Lexicon · 186 entries

M

mpron

(independent; 1st person singular; cf. e-/a-...m) I; me; my: Ọ kpọ̀lụ̀ m He called me:

Kà m je Let me go:

aka m̄ my hand

-ma1v

know; be familiar with; know how (to do something): Àmà m? Do I know? Ị̀ mà ebe o sì bịa? Do you know where he comes from? Ànyị amārọ ànị̀ We (as strangers) don’t know this place: Ọ mààlụ̀ anyà ụgbọ He drives well: Ị̀ mààlụ̀ àgụ akwụkwọ? Can you read?: Ọ̀ marọ̄ ède ifē He doesn’t know how to write: Ọ̀ marọ̄ ǹke bụ̀ aka nnī nà aka èkpè He doesn’t know his left from his right B. title-name for masquerade

ọ̀mụma knowing; knowledge

-ma akwụkwọ be literate, brainy

-ma amụma prophesy; foretell

-ma anya be familiar with; attract; be good at doing something: Nni m mààlụ̀ anya yā bụ̀ ji My usual food is yam: Ọ mààlụ̀ anya akwà He’s a good judge of cloth

-ma àrụ become customary/habitual to: Ịtēta ụla n’elekele īse ụtụtụ̀ àmalụgo m̄ arụ I have become used to waking up at five o’clock in the morning

-machasịlị know well

-ma ife have sense; be wise

-ma isì smell

-ma ìzù be prudent: Ọ mààlụ̀ ìzù He’s prudent

-malụ afà be well-known, important: Nwoke afụ̀ bụ̀ onye a màlụ̀ afà ya The man is well-known

-malụ aka be friendly, familiar with

-ma nnwokē not to be in state of virginity (of woman) (lit. know a man): Nwatà nwaànyị̀ afụ̀ akā àmarọ nwokē The young girl has not known a man

-ma obì know one’s own mind: Ọ̀ marọ̄ obì ya He doesn’t know his own mind, or, He’s fickle

-ma ọ̀gọ̀ be grateful, polite, well-behaved, modest, courteous: Ọ dị̄ àma ọ̀gọ̀ He is not usually grateful

-mata understand: Ị̀ màtàlụ̀ ife m kwùlù? Do you understand what I said?

-ma ụ̀ma intend; act wilfully, knowingly, deliberately: Ọ mà ụ̀ma wèe me yā She did it on purpose

-ma ụ̀nọ̀ be tame, domesticated (of animal)

-mazi direct; explain to (e.g. a way of doing something): Anà m̀ èje ịyọ̄ Ibè kà ọ mazielụ m̄ etu m gà-èsi je nnukwu ụnọ̀ ọgwụ̄ dị̄ n’Ìbàdàn a nà-àkpọ UCH ghàlụ ifù ụzọ̀ I am going to beg Ibe to direct me as to how to reach the big hospital at Ibadan called UCH without missing the way

-mazù know all; understand fully

adị̄ àma āma perhaps; maybe; in case of

amā (negative form), used in many negative noun phrases, e.g.:

amā ama/ife ignorance: Ife o jì dàa nnene akwụkwọ bụ̀ amā ama What made him fail the examination was ignorance: Amā ama adị̄ ègbu amà àmà Something you don’t know of won’t kill you

amā ndị a nà-ezè amā nnà failure to know the people to be avoided lack of respect for father: Jọǹ bụ̀ amā nnà John does not respect his father

amā oku ọnụ̄ inability to express oneself freely; inarticulateness

amā onwe senselessness; unconsciousness

amā ọ̀gọ̀ ingratitude; ungrateful person

amā uchē Chukwu amā ụma, inability to understand God’s ways mistakenly

amānụma

Àmà-àma-amāsị- amasị A. one known but never fully (praise-name of God)

àmàm̀ife knowledge; wisdom

oke àmàm̀ife great wisdom

-ma2v

A. jump B. shake

-ma ama hop

-mafè leap over

-mafù obì take the breath away

-magolu ànyị̀nyà -maghalị mount a horse jump about

-mani enū leap, jump

-ma n’ọnyà be caught in a trap

-maghalị shake (a vessel containing liquid)

-ma lìlì shiver

-marùbe shake; move

ànị̀ mmarùbe earthquake

ànị ọ̄ma jìjìjì earthquake

(àrụ) -ma nni tremble

-ma +3v

stab; throw; pierce; stick in

-maghalị throw about

-ma mmà pierce, strike with sword, matchet; stab: Màa yā mmà! Stab him!

-manye attack with violence; force; persecute; assault

-ma osisi plant a live stick, slip or cutting

-ma ọ̀la slap

-mapu pierce (with knife, spear, etc.)

-mapụ̀ ostracise

mmapụ̀ ostracism

-mapụ̀ imi blow the nose

-ma ubè pierce with a spear

-ma ụ̀la, ọ̀la slap the face with the open hand

-ma4v

A. mould B. stick together; stick to; compress together; pile up

-makọ compress together

-ma mkpūlu make an earthbed, mound

-ma òkpokō mould large morsel of pounded food (idiomatic)

-ma òkpoko ụtàlà ọ̀mụma ụnọ̄ īkwuù mould large morsel of pounded fufu encampment

-ma àbụ̀bà be fatty, plumpy

-mado stick; be sticky

-ma èbù become mouldy

-makụ̀ embrace

-makụ̀do stick; stick to

-makpù lie on the stomach

-dinà mmakpụ̀ lie on the stomach

-ma +5v.:

Ọ māka! Good! It is very good, beautiful!

-ma mmā be good; be beautiful, handsome: Nnwatà nwokē afụ̀ màlụ̀ oke mmā The young man is very handsome

ọ̀fụma well

-ma6v

beat (of rain and sun)

-madè be beaten by rain to the skin (of humans); be beaten soggy by rain (of articles)

-malì àmalì be drenched thoroughly

-ma7v

wrap; tie

ọ̀mụma wrapping

-ma akwà wear, tie wrapper; be dressed in wrapper (cf. -mà ọ̀gọ̀dọ̀)

-makwụ tie

-ma ọ̀gọ̀dọ̀ = -ma akwà wear, tie wrapper, be dressed in wrapper

akwā ọ̄mụma blanket; wrapper

-ma +8v

announce

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

-ma ikpe condemn; be condemned: A màlụ̀ yà ikpe He was condemned

àmàm̀ikpe condemnation, conviction (in case)

-ma ìwu make, enact law

-ma ọkwà announce; give public notice

-ma9v

rub; press

-malà rub; stroke; soothe; massage

-makụ̀ bring near

-makụ̀ta clasp to body

-malụ̀ obì soothe the heart

-ma mmilī press sprain, etc., with cloth dipped in hot water

-ma +10v.:

-ma ọsọ̀ suck the teeth (in contempt, etc.)

-ma11v.:

(agwa) -ma miss

(agwa)ụnọ̀) -ma be homesick Agwa ụnọ̀ nà-àma m̄ I am homesick

-ma12aux. v

marks the future negative tenses: Chikē amā-abịa Chike will not come (future negative): Chikē amā na-ègo jī Chike will not be (habitually) buying yams (future progressive negative, used in main clauses, cf. - ga 3.): Chikē amā egogo jī Chike will/must not have bought yams (future perfect negative): Chikē amā na-ègogo jī Chikē will not have been (habitually) buying yams/Chike can’t have been buying yams (future progressive perfect negative)

màconj

but; if; whether: Jụ̀a nnwokē afụ̀ mà ọ̀ gà-àbịa echī Ask the man whether he will come tomorrow

màkà on account of; lest; concerning; for; for the sake of; because: Kèdụ màkà gị nwà? And how about you?

màkà gịnị̄ why? because of what?

màkà ifì for the sake of; because of

màkà nà because; for; since

màkà ya therefore; consequently

mà ... mà both ... and:

mà ji mà ọkà both yam and maize (= kà ... kà)

mà ǹcha not at all; none (used with negative): Àrụ esògbugo m̄ ọnwa īsiì; kịtāà, ènwerọ̄ m egō mà ǹcha I have been ill for six months; now, I have no money at all (implying ‘not even a kobo’)

mà ọ̀ bụ̀ either; or; neither - nor: Achọ̀lụ̀ m̀ onye ēnyemaka mà ọ̀ bụ̀ nwokē mà ọ̀ bụ̀ nwaànyị̀ I need a helper, man or woman: Zụ̀ta ewu mà ọ̀ bụ̀ atụlụ̄ Buy a goat or a sheep

-màv

measure (a quantity, e.g. salt or beans with cup, etc.)

-màta buy (something measured)

maàzịn

mister (of Ndizụọ̀gụ̀ origin)

-ma-jiv

fold over; double

mmaji folding; doubling

mmaji naàbọ̀ two-fold

màkà

see mà 1.

màlàmàlàn

glittering quality

-gbu màlàmàlà glitter

-nwu màlàmàlà be dazzling

mangòlòn

mango (Mangifera indica Linn.) (< H.)

mbà1n

nation; tribe; (another person’s) town: Òje m̀bà enwē ilo A traveller rarely has enemies: ndị mbā ānyị people of our nation: Kà m je mbà Let me go to another town

enyi mbà ‘Elephant people’ (referring to the Igbo)

mbà!2int

no! (emphatic) (cf. èe è)

m̀ba1n

scolding; bluster; bitter complaining

-ba m̀ba scold; rebuke; "howl": Ọ nà-àbalụ yā mba She is scolding her: Àda ètiwago ìtè, nne ānyị gà-àba m̄ba ogè ọ nàtàlụ̀ Ada has broken a pot; mother will complain when she returns

m̀ba2n

cat

nwa m̄ba cat (cf. nwa ōnogbò)

m̀bàn

extreme tiredness; exhaustion; faintness

-dà m̀bà be very tired and exhausted; be tired by a task to the extent that one can no longer go on with it; be worn out

Proverb

Ugwu kà a gà-àlị The hill, we shall climb M̀bà kà a gà-adà Faintness, we shall feel (This short proverbial expression is used when facing a difficult task which cannot be avoided.)

mbachan

peelings (of yam, etc.) (from -ba-cha peel)

mbadamban

flatness

m̀balan

outside: Pụ̀a m̄bala Go outside

m̀bala ēzi compound inside walls (contrast ìlo)

m̀balān

A. spaciousness; roominess; wideness B. compound; pack; open space in town

-dị m̀balā be spacious, wide: Ebe à dị̀ m̀balā This place is spacious

-sa m̀balā be wide: Afele à sà m̀balā This plate is wide

m̀bàlan

kind of edible frog with long hind legs

m̀bàzụ̀n

tool for digging

mbè

see mbèkwù

m̀be1n

pledge; security

m̀be2n

Pygmy Mouse (Mus minutoides)

m̀bè1n

small calabash for measuring salt

m̀bè2n

used in:

m̀bè n’ukwù skirt; native skirt worn as underwear

mbèbèlèn

used in:

mbèbèlè anyā eyelid

mbèkwù, mbèn

tortoise (male)

nkekele mbè tortoise shell

okpulukpu mbè tortoise shell

m̀bèlèden

suddenness; Ọ bị̀àkwùtè m̀ nà m̀bèlède He came to me suddenly:

ife m̀bèlède chance; accident

m̀bèm̀bèn

small black edible fruit of ilighìlì

m̀bìn

used in:

-ru m̀bì lie in wait; set an ambush

m̀bìbìn

borrowing (-bì 3. borrow)

-gba m̀bìbì borrow; go about borrowing: Ogè niīne kà ọ nà-àgba m̀bìbì egō He always goes about borrowing money

mbìdon

pressing; repressing (-bìdo press)

mbìgbọn

scolding; storming; uproar

m̀bị̀àm̀bịan

stranger; squatter

mbọn

nail (of toe or finger); claw

-dọ mbọ tear with nails

-gà mbọ scratch with nails

-gba mbọ pare nails

-rọ mbọ pinch, scratch with nails

-tụ̀ mbọ pinch with fingernails

mbọ̀1n

revenge

-bọ̀ mbọ̀ seek revenge with blood: Ànyị jèkọ̀ ịbọ̀ mbọ̀ We are going to take revenge

mbọ̀2n

effort; struggle; industry; enterprise

-gba mbọ̀ strive; attempt; try hard; persist; be enterprising, industrious

mbọ̀chan

curiosity; inquisitiveness (-bọ̀cha)

mbọ̀sị̀

see ụbọ̀sị̀

m̀bùm̀bun

bogeyman (a creature that will carry bad children away) (= ǹtaǹta)

m̀bụn

one (in counting only); (the) first: Èkê bụ̀ onye ǹke m̄bụ Eke is in the first place

ife m̄bụ the first thing

ogē m̄bụ at first; initially

ụbọ̀sị m̄bụ the first day: Taà bụ̀ ụbọ̀sị m̄bụ n’ọnwa Today is the first day of the month

mbụ̀bọ̀n

peel (of fruit)

-mev

do; act; make; happen; cause

òmume doing; acting; making; happening; Ọ̀ gịnị̄ mèlụ̀ ya? What has happened to him?

-me àgadī be old, decrepit

-me àgbọọ̀ do as, be a young woman

-me àghalā be troublesome, rascally

-me àkàjè humiliate; disgrace

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

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

-me ànwàǹsị̀ conjure; perform magic

-me anya ụlā be drowsy

-me arị̀ma make a sign, signal

-me àsalà be polite

-mebe prepare; make (ready)

-mebì keep in disorder; spoil: O mebì ife à nụnwà He spoilt this very thing: Ajọ ụ̄kpa nà-èmebì nnwatà Bad influences spoil a child

mmebì mess; spoiling; ruin

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

mmebī īwu crime

-mecha imi wipe the nose

-mechi shut, close (eye, mouth, window, door, book); close down: O mèchì ụzọ̀ He shut the door: Àyị èmechigo ọ̀zụzụ afịa āyi We have wound up our business

-mechi ọnụ̄ hush; shut up

-mechite close door behind one: O mèchìtè ụzọ̀ He shut the door behind himself

-me èbelè take pity on; be sorry for; have mercy on: Èbelè yâ mèlụ̀ m I am full of pity for him

-me èbùbè beautify; decorate: O mèlụ̀ akwà afụ̀ èbùbè He decorated the cloth

-mefìè do wrong; sin

mmefìè crime; transgression; wrongdoing

-mefù spend lavishly; waste

-megide, -mejide -megbu act against oppress; ill-treat

mmegbu oppression

-meghalị move round; stir; shake

-meghe open (eye, window, door) (cf. -sàghe)

-meghèli anya confuse

-meghepụ̀, -mepụ̀ -megwalụ undo; loose; unfasten; open take revenge

-me ifelē put to shame

-me imē be in labour; travail

-me isi ikē be headstrong

-mejọ injure

mmejọ injury

-meju fill

-mekà àrụ trouble; bother

-mekàta, -mekata -mekọ do for a long time act together; have intercourse with; fraternise with

mmekọ companionship; partnership; intercourse

-mekọta happen together: Ife naàbọ̀ afụ̀ mèkọ̀tàlụ̀ The two events were simultaneous

-me be cranky and noisy (refers esp. to noise made by an old

kpakalakpakala bicycle)

-me kpukpulukpu -mekwàsị become stiff, firm repeat (action)

-mekwọlụ take revenge

-me kwùlìkwùlì behave like a harmless madman

-mekwulu return; do in return; take revenge

-meli overcome (person); win: Ọọ̄ mụ nwà mèlìlì n’ọsọ afụ̀ It was I that won the race

mmeli victory

abụ̀ mmeli song of victory

-melụ defile; do a forbidden thing: Fâ mèlụ̀lụ̀ ụnọ̀ ụkà They desecrated the church

-melụ àrụ hurt; wound: Emèlụ̀ m̀ àrụ I hurt myself

-me mgbagọ̀ be bent, crooked, curved

-me mgbagha dispute

-me mgbalị̀ be slender, slim

-me mgbanwè be changed

-me mpàko be proud, pompous, arrogant, aloof

-meni stir up

-me n’ike do violently, forcibly

-me nkwà keep, fulfil a promise

-me nni be fertile (of land)

-me n’ogè be punctual; do something in good time

-me nsọ break a prohibition; do a forbidden thing

-me ntado be tight (e.g. as undersized shirt, etc.)

-me ntiwa be broken

-me nzofù hide away; become perpetually hidden

-menye ifelē n’iru make ashamed of oneself (lit. bring shame to one’s face): Ifelē mèlù onye àbànị̀dị̀egwu afụ̀ m̀gbè a kpụ̀tàlụ̀ ya n’ụnọ̀ ikpē The robber was ashamed of himself when he was brought before the court

-menyụ extinguish

-me okènyè be aged, elderly, old

-me okolobị̀à do as, be a young man

-me ọ̀gọ̀ be kind to; do a kindness to

-me ọ̀zọ repeat; do again

-mesì counteract pain of

-mesì ọnya dress a fresh wound

-mesị finish

-mesò deal with; treat; do to

-meta be exact; imitate correctly

-mete rouse

-mete n’ụla waken; rouse from sleep: Jèe mètee Ndụ̀ nụụla Go and rouse Ndụ from sleep

-metọ̀ spoil; defile

mmetọ̀ defilement; dishonour; disgrace

-metụ touch

-metụ aka touch lightly: O mètụ̀ m~ aka He touched me (with the hand)

-me ụŋàlà make noise with mouth or horn (esp. to attract attention)

-mezi correct; repair: Mèzie ife m̄ mebìlụ̀ Correct my mistakes!

akâ mèlụ̀ illicit gin (lit. made by hand)

Ànị̀èmeka male name (lit. The land has done very well)

emē eme something that is not done

e mekàta after a while

e mesia afterwards

ọmā koòmè = ọmā ka ò mè however it may be

-pụ̀ imē be able to do

apụ̀ imē inability to do; impossibility

mèlịm̄pụn

of no consequence: Onye à bụ̀ mèlịm̄pụ This person is of no consequence

m̀fen

lightness; ease

àrụ m̄fe good health; activity

-dị m̀fe be light: Ọ dị̀ m̀fe It is light

-gba m̀fe be light: Ọ gbà m̀fe It is light

mfùn

loss (-fù lose)

mfụ̀kọn

used in:

mfụ̀kọ akwà crease

mgban

used in:

mgba akā, m̀gbà akā ring

mgbān

wax; glue

m̀gban

wrestling (-gba 1.E. wrestle) B. convulsions (because the child suffering a convulsive attack behaves like a person who is wrestling, in this case with an unseen wrestler)

m̀gba n’ọ̀gụ̀ strife; conflict

di m̄gba A. wrestler

-gba m̀gba struggle; wrestle

ọ̀gba m̄gba wrestler

-yọ m̀gba challenge to a wrestling contest

m̀gbà +1n

used in:

m̀gbà arọ̀ a year

m̀gbà2

see mgba

m̀gbaàjàlàn

whip

mgbàchin

stopping of a gap; blocking; counteracting; thwarting; interposition

mgbadàn

level ground, as opposed to a hill

m̀gbàdàn

Maxwell’s duiker

mgbafịlịn

small type of yam which cannot be replanted but only eaten (= m̀kpụlụ̀)

mgbagọ̀n

state of being bent

mgbaghàlụn

forgiveness

mgbakan

sour, tart taste (as of unripe fruit)

mgbakàn

used in:

mgbakā ārụ uneasiness of body; irritation

àrụ mgbakà fidgeting

m̀gbàkalakọ̀m̀

see m̀kpàkalakọ̀m̀

m̀gbasịlịn

used in:

m̀gbasịlị akā

finger-ring

m̀gbèn

time; period; when (cf. ogè)

m̀gbè afụ̀ then; at that time

m̀gbè ǹcha always; at all times

m̀gbè niīne all times; every time

m̀gbe ọ̄bụnà any time; every time: Ị nwè ike ịbị̄a ebe à m̀gbe ọ̄bụnà ị chọ̀lụ̀ You can come here any time you wish

m̀gbè ochīè olden days

m̀gbè ọkọ̄chì time of dry season

mgbèdè, m̀gbèdèn

late afternoon; early evening (from when sun is getting low till dusk)

mgbèdè anyàsị̀ late in the evening; evening: Ọ gà-àbịa ebe à na mgbèdè anyàsị̀ She will come here late in the evening

kwà mgbèdè every evening

m̀gbelēn

trading

-tụ m̀gbelē trade; retail

mgbịlịmgban

bell

-kụ mgbịlịmgba ring bell

mgbōn

shutter or door; plank used as kneading-board for clay

mgbọ̄n

bullet

m̀gbọ̀lọ̀dịn

waterleaf (Talinum triangulare)

m̀gbun

painfulness; pain

àrụ m̄gbu illness: O nwè àrụ m̄gbu He is ill

-gbu m̀gbu be painful, hurtful: Ọ nà-ègbu m̄ mgbu It is hurting me

ife m̄gbu painful, hurtful, thing

m̀gbùlùgùdùn

abyss; place at bottom of a cliff or steep hill

mgbụgbọ̀n

covering; bark; skin

mgbụgbọ̄ ākwa eggshell

mgbụgbọ̄ ārụ skin

-mìv

be deep; be depressed inwards

òmìmì depth; (fig.) importance: Ọ dị̀ òmìmì It is deep

-mì èmì be deep, skilled, mysterious

-mìkpọ burst out crying after suppressed sobbing

-mì òmìmì dive

-mì ọnụ̄ draw in the mouth; pout; be envious

-mị1v

dry (usually over fire)

ọ̀mịmị drying

-mị azụ̀ dry fish

-mịkpọ dry (fish, corn, etc.)

-mị2v

slip; move smoothly

ọ̀mịmị slipping

-mị àmị be slippery: Ọ nà-àmị āmị It is slippery

-mịbà plunge; sink in; enter stealthily

-mịghalị loiter about; walk stealthily about

-mị mmà draw sword, matchet

-mịnye sheathe (knife, etc.)

-mị̀1v

suck

ọ̀mị̀mị̀ sucking

-mị̀kpọ akwa sob

-mị̀lị suck

-mị̀ +2v.:

-mị̀ mkpụlụ̄ bear fruit

mkpà1n

need; difficulty; necessity (from -kpà 2. be needful)

-dị mkpà be necessary, needful, essential, important: Igwè dị̀ m̀ mkpà I need a bicycle: Ọ dị̀ mkpà nà nne nà nnā ọ̄bụnà gà-azụ̀nite ụmụ̀ fa n’ụzọ̀ ezi òmùme nà ịtụ̄ egwūū Chinēkè It is important that all parents should bring up their children in the way of righteousness and the fear of God

-gbò mkpà be useful

-nọ̀ na mkpà be in difficulty: Anọ̀ m̀ na mkpà I am in difficulty

oke mkpà great need

mkpà2n

used in:

mkpà edè room where cocoyams are stored

m̀kpa1n

scarcity; fewness (cf. ụ̀kọ)

-kpa m̀kpa be few, scarce

m̀kpa2n

used in:

m̀kpa ākwụkwọ (shed) leaf, leaves

m̀kpa3n

used in:

-kpa m̀kpa seek diligently

m̀kpà1n

forceps; tongs

m̀kpa akā biceps

m̀kpà2n

holding; captivity; restriction; imprisonment (from -kpà 1. grip)

kpà m̀kpà capture; kidnap

m̀kpà n’aka walking stick; staff (lit. what is held in hand)

m̀kpà ǹsịkọ̄ cramp; pins-and-needles (= tịtaǹgwèlè)

m̀kpà3n

one stake full of yams tied in a barn

di m̀kpà strong young man, originally one who could cultivate many yams

m̀kpaàkịlịkan

small black millipede, usually seen on grass-thatched houses after rain

m̀kpàkalakọ̀m,n

centipede (smaller than esu/alịlị)

m̀gbàkalakọ̀m̀

m̀kpàkànàn

steel trap (= ọnyà igwè)

m̀kpàla1n

cane, e.g. midrib of m̀kpàla egbò, the boundary tree Dracaena fragrans (Linn.) Ker-Gawl.

m̀kpàla2n

(also ute m̄kpàla) type of mat which can be used for building ìgbùdù or as shelter (= ute Ādo)

mkpalịn

insult; abuse

ife mkpalị scorn; mockery; disrespect

okwu mkpalị insulting word

m̀kpin

he-goat

n. sexually-debased human being (Nwazuzu Ph.D. 290)

m̀kpị

m̀kpiliīten

small wooden mortar used for grinding pepper

mkpìlìkpìn

fragment, small piece, stump (of something long, e.g. snake, yam, etc.)

nwa mkpìlìkpì very small; short

nwa mkpìlìkpì ogè moment: minute; very short time

mkpìlìsìn

shortness; broken portion

mkpìlìsì osisi stump of tree

mkpị̀n

section (as of seed or nut)

m̀kpịsị̄n

any object shaped like a ramrod with pointed tip; spike

m̀kpịsị akā finger

m̀kpịsị, (m̀kpala) egbè ramrod

m̀kpịsị igwè spoke (e.g. of bicycle)

m̀kpịsị ǹgụ̀ rib

m̀kpịsị (nnī) spike used for bringing boiled pieces of yam or meat out of the pot

m̀kpịsị ụkwụ̄ toe

mkpogo,n

steep place; cliff

mkpogomkpo

mkpomkpon

rubbish-heap; rubbish

mkpọ̀n

small box; can

mkpọ̀ anwụ̄lụ̀ snuff-box

mkpọ̀ tanjele special container for ọ̀tanjele

mkpọ̄ ụ̄tabà snuff-box

m̀kpọn. 1

walking-stick

m̀kpọn. 2

pole (= utum̀)

m̀kpọ àchàlà bamboo pole

mkpọchin

A. locking B. button (from -kpọchi lock)

mkpọchi n’iru anything fastened on forehead or in front of (something)

mkpọ̀dùn

kind of shrub

m̀kpọlọ̄n

A. rod; bar B. confinement; imprisonment

-tụ mkpọlọ imprison: A tụ̄go ọ̀yị̀ m m̄kpọlọ My friend has been jailed:

ụnọ̄ m̄kpọlọ prison

m̀kpọ̀lọ̀gwụ̀gwụ̀,n

root

m̀kpọ̀lọ̀gwụ̀

-gba(do) take root

m̀kpọ̀lọ̀gwụ̀

-gbamì m̀kpọ̀lọ̀gwụ̀ -gbanye send roots deep be rooted in; be connected with a place by birth

m̀kpọ̀lọ̀gwụ̀

-pu take root

m̀kpọ̀lọ̀gwụ̀gwụ̀

mkpọmkpọn

A. broken-down object; ruinous, ruined, waste (wall, house): Ǹkaà bụ̀ mkpọmkpọ ụnọ̀ This is a dilapidated house: Oke m̀màdụ̀ adị̄rọ èbi na mkpọmkpọ ụnọ̀ A great man never lives in a dilapidated house B. poor, despised, hopeless (of person)

mkpọmkpọ a poor, despised, hopeless man:

m̀màdụ̀ Àdịrọ̄ m̄ àchọ kà mụ nà mkpọmkpọ m̀màdụ̀ bìli n’òfu ụnọ̀ I never want to live in the same house as a poor despised man

m̀kpọniirun

anything fastened on forehead or in front of (something)

mkpu1n

loud cry; shout; call for help

-rị̀ mkpu cry out in horror

-ti mkpu shout, call for help; raise the alarm Ònye nà-èti mkpū? Who is shouting (for help)?

mkpu2n

A. ant-hill B. termite

obì mkpū queen termite

m̀kpun

ceremonies performed for girls reaching puberty

m̀kpukèn

woman’s house, contrasted with the òbi of a man (= ùsokwū)

mkpukpun

hunch (on back); lump

-kwà mkpukpu be hunchbacked

mkpūlun

mound of earth

-ma mkpūlu make a bed of earth, mound

-tụ mkpūlu make raised beds for planting

m̀kpumèn

stone; rock

mkpụ̀n

small group (contrast ikpo): Fâ kwụ̀ na mkpụ̀ na mkpụ̀ They are standing about in little groups

mkpụ̀ ọfị̄a small patch of bush left in middle of cleared area

m̀kpụ̀n

carpenter’s plane (-kpụ̀ 2. scrape)

m̀kpụkpọ nail; peg (from -kpọ 3. nail)

m̀kpụ̀kpọ̀n

a ritual or dramatic chant or cry, esp. in the contexts below B. in sorrow, praise the dead in mourning, usually by someone close to the deceased C. raise the alarm, as death (cf. -ti mkpu)

-ti m̀kpụ̀kpọ̀ A. praise someone and remind him of what his forefathers did, sometimes to encourage him to undertake new enterprises; chant praise-poetry

mkpụlụ̄n

A. seed; fruit B. (fig.) object of fruit or seed-like shape, e.g. pill, tablet C. (fig.) fruit; seed; offspring; descendant: Nwa ǹkaà dị̀ kà mkpụlụ Èzènwiìlè This child looks like a descendant of Ezenwiile D. (fig.) fruit, result (of deed): Ibè nọ̀ n’ime oke afụfụ, ọ bụ̀ mkpụlụ njọ̄ yā kà ọ nà- àghọlụ Ibe is in great trouble; he is reaping the fruit of his sin E. (fig.) individual F. (fig.) small number (out of large total number); handful: Ọ̀ bụ̀ gịnị̄ kpàtàlụ̀ o jì wèe bụlụ sọ̀ọsọ̀ mkpụlụ mmādụ̀ ị̀tọ bị̀àlụ̀ ụkà n’ụ̀tụtụ̄ à? Why is it that only three persons attended the service this morning?

mkpụlụ akụ̄ palm kernel

mkpụlụ jī seed-yam

mkpụlụ osè seed of pepper

mkpụlụ osisi fruit

-gha mkpụlụ̄ sow seeds (broadcast)

-mị̀ mkpụlụ̄ bear fruit

ǹga mkpụlụ ọkà life imprisonment (lit. imprisonment of grains of maize; from idea that each year was represented by a single grain of maize)

mkpụlụ amụ̄ a smile

mkpụlụ amụ̀ testicle

mkpụlụ anyā eyeball

mkpụlụ egō cowrie; coin; shilling

mkpụlụ mmīli hail; drops of rain

mkpụlụ obì heart; soul

anya mkpụ̄lụ egō eye with pupil whitened by disease

mkpụlụ ụbọ̀sị̀ a day

mkpụlụ ogè few moments

òfu mkpụlụ̄ only one

mkpụ̀lụ̀n

kind of bean - small and round. Unlike other beans, the plant is a shrub and not a creeping plant

m̀kpụlụ̀n

something round and smooth, e.g. shot-putt

m̀kpụlụ̄ jī small yam, soft and round, usually eaten (= mgbafịlị)

mkpụmkpụ1n

shortness

mkpụmkpụ short person

mmadụ̀

mkpụmkpụ2n

bare dry place

m̀kpụ̀nan

hernia

mmān

goodness; beauty; prosperity B. go well! safe journey! (greeting to a person returning home) B. female name

mma ārụ physical beauty

mmā mma A. well

àda mmā A. fine daughter (used to praise a small girl)

-chọ mmā decorate; ornament

-dị mmā be good, beautiful, well, satisfactory, friendly: Ọ dị̀ mmā It is good Mụ nà yâ dị̀ mmā He and I are friendly

-ka mmā be better than

-ma mmā be beautiful

mmàn

knife; sword; matchet B. unreliable person

mmà awụsa Hausa dagger

mmà ekwū small kitchen knife

mmà iru naàbọ̀ A. two-edged knife

mmā ògè matchet; cutlass (cf. Ekpeye)

mmà ọdụ̄ saw

iru mmà edge (of a knife)

-kpụ mmà manufacture cutlass

-ma mmà pierce or strike with a sword or hatchet; stab

-mị mmà draw the sword or matchet

ọbọ mmà sheath of knife

ọnụ mmà edge of a sword

-so mmà sharpen knife, matchet

-sụ̀ mmà stab

m̀màn

a measure (by container, of any size) (from -mà measure)

m̀madụ̀, mmadụ̀,n

person; human being

madụ̀

B. a useless person A. "man-killer"; a much-coveted honour in the olden days conferred on anyone who possessed a human head B. murderer

mmadụ̀ ị̀tọ three persons: Achọ̀ m̀ mmadụ̀ ị̀tọ I need three persons

mmadụ̄ n̄kịtị A. ordinary person; man in the street

mmadụ̄ ọ̄bụnà everybody; any, every person

-gba mmadụ̀ buy, pawn person

ìgwe m̄madụ̀ a large crowd

mkpọmkpọ a poor, despised, hopeless man

mmadụ̀

mkpụlụ m̄madụ̀ few people

mkpụmkpụ a short person

m̄madụ̀

ngịlịga m̄madụ̀ stupid, hopeless person; ruffian

nkịlịka m̄madụ̀ rough, rascally person

nwa m̄madụ̀ freeborn person; well-behaved person

ògbugbu m̄madụ̀ ògbu m̄madụ̀ manslaughter; murder

oke m̄madụ̀ a man of great reputation

okpotokpo m̄madụ̀ òli m̄madụ̀ huge person; person of big build cannibal

ọ̀ra m̄madụ̀ the public; the people

ụ̀wa m̄madụ̀ the world of men

-wò àchụ mādụ̀ become man

mmakwun

loop

m̀manụ, mmanụ,n

oil, esp. palm oil

manụ

mmanụ anwụ̄ honey

mmanụ ọ̀pàpa groundnut oil

ịbà mmānụ jaundice accompanied by pronounced coloration of the eyeballs, fingernails and sometimes skin

-kpa mmanụ buy oil

-kpe mmanụ smear with oil

onye mmānụ oil-seller

ponì mmānụ cask, puncheon of palm oil

-te mmanụ anoint with oil; paint, coat, smear with oil

m̀manwụ,n

masquerade

mmanwụ, manwụ

ǹne m̄manwụ (at Nri) the highest women’s title, which elderly married women of exemplary character are allowed to take and in which the secret of the ritual mask is revealed (Onwuejeogwu 1974:177)

m̀manya, mmanya,n

wine, esp. palm wine; any type of alcohol

manya

(mmanya) -gbu be intoxicated by alcohol

m̀manya nā-abà (lit. wine that enters the eyes - mostly used in Bible)

n’anya

m̀manya nkwụ̄ wine from oil-palm

m̀manya ōbubu intoxicant

m̀manya ọ̀gọ̀lọ̀ wine from raphia palm (ngwọ̀)

(mmanya) -tụ be drunk

ànị̀ mmānya dregs of wine

-gbà mmanya make drunk

m̀manya oyìbo gin; imported wine or spirits

ikè mmānya dregs

-kụ mmanya mix wine

-la oke mmānya drink to excess; get drunk

-nuta mmanya buy native wine (e.g. palm wine)

onye mmānya wine (usually palm wine) seller

ọ̀kị̀kà mmānya ceremonial drinking; feast

ọ̀laka mmānya drunkard

mmeēn

blood (cf. ọ̀bàlà)

mmee m̄mee red, reddish: Ọ̀ gịnị̄ kpatalụ anya gị̄ jì wèlụ àcha mmee m̄mee Why are your eyes red? Kpọ̀ọlụ m̄ nwatà nwokē yi àfè mmee m̄mee Call me the boy in the red shirt

-gba mmeē bleed; shed blood

ọ̀nà mmēe white variety of the three-leaved yam, Dioscorea dumentorum

m̀milī, mmilī, milīn

water; rain B. rush, flow rapidly (of waterway, stream) B. (fig.) be in grave trouble; suffer grave loss Chinēkè m! Mmilī àmaa m̄. Onye ēnyemaka ọ bụ̀ sọ̀ọsọ̀ ya kà m nwèlụ̀ n’ụ̀wà ànwụa! My God! I am done for. The only helper I have in this world is dead! B. sprinkle water B. wipe off water from floor, table, windscreen, or any wide surface (larger quantity than -ficha; also -kwọcha)

mmili alā breast-milk

mmili ala efī cow’s milk

(mmilī) -gba flow (of water)

(mmilī) -gbafùsị flow to waste (of water)

(mmilī) -kwò A. undergo a rush of people anxious to fetch water (of a stream)

(mmilī) -ma A. (lit.) be beaten by rain: Mmilī gà-àma gị̄ ọ bụlụ nà ị nāba kịtāà Rain will beat you if you leave now, i.e. You will be drenched if you leave now

mmili m̄mili wet; damp; watery

-dị mmili m̄mili be wet, damp, watery: Kèdu ife kpātalụ nà ụnọ̄ à dị̀ mmili m̄mili? Why is this house so wet?

mmili ǹdà arọ̀ the first rain in the year

m̀mili òlùlù gathering of clouds before rain

mmili osisi sap

m̀mili òzùzò rain

mmili ọ̄ŋụŋụ drinking water

mmili ọ̄wụwa coming out of underground water, flooding the land of that area. In buildings in swampy areas, water sometimes appears and floods the floors

àfè mmīli rain-coat

agụụ̄ mmīli thirst

akụ mmili igwē hail

àkpà nwaammīli anya mmīli bladder tears

àrụ mmīli stoutness; dropsy; fresh, plump body

-bụ ọnụ̄ mmīli spit

-chedo mmilī hold water

-chu mmilī go to water

-dèsị mmilī drip

-fe mmilī A. drive away rain

-gba anya mmīli -gbalụ̀ mmilī shed tears defile, pollute water

-gba mmilī pour water on (fainting or shocked persons as treatment)

-gbà mmilī force to drink water (as primitive way of feeding baby, or by pushing victim under water)

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

-gwù mmilī swim

ìkpele mmīli bank of river

isi mmīli source of a stream, river

-ku mmilī scoop water out of a vessel

-kunye mmilī bring water to

-kute mmilī fetch water in a vessel

-kpọchi mmilī turn off (i.e. lock, shut) tap

-kwọ mmilī bale, dip up water with the hands

-kwọsa mmilī A. throw water over (as in taking a shower)

mkpụlụ mmīli hail; drops of rain

ògbu mmīli deep water; the sea

ọ̀dọ mmīli pond

ọnụ mmīli spittle; saliva

-ra mmilī make, produce rain

ọ̀ra m̄mili rain-maker

-ri mmilī leak

-ru nwa mmīli urinate

-sala mmilī lap water (as dog)

-ta obì mmīli be callous, wicked, determined

ùfèsị mmīli across the stream, river, etc.; other side of the river, stream, etc.

n’ùfèsị mmīli on the other side of the river

ụgbọ mmīli ship; boat; canoe

-zè(lụ) mmilī shelter from rain

mmị̀kolon

ferret

mmị̀mị̀n

small peppery fruit used as alternative to kola; the tree itself; “pepper-fruit” Dennetia tripetala. Annonaceae

m̀mụ̀mụ̀n

used in: B. firefly

m̀mụ̀mụ̀ ọnwa A. star

m̀mụọ̄, mmụọ̄,n

A. spirit of the dead; ghost. The spirits of the dead are divided

m̀mọọ̄, mmọọ̄,

into good and evil:

mụọ̄, mọọ̄

Ajọ̄ mmadụ̀ bụ̀ ajọ̄ mmụọ̄ A wicked man makes a wicked spirit. The good ones are: a) ndị ìchìè good and successful men who leave children behind, subdivided into ìchìè ukwu, the great ancestors, who were ọzọ̄ titled men who founded the various hierarchies of the extant lineages, and ìchìè ntà, the small ancestors, dead untitled men with extra extant lineages: b) ụmụ̄ āda the spirits of the dead married daughters of the lineage. All good ancestors reincarnate in their lineage. The evil ones are: a) àkàloògòlì people who grew old without achieving anything and die without having children; they cannot reincarnate in their lineage, roam wild in the spirit world and from time to time gain entry to the world of men to cause confusion: b) ekwen̄su the spirits of people who died ọnwụ ọjọọ̄, i.e. accidental or premature deaths or suicide; such spirits cannot be reincarnated or reach the spirit land, but come back to earth to cause other bad deaths: c) ọ̀gban̄je the spirits of children who die while young and keep revisiting their mother’s womb to repeatedly be reborn and die (Onwuejeogwu 1974:89-99): M̀mụọ̄ lìe m̄ Let the ancestors consume me (if I do such a bad thing) B. very severe punishment or trouble B. matches B. masquerade (= m̀manwụ) B. (loosely) be initiated into secret cult C. (loosely) be let into deep secret C. Follows name of object (usu. plant) to denote a poisonous, non-edible, degenerate, or abnormal variety, as opposed to the non-poisonous, edible, normal kind

m̀mụọ inyī bad, unclean spirit

m̀mụọ ogonogo ‘tall ghost’, the most elderly and venerated form of the incarnate dead (= egwugwu)

afụfụ m̄mụọ A. punishment in underworld

ajọ̄ mmụọ̄ bad dead spirit

ànị m̄mụọ lands of the dead; (Christian usage) hell

ego mmụ̄ọ money ritually offered to the dead

ezē m̄mụọ̄ king of underworld

-kpọ mụọ̄ take mọọ̄ when assuming duties of ọkpala

-lọ mmụọ̄ offer food to the ancestors; feast the dead

-na mmụọ̄ die (euphemistic) (lit. return to the land of the spirits)

ndi m̄mụọ the dead; the ancestors

ọkụ m̄mụọ A. (Christian usage) hell fire

ụ̀wà ndi m̄mụọ the world of spirits

m̀mụọ ebì ogwū masquerade with porcupine quills on the body

m̀mụọ ijelè graceful, elaborate masquerade

m̀mụọ̄ īkpo masquerade covered with ìkpo-bells

àfe m̄mọọ mask of masquerader; masquerader’s cloth

àwọ̀lọ m̄mụọ masquerade’s mask

-kù mmụọ̄ invite masquerader to a place (e.g. funeral)

-ma mmụọ A. be initiated into the masqueraders’ cult (and learn its secrets)

òdogwu mmụ̄ọ any type of masquerade with horned head (For other types of masquerade, see àkàtaàkà, àtụ̀mà, ị̀gbàdikē, ụ̀làgà)

edē m̄mụọ inedible plant similar to cocoyam

elo m̄mụọ kind of poisonous mushroom

ụ̀tabā m̄mụọ kind of non-edible shrub resembling tobacco plant in appearance and smell

m̀mụọ̄2n

the first title, taken before ọzọ̄

-chi mmụọ̄ take the m̀mụọ̄ title

motòn

motor vehicle (E. motor)

(motò) -kwọpị̀à be crushed (by motor vehicle)

mpàlàn

measure of length; stride

m̀panaakan

small native hand-lamp

m̀pen

used in:

nwa m̄pe very short, little, smallish (of human beings in particular, and animals)

-pe m̀pe be small, little

mpempen

edge, hem (of cloth); pieces (of paper, cloth, etc.)

m̀pìn

horn

-sọ m̀pì butt with the horns; compete

m̀pion

hole(s) through the compound wall used as passage for livestock, especially young ones, to and from the outside; or to let surface water escape from compound or house

mpị̄an

used in:

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

m̀pọ̀màn

matchet (cf. mmà)

mpoton

cocoyam leaf? Osha?

mpū, m̀pun

hold (in a bag, etc.); outlet (-pu 2. be perforated, have hole(s) (cf. oghēle)

mpụn

used in:

-kwu mpụ talk at random

m̀pụ̀mn

highway robbery

ndị m̀pụ̀m armed robbers

-mùv.:

-mù mbọ use nails on

-kwọmù grind into small pieces

-tamù bite into small pieces

mụ1pron

I; me (independent, 1st pers. sg.)

mụ nà gị you and I

mụ nà isi m̄ I myself (emphatic)

mụ nwà I myself, me (emphatic)

-mụ2

give birth to; beget

ọ̀mụmụ birth

-mụkwo give birth prematurely

-mụpụ̀ta bring forth; give birth to

ndị mụ̄lụ parents

ọ̀mụgwọ̀ birth feast; period from immediately after a woman’s safe delivery to about 3 months later, during which she is confined to home and does not go to market

ọ̀mụ̀lụ̀ nwa interest (on capital)

-mụ +3v.:

-mụ amụ laugh at

-mụ4v

sharpen

ọ̀mụmụ sharpening

-mụ mmà sharpen a sword, knife, matchet

-mụ̀1v

learn; study

ọ̀mụ̀mụ̀ learning

-mụ̀ akwụkwọ study (lit. study book): Anà m̀ èje Òbòdò Oyìbo ịmụ̀ etu esì ebì akwụkwọ I am going to the United Kingdom to study printing

-mụ̀ta learn

onye mmụ̀ta scholar; pupil

-mụ̀2v

shine

ọ̀mụ̀mụ̀ shining; brightness

-mụ̀ àmụ̀mà lighten (of lightning)

-mùlụ ọkụ light from (fire, etc.)

-mụ̀nye light (a lamp)

-mụ̀ ọkụ kindle light

-mụ̀sị glitter; shine

-mụ-mù, -mu-mù, -v

hum; murmur:

mụ-mụ̀

Amārọ m ịfe nā-amụmụ̀ n’ime ụnọ̀ I don’t know what is humming in the room

m̀yọ̀n

sieve (-yọ̀ sieve)