Lexicon · 152 entries

I

i

see ị

i-

see ị-

iben

A. part (of); piece (of)

ibe akwà piece of cloth

ibe akwụkwọ sheet, piece, of paper

ibelibe a small piece:

ibelibe ìtè potsherd:

ibelibe nkụ̄ splinter

ibe naàbọ̀ two pieces

Ìtè afụ̀ tìwàlụ̀ ibe naàbọ̀ The pot broke into two pieces

ibe nkụ̄ plant; piece of wood

ibe nnī a piece of food (like yam, cocoyam, etc.)

Sùlu òfu ibe nnī Take a piece of food

ibe ọjı̣̄ diction or cotyledon of kola

ibe òlòma segment of orange

ibe osisi part of tree (split from the main body)

n’ibe n’ibe in pieces; to pieces; piece by piece

-wa ibe break, smash, into pieces

ibēn

A. pledge; security; pawn; hostage B. bet: Ibē fìèlù m I lost the bet

-gba ibē pledge; give as security: Ejìlì m̀ ewu gba Òbi ibē I pawned my goat to Obi: Ejìlì m̀ ụnọ̀ m gbalụ ibē I gave my house as security/mortgaged my house: Ọ gbàlụ̀ ndụ̀ ya n’ibē He insured his life: Ò jì m̀ gba ibē? Am I a pawn at his mercy?

-jide n’ibē hold as hostage: E jìdèlụ̀ yà n’ibe He’s a hostage

-ma ibē bet; stake

ibèn

companion; neighbour;

ibē ānyị comrades; friends; compatriots; companions;

ikwu nà ibè relatives and neighbours; kinsfolk and friends

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

ìbèlìn

instrument with cane handle and many cords, used for flogging or for killing flies

ibìn

hydrocele

amụ̀ ibì hydrocele

-dà ibì have hydrocele

ìbìlìn

adult woman; married woman

ìbìli àchị̀ adult woman; married woman

ìbome, ubomn

iron gong used by town-crier, or by titled man on feast-days to summon the ancestors

ibun

load (-bu 1. carry)

ibu alọ̄ heavy load: O bù ibu alọ̄ He is carrying a heavy load

(ibu) -nyị̀ weigh heavily (of load); be heavy-laden (of person): Ibu nà-anyị̄ m̄ I am weighed down by a load

(ibu) -nyị̀gbu weigh heavily on (of load); be heavy-laden (of person): Ibu nà-ànyị̀gbu onyebulu nā-ebugalụ ānyị ibu n’ụgbọ The load is weighing heavily on the carrier who is carrying our luggage to the lorry

anụ ibū beast of burden

ànyị̀nyà ibū donkey; mule; ass

-bo ibu lift a load on to someone’s head

-kwa ibu pack loads, belongings, luggage

ibùn

bigness; size

-bù ibù be big:

O bù ibu It is big

-tu ibù be stout

iche1n

missile; stone for throwing or use with catapult

iche ọkụ̄ spark (lit. missile of fire)

-tụ iche throw missile: Ọ nà-àchọ ịtụ̄ ǹgwèle nọ̄ n’enu ajā iche She wants to throw something at the lizard on the wall

iche2n

used in:

iche òkù parrot

ichèn

difference; apartness; separateness

ichè ichè various; different: Ife dị̄ ichè ichè dị̀ n’afịa Ọ̀nị̀chà There are different kinds of things in Onitsha market

-bi ichè live separately

-dị ichè be different: Ọ dị̀ ichè It is different ife dị̄ ichè a different thing

n’ichè n’ichè different; various; differently

ichekēn

yam which turns red when cut

ichēku

see chalekū

ichèlèn

shells of palm nuts

ichèlè akụ̄ shells of palm kernels

ichin

marks on body and face

-gbu ichi cut ichi marks

Ìchièn

(also ndị Ìchiè, ndi ìchìe ànị̀) titled people; wise old men; chiefs; king’s counsellors

ìden

post; doorpost (cf. isò)

Ìdebūànị̀ male name (lit. pillar that holds the land)

ìde jī ụnọ̀ chief person supporting family (lit. pillar holding the house)

ideèlèn

general name for fish of the family Schilbeidae (= ịjaàrị̀)

idèì, idèn

flood; torrent; spate (caused by rainfall, cf. ijī for flooding of river): Idèì likpùlù ụzọ̀ The flood has covered the road

aja idèì heap of sand collected by flood after rain fall

ụzọ̀ idèì trench; channel; gutter

Ìdemmīlin

A. an alụ̄sị with a cult, usually with one shrine on the land and another in the water B. name of a stream

Ìdemmīli Òbosi Idemmili stream at Obosi

idìdèn

earthworm

idòn

brown ‘tailor ant’

ife, ịfen

thing; anything; possession; article B. holy thing

ife afị̄a small edible articles bought by women for their children

ife aghā, ife ayā weapon

ife alụ̄ abomination: Ọ mèlụ̀ ịfe alụ̄ He committed an abomination, sacrilege

ife arịma token; sign; omen: Ife arịma èmego A significant thing has happened

ife àtụ̀ example; sample (also used as female name)

ife èbùbè a wonder

ife ekike finery; adornment

ife enunu domestic animals; cattle; poultry

-kpa ife enunu keep livestock

ife gālụ aga past event; past thing

ife ibī ụnọ̀ furniture

ife ikē violence

ife inē ọlụ prize; reward

ife iwē annoying thing

ife izè, òzìzè thing to avoid; offensive thing

ife izè ǹdò shelter (e.g. from rain)

ife ịtụ̄ n’anya surprising thing

ife m̀bèlède chance; accident

ife m̄bụ the first thing

ife mfiedo girdle; belt

ife mgbòchi covering; veil; screen

ife m̄gbu suffering; painful thing

ife m̄kpalị scorn; mockery; disrespect

ife mkpofù offal

ife mwuta, ife painful, distressing thing

mwute

ife nchèta memorial

ife ndapụ̀ta event; occurrence

ife nkèta inheritance

ife n̄kịtị nothing; useless, contemptible thing

ife nsiji dye

ife nsọ̄ A. forbidden thing

ife ntụchì bolt

ife n̄tụmādị accident; unexpected, sudden thing

ife n̄zizo, n̄zuzo secret thing

ife nŋòmi pattern; example worthy of emulation

ife nnwụ̀ta something borrowed

ife ōghughu abdominal discomfort after delivery

ife ōlulo hurt; pain

ife onū necklace

ife ònyìnyò image; likeness; resemblance

ife orī stolen goods

ife ọ̄bụnà whatever; anything

ife ọ̀gụ̀ arms; weapon

ife ọ̄gbụgba post-partum haemorrhage (P.P.H.); menorrhagia (excessive loss at menstrual period)

ife ọ̄ghụgha changing of state of things for worse

ife ọjọọ̄ bad, evil, thing or deed

ife ọ̄kụkụ anything to be planted

ife ọ̄lịla something drinkable

ife ọlụ̄ tool; instrument

ife ọma nice, good thing

ife ọ̄ŋụŋụ something drinkable

ife ọ̀zọ another thing

ife ụ̄fụ painful, distressing thing

ajọ̄ ife abomination; defilement

amā ife ignorance

-bà n’ịfe be useful; profit; benefit

-gbànyè n’ife reckon with; regard; care for; consider (as important)

-ma ife have sense; be wise

òòbò ifē, òbùbò ifē -pịa ife heap of something whip; flog; punish; chastise

ìfèn

A. light (of day) B. civilization Anyaanwụ̄ nà-ènye ụ̀wà ìfè The sun illuminates the world

(ìfè) -tiwa (of civilization) be widespread: Ìfè ètiwago nà Nàị̀jirīà, ndi mmādụ̀ adā àgbazilị ibè fa orù Civilization has become widespread in Nigeria; people no longer serve their fellow beings as slaves

-pụ̀ta ìfè come out into the open; be made manifest, not secret: Ndi nā-emebī īwu adā àchọ kà ajọ̄ ife fa nà-ème pụ̀ta ìfè Criminals never want their bad deeds to come out into the open

Ìfèjiọkụ̄n

Yam Spirit, who is worshipped before planting begins and for whom the New Yam Festival (ọ̀wụwa jī) is held

isī nni Ìfèjiọkụ̄ to cook food, by a girl who is pregnant for the first time and presented to Ifejiọkụ

ifelē, ịfelēn

shame; shyness; reserve: Ifelē ekwērọ ya àyọ ayị̀yọ He was too ashamed (embarrassed) to beg

enwē ifelē unrestrained; unabashed

iru ifelē modesty, blushing

-me ifelē put to shame

-menye ifelē n’iru -nwe ifelē make ashamed of oneself (lit. bring shame to one’s face) be shy, restrained, reserved

(ifelē) -me be ashamed: Ifelē mèlụ̀ onye orī afụ̀ ogè fa jìdèlụ̀ ya The thief was ashamed when he was caught

ifìn

used in:

-sà ifì confess voluntarily to crime, abomination, or other bad deed

ifùlùn

small fish with fins, caught when the Niger falls (November)

ìfulūn

flower; blossom (cf. ìgùgù)

-kpọ ìfulū blossom; flower (cf. -kpọ ìgùgù)

-ra ìfulū blossom; flower

ìgèdun

timber

igiligin

dew

ìgon

twisted foot

ìgòsị̀n

used in:

ụmụ̄ ìgòsì children; young children

igùn

palm-branch

igù nkwụ̄ palm-frond; large size of ọ̀mụ nkwụ̄

ìgùgùn

flower; blossom; (cf. ìfulū)

-kpọ ìgùgù blossom; flower

ìgùlùbè, ìgùlùben

ladder

igbēn

crawling

-gbe igbē crawl (like children): Ọ nà-ègbe igbē He is crawling

ìgben

bow; casket

ìgbènùn

fish (Heterotis niloticus) (= ègbìlì)

ìgbìlì, ìgbìn

gum (of mouth)

-kwọ ìgbì rub the gums (of teething child)

ìgbo, ìgbogīdin

general name for top minnows, family Cyprinodontidae

Ìgbòn

A. the Igbo people in general; the Igbo language: Abụ̀ m̀ onye Ìgbò I am an Igbo person B. (when qualifying another noun) indigenous, as opposed to something of outside origin C. in a more restricted sense, the upland people to the east of the Niger (also ndị Ìgbò), contrasted with Olu (also ndị Olū), the riverain Igbo. The people of Onitsha itself do not classify themselves with either Ìgbò or Olu (Henderson 1972: 40 - 41, 89 n.)

-sụ Ìgbò speak Igbo

afā Ìgbò Igbo name (versus afà Oyìbo, European name)

efi Ìgbò dwarf cattle (versus efi Awụsa, zebu cattle)

ofe Ìgbò type of palm-oil

Ìgbò Adàgbè term for most of the peoples of Anambra Division

Ìgbò Agba Enū term for the peoples of Idemmīli, Aguata and Awka Divisions

ìgbogīdi

see ìgbo

ìgbùdù1n

imitation coffin containing plantain stem representing dead person, thrown away in the bush during the second burial

ìgbùdù2n

trap for animals (esp. grasscutter)

igwē1n

sky; heaven; firmament, regarded as an alụ̄sị created directly by Chukwu B. name of a very notorious and powerful Igbo cult, with which many important Igbos were connected. It has been banned by legislation B. title for a king or chief

Igwē ka Ànị̀ A. title for an Obi or Ezè

Igwē nà Ànị̀ (in Nri thought) the firmament and the earth, which together make up Ụ̀wà, the visible world

Igwē nā-ezùlu ọ̀rà enu igwē praise-name for someone who has taken highest title the sky; heaven

enu igwē nà ụ̀wà A. heaven and earth

iru igwē weather; sky (= iru anyaanwụ̄)

igwē2n

salutation for a king Fâ nà-ètu yā igwē They are saluting him ‘Igwē!’

igwèn

iron; any type of machinery or mechanical contrivance

igwè ịkwā akwà sewing-machine

-gba igwè ride bicycle

ǹdele igwè iron rod used for fighting

okpòlò igwè rod of iron

ọnyà igwè steel trap

ìgwèn

large number B. Man’s name

ìgwè atụlụ̄ flock of sheep

Ìgwè bụ̀ ike A. Union is strength

ìgwe m̄madụ̀ large crowd

igwun

louse

igwu akwà cloth-louse

igwu isī head-louse

igwùn

palm-fronds

-kpà igwù prepare palm-fronds

ìgwùlùbè, ìgùlùbèn

locust

ijèn

journey Nwayọ̀ọ̀ bụ̀ ijè slow and steady wins the race (lit. gentleness is the journey)

-buni ijè start on a journey

ijè ọma farewell!

-pụ̀ ijè go on tour; travel

-ranyè ijè pick one’s way; move on slowly; step; toddle

-sètịpụ̀ ijè embark or continue on a journey

onye ijè traveller

ìjelè 1. [=ìjerè]n

soldier ant (cf. elùuluū, the more typical Onitsha word)

ìjelè2n

a graceful masquerade with a very large complex mask

ìjèlèn

small round jingling metal bells worn while dancing; strung bells

ijīn

annual flooding of the Niger (contrast idèì). The signs of the flood are: 1. àtịtā, loud bubbles in the river 2. Àkèle nà-àkpọ ijī The akele (frog) is calling the flood 3. Mmilī nà-erùghalị āzụ The water is flowing backwards (i.e. becomes sluggish)

ijījin

fly; housefly

iken

strength; authority; force; power B. stinginess C. force; violence: Ezè afụ̀ jì aka ikē wèlu àchị ndi òbòdò ya The chief enforces rigid discipline in his town B. axe

ike ọ̄gwụgwụ fatigue; tiredness; exhaustion

aka ikē A. rigid discipline

anya ikē A. boldness; greed; fearlessness

àrụ ikē health

-fiedosi ike tighten

-gwụ ike tire; make weary, tired; sap energy (lit. finish energy)

ife ikē violence

isi ikē rebellion

onye isi ikē a rebel

jè si ikē salutation to one starting on a journey

-kedosi ike tighten

-kwàsi ike push firmly

-kwusi ike speak strongly or loudly

-kwụsị ike stand firm

-lụsi ike work hard, energetically

-me isi ikē be headstrong

-me n’ike do violently, forcibly

ǹga ọlụ ikē imprisonment with hard labour

-nwe ike be capable, strong, able

enwē ike strengthless; a weakling

obì ikē hardheartedness, relentlessness

ọ̀chịchị aka ikē tyranny

-si ike be strong, hard, difficult

ikèn

bottom; hinder part; buttock(s); anus; rectum

ikè mmānya dregs

ikèìn

old man; old

ndị ikèì the elders

ìkekelen

used in:

-ta ìkekele ezē grind teeth

ike kwọ, ike kwe perhaps: Ike kwọ agà m̀ àbịa Perhaps I will come

ìkelen

used in:

ọ̀kpa ìkele groundnut

ikèliken

crumbs; fragments

ikèlike ākwa eggshell

ikèlike ọkụ̄ spark

Ìkeǹgà1n

personification of the strength of a man’s right hand, symbolizing success; image representing Ìkeǹgà personal to a man and split at his funeral

aka ìkeǹgà right hand

ìkeǹgà2n

jar for storing palm wine

ìkeǹgà3n

used in:

ìkeǹgà elùuluū giant ants, with very big heads, seen among smaller ones

ikènyè, ikènyàn

grown men; elders; principal men

ìkìkèn

used in:

ọ̀kụkụ̄ ìkìkè small fowl; pullet

ìkilin

joint used in:

ìkili akā elbow

ìkili ezē part of jaw near molar

ìkili ụkwụ̄ heel

ìkitin

used in:

ìkiti ụkwụ̄ (sound of) footstep

ikōn

fish-trap

ìkon

cup; drinking vessel

èlèle īko èlèlè boiled in tins (e.g. milk tins) instead of being wrapped in leaves

nju ìko cupful

ikòlò, ukòlòn

wooden drum, played on great occasions, e.g. when a great man dies, or as an alarm for war: Nwaànyị̀ adị̄ àgba ukòlò Women cannot dance to the ikòlò (because only men who have killed can dance to it)

ìkolobị̀àn

see òkolo

ìkòm̀n

male (opp. of ìnyòm̀)

ndị ìkòm̀ males; men

ìkù, ǹkùn

eyebrow (also ìkù anyā)

ìkùkùn

breeze; wind; gale

ìkùku ọgbarụ̀ south wind; breeze from down-river

ikpen

judgement

ikpe kwụ̄ ọtọ justice: Ezè afụ̀ kpèlụ̀ ikpe kwụ̄ ọtọ The king administered justice

-chi ikpe complain; make complaint

-kè ikpe give judgement

-ma ikpe condemn: A màlụ̀ ya ikpe orī He was found guilty of stealing

àmàm̀ikpe condemnation, conviction (in case)

onye ikpē judge

ụnọ̀ ikpē court of law

ìkpèn

slander; bad things said about one with exaggeration or untruth

ìkpe āzụ

see -kpè + 1.

ikpèlèn

knee

-gbu ikpèlè kneel

ìkpelen

edge; border; bank

ìkpele mmīli bank of the river

ikpon

collection, set (of things); large crowd (of people) (contrast mkpụ̀)

ikpo afịfịa rubbish-heap

ikpo akwụkwọ set of books

ikpo mmadụ̀ large crowd of people

ìkpon

square bronze bell

m̀mụọ̄ īkpo masquerade covered with ìkpo

ìkpò1n

tall coarse tufted grass. Andropogon spp.

ìkpò2n

see ùkpò

ìkpoòkpòn

general name for cichlid fish, Tilapia and Hemichromis genera, and extended to similar fish

ìkpoòkpo àgù Tilapia galilaea

ìkpoòkpò akasa Tilapia nilotica

ìkpoòkpò nkọ̄lọ Cichlidae tenopoma kingsleyae

ìkpoòkpò ọnụ Hemichromis fasciatus

ogonogo

ìkpoòkpò ụnọ̀ dị mmā Tilapia aurea

ikpùn

hairy part in front of genitals of either sex; vulva

ìkpulūn

worm; maggot

ikwèn

mortar

ikwun

relative (general term): Ọ kpọ̀ ndị ikwū ya He summoned his relatives

ikwu nà ànyị our people

ikwu nà ibè relatives and neighbours; kinsfolk and friends

ikwu nnē the home quarter of one’s mother

ikwuùn

used in:

ụnọ̀ ikwuù moveable house; tent; booth

ilen

tongue

ile nkitā Laportea aestrans (Urticaceae)

ile ọkụ̄ flame; spark; hot part of fire

-de n’ile taste

ekike ilē string of the tongue

-gwọ̀ ile clip words

-lapụ̀ta ile put out the tongue

ìlèn

power; potency; effectiveness (of thing): Ọgụ̄ à dị̀ ìlè This medicine is powerful

ìlinum

ten

ilìilì [ilighn

splinter

ìlì]

ìlìlòn

weed

ilon

enmity

-dị n’ilo be enemies Fâ dị̀ n’ilo They are enemies: Mụ nà Òbi dị̀ n’ilo Obi and myself are enemies

onye ilō enemy; person bearing malice towards one

ìlon

outside; compound outside walls (= èzi amā, contrast m̀bala ēzi); area in village not occupied by houses (includes but is wider than èzi)

-bọ ìlo clear the village square

èzi īlo precincts of a house

n’ìlo outside; without

okpolo īlo road, street (esp. in town)

-pụ̀ ìlo go out; go for a stroll

-pụ̀ n’ìlo go outside (and stay)

ìlòlò1n

deep thought (on a problem)

-lo ìlìlò, ìlòlò think

ọ̀ka ìlòlò adviser; counsellor

ìlòlò2n

used in:

ọnụ ìlòlò gutter; drain

imēn

A. inside; interior B. out of (a number) B. pregnancy

imelìme interior; inmost part

imelìme ụnọ̀ an inner room

ime ōbi name given to interior of the palace where the king mostly stays

ime ụnọ̀ room

n’imē A. inside; in; within:

n’ime ụnọ̀ inside the house

ime ọ̀pụ̀pụ̀, ọ̀pụ̀pụ̀ imē miscarriage

afọ imē pregnancy (lit. pregnant abdomen)

-bu afọ imē be pregnant (lit. carry pregnant abdomen)

-dị imē be pregnant: Ọ dị̀ imē She is pregnant: Ọ dị̀ ime ọnwa ị̄tọ She is three months pregnant Proverb: Echî dị̀ imē Nobody knows tomorrow (lit. tomorrow is pregnant)

-gbakwo imē abort; miscarry

-gbakwopụ̀ imē abort; miscarry

-ke imē cause abortion

-me imē be in labour; travail

nwaànyị̀ imē pregnant woman

-tụba imē impregnate: Ọjị̀ gà-àtụba gị̄ imē ọ bụlụ nà ị kpāchàpụ̀rọ̀ anya Ọjị will get you pregnant if you are not careful

-tụ imē become pregnant; be pregnant

-tụlụ imē become pregnant; become pregnant illegitimately and accidentally (e.g. of girl in school): Àda m̄ nọ̄ n’ụnọ̀ akwụkwọ àkwụsigo akwụkwọ màkà nà ọ tụ̄lụgo imē My first daughter who has been in school has stopped schooling because she has become pregnant (‘illegitimately’ implied)

ìmejūn

liver

ìmèliìmèn

much; plenty; a large number: Ìmèliìme mmādụ̀ bị̀àlụ̀ ebe à A great crowd of people came here

imin

nose; mucus (of nose)

imi mpị̄a nose partly or wholly destroyed by disease; depressed nostril

-mapụ̀ imi blow the nose

oghele imī nostril

-su imi wrinkle nose in direction of person in disdain (usually not allowing the victim to know, but allowing others around to know)

-te imi rub, coat, with mucus

-zì imi blow the nose

ìmìlìkitin

many

imùlimun

tiny, minute size: O kpùtè imùlimu ajā He brought some fine sand

inìn

grave; burial place (from -nì bury (corpse)): O sīgo n’inì kùnie He has risen from the dead

inì ozū cemetery; burial ground; burial place

ìnìnèn

green leaf vegetable, ‘green amaranth’ (Amaranthus hybridus Linn.

ìnìne m̀gbolokō variety of Amaranthus hybridus

ìnìne m̄mee wild or green amaranth (Amaranthus lividus Linn. and A. viridis Linn.)

ìnìnè ogwū spring or prickly Amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus Linn.)

inu1n

bitterness (of taste)

-nu inu be bitter: Ọgwụ̄ ǹkaà nà-ènu inū This drug is bitter

inu2n

proverb; parable; riddle: Inu bụ̀ m̀manụ e jì èsuli okwū Proverbs are the oil for eating speech

-kọwa inu interpret a proverb or parable

-nù inu propound riddle, proverb

-tụ inu speak proverb, parable

ìnyègèn

appearance of something not seen clearly, either because of darkness or dazzling light

-fụ ìnyègè see faintly

-gbu ìnyège ìnyègè glisten (as water or glass in sun): Ọ dị̀ ìnyègè, ogè ọ fụ̀lụ̀ ya It was very faint when he saw it

inyègeèn

fish (Alestes baremose)

ìnyemèn

wives (plural of nwunyè)

-chị ìnyemè marry a number of wives

inyin

dirt(iness)

-lu inyi be dirty, filthy: O lù inyi It is dirty

ìnyon

foolishness

okwu īnyo foolish talk

ìnyòm̀n

female (opp. of ìkòm̀)

ndị ìnyòm̀ women; females

ìpètèn

moonfish; a general name for fish of the genus Citharinus

ìpètè arịlị Citharinus distichoides

ìpètè erìrì Citharinus latus

ìpon

fish (Alestes nurse)

ìpo ànwàlị̀ (= fish (Alestes leuciscus and Alestes macrolepidotus)

ànwàlị̀)

ìpopon

(also ìpopo osisi) sapling (= opòpò)

iròn

story told in song; fable

akụkọ irò fable; myth

irun

A. face; front; forward part B. sky B. personal name B. cult of the face, symbolizing one’s commanding personality and influence, symbolized by a wooden chalice

iru akā fore-arm

iru anyanwụ̄ A. sun

iru ifelē modesty; blushing

iru igwē weather; sky

iru mmà edge (of a knife)

iru naàbọ̀ hypocrite; hypocrisy (lit. with double face): Nwokē afụ̀ bụ̀ onye iru naàbọ̀ That man is a hypocrite

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

iru nà iru face to face

iru ọcha cheerfulness; Ọ bụ̀ mmadụ̀ iru ọcha He is a cheerful person

iru ọjọọ̄ bad omen

iru ọma favour; goodness; good omen

-bo iru stare at

-chagha(lị) iru sulk

-che iru be opposite

-chelịta iru face; direct gaze against, towards

-che n’iru present; place before

-do iru face; turn face to incline towards

egedege irū, forehead

egenege irū

-fo iru be open, clear, spacious

-gabulu n’iru go before

-ga n’iru go forward; go in front; progress; be progressive

ọ̀gàniiru progress

-gò iru be coy; hesitate to grant a request which one actually wants to grant

-gbadùba iru frown, scowl; make sour face; grimace

-gbalụ̀ iru sulk; scowl; lower (of sky)

-gbasà iru look cheerful; smile

-ghakpù iru turn upside down; lie face downwards

-je n’iru go forward; go in front

-kpù iru upset; overturn; turn upside down

-menye ifele n’iru mkpọchi n’iru abash (lit. bring shame to one’s face) anything fastened on forehead or in front

m̀kpọniiru anything fastened on forehead or in front of (something)

n’iru forward; before (of place)

n’iru ọ̀rà in public; publicly

ǹkè irū kà A. that to come is greater

ǹkù irū forehead

-nye iru face

obodobo irū broad face

ọ̀dị̀niiru that which is to come

ìrùrù m̀manụn

water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes Linn.)

ìse1num

five

ife īse, ife neesè five things

ìli nà ìse fifteen

ìse2int

So be it! Amen! (Ẹdo (Bini))

isin

head; chief; sense; meaning; issue B. know by heart B. (fig.) empty-headedness; foolishness B. ringworm of the head (tinea capitis): Ọ̀kpụ īsi adị̄rọ n’isi m̄ There is no ringworm on my scalp

isi akā thumb

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

isi awelē good luck

isi awọ̄ grey hair

isi egō unit of six cowries (= èkpète)

isi ikē stubbornness; bad luck: O nwèlụ̀ isi ike She has bad luck

isi mbido beginning: A mà m isi mbido okwū I know the beginning of the case

isi mmīli source of a stream or river

isi na ọdụ̀ (lit. head and tail) substance, meaning (esp. of speech)

isi njedebe end, finish: Ànyị èlugo n’isi njedebe òbòdò afụ̀ We have reached the end of that town

isi nkwọcha baldness: O nwè isi nkwọcha He is bald

Isi Ōji Africa; Africans; Black race

Ndi Isi Ōji the Africans

Òbòdò Isi Ōji Africa

isi okwū meaning of a word or speech: Ife o kwùlù enwērọ isi What he said makes no sense

isi ọjọọ̄ bad luck

isi ọma good luck

isi ọ̄wụwa headache; fever

isi ọ̀zàlà edge of grassland, wilderness

isi ụkwụ̄ big toe

isi ụ̄tabà head of tobacco

ajọ̄ isi ill luck

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

ànị̀ isī skull of head

-bìkwàsị aka n’isi -bù isi confirm (in church confirmation) be horrible; be horrified

-bulu n’isi undertake

-bu n’isi A. be youthful, in one’s prime

-bụgodu isi be first, in the first place

-bụ isi be first, in the first place

-cha isi awọ̄ turn grey (of originally black hair)

-dụ isi swear one’s innocence by a deity

ejù isī top of skull

enwē isi useless

-fufè isi shake the head

-gbacha isi trim the hair (of head)

igwu isī head-louse

ị̀chàfụ̀ isī head-tie

-kọcha isi shave

-kọ isi shave; barb

-kpàcha isi crop, barb, shave hair

-kpà isi plait hair

-kpocha isi cut hair (of head) very low (lit. gather and remove)

-kwàkọ isi nà isi set people at loggerheads

-kwe n’isi nod the head

-me isi ikē be headstrong

-na akwụkwọ isī ndi isī pay tax chiefs; headmen

nkonko isī the skull

ntùtù isī hair of head

-nụpụ̀ isī be disobedient; rebel; revolt

-nwe isi be reasonable; be successful, fruitful

-nwe isi akwụkwọ -nwe isi awelē be brainy, brilliant (at studies) be lucky; have good luck

-nyà isi boast

ofili isī pillow

okpokolo isī A. skull, cranium

onye isī head; chief; champion; leader

onye isi ọ̀chịchị head of state: Yâ bụ̀ onye isi ọ̀chịchị ndi Fraǹs He is the Head of State of France

òsusu isī lock, coil of hair

òti īsi headache (lit. head-knocker)

òwu isī black cotton thread used by women for plaiting the hair

ọkị̀lị m̄gbawa īsi ọ̀kọ īsi very severe chronic headache (= ọyà isī) barber

ọ̀kpụ īsi A. shaver; barber

ọ̀kpụ īsi elī ngo ringworm of the head (tinea capitis) (lit. barber who receives no pay)

ọyà isī chronic severe headache (= ọkị̀lị m̄gbawa īsi)

-pionye isi push the head in through small opening

-ra isi comb (hair of head)

-rube isi incline the head; obey; submit; be loyal to; give respect to

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

-ti isi butt, knock with head (like fighting man)

isìn

scent; smell

-ma isì smell

-nụ isì smell; scent

ìsìn

blindness

-kpù ìsì be blind

ndi ìsì blind people

-sọ ìsì walk as though blind

ìsiìnum

six

isòn

pillar of house

ukwù isò base of a pillar of house; pillar of house

ìtèn

pot B. metal cooking tripod

ìtè Agbāja very large pot which can hold some 40 gallons of wine for feasting

ìtè alụ̄sị charm for protecting the family, kept inside the shrine

ìtè mmānya pot for wine

ìtè mmīli water pot

ìtè ofē soup pot

ìtè ọkụ̄ lamp (= ùtùkpè)

ibelibe ìtè potsherd

òsi ìtè A. cook

ọ̀kpụ ìtè potter

-si ìtè cook; boil

ìteghete

see teghete

ìtènaānịnum

nine (cf. teghete)

itìn

wine from base of crown of nkwụ

ìtìn

(slang) novice, beginner (at a game, etc.)

iwen

anger

iwe obì ill-nature; malice

-chekwa iwe bear malice

-dị iwe annoy: Ife o mèlụ̀ dị̀ m̀ iwe What he did annoys me

ife iwē annoying thing

-kpani iwe provoke to anger

-kpasu iwe provoke to anger; annoy

mkpasu iwē spite; provocation

-sụ̀ iwe sulk

-we iwe be annoyed, angry

-wewụsa iwe be annoyed, angry against

mwewụsa iwē anger, vexation (with a person, etc.)

ìwòlòn

peeled-off skin, slough, of snake

ìwun

law

akwụkwọ īwu law book

-dị n’ìwu be forbidden, illegal, forbidden by law

-mà ìwu make, enact law

-mebì ìwu commit crime, offence; break law; sin

-ti ìwu make, enact law

-wu ìwu make law

ìyàjin

dyed cloth

ìyèlin

earring

iyī1n

A. oath; spirit on which oath is sworn B. stone or any other article used in oath-taking C. swearing at (someone); abuse; insult; curse

-do iyī place object(s) like charm or something obnoxious on property in the belief that the charm will bring evil on a person who defies the charm and steals the property; protect an object by a fetish

-gba iyī bind with an oath; adjure

-ŋụ iyī take an oath

ọ̀ŋụŋụ iyī oath-taking

-kpọ̀ iyī curse; call on oath; abuse: Ọ kpọ̀ m̀ iyī He abused me

iyī2n

water springing from rock; spring; stream

agụ iyī crocodile

-chu iyī go to a spring or stream to draw water

iyìn

loss; waste; destruction

-na n’iyì be useless:

ọ nà n’iyì He’s no use: Afịa ọ jè nà n’iyì The trade he did was a loss

izìzìn

sharpness, tartness (to taste)

-li izìzì tickle: Ọ nà-èli izìzì n’ọnụ̄ It is sour to his taste

ìzìzìn

the first; the beginning

n’ìzìzì at first

ǹke ìzìzì first

izùn

week

izù afị̄a market week of 4 days

izù ụkà week of 7 days (i.e. of church)

kwà izù weekly

ǹkwe ìzù one Igbo week; period of 4 days

afịa n̄kwe ìzù weekly market (Igbo week)

ìzùn

meeting; council; consultation; plot

ìzu n̄zuzo secret plot

-gba ìzù take counsel together; whisper: Kà ànyị je gba ìzù Let us go and have a consultation

-gbakpò ìzù plot secretly against someone

-gbakpọ ìzù consult well about a matter

-kpọ ìzù call a meeting