect seen on unscrubbed mud floors

àkà3n

year

àkǎ à, àkà afụ̀ last year; old times; days of old

akàbọ̀n

pangolin, whose skin is used for medicine

àkàjèn

mockery; humiliation

-me àkàjè humiliate; disgrace: Ọ bụlụ nà nwokē afụ̀ àbịazie ebe à ọ̀zọ ànyị gà-ème yā àkàjè If that man dares come here again we shall humiliate him

àkàkpọ̀n

person (usu. child) of stunted growth; underdeveloped person (usu. child or young person); dwarf (cf. àkà 1.)

-dà àkàkpọ̀ be stunted in growth

nwa àkàkpọ̀ dwarf; stunted person

-sụ̀ àkàkpọ̀ be stunted in growth

àkàkpọ

derogatory term depicting the extreme shortness of a dwarf (Nwaozuzu Ph.D. 290)

akàlàn

sign; mark; cut; footprint

-kà akàlà draw a line

akàlà akā lines on the hand; destiny

akàlà ọkwā insignia of office

àkàlà, àkàràn

cake made of beans (Y. àkàrà)

àkàloògòlìn

A. spirits of the dead of worthless people (see m̀mụọ̄): Ndị àkàloògòlì jì yà aka He is possessed by the spirits of worthless people B. unambititious, easy-going, prodigal person

àkàmùn

guinea corn gruel; hot pap (< H. L.O. Igwe)

-gbe àkàmù mix, prepare liquid pap

àkanwụn

potash (< H. kanwaa)

àkanya, àkanyịn

thatching mats made of ngwọ̀ leaves

-do àkanya make thatch

-tụ àkanya thatch roof; build thatch-roofed house

-tụ ụnọ̄ akanya build thatch-roofed house

àkàrà

see akàlà

àkàsị̀n

common type of cocoyam (cf. edè)

àkàtaàkàn

masquerade with a large head

àkàtàkpon

great person (used as a praise-name): Ọ bụ̀ àkàtàkpo mmadụ̀ He is a great person

àkèlen

frog whose cry is a sign of the annual flood of the Niger

akịlịkan

dry grass; grass for thatching; dry palm fronds

-tụ (unọ̀) akịlịka build grass-roofed house

àkịkà1n

termite

àkịkà2n

pattern of spots

-tụ̀ àkịkà be spotted

akịkọ

see akụkọ

akị̀lịkọ̄n

A. peeling or scraping of roasted yam; food burnt in cooking B. dry yam plant (external stem which looks like rope and which when twined into a bundle resembles a sponge, sometimes used for hard scrubbing)

àkọ1n

sense

àkọ nà uchè intelligence; mind

-nwe àkọ be intelligent

-nwe àkọ nà uchè be sensible, intelligent: Nwaàmàlụ̀bịa nwèlụ̀ nnukwu ākọ nà uchè Nwaamalụbịa is very intelligent (or sensible)

àkọ2n

food prepared from ground maize for feasts

àkọlọn

dry (land)

àkọlọ̄

see àkụlọ̄

akọ̀m̀, akụ̀m̀n

fever; malaria; jaundice (cf. ịbà)

àkọmọọnụ̄n

abuse; vituperation

akūlun

plant with tiny thorns which yields strings, used to tie up seed-yams or to make àkwalị̄ B. [check]

àkùpèn

fan

-kù àkùpè fan: Fa nà-ekù mmụ̄ọ fa àkùpè They are fanning their masquerade

akụ1n

palm kernel B. play a board game like draughts

akụ mmili igwē hail

akụ oyìbo coconut

akụ ụ̀tụ̀tọlọ̄ kernels of unripe palm fruits (usually white)

ichèlè akụ̄ shells of palm kernels

-kpa akụ A. search for palm kernels at the farm (usually of children)

m̀kpa akụ̄ the search for kernels

mkpụlụ akụ̄ palm kernel

-ta akụ be dried, without juice, as of some fruits and tubers; non- succulent

ùde akụ̄ palm kernel oil

akụ2n

pubic hair

-gba akụ grow pubic hair

àkụn

arrow

àkpa ākụ quiver

àkụ̀1n

wealth; riches

-li àkụ̀ inherit wealth

òli àkụ̀ (loved) wife; heir; inheritor

-kpata àkụ̀ acquire wealth

unọ̄ àkụ̀ bank; departmental store; trading post

àkụ̀2n

winged termite (edible)

akụkọ, akịkọn

A. story (in general) B. true narrative; history (as opposed to akụkọ irò)

-kọ akụkọ tell a story; give news

akụkọ irò fable; myth

akụ̀kụ̀n

side; part; locality

n’akụ̀kụ̀ beside

àkụ̀kụ̀n

slang

àkụ̀kụ̀ ọfụụ̄ new piece of slang

-kụ àkụ̀kụ̀ say slang word

àkụlọ̄, àkọlọ̄n

plant (Selaginella)

akụ̀m̀

see akọ̀m̀

àkn

prostitution

ụ̀nà

akpàn

strip iron used to strengthen a mud building and join timbers

àkpa1n

grub such as found in compost heap or decaying palm tree

àkpa āgbụgbọ grub usually found in a decaying compost heap

àkpa nkwụ̄ grub found on palm tree and in decaying palm tree trunk (lit. palm tree grub)

àkpa2n

living or dead palm fronds; long broom prepared from palm fronds, used for sweeping outside

àkpa nkwụ̄ palm fronds; long broom of palm fronds

oke ākpa long broom of palm fronds

àkpà1n

bag; sack; container B. 24,000 cowries (= 20 akwà) C. a hundred pounds

àkpà abụ̀ boil in armpit

àkpà afā diviner’s bag

àkpa ākụ quiver

àkpà egō A. purse

àkpàkwùlù stomach

àkpà nnwā womb; uterus

àkpà nnwammīli àkpà ọjị̄ bladder pod of kolanut

àkpà uchè mind; memory

àkpà ụkwalà asthma

àkpà2n

nest (of bees or wasps)

àkpà anwụ̄ bees’ nest

àkpa èbù wasps’ nest

àkpakan

used in:

àkpaka ụzụ̄ log of wood on which the blacksmith’s anvil is set. It is buried in the ground with raffia fibres forming the base so that the log of wood jumps when the iron is hit by the blacksmith. This lightens the jarring of the hammer on the blacksmith’s hand

àkpakàn

oil-bean tree?

akpàlàtàn

long bamboo frame for carrying load; stretcher for sick person

akpàlataān

tree whose seed is used in making soup. Afzelia africana, bipinde (Leguminosae-Caesalpì-oideae)

àkpammānụn

yellow; brown

àkpanān

dung of fowls and birds

àkpànị̀n

used in: -tụ àkpànị̀ be bellicose, pugnacious

àkpàràjàn

(fig.) someone who can behave badly because he is protected at a higher level

akpatan

shelf for storing

akpàtìn

box

akpàtì ozū coffin

àkpelèn

trumpet; horn

akpị̀n

scorpion (cf. òdogwu ọ̀zàlà)

àkpịn

tick; bedbug

àkpịlị̄n

A. throat B. desire; greed; lust

(àkpịlị̄) –gụ̀ lose voice (as a result of excessive straining of the voice from long speech or of a cold): Àkpịlị̄`gụ̀lụ̀ m I have lost my voice

amāafịa ǹtụ̀tọ sore throat

ākpịlị

-gụ̀ àkpịlị̄ make to lose voice: Ụkwalà gụ̀lụ̀ m̀ àkpịlị̄ A cough has taken away my voice

òpu ākpịlị goitre

àkpịlị̄ ịkpọ̄ nkụ intense thirst

-dọ àkpịlị̄ long after

-to àkpịlị̄ delight; appeal to; also specifically used to refer to practice by some children who gaze steadily at person eating or holding eatable thing which greatly appeals to them

akpị̀lịkpān

scale of fish

akpon

round; number of times

sọ̀ òfu akpō once only; once for all

àkpon

soft palate; (more generally) roof of the mouth

akpụ1n

cassava; cassava starch; fufu (raw and pounded)

akpụ àpàlàpà, raw fufu (sieved and ready for cooking. Usually sold in this

àpị̀làpị̀ form in the market, where it is rolled into balls and retailed in small amounts)

akpụ ǹkọ̀lọ̀ shredded cassava; raw or pounded fufu; archaic name loosely used for cassava generally

akpụ ǹkọ̀lọ̀ inū a bitter variety

akpụ ǹkọ̀lọ̀ ụ̄sọ a sweet variety

-gbunye akpụ steep, soak cassava in water

-kwọ akpụ grate cassava; make gari

ọ̀dọ akpụ̄ cassava, raw fufu stalls – a section of the market where cassava, raw fufu, is displayed for sale

akpụ2n

cottonwood; silk cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra (Linn.) Gaertn.), found at Agwụ̀ shrine

òwu akpụ̄ kapok

ùlume akpụ̄ kapok

akpụ̀n

knot; lump; cyst; hump (cf. ọ̀kpụ̀)

akpụ̀ akā biceps nd

akpụ̄ jī, akp jī ụ̀ụ 2 yam for replanting. At the beginning of yam harvest, the first yams harvested are not quite as firm as those harvested at the end, so some early harvested yams when dug up are not completely rooted out from the soil; the tuber is carefully cut leaving the very tip of the head and the roots in the soil. These are properly covered back in the soil. By the end of the yam harvest these are harvested together with the remaining yams. By this time the small piece of the yam left with the tip of the head of the yam in the soil has grown more yam

akpụ̀ onū goitre

akpụ̀ ụkwụ̄ thigh muscle

-wụ akpụ̀ extract, excise tumour

akpụkpan

crawcraw

(akpụkpa) –ta attack (of crawcraw): Akpụkpa nà-àta Azụbụ̄ọ̀gụ̀ Azụbụọgụ has crawcraw

-ta akpụkpa cause crawcraw: Nnu ọ̀chàǹjà nà-àta akpụkpa Ọchanja salt causes crawcraw

akpụkpọn

skin; leather; hide

akpụkpọ ụkwụ̄ boot; shoe; sandal

-gba akpụkpọ flay

-yi akpụkpọ ụkwụ̄ wear shoes

akpụkpụn

crumbs (of pounded food): Proverb: Akpụkpụ ikwè ka nne nnī, ònye nwē nni ebulukwọ nnī ya (Lit. If crumbs of pounded food tend to be larger than the main food, the owner of the food will take back his food [in annoyance, discontinuing the pounding])

akpụ̀lụn

droppings, dung, of animals (the kind that is rolled in small balls, made especially by goats)

akpụ̀lụ̀n

used in:

akpụ̀lụ̀ ekwē unsplit cane

ákpụ́kwụ́n

shoe

akwan

cry; weeping B. mourning song

akwa àlị̀lị̀ weeping over personal tragedy or misfortune, e.g. death of one’s dear one; unnatural misfortune, e.g. thrashing by one’s child or lover: Onye m bù n’obì àrapụgo m̄ wèlụ naba, akwa àlị̀lị̀ ègbue m̄ My sweetheart has left me and died, I am dying of a broken heart

akwa nnī greediness; lack of hospitality (lit. crying for food)

àkwamozu mourning; keeping burial customs

abụ̀ akwā A. song (especially Song of Solomon)

-be akwa cry

-chị̀ akwa cry very much, sob (harder than –kwa akwa)

ọ̀chị̀chị̀ akwā hard sobbing

-gò akwa bewail; lament

-kwa akwa cry; weep; lament

-mìkpọ akwa burst out crying

-sụ̀ mbimbi akwā -tipu akwa sob burst out crying

akwà1n

cloth

akwā àbàda àbàda cloth

akwà ajị̀ native woven cloth, very thick, rough and coarse

akwà mgbòchi curtain

akwà mmīli rain-coat

akwà oyī blanket

akwā ọ̄mụma blanket; wrapper

akwā ùfùfè sail

akwā ūru mourning garment (usually of black cloth); sackcloth

akwà ụjụ̄ black cloth worn by mourners

-chì akwà scrub cloth

-de akwà iron clothes

-gbasà akwà spread cloth

-gbò akwà cover with cloth

igwu akwà cloth-louse

-jelụ akwà put on clothes; gird

-kowàsị akwà wrap a cloth about the body

-kpà akwà weave cloth

-kpù akwà cover the body with cloth

-kpupụ̀ akwà take off coverlet

-kwe akwà weave cloth (usu. with hand-loom)

-ma akwà wear, tie wrapper; be dressed in wrapper

nkịlịka akwà rag; ragged cloth

ọ̀kwa àkwà tailor

-sụ akwà wash clothes

-tọ akwà strip body; make nude by stripping

-tụ akwà roll, fold cloth

-wà akwà wear loincloth

-yi akwà wear cloth

akwà2n

1200 cowries (= 20 ùkwù)

àkwan

egg

àkwa ọ̀gàzị̀ egg of guineafowl

-bụ àkwa hatch eggs

ọ̀bụ̀bụ ākwa contents of egg

ikèlikē ākwa eggshell

-kpù n’àkwa sit on eggs; brood

mgbụgbọ̄ ākwa eggshell

okuko ākwa eggshell

ụ̀bụ̀lụ ākwa eggshell

-yi àkwa lay eggs

àkwàn

bed; bridge

àkwà edinà bed

akwalàn

A. vein; sinew; muscle B. fibres from raphia palm; rope made from them (also akwalà ngwọ̀)

ụ̀bọ akwalà stringed instrument resembling guitar

àkwalị̄n

A. creeping plant in the bush, whose vines can be made into strings (Landolphia dulcis) B. a charm, made of the strings of àkwalị̄ A. or akwūlu to increase fruitfulness (ọ̀mụ̀mụ̀). It can be for a whole village or family, or for an individual woman (àkwalị nwaànyị̀)

àkwamozun

funeral ceremony

akwụn

palmnut; palm fruit

akwụ ànị̀ white ant (the type that lives in the ground) (lit. palmnut of the ground)

akwụ(kwọ) olū pineapple (Ananas comosus Linn.)

akwụ̄ ọ̄sụkwụ̄ fruit of a type of palm, easy to break

abụbụ̀ akwụ̄ pounded palmnut fibre left after removal of kernels

-gbu akwụ cut palm fruit

ògùlù akwụ̄ inferior palm-oil

ọgbè akwụ̄ head of palmnuts

àkwụn

bird’s nest (= anị̀)

akwụ̀kwàn

mud cooking-stand or metal tripod

-fi akwụ̀kwà make a cooking-pot stand

akwụkwọn

A. leaf B. book; paper; letter B. help in writing a letter: Anà m̀ àchọ idēlụ ya akwụkwọ I am preparing to write him (or, write for him) C. legal paper; matters arranged by means of legal papers D. school E. book-learning in general:

akwụkwọ nnī vegetable

akwụkwọ broad leaf

ōbodòlòbo

akwụkwọ osisi leaf of tree

akwụkwọ ụ̄ma Sarcophrynium spp. of leaf with smooth surface much used in wrapping food and kola nuts

-kpa akwụkwọ collect leaves (e.g. like a herbalist)

m̀gbụ ākwụkwọ (shed) leaves

m̀kpa ākwụkwọ (shed) leaves

akwụkwọ īwu law book

akwụkwọ mfụkọ̀ba Akwụkwọ Nsọ̄ folded paper Holy Bible

akwụkwọ ọfụụ̄ new book

akwụkwọ ọlụ̄ letter of appointment: Fà ènyego ị̄ akwụkwọ ọlụ̄? Have they given you the letter of appointment?

akwụkwọ ūkwe hymnbook

-bì akwụkwọ print, type paper, book

-de akwụkwọ write letter

-degalụ akwụkwọ write (letter) to: Achọ̀lụ̀ m̀ idēgalụ onye isī akwụkwọ I want to write to the manager

-delụ akwụkwọ A. write (letter) to

ego akwụkwọ currency note

òde ākwụkwọ clerk; letterwriter

-sà akwụkwọ open leaves of a book (looking for a particular page or chapter)

akwụkwọ isī tax; tax receipt, payment (lit. head paper)

-dọka akwụkwọ dismiss a case

-gba akwụkwọ prosecute (by law): Ọ bụlụ nà ị bàta ugbō m ọgē ọ̄zọ agà m̀ àgba gị̄ akwụkwọ If you dare trespass on my farm another time I shall prosecute you: X: Agà m̀ àgba gị̄ akwụkwọ Y: Ị̀ pụrọ̀ ya; mà jèe gbàa m̄ ọ bụlụ nà ị nwèlụ̀ ike X: Ọ̀ bụ̀ m gbaa gị̄ ị̀ dọkaa? X: I shall prosecute you! Y: You can’t; just go and prosecute me if you can X: If I prosecute you, can you get it dismissed?

-gbà akwụkwọ wed (in church or under ordinance): Roseline nà-àkwadebe ịgbà akwụkwọ n’ọnwa nā-abịa Roseline is preparing to wed next month

-na akwụkwọ isī pay tax: Ị̀ nago akwụkwọ isī gị?Have you paid your tax?

-sèkà akwụkwọ dismiss a case (lit. tear papers): Anà m̀ elò nà a gà-esèka akwụkwọ Ọnwụụ̄ka gà-àgba m̄ I think that the prosecution Ọnwụụka is going to bring against me will be dismissed

ọ̀gbụgba ākwụkwọ legal prosecution

nwatà akwụkwọ ụmụ̀ akwụkwọ school-child; student school-children; student

ụnọ̀ akwụkwọ school; place of learning

ọ̀gụ ākwụkwọ reader; scholar Akwụkwộ bàlụ̀ ulù Book knowledge is useful

-ma akwụkwọ (lit. know book); be brainy: Ọ nà-èsilị ndị āmarọ̄ akwụkwọ ike inwēta ọlụ n’ọgè kịtaà It is difficult for illiterates to secure employment nowadays: Rose mà akwụkwọ Rose is brilliant (in studies)

-mụ̀ akwụkwọ study (lit. study book)

-nwe isi akwụkwọ be brainy, brilliant (at studies)

àkwụkwụ̀n

epilepsy

-dà àkwụkwụ̀ have epilepsy; be epileptic; have epileptic fits: Ọ̀fọ nà-adā ākwụkwụ̀ Ọ̀fọ has epilepsy

àkwụmàn

yaws (cf. òfì)

àkwụmà ụkwụ̄ corn (on foot)

àkwụ̀nàkwụnàn

prostitute; harlot (cf. ọ̀gàcha)

ala1n

breast; milk B. artificially induce the breasts of a non-pregnant woman to begin to produce milk by washing with a certain native medicine preparation. This is usually done when the mother of a sucking infant dies, or when the child is taken from her on medical grounds, etc. A healthy woman is asked to take up the infant’s breast-feeding. Her breasts are then medicinally washed to induce milk

ala efī milk (from cow)

-chụ ala wean: Ànyị gà-àchụ nwa ānyị ala n’ọnwa īsiì We shall wean our child at six months

-gba mmili alā contain breast milk; have flow of milk from the breast

mmili alā milk

mmili ala efī cow’s milk

-nye ala breast-feed

-ŋụ ala suck breast (of infant): Nnwa nà-àŋụ alā The child is sucking

-sa ala A. wash breasts, especially of a newly delivered mother, to induce breast milk

ọgbọ̀dọ̀gbọ̀ alā abnormally heavy, large and long breasts

nwaànyị̀ woman with abnormally large and heavy breasts

ọgbọ̀dọ̀gbọ̀ alā

ala2n

madness

(ala) –kpa be mad (lit. be moved with madness)

onye alā mad person

-pụ̀ ala become mad; be mad: Ị̀ nà-apụ̀ alā? Are you mad?

-pụ̀ ala aghụ̀ghọ̀ pretend to be mad (in order to cheat or trick)

-yị̀ ala, -wị̀ ala be mad; become mad: Ọ nà-ayị̀ alā He is mad

àlakụ̀ban

Arabic language, named after the phrase in Moslem prayers ‘Allāhu ‘akbar’: Ọ nà-àsụ àlakụ̀ba He is talking double Dutch

Àlàhambràn

name of a particular small market in Onitsha, now replaced by Ọ̀chàǹjà

alā ụlan

sleeplessness

alịlịn

a millipede (cf. esu)

àlị̀lị̀n

resentment at misfortune: Ọ nà-àkwa àlị̀lị̀ He resents his misfortune

-be àlị̀lị̀ mourn; lament

álōn

long iron gong (Okorji 1991) dial?

alòn

advice; counsel; suggestion; idea; consultation

-ra alò, -ralu alò -ranye alò consider; take counsel; consult together; advise advise; give advice

-tụ alò advise; counsel; deliberate on and give advice or offer suggestion

-tụnye alò advise; counsel; suggest; give opinion ( -lò think)

alọn

heaviness; grievousness

àrụ alọ̄ dullness; sloth; sluggishness

-dị alọ be heavy: Akpàti ǹkaà dị̀ alọ This box is heavy

ibu alọ̄ heavy load

alọ̀1n

cock’s comb

alọ̀2n

A. spear used by titled men for ceremonies (= ubē ǹzè) B. (in Nri) staff symbolizing the power which a lineage received from Chukwu during its creation

àlọ̀m̀mụọ̄n

feast for sacrificing to the ancestors

àluluūn

mist; cloud; vapour

alụn

bite

-ta alụ bite

alụ̄n

abomination; hurtful, obnoxious thing; taboo

ife alụ̄ abomination; used with verbs to signify intensity

-kwu okwu alụ̄ speak abominable word(s)

-me alụ̄ commit abomination; break taboo; do something traditionally forbidden

alụlụn

used in:

alụlụ ànị̀ injustice; maltreatment; wickedness

àlụlụ̀n

medicinal plant, also used for stew

àlụ̀lụ̀1n

yamsticks

àlụ̀lụ̀2n

used in:

-kwụ àlụ̀lụ̀ be misty

alụ̄sịn

spirit; divinity; deity; invisible supernatural ‘being-force’, divided by Nri into four types: those directly established by Chukwu such as Igwē, the firmament those established by Eri such as Ànị̀, Ajaànà, Ìfèjiọkụ̄, Onuebo, and the market days Èke, Oyè, Àfọ̀, and Ǹkwọ; those established by the ancestors such as Idemmīli, Udō, Arọ̀, Àkwalị Ọ̀mụ̀mụ̀, Ǹgènè, Ògwùgwù, and Òrìm̀mìlì; those called Agwụ̀. The market- days and the alụ̄sị of the third and fourth types have human temperaments and are represented by nkwu (images). Others are regarded as forces rather than beings and so can be represented only symbolically in shrines (Onwuejeogwu 1974: 85 ff.)

-do alụ̄sị erect a shrine

efi alụ̄sị sacred cow (efi Ìgbò type owned by village, which cannot be killed; if it dies it is given burial like a human being)

egwu alụ̄sị traditional religious dances

ezè alụ̄sị priest

-gọ alụ̄si worship a spirit

òkwu alụ̄sị shrine

Ọnwa Uzo Alụ̄sị twelfth month of the traditional Nri calender, devoted to rituals and offerings to the alụ̄sị and to wrestling matches and dances before the temples

-pị alūsị carve, shape image

-rụ̀ alụ̄sị worship a spirit

ụnọ̀ alụ̄sị shrine; building consecrated to a deity

aman

(also èzi amā) space in front of the compound, outside the compound wall and beginning from the main gate; street. Settlement (Udi) used in place-names Ama ọfı̣̄ [amça]: ɔɔ Ama Madụ̀nààgụ Madụnaagụ street

-nọ̀ n’ama (fig.) menstruate: Nwaànyị̀ nọ̀ n’ama The woman is menstruating

-pụ̀ ama go to the toilet (lit. go out to the fore-compound beyond the main compound door): Anà m̀ apụ̀ amā I am going to the toilet

-pụ̀ n’ama reach age of menstruation: Nwaànyị̀ pụ̀lụ̀ n’ama The girl has reached puberty

ụzọ̀ ezi amā main entrance to a compound

amān

distinguishing mark

ife ịrị̀bà amā token: Enyē m̄ gị akwụkwọ ǹkaà kà ọ bụlụ ife ịrị̀bà amā nà a kpọ̄bàtàlụ̀ gị nà òtu ānyị taàtà I present this book to you as a token to your admission into our society today

-rì(bà)amā mark; put distinguishing mark on

nrị̀ba amā (distinguishing) mark

amàn

measure

amà akā span

amà okwū verse

amà ụkwụ̄ pace; footstep (˂ -mà measure)

àmàn

witness; secret divulged (e.g. if a person is planning to kill me on a certain day and a friend happens to know of this and tells me beforehand this information is àmà); information; testimony: Ndi àfè ojiī nà-àkwadebe ijīde Chiìnwè mà ndi enyì ya āgbagolụ yā àmà The police were going to arrest Chiinwe but her friends have warned her of this

àma ụghā false witness: Ọ bụ̀ ife ọjọọ̄ ịgbā àma ụ̄gha It is a bad thing to bear false witness

-gba àmà bear witness; divulge secret; betray: Ndi àmà Chukwu God’s witnesses; the martyrs: Ụnụ̀ bụ̀ ndi àmà m You are my witnesses: Ndi àmà Ị nà-etō ị n’enu igwē Thy Martyrs (witnesses) are praising Thee in Heaven Ndi àma Jèhovà Jehovah`s Witnesses

onye àmà tale-bearer; gossip; informer

amāafịan

tooth-ache

amāafịa ǹtụ̀tọ sore throat

ākpịlị

amakan

goodness [check]

amàlàn

fish sp.

àmàlà1n

favour

àmàlà2n

paddle (for canoe)

ụgbọ àmàlà canoe

àmànị̀n

point of time; hour

àmen

black plaited necklace

amị̀n

(also amị̀ mịlọ̄) reed

amōosun

witch

ezè amōosu chief of witches

-ta amōosu be a witch; practise witchcraft

amụn

laugh; laughter

-kpa amụ cause laughter; be absurd; jest; trifle; amuse

-kpụ̀mụ̀lị amụ smile, laugh, chuckle, in a gentle way (as a sign of pleasure)

mkpụlụ amụ̄ a smile

-sọ amụ make laugh; please; amuse; delight; be funny (˂ -mụ amụ laugh)

amụ̀n

scrotum

amụ̀ ibì hydrocele

-gba amụ̀ castrate

mkpụlụ amụ̀ testis

-pị̀ amụ̀ castrate

amụman

prophecy

-bu amụma prophesy;

-ma amụma prophesy; foretell

onye amụma prophet

onye amụma āsị false prophet ( -ma + 8. announce)

àmụ̀màn

lightning

-sè àmụ̀mà show lightning; flash; lighten

ànà

see ànị̀

anakān

branch

anakā osisi branch of tree

-du anakā put out shoots, suckers

Ànàndiìchèn

god of family, represented by a tree

ànàsị̀n

chief or favourite wife (usually first) of a king

anị̀n

(also anị̀ nnụ̀nụ̀) bird’s nest (= àkwụ)

ànị̀, ànàn

A. land; ground; soil B. land of the living (opposed to ànì m̄mụọ) B. Igbo land B. bank of river B. Ànị̀, Ànà the Earth Spirit, regarded as the mother of all men, the queen of the underworld, and the custodian of public morality

ànị̀ apị̀tị̀ swamp

ànị èdò Atanị area

ànị̀ ezè kingdom

ànị̀ isī skull of head

ànị m̄madụ̀ A. foreign country; another person’s land

ànị̀ mmanụ anwụ̄ nà m̀mili ala efī promised land (land of milk and honey)

ànị mmānya dregs of wine

ànị̀ mmarùbe earthquake

ànị m̄mụọ land of the dead (opposed to ànị m̄madụ̀, land of the living) (Christian usage) hell; Hades: Ọ lị̄dàlụ̀ n’ànị m̄mụọ He descended into hell

ànị̀ obì place of abode; settlement

ànị̀ ogwē akā forearm

ànị̀ okwū most important part of the story

ànị̀ olū land overflowed in wet season

ànị̀ ọcha A. dry land, not overflowed in wet season

ànị ọ̄ma jìjìjì earthquake

ànị̀ ọnà ọcha nà land of gold and silver

ọnā èdò

ànị̀ ụkwụ̄ heel of the foot

ànị̀ ụlọ̄ clay soil

akwụ ànị̀ white ant (the type that lives in the ground) (lit. palmnut of the ground)

àrụ ànị̀ quietness

awa ànị̀ division, plot, of land

-bọ ànị̀ scratch, paw the ground (of fowls, dogs)

-dị ànị̀ be low: Oche à dị̀ ànị̀ This chair is low

-do ànị̀ settle a country; establish peace

-dolu ànị̀ put down

-dolu àrụ ànị̀ take things easy

enu ànị̀ dry land (as opposed to water); high land between Asaba and Agbor

enū nà ànị̀ ‘up and down’; blouse and wrapper made of same material

-fè ànị̀ prepare land for planting by propitiating the gods concerned

-gbabo ànị̀ kick up the ground

-gbakìlì ànị̀ run hither and thither; make fuss; be dilatory, going hither and thither without anything being seen done by the person; dilly- dally

-kpa okē ànị̀ make boundary between lands

-kpọbo ànị̀ level ground; break ground for planting

-kpọ isi ànị̀ prostrate; cringe; worship; beg

-kpọ ànị̀ clear ground by burning

-lu ànị̀ arrive at a settlement or conclusion

-lụ ànị̀ wreak havoc; commit treachery, abominably wicked or cruel act

-lụcha ànị̀ cultivate land; clear weeds

ǹgwu ànị̀ tool for digging; digger

ǹtọ ànị̀ foundation; origin

òbì n’ànà alā ajā one who lives underground but does not absorb earth (i.e. masquerade)

onu ànị̀ low tone:

Ọ nà-èkwu n’onu ànị̀ He is speaking in low tones

onye ànị̀ fellow countryman

onye ànị m̄madụ̀ ọkpụ ànị̀ foreigner; stranger ancient; long-established

ọ̀kpụkpa ànị̀ making of boundary

ọmụ ànị̀ bottom

ọrụ ànị̀ dregs (of wine)

ọ̀sụsụ ànị̀ cutting, clearing of bush preparatory to farming

-pu n’ànị̀ be native or home-born, indigenous (lit. grow, sprout in the soil)

-rulu ànị̀ stoop down

-runata ànị̀ stoop down a bit

-sekpùlu ànị̀ worship; bow, kneel down; give honour to

-sụ̀ isi n’ànị̀ fall headlong; throw oneself headlong

-sụ̀ n’ànị̀ thump on the ground; set down heavily

-tọ̀ anya n’ànị̀ be observant, watchful, careful; take notice of; watch (lit. lay the eye to the ground)

-tọ̀ ntị̀ n’ànị̀ hearken; pay attention (lit. lay the ear to the ground)

-tọ̀ ǹtọ ànị̀ lay foundation

ụgbọ ànị̀ lorry; car

ụ̀sọ ànị̀ A. boundary (of farmland)

-wa ànị̀ break up land by digging; divide land for planting; dig ground

-wedàta ànị̀ bring down; humble; humiliate

Ajaànà aspect of the earth related to death rites

Ànị̀egbòka person’s name

Ànị̀èmeka person’s name (lit. The land has done very well)

Ànị ēzi the shrine of Ànị̀ owned by the head of a compound, kept in front of his house

Ànị Ọ̀nị̀chà secret place worshipped by Onitsha people

alụlụ Ànị̀ injustice; maltreatment; wickedness

ezē Ànị̀ life-size status of carved wood, representing Ànị̀

nsọ Ànị̀ abomination

-rụ̀ Ànị̀ sacrifice to Ànị̀

anịkịlịjān

old, worn-out thing, usually machine or vehicle: Igwē ǹkaà bụ̀ anịkịlịjā This bicycle is very old and worn-out

ànịnị, àniniīn

tenth of a penny (˂H. àniinii)

àniniīn

see ànịnị

ànọnum

Central Igbo form of ị̀nọ, used in ta à bụ ànọ three days ago (lit. today is four)

ànunuūn

plant yielding black dye

anụn

animal; meat B. (fig.) any person who behaves like an animal; foolish person

anụ atụlụ̄ mutton

anụ efī beef

anụ ewū goat’s meat

anụ ezì pork

anụmànụ̀ animal (generic)

anụ namà beef

anụ ọfị̄a A. wild animal

anụ ūfe flying creature: bird; bat

anụ ugbokō stupid, uncivilized person

-chụ anụ chase animals

-dọka anụ tear, rend (flesh)

ezè anụmànụ̀ king of the beasts; elephant

onye anụ̄ meat seller, dealer

ọkpụ̀lụ̀kpụ̀ anụ̄ piece of meat

ọlụ anụ̄ leg (of meat)

ugwùlùgwù anụ̄ breast (of meat)

ụ̀w’a anụmànụ̀ the animal world

ànụ̀mn

A. female tortoise B. wife of Tortoise in fables

ànụmdin

marriage (of woman to man); wedding

ànụ̀nụ̀1n

bird (rare, small)

ànụ̀nụ̀ ebè tree supposed very poisonous, associated with ànụ̀nụ̀

ànụ̀nụ̀2n

indigo vine (Lonchocarpus cyanescens Benth.)

ànụ̀nụ n̄gwe vegetable

ànụ̀nụ̀3n

type of game played by children

ànwàlị̀n

(also ìpo ànwàlị̀) a fish (Alestes leuciscus); ìpo is regarded as the larger size of ànwàlị̀

ànwàǹsị̀n

conjuring, magic, jugglery, by dibị̀à

-me ànwàǹsị̀ conjure; do wizardry

anwụ̄1n

sunshine; heat of sun

(anwụ̄) –cha beat (of sun)

anyaanwụ̣ see separate entry

-cha n’anwụ̄ be apparent, obvious, conspicuous

-kpọ anwụ̄ wither

m̀kpọ ānwụ drought; extended or severe dry season; long period without rain

òche anwụ̄ umbrella; sunshade

oke anwụ̄ intense sunshine

ọjị̀ anwụ̄ false iroko (Antiaris africana Engl.)

-zè(lụ) anwụ̄ shelter from sun

anwụ̄2n

bee

àkpà anwụ̄ beehive

mmanụ anwụ̄ honey

-ra anwụ̄ take honey from the comb (after driving away the bees)

anwụ̄3n

mosquito

anwụ ntà mosquito

ụnọ̀ anwụ̄ mosquito-net

anwụ̀lị

see aŋụ̀lị

anwụlịnwụn

rough surface

anwụlụ̀n

A. smoke B. tobacco; cigarette; cigar; tobacco snuff (cf. ụ̀tabà)

anwụlụ̄ èkèlèke tied tobacco; bits of tied tobacco retailed in small amounts – 1d, 3d, etc.

isi anwụ̄lụ̀ head of tobacco; bunch of prepared tobacco leaves (usually black tobacco) counting 5 leaves in one head

-kpọ anwụlụ̀ take snuff: Ọ nà-àkpọ anwụ̄lụ̀ He is taking (tobacco) snuff

mkpọ̀ anwụ̄lụ̀ snuffbox

-kwụ anwụlụ̀ smoke (of a fire)

òkwute anwụ̄lụ̀ stone for grinding snuff

-sè anwụlụ̀ smoke tobacco: Adā m esè anwụ̄lụ̀ I never smoke

anya1n

eye A. disease of the eye B. fierceness of aspect C. jealousy; envy (lit. fiery eyes)

anya akpà goggling eyes

anyaanwụ̄ see separate entry

(anya) –bughalị be dizzy, giddy, mad: Anya nà-èbughalị m̄ I am dizzy

anya ikē boldness; fearlessness; greed

anya ị̄ exclamation of pleasure on meeting a friend after long separation

anya mpị̄a eye partly closed through disease or accident

anya mkpọ̄ blindness

anya mkpụ̄lụ egō anya mmīli eye with pupil whitened by disease tears

-gba anya mmīli anya ọkụ̄ shed tears

anya ūdo self-control; temperance

anya ùfìè squint; cross eyes

anya ukwu greed; coveteousness (lit. big eyes)

arị anyā filaria; filaria worm (of the eye)

-bà n’anya intoxicate

-bo anya stare at

-bokwàsị anya stare at

-bughalị anya make dizzy, giddy, mad: Ọgwụ̀ m ŋụ̄lụ n’ụ̀tụtụ̀ nà-èbughalị m̄ anya The drug I took in the morning makes me dizzy

-bịachị anya come regularly

-chalàpụ̀ anya stare at; look sternly at

-chi anya be well woven; be tight

-chìchapụ̀ anya stare; glare

ènyò anya pair of glasses

-febè n’anya get in eye; (fig.) be cheated: Ekwēna kà ife febē gị n’anya Don’t let anything get in your eye, or, Don’t let yourself be cheated

-fụju anya toil, suffer greatly

-fụ n’anya love; like

-fụsị̀ anya suffer greatly; see many tribulations; have hard experience

-gbado anya fix the eye on, persevere, be diligent

gbàdo anyā greeting to a departing friend

-gbagwòju anya confuse; abash: Ife à gbagwòjùlù m̀ anya This has confused me

-gbà ùgègbè anyā -gbe anya wear glasses steal a look at

-gbudo anya perceive; observe

-gha anya turn the eyes; long for; expect

-gha anya n’àzụ look backwards; look back; glance back

ife ịtụ̄ n’anya surprising thing

-jechi anya be punctual

-ji anya be lazy

-ju anya surprise; astonish

-ka anya surpass by greediness, boldness

-kpacha anya do something on purpose

-kpachalụ anya be careful, warned, cautious, beware; take heed (lit. clear way for sight)

-kpachapụ̀ anya take care; be careful, vigilant

-kwakpọsị anya cry bitterly (lit. blind oneself with tears)

-lọ̀ anya eye; look at angrily or with contempt

-ma anya attract

-me anya ụlā be drowsy

-meghèli anya confuse: O meghèlì m̀ anya He confused me

mkpụlụ anyā eyeball

-ne anya behold; look (at); gaze at; look after; mind

-nefè anya overlook

-nefèga anya overlook; neglect

-nefù anya look aside; neglect; overlook

-nekpọ anya take a good look at

-nekwàsị anya look upon; look again

-nenye anya look into

-neta anya regard; have respect for

-netị anya look ahead

-netù anya look downwards

-nezi anya beware; look out; be cautious

ǹkù anyā eyebrow

ntùtù anyā eyelash

nwantaǹta anyā pupil of eye

-nwụ̀chì anya shut eyes

-nwụchita anya dazzle the eyes

ọdụ̀ anyā corner of the eye

-sì anya be bold, capable of withstanding hardship, courageous

-sọ anya refrain from doing something because of respect for someone present

asọ̄ anya disregard for status or presence; (in good sense) fairness in judgement; (in bad sense) disrespect

-tabè anya wink

ntabè anyā in the blink of an eyelid; in the twinkling of an eye

-tilọ̀ anya tame; beat very severely (lit. beat till the eyes become soft)

-tọ̀ anya n’ànị̀ be observant, watchful, careful; take notice of; watch (lit. lay the eyes on the ground)

-tụ anya expect

-tụkpọ anya damage eye by hitting it with something

-tụ n’anya surprise; astonish

ugègbè anyā (eye) glasses

ụ̀wà anya ọkụ̄ envious, jealous world

-wèpụ̀ anya ignore; overlook; connive at

-wo n’anya be plain, clear, obvious; stare one in the face; leap to the eye

-zi n’anya convince

anya2n

distance

-dị anya be distant, far: Ebe mkpọtụ sì àbịâ dị̀ anya Where the noise is coming from is far away

ànyaāint

how? what? (used in addressing persons)

anyaanwụ̄n

A. sun (as heavenly body) B. sky (= iru igwē): Iru anyaanwụ̄ dị̀ njọ The sky is cloudy B. the sun, regarded as a manifestation or son of Chukwu, the author of light and knowledge: Chèe irū n’anyaanwụ̄, sị̀ị ‘Anyaanwụ̄ nà Agbàlà’ Face the sun, saying, ‘Sun and Agbala’ (in sacrifice) (anya 1. eye + anwụ̄ 1. sunshine)

azịzà anyaanwụ̄ beam of light

iru anyaanwụ̄ A. sun

ọ̀dị̀dà anyaanwụ̄ ọ̀wụwa anyaanwụ̄ sunset; West sunrise; East

anyàlà

see aŋàlà

ànyàlị̀n

albino

-cha ànyàlị̀ be an albino: Ụmụ̀ ya naàbọ̀ chàlụ̀ ànyàlị̀ Two of his children are albinos

ànyasị̀, anyàsị̀n

evening; night (cf. ùchichì)

-gba (àzị̀) anyàsì kwà ànyasị̀ take supper every evening

mgbèdè anyàsị̀, late in the evening; evening

nni anyàsị̀, nni supper

ànyasị̀

anyikēn

axe (anyụ + ike)

osisi anyikē wooden handle of axe

ànyị, àyịpron

(independent, 1st pers. pl.) we; us; our: Ànyị nọ̀ ebe à We are here: Wètalụ āyị ego āyị Bring us our money: Ònye nà-àkpọ āyị? Who is calling us?

ànyị nà ònwe ānyị ànyị nwà we ourselves we here; we ourselves

di ānyị such a one, so and so (e.g. where a name is unknown); friend

Dinwenu ānyị Our Lord

-dị n’isi ānyị be our responsibility

ibe ānyị comrades; friends; compatriots; companions

ǹke āyị our; ours

àny

female (Nwaozuzu Ph.D 295)

ị̀

ànyị̀nyà, ị̀nyị̀nyàn

horse

ànyị̀nyà ibū donkey; mule; ass; beast of burden

ànyị̀nyà igwè bicycle (old term)

-magolu ànyị̀nyà mount a horse

anyụn

axe (also anyikē, anyụ ikē), see separate entry: A kàta nà a gà-ègbu ọjị̀, anyụ èpelụ ọnụ̄, m̀pọ̀mà èpelụ ọnụ̄ When it is said that the iroko is to be felled, the axe loses its edge, the matchete loses its edge (i.e. people become discouraged at the thought of too difficult a task)

anyụ ǹkà small hammer used by blacksmith

anyụ̄n

pumpkin

aṅān

wild cane; rattan; generic term applying to Oncocalamus wrightianus Hutch., O. acanthocnemis, Ancistrophyllum secundiflorum, and A. opacum, used to make chairs, beds, walking-sticks, baskets, trays, whips string, etc (see ekwe 3).

elili aŋā cane string (= ekwe)

-gbu aŋā collect cane from bush

aṅàafị̀n

kind of ant with painful bite and characteristic smell; stink-ant

aŋàlà, anyàlàn

(= ofe) egg-plant with tiny fruits and edible leaves (Solanum macrocarpon Linn.) (= àfụfā)

aṅụ̀lị̀, anwụ̀lịn

feast; joyful celebration

aŋụ̀lị nnwā feast for a child (e.g. outing, christening, etc.) ( -ŋụ̀ 1. rejoice)

aṅụlụman

drinking spree

onye aŋụlụma drunkard

àpàn

scar; mark

àpà ọnyā scar; scar of sore

àpà ụkwụ̄ footprint

-bo àpà leave scar or mark on: Ọ bụlụ nà nwe sī ebe à gaa ọ̀zọ m tisịa gị̄ èbo m̄ gị àpà If you dare pass here again I shall give you a thorough beating (lit. ... after beating you I shall leave scars on you)

-bu àpà have, bear scar or mark

àpàlàpà, àpị̀làpị̀n

fresh fufu (˂ –pà mould)

akpụ àpàlàpà raw fufu (sieved and ready for cooking)

àpàlị̀n

climbing fibre plant

àpàtàpàn

used in:

àpàtàpà ụkwụ̄ thigh

àpịn

foreskin

apịan

Black-and-White-Tailed Hornbill (Tockus fasciatus)

àpị̀làpị̀

see àpàlàpà

apị̀tị̀n

mud; mire; swamp; marsh

ànị̀ apị̀tị̀ swamp

apụpan

race, dynasty [check?] Echie àph ụ̀phà - àphụ̀phā

àràbà1n

plant planted to enrich the soil (esp. in the Ìgbo agba enū area)

Àràbà2n

Asaba ǹga Àràbà (fig.) heavy punishment (< first prison yard)

àriwòlòn

decayed teeth

arị̄n

worm

arị anyā filaria worm (of the eye)

àrịkwā

intestinal worm (roundworm) (cf. òkpò)

arị̀man

sign; distinguishing mark

arị̀maamā mark; copy (also rị̀maamā) ǹ

ife arị̀ma token; sign; omen

-me arị̀ma make a sign, signal

àrịzèn

A. grace; favour

ǹ

B. male name

ị̀raān

shrub the leaves of which are used in soup (Corchorus

ar

olitorius Linn.); Jew’s Mallow (Yoruba ewédụ́, èéyọ́, ọ̀ọ́yọ́)

ọ̀n

A. year

ar

arọ̄ gālụ aga last year

arọ̄ naabịa next year; the coming year(s)

arọ̀ njọ smallpox (euph.)

ọ̀ kaà, arọ̄ à this year:

arǹ Ìmìlìkiti mmadụ́ ànwụgo n’arọ̄ A great many people have died this year

arọ̄ ọ̀zọ next year

-gba ọ̀ be a year old:

ar Di ọkpala m̄ gà-agbà arọ̀ echi My first son will be a year old tomorrow Osisi à agbàgo ọ̀ arìsiì This tree is already six years old

ọ̀ a year (old)

m̀gbà ar

ọ̀ naàbọ̀ two years (old):

m̀gbà ar M̀gbà ọ̀ naàbọ̀ kà ọ d arị̀ taàtà It is two years ago today Ọ gà-àdị ọ̀ echi m j m̀gbà arìlì bili n’ebe à It will be a year tomorrow since I have been living here

kwà ọ̀ yearly; every year:

ar Ezè Nnoòbi nà-àgba Ọ̄falà kwà arọ̀ The Chief of Nnoobi celebrates the Ọfala every year

mmili ǹdà arọ̀ the first rain in the year

ngwụcha ọ̀ end of year

ar

ọ̀kàlà arọ̀ mid-year

ụmà ọ̀ young children

ar

arọ̀n

B. the Year, an alụ̄sị with a cult

àrụn

body (living cf. ozu) B. sickness; pain

àrụ alọ̄ dullness; sloth; sluggishness

àrụ ànị̀ quietness

àrụ efè unoccupied; at leisure

àrụ ikē health

àrụ ikē nà ọ̀dịmmā àrụ lue good health and well-being; well-being calm; tranquility

(àrụ) –ma nni tremble: Àrụ nà-àma yā nni He is trembling

àrụ m̄fe good health; activity

àrụ mgbakà fidgetting

àrụ m̄gbu pains; difficulty; agony; illness

àrụ mmīli stoutness; dropsy; fresh, plump body: Òff owèlàrụ mmīli Òfộ is robust (or plump) ụ̀

àrụ m̄mụ̄ọ leprosy (= àrụ ọcha)

àrụ ōfufo freedom from care; security; ease

àrụ ōlulo weariness

àrụ ọcha leprosy (=àrụ m̄mụ̄ọ)

àrụ ọkụ̄ fever

àrụ ọ̄lụlụ state of being maimed or spiritually unclean

àrụ ọnwụnwụ illness

àrụ ukwu leprosy

àrụ ụ̄fụ A. urgency; stae of disquiet

ajọ̄ àrụ bad luck

-chàrụ muzzle; rub against body (of animals)

ìtụlụ

-dàkpọ̀ àrụ feel ill

-dò àrụ A. recuperate

-dò àrụ B. get stout

-gbà àrụ be stout

-gbakà àrụ torment; afflict

-gbatị àrụ stretch oneself (e.g. for exercise)

-gbè àrụ tire completely

-jụ àrụ purify by sacrifice

-ka àrụ be strong, fearless, headstrong

-kaba àrụ try hard; strive

-kanite àrụ increase in stature, strength; be mature

-kata àrụ be of age, full, perfect, developed, headstrong

-lapado n’ àrụ cling

-lapalụ n’ àrụ cling (to one)

-lụ àrụ receive; reach

-làrụ ụka be self-controlled

ụ

-na àrụ become used to; indulge in or be addicted to (of habit, condition, act, diet) (lit. know body): Ilī ofe mmānụ àmalụgo m̄ àrụ I have become used to oily soups Oyi Òbòdò Oyìbo āmalụgo ndi bī nà ya ārụ, yâ mèlụ̀ nà ọ dā ènye fā nsògbu The people who live in the United Kingdom are already used to the cold there; that is why it does not worry them

-meka àrụ trouble; bother

-melụ àrụ hurt; wound

àrụ adversity, distress; hardship; want; poverty

m̀fịa

mgbụ̀gbọ àrụ skin

mma àrụ physical beauty

nwannē àrụ near relative

-nwò àrụ change bodily appearance (e.g. put mask on or off)

-nwụ àrụ make ill; be ill; cause illness

onye àrụ ọcha a leper

-si àrụ be very tough (of person)

-ta àrụ get thin; be emaciated

-wenità àrụ get better (lit. raise body)

-wụ àrụ wash the body

-wucha àrụ wash (clean), cleanse (body)

-wụchàpụ̀ àrụ wash the body thoroughly

arụrụn

ant (generic); any tiny ant-lime insect

arụrụ afọ̄ kind of very tiny intestinal worms; pin worm (lit. intestinal ants)

arụrụ nkwụ̄ earwig

arụrụ ọcha sugar-ant (cf. dandā)

-lu arụrụ breed worms

asan

the most highly-valued fish (Gymnarchus niloticus) (= ọnọnọ)

àsalàn

agreeableness; politeness

-me àsalà be polite

àsatọ̄

see ịsatọ̄

àsè, èsèn

advice; enquiry

-ju àsè ask after; ask of; enquire: Èkê jụ̀lụ̀ àsè gị Eke asked after you

asn

hatred; dislike

ị̀

-kpọ asị̀ hate; dislike; abhor: Òbî kpọ̀l ụ̀ Àda asị̀ A Christian should abhor sin

àsịn

lie; lying

-kwu okwu āsị speak falsehood

òbù aàsị èje ogbè okwu āsị a gossip lie

onye àsị liar

-si àsị tell lie(s): Ị nà- àsị āsị You are telling a lie

-tụ̀ àsị tell a lie

-tụ̀kpò àsị lie against

àsn

tale-bearing

ị̀lị̀

onye àsị̀lị̀ gossip (person)

asịsa, achịchan

A. sponge (when used for washing things); grass or fibre for

(Onitsha Inland)

cleaning utensils B. sandpaper tree (Ficus asperifolia Miq.)

asọn

spittle; saliva (cf. ọnụ mmīli)

-bụ asọ spit

-gba asọ spit

-zị asọ spit (by placing the tongue under the upper front teeth); sometimes in contempt, esp. by women)

àsọn

dignity; venerability; holiness

-dị àsọ be venerable, worthy of respect, dignified

asọkwūlun

fool; foolishness

asn

non-barbed spear for hunting or fighting

ùduù

asụ̀sụn

language; tongue

-sụ asụ̀sụ speak language or tongue: Ànyị nà-àsụ asụ̀sụ Ìgbò We are speaking the Igbo language or We speak Igbo

-sụghalị asụ̀sụ interpret language; switch to speaking another language )˂ -sụ + 2. speak)

ata1n

A. spear-grass (Imperata cylindrica Linn) P. Beauv.) applied principally to Loudetai spp. (BNO< Burkill)

ata1n

B. large expanse of waste land covered with spear-grass; wilderness

ata2n

title of a great chief, the Atta of Idah, in Igala

atalan

kind of tree (Anogeissus leiocarpus) (DC.) Guill. and Perr.)

àtalan

kind of mat-net used in fishing (cf. Ịzọn atáléí mat-net, atálá to fish with such a net)

àtàlị̀n

anklet worn by titled man, woven from a number of white threads, (formerly) sometimes with small ìjèlè-bells added

àtanịn

bamboo mat

atị̀tan

proof; fact; piece of evidence given to prove a case

àtịtān

loud bubbles in the river that presage the flood

àtọnum

Central Igbo form of ịtọ

ta à bụ̀ àtọ day before yesterday (lit. today is three)

atụ1n

chewing stick

atụ2n

bushcow; buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus)

àtụ̀n

model; thing to which something else is compared; (source of) comparison

ife àtụ̀ example; sample (also used as name)

-ma àtụ̀ point at for illustration, as an example, a model; compare to

-nwe àtụ̀ have equal or another of its kind: Ụnọ̄ Ọ̄fọ ọfụụ̄ āmaka ò nwerọ̄ àtụ̀ Ọfọ’s new building is very magnificent; it has no equal.

atụlụ̄n

sheep

anụ atụlụ̄ mutton

ìgwè atụlụ̄ flock of sheep

ndị n̄che atụlụ̄ shepherds

nwa atụlụ̄ lamb

oke atụlụ̄ ram

àtụ̀maanyan

expectation; hope

àtụ̀màn

a popular masquerade for small children

àtụ̀màkasà,n

needlework cover used in covering tables, food, radios etc.,

àtụ̀màkasì

for protection from dust or as an ornament; antimacassar (˂ E. antimacassar)

atụtọn

used in –yi atụtọ tickle

atụtụn

A. stain; discolouration; disfigurement; blemish; moral stain; flaw

atụtụn

B. (fig.) state of being untouchable (as a result of being an or ù or òsu) Ọ dı̣̀ n’atụtụ He is an untouchable

àtụ̀tụ̀n

sticky juice of tree or fruit

àtụ̀tụ̀ osisi sap of tree

àtụ̀tụ̀ ụdálà juice or stain of ụdala fruit

awaị, awayịn

stew made with solid like yam; meal prepared by cutting up peeled yam, cocyam, etc., boiled with ingredients – meat, oil, pepper, tomato, etc., and stirred until done; yam pattage

àwànn

castrated he-goat

ị̀, àwọ̀nị̀,

awayịn

see awaị

awelēn

good luck

isi awelē good luck

-nwe isi awelē be lucky; have good luck

àwiīgun

kind of edible caterpillar

awọn

grey hair

-cha isi awọ̄ turn grey (of hiterto black hair gradually turning grey): Àgbọ ānyị adā àcha isi awọ̄ People in our family never turn grey

isi awọ̄ grey hair

awọ̀n

toad; frog (cf. m̀bàla)

àwọ̀lọ̀1n

leopard

àwọ̀lọ̀2n

sloughed or shed skin (e.g. of snake)

-wo àwọ̀lọ̀ come off in scales; shed skin

àwọ̀lọ̀3n

mask; disguise

àwọ̀lọ̀ m̄mụọ masquerade’s mask

-bà n’ime àwọ̀lọ̀ enter into mask; put on mask

-yi àwọ̀lọ̀ wear mask

-yipụ̀ àwọ̀lọ̀ take, put off mask from body; unmask: Mmụọ ānyị nà-èje iyīpụ̀ àwọ̀lọ̀ Our masquerade is going to take off its mask

àwọ̀nị̀

see àwànị̀

àwun

something got free of charge (˂ Pidgin awuf)

ùfù

awụ̄n

monitor lizard (Varanus niloticus)

Awụsan

Hausa

mmà Awụsa Hausa dagger

awụ̀wọ̀

see aghụ̀ghọ̀

ayan

vessel; container

ayàkàtàint

beautiful! (slang)

ayị̀yọn

petition; begging

onye ay beggar

ị̀yọ

-yo ayị̀yọ beg: Ọ nà-àyọ yā ay ị̀yọ He is begging him (< -yọ beg)

ayon

musical instrument [check]

ayọ̀n

grass for roofing

ayọ̀lọ̀

see egō

àzanan

fence made of matting

azị̀n

present generation; young people (of present); the younger generation

az youth of nowadays

ị̀ kịtāà

ụmụ̀ az (young) children

ị̀

àzn

meal

ị̀

àz lunch

ị̀ efìfìè

àzị ụ̄tụtụ̀ breakfast: Anà ụ̄tụtụ̀ I am eating my breakfast m̀ àgba àzị

-gba àz eat a meal

ị̀

az

see az

ị̀ịzaā

ị̀zaā

azịzàn

brush; small broom made of midrib of palm-frond, used by girls (cf. ǹzị̀zà)

azịzà anyaanwụ̄ beam of light

ùkwù azịzà broom (considered as a whole bundle of prepared palm- fronds) (< -za 1. sweep)

azị̀zan

answer; reply

-za az answer query (˂ -za 1. answer)

ị̀za

azazn

swelling; boil (< -za 2. swell)

ị̀zaā, ị̀ịzaā

azụ̀n

fish (generic)

azụ̀ ndụ̀ fresh fish

azụ̀ nkụ stockfish (cf. okpòlokō)

azụ̀ ukpoò fish caught with hook

-mị azụ̀ dry fish

azụ̄ ukpoò scales of fish

àzụn

the back; behind; outside; absence of

àzụ akā back of the hand; (fig.) hypocrisy

àzụ ọj carved iroko panel in door or wall

ị̀

aka āzụ bribery (lit. back hand)

-bịakpè àzụ come last

-bịa(sò) n’àzụ come after

-chgha àzụ retreat

ì

-dàchgha àzụ fall back; rebound; backslide

ì

-ga àzụ be retrogressive, not making progress: Ọ̀fọ nà-ème ọ̀fụma n’akwụkwọ yā n’arọ̄ gālụ aga, mà kịtāà ọ nà-àga āzụ Ọ̀fọ used to do well in his studies last year, but now he is not making progress.

-gbakụ̀ta àzụ turn back; desert; neglect

-ghalị àzụ turn around; go back

ìkpe āzụ the last

ife ìkpe āzụ the last thing

ogē ìkpe āzụ the last time; at the end of the time; at the end of the world

ụbọ̀sị ìkpe āzụ the day of judgement; the last day

iru nà àzụ backwards and forwards; up and down; to and fro

-kpè àzụ be last; bring up the rear

-kwu okwu azụ̄ slander; backbite

-na àzụ lag; (fig.) dwindle

n’àzụ behind; at the back of; in the absence of: Àchọrọ̄ m kà a gbaa egwu à n’àzụ m̄ I don’t want this dance staged in my absence.

òpùnù isi āzụ posterior fontanelle

ọkpụkpụ āzụ backbone

-sòchi ibè n’àzụ walk in single file; follow immediately behind each other or behind companions

- sòchi n’àzụ follow immediately after

ụmụ̄ āzụ disciples; followers

àzụ̀zụ̀n

cold in the head; catarrh