Contents

First Page

Preface to the digital edition

AN ẸDO-ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Front Matter

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

INTRODUCTION

ABBREVIATIONS

REFERENCES

Dictionary

A   | B | D | E   | Ẹ
F | G | GB | GH | H
I | K | KH | KP | L
M | MW | N | O | Ọ
P | R | RH | RR | S
T | U | V | VB | W
Y | Z

Preface to the digital edition

Introduction

This epub book contains a digital version of Rebecca Agheyisi's book:

Agheyisi, Rebecca N. - An Ẹdo-English dictionary (1986) (Internet Archive).

An epub book is a zip-file containing html-files and other files organized in a standard way. This zip-file can be unzipped with any zip-program (after renaming the 'epub' extension to 'zip', if necessary).

Edo dictionaries

Edo (Bini) is the language spoken in and around Benin City in Southern Nigeria. The first Edo-English dictionary is:

Hans Melzian - A Concise Dictionary of the Bini Language of Southern Nigeria (1937) (Internet Archive)

which is the main source for Agheyisi's dictionary. Melzian's dictionary itself is based on previous work, mainly wordlists, that is discussed by Melzian in his book.

Another Edo-English dictionary has recently been published:

Gabriel O. Ọbazẹe - A New Ẹdo-English Dictionary, INTER PRESS LIMITED, Lagos, Nigeria (2025), published by the Institute for Benin Studies, Edo State, Nigeria (review)

There are no English-Edo or monolingual Edo dictionaries. Only an English-Edo wordlist based on Melzian's dictionary has been published:

Munro, David A. - English-Edo Wordlist: An Index to Melzian's Bini-English Dictionary (1967) (Open Library)

The digitized book

Agheyisi's book contains the following parts:

Front Matter (four unnumbered pages)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (pages i-ii)

INTRODUCTION (pages iii-xxi)

ABBREVIATIONS (pages xxii-xxiii)

REFERENCES (page xxiv)

Dictionary (pages 1-169)

In the digital version, front matter and pages i-xxiv have been put into one html-page. The dictionary itself has been organized as one html-page for each letter of the Edo alphabet.

The dictionary entries have been reformatted using some heuristic rules as shown in the following picture (Lithium epub-reader):

Special characters

The dictionary contains a number of special characters. Not all readers display the special characters in the dictionary correctly. The following table lists all special characters in the dictionary:

£

§

È

Í

Ó

Ú

à

á

ã

è

é

ì

í

ò

ó

õ

ù

ú

ě

ĩ

ř

ũ

ɔ

ɛ

ɣ

ɱ

ɽ

ʋ

―

‘

’

“

”

Ẹ

Ọ

c̀

ẽ

ẹ

f̃

g̃

g͡

k͡

ọ

r̃

s̃

û

ẁ

w̃

ỳ

ỹ

ẏ

ɔ̀

ɔ́

ɔ̃

ɔ̌

ɛ̀

ɛ́

ɛ̃

ɣ̃

ɽ̃

ɽ̌

ã̀

ã́

ẹ̀

ẹ́

ẽ̀

ẽ́

ĩ̀

ĩ́

ọ̀

ọ́

õ̀

ṍ

ũ̀

ṹ

ỹ̀

ỹ́

ɔ̃̀

ɔ̃́

ɛ̃̀

ɛ̃́

ɽ̃̀

The correct display is:

  ̀ and   ́ are tonal markers. The first indicates low tone, the second high tone. Tonal markers appear on vowels. The low tone marker also appears on some consonants:

ẁ in aroọkpa [àɽẁɔ́kpá], orueghe [òɽẁèɣè], orhuọ [òřẁɔ̀];

ỳ in bibiode [bỳbiòdɛ́], irriegie [ìrỳegyè], ovbivbiẹ [óvỳʋiɛ́], ọguiẹzọ [ɔ̀gwỳɛzɔ̀];

ɽ̃̀ in emwinrẹnrẹn [èɱĩ̀ɽ̃̀ɛ̃̀ɽ̃̀ɛ́].

  ̃ marks nasality. It normaly appears on vowels but sometimes also on consonants. It can be combined with tonal markers.

The letters ẹ, ọ, gh, mw and vb of the Edo alphabet are phonetically represented by resp. ɛ, ɔ, ɣ, ɱ and ʋ.

The three r-sounds, the letters r, rh and rr are phonetically represented by resp. ɽ, ř and r.

g͡   and k͡   are combined with b and p to give g͡b and k͡p. The letters gb en kp are usually written as g͡b and k͡p in the phonetics of an Edo word but not always.

The phonetic characters ɔ̌, c̀, ě, û, ɽ̌, ỹ́ and ỹ̀ appear resp.

ɔ̌ in sẹvberriọ [sɛ̀ʋérìɔ̌];

c̀ in zọkan [zc̀kã́];

ě in ovbeni [óʋěnĩ̀], siere [sìěɽě];

û in ukpẹ [ûk͡pɛ́];

ɽ̌ in erherha [éřéɽ̌á];

ỹ́ in apiẹntisi [àpỹ́ɛ̃́tisì];

ỹ̀ in vbenia [vénỹ̀ã́].

Obazee does not put a tone marker on the ɔ and Melzian gives a rising tone. The c̀ should clearly be ɔ̀. obveni means 'elephant trunk'. Obazee gives óvbè and óvbén (no final i) for 'trunk of an elephant'. Melzian gives resp. a falling, a rising and a low tone for the ě. Obazee writes ùkpẹ́ and similarly Melzian gives a low tone for the u and a high tone for the ẹ. The ɽ̌ is clearly a mistake and should be ř. The ỹ́ and ỹ̀ are examples of excessive use of diacritical markers.

As to the ẏ character, in fourteen cases y has what seems like a dot on top of it. The relevant entries are: inia [ínẏá], irhiaeni [ìřẏàenì], irriabe [ìrẏàbè], irriokodẹ [irẏòkòdɛ̀], iziengbe [ìzẏẽ̀g͡bè], miọghọọn [mẏɔ̃̀ɣɔ̃̀ɔ̃̀], okhiẹ1 [òxẏɛ́], orriamugho [órẏámúɣò], orriara1 [òrẏàɽà], ọgiodẹ [ɔ̀gẏòdɛ̀], ọrriegie [ɔ̀rẏègẏè], ọrriọvbe [ɔ̀rẏɔ̀ʋè], sẹrhiẹnrhiẹn [sɛ̀řyɛ̃̀řẏɛ̃́].

Even in those cases where the dot is a clear dot it does not always appear in the middle. As the meaning of the ẏ is not explained by Agheyisi these 'dots' are probably typographical errors. Therefore the digital dictionary uses y instead of ẏ in these fourteen cases.

Last update: 08-07-2025

AN ẸDO — ENGLISH DICTIONARY

AN ẸDO — ENGLISH DICTIONARY

BY

REBECCA N. AGHEYISI

  ETHIOPE PUBLISHING CORPORATION

FIRST PUBLISHED 1986

BY

ETHIOPE PUBLISHING CORPORATION

RING ROAD

P.M.B. 1332

BENIN CITY

© REBECCA N. AGHEYISI

CONDITIONS OF SALE

All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of the Publisher.

PRINTED

ON ARRANGEMENTS

WITH

FOURTH DIMENSION PUBLISHING CO.LTD.,

ENUGU, NIGERIA.

Printed by Ilupeju Press Ltd. P.O. Box 2530, Benin City.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The research activities which led to the production of this work were made possible by a research grant awarded to the author by the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences Research Committee of the University of Benin in April 1976 (cf. FASS. 12/76/77). A subsequent supplementary grant from the committee in 1978 served to support the project to its completion. I wish to express my deep appreciation for the opportunity provided to me by this support to make this little contribution to the development and study of Ẹdo.

In a work such as this, it is inevitable that assistance is sought and received from diverse quarters. Throughout this project, numerous people in Benin City and elsewhere gave of their time, expertise, and knowledge to make possible its completion. It is certainly impossible for me to acknowledge individually everyone of these people, but to each of them, I express my sincere gratitude and indebtedness for their help.

I must, however, acknowledge with thanks, the special assistance received from certain individuals and institutions. First among these are my various Research Assistants, in particular, Mr. Pius Guobadia, who worked diligently on a full-time basis throughout the first phase of the project. Others, who must be specially mentioned are Ọsayaba Agheyisi, Nogieru Agbọnkọnkọn and Roland Ugiagbe Aigbe who worked with me, part-time, at different periods.

Mr. G.N.I. Enobakhare read portions of the draft and made useful comments and contributions from which this work has benefited.

Professor William Welmers gave generously of his books on Ẹdo and other reference materials, which turned out to be very useful for aspects of the project. Also Mr. Ikponwonsa Ọsẹmwengie made available to me his personal copy of Melzian’s Dictionary.

My special thanks also go to the Radio Bendel authorities for making available to me several tapes of their Ẹdo Language programmes.

The Departments of Linguistics of both the University of Kansas,

i

Lawrence, Kansas, U.S.A., and the University of California in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. hosted me during the 1980/81 academic year, during which period work on the final stages of this dictionary was done. I gratefully acknowledge the assistance rendered to me by members of these two departments, in particular, for the library and research resources made available to me.

Finally, I wish to express my sincere thanks to the Junior Staff members of the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, University of Benin, for their individual and collective support throughout the project, and most especially to Mr. Simon Odibo, who undertook most diligently, the onerous task of typing the various drafts of the manuscript.

In a work such as this, there are bound to be a number of inadequacies and shortcomings. For every one of them, I accept full responsibility.

January, 1982
R.N. Agheyisi

ii

INTRODUCTION

(i) The language and its name

Any formal account on any aspect of Ẹdo language must begin with a clarification of the term “Ẹdo”, especially as it has come to be associated with a number of distinct interpretations. The oral traditional account, as diligently documented by Chief (Dr) Jacob U. Egharevba in his various works on Benin History, traces the origin of the use of the term “Ẹdo” as the indigenous name for Benin City to Oba Ewuare (1440 — 1473). According to one version of the account:

“Ẹdo was a slave to the then Ogiefa. He saved Ewuare from a sudden death when he was about to be arrested by the Chiefs. Therefore in order to immortalize the name of his deified friend, Ẹdo, for the good service he rendered him, Ewuare changed the name of the City to “Ẹdo” according to his friend’s name .....”

Egharevba 1954:8)

If this account is true, (and it has not yet been contested in the literature), it would appear that the extension of the name to refer also to the language of the inhabitants of the City, and indeed of the Benin Kingdom, was a natural development from this. One of the earlier names for the territory before this change to Ẹdo was Idu, a term which remains current in names such as Idubọ; Idumwọnyi, etc.

The other names also currently associated with the city and the language of its inhabitants, namely, “Benin” and “Bini” have a somewhat more obscure origin. Again, according to the traditional account:

“from the time of Ogiso Igodo (Ọbagodo) to Ere, the country was known and called 'Igodomigodo’; from the time of Ogiso Ere to Evian, it was called ‘Ilẹ’. Ọramiyan called it ‘Ilẹ-Ibinu’, Ọba Ẹwẹdọ (i.e. 1255 — 1280) changed it to ‘Ubini’ (Benin)”

Egharevba 1956:3)

iii

Again, if Oba Ewedo’s name for the City “Ubini” is the origin of “Benin” and “Bini”, then it would seem that their use for the City and the language pre-dates that of “Ẹdo”; in which case the latter was intended to have replaced them. According to another account by Chief Egharevba:

“Ruy de Sequira discovered Benin in 1472. He does not appear to have known of the new name, as it was by the old name, Benin, that he made the country known to Europe”

(Egharevba 1954:8)

Thus all three names have continued to be used side by side, though with some degree of specialization in their respective references. “Benin” systematically came to be used strictly as a territorial label, as in the expressions: Benin City, Benin Kingdom, Benin Empire, Benin Division, etc., while the other two names, “Bini” and “Ẹdo” have become predominantly linguistic and ethnic labels referring in scope to the language and people of the entire Benin Division. In addition “Ẹdo” however, has continued to serve as the indigenous name for the City.

Further ambiguity was introduced later into the reference of the term “Ẹdo” as a linguistic label, when linguists decided to use it as the designation for the group of historically related languages and dialects spoken in various communities within and around the former Benin Kingdom. These languages and dialects include the Ẹdo language proper of the Benin Division; the Ishan group of dialects; the languages and dialects now spoken in the present Owan, Etsakọ and Akoko-Ẹdo Local Government Areas; Urhobo, and Isoko and their related dialects. Northcote W. Thomas is said to have initiated the practice by referring to the speakers of these languages and dialects as the “Ẹdo-speaking peoples”, in his famous ethnographic report of 1910. It is interesting to note however that not all subsequent scholars have followed in this practice. Westermann, for example, in his Languages of West Africa created his own kind of ambiguity by referring to the group as the “BINI language group”, and to the single language as BINI. He, however, noted that “The name ẸDO (the old name of Benin) is used by some writers (e.g. Thomas) to cover all the languages of the Group” (p. 87). Greenberg, on the other hand, did not use the name ẸDO at all in any of his classifications, but merely listed the languages of the group by their individual names, using

iv

BINI for the Ẹdo language. Also, Melzian in his famous dictionary of the language refers to Ẹdo language as BINI. However, in more recent works the trend has been to use expressions such as “The Ẹdo language Group” or “Ẹdo Group of languages” for the genetically related languages. For the Ẹdo language proper, it was suggested at the 1974 Seminar on Ẹdo language which took place at the University of Lagos, that the designation “Ẹdo (Bini)” be used in all formal writings to eliminate its confusion with the language group.

However, the ultimate solution to the nomenclatural problem may be found in the recent proposal by Elugbe (1979) of the designation “Edoid Languages” for the group of historically related languages. This would then free the term “Ẹdo” for use in reference to the single language only.

The focus of the present work being on the single language per se, rather than the group of related languages, the usual nomenclatural ambiguity is presumed to be irrelevant, and so “Ẹdo” is intended to refer to “Ẹdo (Bini)” rather than the Edoid languages.

(ii) Extent of its speaking population

The Ẹdo language is today spoken natively throughout most of the territory coterminous with the Benin Division of the former Mid-Western State of Nigeria, and which has now been demarcated into the Orẹdo, Ovia and Orhionmwọn Local Government Areas. This same area constituted the permanent core of the pre-colonial Benin Kingdom and empire and its inhabitants have always referred to themselves as Ivbi-Ẹdo. The estimated area of the territory is about 10,372 square kilometres, while the 1952 and 1963 population figures for the Division are given as 292,081 and 429,907 respectively. A small proportion of the population however constitutes the non-Ẹdo immigrants who are either permanent or temporary residents in the area. On the other hand, there are believed to be other communities of Ẹdo native speakers in the Okitipupa Division of Ondo Province, as well as in and around Akure in Ondo State. In addition to these native speakers, thousands of other residents in the Bendel State speak Ẹdo as a second language, especially those with Ishan and Afenmai native language back-

v

grounds.

The main Ẹdo speech community is generally homogeneous, though noticeable peculiarities do exist in the speech of the inhabitants of some of the peripheral communities. For example the common saying about Oza speech: “Oza ne ọ yin ke Ẹdo ne ọ zẹ eghọen!” (Oza, the Ẹdo neighbours who speak a foreign language!), though exaggerating, serves to illustrate this fact. However, all the different varieties are mutually intelligible.

(iii) Linguistic affinity with other Nigerian Languages

Investigations into the nature of the historical relationship between
the various Nigerian languages are still at a very elementary stage. Only very broad outlines of the pattern of genetic relationship have yet emerged. It is now a firmly established fact that Ẹdo is a core member of a larger group of genetically related languages and dialect clusters, usually referred to as the Ẹdoid Group of languages, which in turn belongs, along with other Nigerian languages such as Yoruba, Nupe, Idoma, Igbo, and Izon, to the KWA branch of the NIGER — CONGO family (Westermann 1952; Greenberg 1966).

Further research into the structure of relationship within the Ẹdoid Group has led to more detailed sub-grouping of the languages. For example the classification presented below is the latest rendering of the relationship by Elugbe in his 1979 paper. It presumably supercedes other earlier analyses of the relationship such as Elugbe 1973; Hoffmann 1974; etc.

vi

As a genetic classification, it constitutes a hypothesis about the historical development of these languages and their respective speech communities. For example, the fact that Ẹdo (Bini), Esan, Ora-Emai-Iuleha have been isolated into a sub-group that excludes Urhobo, for instance, implies that the speech communities of each of the five languages in the sub-group must have shared a longer period of common identification and close contact than any one of them must have had with Urhobo speakers in the past. Furthermore, the classification further implies that all these contemporary languages and dialects must have evolved in various stages from a common ancestral language, (i.e. Proto-Ẹdoid) under the influence of various historical processes. However, neither by nomenclature, nor by arrangement does it identify the common ancestral language with any one of the contemporary languages. Thus even though the entire language group is named the Ẹdoid Group, this is usually not intended to imply that the various languages and dialects derived historically from Ẹdo. It is quite possible however, that the choice of the name may have been influenced by the fact that the geographical location in which these languages are now spoken is generally coterminous with the stable scope of the former Benin Empire, with Ẹdo (Benin City) as its administrative base. Thus even though the name may not connote a derivational historical relationship between Ẹdo and the other languages of the Group, it certainly reflects the fact of the socio-political unity that derived from the dominion of the empire.

There is no doubt that it would be most desirable to be able to complement, and indeed confirm, some of the sketchy and sometimes undocumented accounts from oral traditions about the cultural heritage of the various linguistic groups, with inferences derivable from language classifications such as these. For example, many of the communities within and without Bendel State, in their oral traditions, trace their origins to Benin City or other parts of the Benin Kingdom. (Moore: 1970; Bosah 1976; Obuke 1975; etc.). To what extent are these accounts of migrations reconcilable with the diversification in speech forms implied in the classifications? Unfortunately the present classifications are yet too limited in the information they provide. Until it becomes possible to estimate the dates of the various sub-groupings the historical primacy of any one of them cannot be established.

viii

(iv) The Present Work

The present study, in many respects, builds on the foundation of previous lexicographical works on Ẹdo such as Thomas’ Anthropological Report on the Ẹdo-Speaking Peoples; Munro’s English-Ẹdo Wordlist, and most importantly, Hans Melzian’s most commendable earlier work on Ẹdo Language; in particular, his A concise Dictionary of the Bini Language of Southern Nigeria (1937), which unfortunately has long gone out of print. The few copies of this work which today exist are confined to the private collections of a few privileged individuals, and some institutional libraries mainly in Britain and America. This has, in general, rendered this work inaccessible to the interested man-in-the-street, especially in the Ẹdo linguistic community, where it is probably most relevant. Furthermore, the absence of any other comprehensive lexicographical publication on Ẹdo since Melzian’s has helped to create the undesirable vacuum that has since existed in this aspect of available reference material on the Language. The need to fill this vacuum has been a prime motivation for the undertaking of this work.

This dictionary is designed basically to reflect Ẹdo contemporary usage, with particular awareness of the complex sociolinguistic environment in which the language is being used today. In this respect, it anticipates the special needs of the average Ẹdo speaker, for whom the necessity to be able to operate bilingually in Ẹdo and English has become a pressing reality. This perspective is clearly reflected in both the selection of entries for the dictionary, as well as the quality and range of information provided for each entry. Thus, there are, for example, a number of entries found in Melzian’s dictionary, deriving particularly from his intensive research into Ẹdo traditional and religious rituals and folklife, which are not found in the present work; while on the other hand, there is a sizeable number of everyday vocabulary and adapted loan words included here, which are not found in the earlier work. Generally, however, the underlying objective, which has been to produce from the available resources on Ẹdo, a collection which would qualify for the designation “a modern dictionary of Ẹdo” has hopefully been realized.

Special efforts have also been made to incorporate both phonological and grammatical information for each of the entries, in anticipation of the specialized needs of the language researcher and others interested in linguistic

ix

information on Ẹdo.

The research activities which led to the production of this work were initiated in 1976, and carried out in three phases. Work in the first phase focussed around the compilation of Ẹdo words from miscellaneous sources, including published works, manuscripts, recorded tapes and individual contacts. The list of the formal works consulted is provided at the end of the section.

The main activity of this phase entailed combing through these various sources for words and expressions to be used as entries in the dictionary. Melzian’s Dictionary served as a final reference in this regard, especially for crosschecking for additional items that may have been overlooked or unattested in the other sources. Also most of the Latin names for plants and trees were taken directly from this dictionary.

This phase of the project did not end until mid 1979, when the target of 7,500 items was eventually achieved. It was expected that after analysis of the data thus collected, at least half of the items would be selected as suitable entries.

The second phase was devoted to the grammatical and semantic analysis of the data that had been assembled. The objective was to determine the lexical status of each item as well as their grammatical and semantic properties. As a result of work in this phase, the 7,500 items compiled previously became analyzed into a little under four thousand entries. This reduction in number of entries came about mainly by the application of the principle whereby forms which are grammatically predictable (i.e. forms derivable from others by highly productive grammatical rules) did not qualify as independent entries. Thus, for example, the set of adjectives derivable from ideophonic adverbs by the addition of né- as prefix, such as: nemosemose “lovely”; newọrọ “long”; netuẹin “tiny”; nekhuẹrhẹkhuẹrhẹ “soft”; etc., were eliminated from independent listing. This also accounts for the non-listing of most of the verb-based nominals derived by the affixation of {u-mwẹn} to verb stems, such as usanmwẹn — “jumping”; udemwẹn — “falling”; etc. Only forms of this category that can be said to have acquired independent lexical status in usage have been retained as entries. Examples of such words include ugamwẹn — “christian church service”; udọnmwẹn — “leanness”; ukọnmwẹn — “stupidity”; utọmwẹn — “longevity”; uwanmwẹn — “brightness;”

x

light”, etc.

The final phase of the project was devoted to processing and collating all the information that had been assembled on the various entries, and in particular, to conducting a final cross-checking of the meanings of various words. It was often necessary to hold discussion and consultation sessions with various individuals over the meanings of certain items. In the final draft that emerged from this phase, for each entry in the dictionary, the following categories of information were provided:

(1) | a phonetic transcription, with tone indicated;
(2) | the grammatical category to which the word belongs; and
(3)  | the meaning of the word in English, often with illustration of usage in Ẹdo.

The following are the formal works consulted for the compilation of entries:

Aigbe, Emman I.
1960.
Iyeva yan Ariasẹn vbe Itan Ẹdo. Lagos

Ebọhon, Ọsẹmwegie

Ọba Ehẹngbuda Kevbe Agbọn-Izẹlọghọmwan. Ethiope Publishing Corporation, Benin City.

Egharevba, Jacob U.

Ekherhe vbe Itan Ẹdo. Benin City.

—

Okha Ẹdo. Benin City.

—

1972.

Itan Edagbon mwen. Ethiope Publishing Corporation, Benin City.

—

Iha Ominigbọn. Benin City.

—

Agbẹdogbẹyo. Benin City.

—

Ebe Imina. Benin City.

—

“A ma z’ẹvbo ọmwan tawiri”. Benin City.

Idahosa, U.A.

Eb’ omunhẹn N’ogieva, Primer Two. Longmans, Green & Co., Ibadan.

Melzian, Hans

1937.

A concise Dictionary of the Bini Language of Southern Nigeria. London.

xi

Munro, D.A.

English — Edo wordlist. Institute of African Studies, U.I. Occasional Publications No. 7.

Thomas, N.W.

1910.

Anthropological Report on the Ẹdo-speaking Peoples. 2 Vols. London.

(v) Orthography

The orthography employed in the writing of Ẹdo in this dictionary is generally consistent with the system recommended for Ẹdo in 1974 by the Ad Hoc Mid-West Language Committee, and approved by the Bendel State Ministry of Education. The only modification to that System adopted here is the re-introduction of mw for the labio-dental nasal approximent [ɱ], in conformity with the current practice in the writing of Ẹdo by the Ẹdos. Thus the symbols employed for the vowels and consonants are as follows:

Vowels:

Oral

a

as

in

ada
“sceptre”

e

as

in

ebe
“leaf”

ẹ

as

in

ẹdẹ
“day”

i

as

in

iri
“rope”

o

as

in

okò
“parcel”

ọ

as

in

ọgọ́
“bottle”

u

as

in

uguu
“vulture”

Vowels:

Nasal

an

as

in

ọdan
“glue”

ẹn

as

in

ọdẹn
“joke”

in

as

in

ivin
“nut”

ọn

as

in

edọn
“flying termite”

un

as

in

ẹdun
“bitter kola”

Details of the Committe’s recommendations are included in a publication of the Ministry of Education, Benin, entitled Report of the Seminar on Edọ Orthography, 1974.

xii

CONSONANTS:

b

as
in
baa
“to shine”

d

as
in
dẹ
“to buy”

f

as
in
faa
“to disgrace”

g

as
in
ga
“to serve”

gb

as
in
gba
“to tie”

gh

as
in
ghee
“to look at”

h

as
in
he
“to refuse”

k

as
in
kaa
“to carve”

kh

as
in
khọ
“to resemble”

kp

as
in
kpaa
“to lift up”

l

as
in
laọ
“to enter”

m

as
in
maa
“to be good”

mw

as
in
mwẹn
“my”

n

as
in
na
“to narrate”

p

as
in
pẹpẹ
“to pamper”

r

as
in
re
“to eat”

rh

as
in
rhie
“to take”

rr

as
in
rre
“to arrive”

s

as
in
saa
“to burst”

t

as
in
taa
“to imitate”

v

as
in
vaa
“to split”

vb

as
in
vbaa
“to meet”

w

as
in
wii
“to get lost”

y

as
in
yee
“to remember”

z

as
in
zọọ
“to germinate”

Also consistent with the stipulations of the official orthography, tone marking has been confined exclusively to those forms which might remain ambiguous without the indication of tone. The tone marks on such forms are expected therefore to be regarded as part of their regular spelling. In

xiii

this regard, only two tones are marked namely “ ´ ” for high tone and “ ` ” for low; intermediate or mid tone is left unmarked. Below is a near-exhaustive list of the words for which tone must be indicated as part of their regular spelling:

àba    [àbá]    “an old fashioned address term for “father”.
ába    [ábà]    “anklet worn by an omada”.
àda    [àdà]    “crossroads”.
áda    [ádá]    “sceptre”.
àdẹn    [àdɛ̀]    “placenta”.
ádẹn    [ádɛ́]    “hooked pole used for plucking fruit”.
àgbada    [àgbàdà]    “two-edged sword”.
ágbada    [ágbádá]    “flowing robe”.
àka    [àká]    “a hearth shelf”.
áka    [ákà]    “a grass snake”.
aká    [áká]    “trumpet”.
àko    [àkò]    1. “location, place”; 2. “gift parcel”.
áko    [ákò]    “pepper fruit”.
àkhuẹ    [àxuɛ́]    “bath”.
ákhuẹ    [áxuɛ̀]    1. “tomorrow”; 2. “marble”.
akpà    [àkpà]    “a fool”.
akpá    [àkpá]    “foetus”.
àranmwẹn    [àɽ̃ã́ɱɛ̃̀]    “game meat”.
áranmwẹn    [áɽ̃ã́ɱɛ̃̀]    “tongue”.
àro    [àɽò]    “eye”.

xiv

áró    [áɽó]    “dye”.
àsẹ    [àsɛ́]    “authority”.
ásẹ    [ásɛ́]    “environ”.
avàn    [àvã̀]    “afternoon”.
aván    [àvã́]    “thunder”.
àwa    [àwá]    “dog”.
áwa    [áwà]    “hour”.
àwẹ    [àwɛ̀]    “fast”.
áwẹ    [áwɛ́]    “a large bird”.
àyọn    [àỹɔ̃́]    “wine”.
áyọn    [áỹɔ̃̀]    “black rubber tree”.
dè    [dè]    “interrogative pronoun: What?, which?”.
ègbọ    [èg͡bɔ́]    “the tree-felling phase in the preparation of farmland”.
égbọ    [ég͡bɔ]    “a variety of native song”.
ekẹ̀n    [èkɛ̃̀]    “soil; wall”.
ekén    [èkɛ̃́]    1. “egg”; 2. “the day of week on which no market-day falls”.
ekhàrha    [èxàřà]    “umbrella”.
ekhárha    [èxářà]    “recitation”.
èkhue    [èxwè]    “shame”.
ékhue    [éxwé]    “garden-egg”.
èkpa    [èkpá]    1. “vomit”; 2. “cause; consideration”.
ékpa    [ékpà]    “fist”.
eni    [enì]    “name”.

xv

ení    [ení]    “elephant”.
ère    [èɽè]    “profit”.
ére    [éɽè]    “beans”.
èsago    [èsago]    “a large bottle, usually encased in wicker-work”.
evè    [èvè]    “elephantiasis of the scrotum”.
evé    [èvé]    “weeping”.
evbàvba    [èʋàʋá]    “a term for “father”.
evbávba    [èʋáʋà]    “the supreme authority”.
èwọe    [èwɔ̀è]    “follower”.
éwọe    [éwɔ́é]    1. “whistling”; 2. “lava of a certain fly”.
ẹgbẹ̀e    [ɛ̀g͡bɛ̀e]    “widow”.
ẹgbẹ́e    [ɛ̀gbɛ́è]    “family”.
ẹghẹ̀    [ɛ̀ɣɛ̀]    “time”.
ẹghẹ́    [ɛ̀ɣɛ́]    “small yam-pole”.
ẹ̀hun    [ɛ̀hṹ]    “worm-dust”.
ẹ́hun    [ɛ́hũ̀]    “fart”.
ẹtẹ̀    [ɛ̀tɛ̀]    “sore; ulcer”.
ẹtẹ́    [ɛ̀tɛ́]    “monkey”.
hẹẹ̀n    [hɛ̃́ɛ̃̀]    “no!”.
hẹ̃ẹ̃́n    [hɛ̃́ɛ̃́]    “yes!”.·
ibà    [íbà]    “mud bench”.
ibá    [íbá]    “mischief”.
ìbiẹ    [ìbyɛ́]    1. “the male youth in a household”; 2. “a secret language used by members of the Iwebo society”.

xvi

íbiẹ    [íbyɛ́]    “intestines”.
ìgbọn    [ìg͡bɔ̃̀]    “a derogatory word for the Igbo-speaking people”.
ígbọn    [íg͡bɔ̃́]    “knee”.
ìgho    [ìɣò]    “horn”.
ígho    [íɣo]    1. “money”; 2. “milk-teeth”.
ìsẹ    [ìsɛ́]    “amen”.
ísẹ    [ísɛ̀]    “seeds used in a game of the same name”.
ìtan    [ìtã̀]    “the feather ordeal”.
ítan    [ítã́]    “proverb”.
ìwu    [ìwù]    1. “Edo ethnic marks”; 2. “direct off-spring”.
íwu    [íwù]    “capacity”.
ìyọyọ    [ìyɔ̀yɔ̀]    “tassel”.
íyọyọ    [íyɔ́yɔ́]    “a kind of vegetable”.
odìn    [ódĩ̀]    “a mute”.
odín    [ódĩ́]    “the deep portions of a river”.
odò    [ódò]    1. “abdominal dropsy”; 2. “potash”.
odó    [ódó]    “mortar”.
òha    [òhá]    1. “bush”; 2. “a mission of search”.
óha    [óhà]    “a spike”.
òhoho    [òhóhò]    “a whole thing”.
óhoho    [óhòhó]    “(soup) without oil”.
òko    [òkó]    1. “nest”; 2. “an address term used for peers”.
óko    [ókò]    “horn blown by native doctors”.
okò    [òkò]    “parcel”.

xvii

òkun    [òkṹ]    1. “sea”; 2. “the decorated box carried in “isotọn”.
ókun    [ókũ̀]    “twine”.
okhuò    [òxwò]    “woman”.
okhuó    [òxwó]    “portion of work”.
òkpe    [òkpè]    “wine-tapper”.
ókpe    [ókpè]    “a flute”.
òmẹ    [òmɛ̃̀]    “hiss”.
ómẹ    [ómɛ̃́]    “young palm leaves”.
òrere    [òɽéɽè]    “hare”.
órere    [óɽéɽé]    “out-yard”.
òso    [òsó]    “a chunk”.
óso    [ósó]    “wizard”.
osùsu    [òsùsù]    “tuft”.
osúsu    [òsúsú]    “arranged monthly contribution”.
òwa    [òwá]    “house”.
ówa    [ówá]    “market stall”.
ọ̀ga    [ɔ̀gá]    “boss”.
ọ́ga    [ɔ́gà]    “net”.
ọgọ̀    [ɔ̀gɔ̀]    “palm-wine”.
ọgọ́    [ɔ̀gɔ́]    “bottle”.
ọhà    [ɔ̀hà]    “catarrh”.
ọhá    [ɔ̀há]    “bride”.
ọ̀ka    [ɔ̀ká]    “leader”.
ọ́ka    [ɔ́kà]    “corn”.

xviii

ọ̀kpa    [ɔ̀kpà]    “rooster”.
ọ́kpa    [ɔ́kpá]    “one”.
ọkpá    [ɔ̀kpá]    “staff”.
ọ̀tẹn    [ɔ̀tɛ̃́]    “relative”.
ọ́tẹn    [ɔ́tɛ̃́]    “a sweet drink”.
ọ̀wa    [ɔ̀wà]    “castrated animal”.
ọ́wa    [ɔ́wá]    “epilepsy”.
ùde    [ùdè]    “advice”.
úde    [údè]    “a children’s disease”.
ukè    [ùkè]    1. “cripple”; 2. “a fast dance”.
uké    [ùké]    “a hair-dressing pad”.
ukhù    [ùkhù]    “inheritance”.
ukhú    [ùkhú]    1. “gag”; 2. “the sprouting tip of a germinating seed”.
ùkhuerhe    [ùxuéřé]    “a low stool”.
úkhuerhe    [úxuèřè]    “sugar-cane”.
ukhùnmwun    [ùxũ̀ɱũ̀]    1. “sky”; 2. “medicine”.
ukhúnmwun    [ùxṹɱũ̀]    “famine”.
ùkpo    [ùkpó]    “year”.
úkpo    [úkpò]    1. “bed”; 2. “paved road”; 3. “post”.
ùkpokpo    [ùkpòkpò]    “harassment”.
úkpokpo    [úkpòkpò]    “staff”.
ùwu    [ùwú]    “death”.
úwu    [úwù]    “line”.

xix

uwú    [úwú]    “the inside of something”.
zighó    [zíɣó]    1. “to cut milk teeth”; 2. “to pay a fine”.
zighò    [zíɣò]    “to grow horns”.

A NOTE ON GRAMMAR

Parts of speech labels which have been employed in the categorization of Ẹdo words in this dictionary, though determined primarily on the basis of the internal structure of Ẹdo, do however generally convey the broad meanings conventionally associated with these labels in their use by linguists. Thus an item identified as a noun would normally be expected to have a substantive rather than a relational reference, just as one identified as a verb would be adjudged to describe an action, state or process. However, the characteristics of some of the major grammatical categories in the language deserve further specification.

1. Nouns: These are generally substantives and they all begin with a vowel. They usually function as subjects or objects (direct and indirect) of sentences. Representative examples include: okpia — “man”, okhuo — “woman”; Ozo — “a proper name borne by males”; owa — “house”; erhan — “tree”; ẹhoho — “wind”; ẹvbare — “food”; ovbe — “sleep”; ohu — “anger”; ose — “beauty”; usẹ — “poverty” etc.

2. Verbs: These generally designate actions, state events, or processes, and they occur as the core or nucleus of the predicate in sentences. All Ẹdo verbs begin with consonants and may be mono or multi-syllabic, though most basic, underived verbs are monosyllabic. Most stative verbs in Ẹdo correspond to the category of descriptive or qualifying adjectives in English. Representative examples of words in this category are: dẹ — “to buy”; gbe — “to dance”; rree — “to be far”; khọrhiọn — “to be ugly”; mose — “to be beautiful”; wii — “to get lost” etc.

3. Adjectives: These generally designate qualities of substantives. They are predominantly ideophonic in form, and with the exception of the few underived forms such as dan — “evil, bad”, they are usually used predicatively, and are introduced by the verb ye — “to be like; to seem”, or other

xx

copulative verbs; Ọ ru vbirrivbirri — “It seems hazy”; Ọ ye kangunkangun — “He seems very lean”. Like verbs, all adjectives begin with a consonant. Representative examples include: guẹnrẹn — “tiny”; ghẹghẹghẹ — “weak, unsteady”; khuẹrhẹẹ — “gentle”; wẹnrẹnrẹn — “thin”, etc. A large sub-class of adjectives are derived from stative verbs by means of the derivational affix {n ·}. For example:

Verb            

Derived Adjective       

1.
wẹnrẹn
—
“to be thin”
  nẹwẹnrẹn
—
“thin”

2.
kherhe
—
“to be small”
  nekherhe
—
“small”

3.
mose
—
“to be beautiful”
  nemosee
—
“beautiful” etc.

This derivational process is highly productive, and it accounts for most of the common adjectives in the language.

4. Adverbs: These generally modify verbs or the entire sentence or clause in which they occur. Like adjectives, they are mainly ideophonic in form and the majority are derived, usually from verbs. Indeed most derived adverbs have formally identical adjectival counterparts, and their identification as adverbs usually has to be determined from the contexts in which they occur; for example: gbadaa [gbádáá] in the sentences below can be both an adverb and an adjective, as in 1 and 2 respectively below:

1. Ọ yan unu gbadaa — He opened his mouth wide.
2. Unu ẹnrẹn ye gbadaa — His mouth is wide.

All adverbs, like verbs and adjectives, begin with a consonant.

(vi) Alphabetical Order

The alphabetical order of entries is as shown below:

a

b

d

e

ẹ

f

g

gb

gh

h

i

k

kh

kp

l

m

mw

n

o

ọ

p

r

rh

rr

s

t

u

v

vb

w

y

z

xxi

ABBREVIATIONS

| adj. | — | adjective |
| adv. | — | adverb |
| art. | — | article |
| aux. | — | auxilliary |
| cf. | — | reference to |
| compltz. | — | complementizer |
| conj. | — | conjunction |
| cop. | — | copula |
| dem. | — | demonstrative |
| dem. pron. | — | demonstrative pronoun |
| dem. pronom. | — | demonstrative pronominal |
| e.g. | — | for example |
| Eng. | — | English |
| ind. det. | — | indefinite determiner |
| int. | — | interjection |
| inter phr. | — | interrogative phrase |
| inter. pron. | — | interrogative pronoun |
| inter. quant. | — | interrogative quantifier |
| iter. | — | iterative |
| lit. | — | literal or literally |

xxii

| n. | — | noun |
| neg. | — | negative |
| num. | — | numeral |
| obj. | — | object |
| part. | — | particle |
| pl. | — | plural |
| Port. | — | Portuguese |
| poss. | — | possessive |
| prep. | — | preposition |
| pron. | — | pronoun |
| quant. | — | quantifier |
| rel. pron. | — | relative pronoun |
| sgl. | — | singular |
| temp. | — | temperature |
| tense/asp. part. | — | tense/aspect particle |
| vb. | — | verb |
| vbl. part. | — | verbal particle |

xxiii

REFERENCES

1.
Bosah, S. I. 1976: Groundwork of the History and Culture of Onitsha.

2.

Egharevba, J. U. (Chief), 1954: The Origin of Benin. Benin City.
Eghareuba, J. U. (Chief), 1956 Benin Title Benin City

3.

Elugbe, B. 1973: A Comparative Ẹdo Phonology. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis submitted to the University of Ibadan.

Elugbe, B. 1979: “Some Tentative Historical Inferences from Comparative Edoid Studies” Kiabara 2.2.

4.

Greenberg, Joseph H. 1966: The Languages of Africa. Indiana University Press, Bloomington.

5.

Hoffmann, C. 1974: “The Languages of Nigeria by Language Families” in Studies in Nigerian Languages No. 5.

6.

Melzian, Hans., 1937: A Concise Dictionary of the Bini Language of Southern Nigeria., London Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co., Ltd.

7.
Moore, William. A. 1970: History of Itsekiri, Frank cass and Co., Ltd.

8.
Obuke, O. 1975: A History of Aviara Madison, U.S.A.

9.

Thomas, Northcote W. 1910: Anthropological Report on the Edo-Speaking peoples. London 2 Vols.

10.

Westermann, Dietrich and M. A. Bryan, 1952: Languages of West Africa. O.U.P. for International African Institute.

xxiv

Dictionary

A   | B | D | E   | Ẹ
F | G | GB | GH | H
I | K | KH | KP | L
M | MW | N | O | Ọ
P | R | RH | RR | S
T | U | V | VB | W
Y | Z

a¹ [à] pron.

an impersonal pronoun, usually rendered by the impersonal “we” in English:

a rri ọre ― “we eat it” i.e. “it is edible.”

a² [á] pron.

a bound form of the 2nd per. sgl. pronoun, ruẹ [rùɛ́]:

ọ guaa < ọ gua ruẹ ― “it accommodated you”

;

owaa ọna khin < owa ruẹ ọna khin ― “Your house this is” i.e. “This is your house.”

aan [ã̀ã́] int.

1. an exclamation of disbelief, surprise or shock; it usually entails a request for confirmation of what had been said. Also: aan nia?

2. indicates that an utterance was either not heard properly or not understood:

Aan, vbua kha hẹẹ? ― “What did you say?”

àba [àbá] n.

an old-fashioned deferential address term used for an elderly male as part of a greeting:

“Dọmọ, aba!” ― “Greetings, old father!”

(cf. Esán aba ― “father”).

ába [ábà] n.

anklet worn by an ọmada (palace young male attendant and sceptre-bearer), also more commonly known as ẹrọnmwọn.

ababe [àbábè] n.

witchcraft practice (cf. ọmwanbabe).

abakuru [àbákùɽú] n.

1. error, mistake, oversight.

2. (in the religious sense) ― sin:

ya abakuru mwan bọ mwan, Osanobua ― “Forgive us our sins, O God.”

aban [ábã̀] n.

1. native hand-cuffs, traditionally used for restraining prisoners or mentally deranged persons.

2. a native-doctor’s implement.

abe [àbé] n.

guilt (in a case, or lawsuit):

a bu abe gbẹe ― “He was found guilty”

.

abẹe [ábɛ́è] n.

1. pen-knife.

2. native single-edged knife with a sheath, used mainly for shaving.

abẹkpẹn [àbɛ̀kpɛ̃̀] n.

a special knife used for slaughtering animals.

abẹmwẹn¹ [àbɛ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

stammerer. (cf. bẹmwẹn).

abẹmwẹn² [àbɛ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

disputation; quarrelsomeness:

Ọ mu abẹmwẹn gbe ― “She is excessively fond of disputation”

. (cf: abọ; ẹmwẹn).

abigẹngẹn [ábigɛ̃́gɛ̃́] n.

a derogatory nickname for a very skinny or undernourished person.

abodẹ [àbòdɛ̀] n.

gnat; a tiny insect that typically flies into people’s eyes.

abọ [àbɔ́] n.

1. branch, extension:

aberhan (< abọ-erhan) “tree branch”

.

2. edge, corner:

abiba (< abọ-iba) “edge of a slab”

;

abukpọn (< abọ-ukpọn) “corner of a large cloth”

. Other compounds derived from abọ include

abutete (< abọ-utete) ― “edge of a hill”

;

abukpo (< abọ-ukpo) ― “edge of the road”, “curb”

;

abuhae (< abọ-uhae) ― “edge of a well”

;

abẹvbo (< abọ-ẹvbo) ― “corners of the town”

, etc.

3. strap:

abẹkpo (abọ-ẹkpo) ― “straps of a bag.”

4. sleeves (of a garment).

abọ [àbɔ́] n.

sane or sober mood; normalcy. Usually occurs in the expression ―

Ei re ọghe abọ ― “it is not normal”

― implying that the event or state is subject to the influence of some extraneous forces, such as witchcraft, magic, madness, alcohol, etc.

abọkpọ [ábɔ́kpɔ̀] n.

a staff carved like a machet, which is carried by each of the female relatives of the deceased during the dances in traditional burial ceremonies. It is believed to serve to ward off evil spirits from the family.

àda [àdà] n.

crossroads; road junction.

áda [ádá] n.

The sceptre or state-sword ceremonially borne before the Ọba as symbol of his royal and imperial authority. It is also borne before certain senior chiefs and native religious priests. (cf. ọmada).

adazẹ [àdàzɛ́] n., adj.

an affluent and respectable person in a community:

Adazẹ-ọmwan nọ ― “He is a respectable person”

.

adekẹn [àdèkɛ̃́] n.

female cricket (cf. ogoro).

adesẹ [àdèsɛ̀] n.

1. centre, middle:

ọ mudia ye adesẹ ode ― “He stood at the centre of the road.”

2. between:

ọ mudia ye adesẹ iran eveva ― “he stood between them both”

; (also adesẹneva).

3. core, kernel:

rhie adesẹ ọre mẹ ― “Give its core to me”

.

adẹlẹ¹ [àdɛ́lɛ̀] n.

a square shape.

adẹlẹ² [àdɛ́lɛ̀] n.

indiscriminate purchases; unnecessary spending;

adẹlẹ bun ẹrrẹn gbe ― “He is too fond of indiscriminate spending.”

ádẹn [ádɛ̃́] n.

a long pole with a hook at its tip, used for picking fruit from tall trees.

àdẹn [àdɛ̀] n.

placenta; afterbirth.

adiyẹ [ádìyɛ́] n.

chicken; fowl (cf. ọkhọkhọ).

adogbannọ [àdógbã̀nɔ̃̀] n.

success; accomplishment.

adọlọ [ádɔ̀lɔ́] n.

reconciliation.

Adọlọ [ádɔ̀lɔ́] n.

name of an Ọba of Benin who reigned from 1848 ― 1888. He was the father of Ọba Ovọnramwẹn (Egharevba: 1968, pp. 46-47).

Aduwawa [àdúwàwà] n.

name of an Edo village on the outskirts of Benin to the East.

afa [àfá] n.

a Moslem priest (cf. Yoruba “àlùfaá”).

afiala [àfyálá] n.

flag.

afian [àfyã́] n.

chisel.

afiangbe [àfyã́gbè] n.

blessing:

afiangbe Osanobua ― “God’s blessing”

.

afianma [àfyã́mà] n.

apprehension; fear; worry:

afianma fian mwen ighẹ ọ gha de ― “apprehension grips me that he might fall” i.e. I am worried that he might fall.

afienrhan [afyẽ́řã̀] n.

headache.

afiwerriẹ [àfíwèrryiɛ́] n.

change, transformation:

Arrioba mu afiwerriẹ nibun rri Ẹdo ― “The government brought many changes to Benin”

.

afọ [àfɔ́] n.

1. greens; vegetable (also ebafọ).

2. soup prepared from vegetables.

afuedẹ [àfwédɛ̀] n.

1. a grey-haired person.

2. an old person.

afuozu [àfwózú] n.

a blind person (cf. arhuaro).

aga [ágá] n.

chair.

agalezi [àgàlèzí] n.

1. a young lizard.

2. a nickname for a tall and clumsy person.

agan [àgã̀] n.

1. a childless woman;

2. an infertile person or plant.

aganmwinsoso [àgã́ɱĩ̀sósó] n.

a serious case of whitlow, believed to be caused by the poison of a certain kind of caterpillar known as “isue”.

agele [àgèlè] n.

bullet.

agiẹghẹ [àgyɛ́ɣɛ̀] n.

coins used as small change; change (in monetary transactions).

agikpa [àgìkpá] n.

an adult male; a full-grown male:

ọ khian agikpa nẹ ― “He has become a full-grown person already.”

agiẹn [agiɛ̃́] n.

corrosive acid.

agiẹngiẹn [ágyɛ̃́gyɛ̃́] n.

sensitivity; concern; interest:

agiẹgiẹn ọmọ i giẹe kpa se iran rae ― “Her motherly concern will not let her desert them.”

agio [àgyó] n.

a kind of root dye that changes white cloth, or similar materials, to yellow.

agobọ [àgóbɔ̀] n.

left hand side; left hand.

agọ [àgɔ́] n.

camp; temporary settlement.

aguegbero [àgwégbeɽò] n.

1. being in agreement, matching each other.

2. (in mathematics): equivalence: congruency.

aguẹ [àguɛ̀] n.

a seven-day fast held at the Oba’s palace, as well as at the households of some senior chiefs. It is usually held in January after Iguẹ festival.

agukisinmwiongie [àgúkísĩ́myṍgye] n.

the morning star. Its name no doubt derives from its extreme brightness: (<

a-gue-uki-sinmwin-ogie ― “that who with the moon struggles for supremacy” i.e. the moon’s rival

).

aguobegbe [àgwóbegbè] n.

compatibility; having mutual accord; harmony.

aguro [àgúɽò] n.

correspondence; match.

àgbada [àg͡bàdà] n.

a two-edged sword used mainly by butchers.

ágbada [ág͡bádá] n.

the large and flowing outer robe of men’s Nigerian national dress.

agbadi [àg͡bàdì] n.

bridge (Melzian).

Agbado [àg͡bàdò] n.

name of one of the oldest native markets of Benin City, situated along Akpakpava Road.

agbaka [àg͡bákà] n.

crocodile.

agbakpan [àg͡bákpã̀] n.

a bald person. (cf. akpan).

agban [àg͡bã́] n.

wicker basket with a wooden base, used mainly for conveying foodstuffs.

agbanmwẹn [àg͡bã̀ɱɛ̃̀] n.

chin; lower jaw.

agbaziro [ág͡bàzíɽò] n.

confidant; one with whom one confers.

Agbaziro [ág͡bàzíɽò] n.

name of one of the local government areas in the Esan-speaking part of Bendel State.

agbegue [àg͡bégwe] n.

covering up; making secret.

agbeva [àg͡bèvà] n.

something made up of two components; dual; twin.

agbẹn [ág͡bɛ̃́] n.

1. line, row.

2. course, route.

agbẹtẹ [àg͡bɛ́tɛ̀] n.

one afflicted with one or more body ulcers, especially on the legs.

agbo [àg͡bò] n.

ram.

Agbodo [àg͡bódó] n.

1. the name of a lake in Ugo.

2. general term for a cave or any deep and wide hollow in the ground.

Agboghidi [ág͡bóɣìdì] n.

the name of a famous and historic ruler of Ugo.

agbọkhokho [àgbùxòxò] n.

hornet.

agbọn [àg͡bɔ̃̀] n.

1. the world, the universe; mortal life, as opposed to the immortal realm of spirits.

2. a collective reference to the people of the earth.

agha [àɣá] n.

a wood-carver’s implement.

aghadaghada [àɣàdàɣádà] n.

Each of the four lines constituting the cross (+) configuration has in the Edo game, Isẹ. The significance of aghadaghada in the game derives from the mystical meaning of the + symbol.

aghanghan [áɣ̃ã́ɣ̃ã́] n.

a very high price; expensive value:

aghanghan ẹre i hae ye owa nii ― “It was a very high price that I paid for that house.”

aghẹn [àɣ̃ɛ̃̀] n.

native mat made from strips of the pulpy stem of “ẹkpogho” plant.

aghọnghọn [áɣ̃ɔ̃ɣ̃ɔ̃̀] n.

shadow.

aha [àhá] n.

leech.

ahannọzẹ [àhã̀nɔ̃̀zɛ́] n.

a select group; an exclusive group.

ahẹ [áhɛ̀] n.

convulsion (typically afflicts infants).

ahẹn [áhɛ̃́] n.

sieve.

ahianmwẹn [áhyã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

bird;

ahianmwẹn-Osa ― “the African Pied wagtail”

.

ahiọ [àhyɔ́] n.

urine.

aho [àhó] n.

hoe.

ahobẹkun [àhóbɛ̀kṹ] n.

state of being lost or irrecoverable.

ahoẹmwẹn-egbe [àhwɛ̀ɱɛ̃égbé] n.

mutual love; caring for each other.

ahoẹmwọnọmwan [àhwɛ̀ɱɛ̃́ɔɱã̀] n.

love, amity; goodwill.

ahoo [àhòó] n.

goodwill, benevolence.

ahua [áhúà] n.

hawk.

ahuẹmwẹn [àhwɛ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

troublemaker; (also aruẹmwẹn).

aibanuafo [àíbã̀nũã́fòó] n.

small under-garment worn by men.

airebaa [àíɽébàá] n.

very potent poison, hence its name which literally means “one-does-not-eat-in-addition-to -it”.

aitalọ [áytàlɔ́] n.

sore-throat (also atalọ).

áka [ákà] n.

a common kind of grass snake.

àka [àká] n.

a shelf over the traditional kitchen hearth used for drying meat and fish and for preserving other ingredients such as crayfish, etc.

aká [áká] n.

trumpet.

akaba [àkàbà] n.

a ritual dance which forms part of the Ọkhuahẹ festival.

Akaẹrọnmwọn [ákaɛ́ɽ̃ɔ̃̀ɱɔ̃̀] n.

The Palace Court Jester.

akasan [àkàs̃ã́] n.

corn pudding, usually dispensed in molds wrapped in special leaves known as ebiẹba [èbíɛ̀bá].

akanmwundu [àkã̀ɱũ̀dù] n.

a dimunitive object. (cf. kanmwan).

akeegbe [àkèègbé] n.

a pretentious person.

akenni [àkẽ́nì] n.

ivory (< akon-eni) “elephant’s tooth” (cf. akọn).

Akẹngbuda [àkɛ̃́gbúdà] n.

the name of the Oba of Benin who reigned from 1750 to 1803 (Egharevba 1968: p. 74).

Akẹnzua [ákɛ̃́zuà] n.

the name of two past Obas of Benin: Akenzua I 1713 to 1734 and Akenzua II 1933 to 1978.

akia [ákià] bound morpheme.

month; it occurs with numerals to express monthly periods of time; e.g.

ákiàhá = three-month period

;

akiaihinrin = nine-month period

.

akiyẹyẹ [ákíyɛ̀yɛ́] n.

foolery, joke.

áko [ákò] n.

a fruit tree (Dennettia tripetala), whose fruit is peppery-hot when ripe, and is very popular and used as a hospitality gift.

àko [àkò] n.

gift parcel; present; (also oko).

àko [àkò] n.

1. normal location; place

2. enclosure; bag; case; sheath:

àkoọmọ ― “the case for a child”: womb

.

akobẹ [àkòbɛ̀] n.

metal trap, used mainly for catching small animals such as house mice.

akobiẹ [akobyɛ̀] n.

a mud idol moulded in human shape.

akoọmọ [àkwọ́mọ̀] n.

womb (cf. àko).

akota [àkòtà] n.

evening time: from about 4 p.m. to nightfall;

akota khuẹrhẹẹ ― “late evening”

.

akọn [àkɔ̃̀] n.

tooth; akingho (akọnighó) “milk teeth”.

akọsọ [ákɔ́sɔ́] n.

a thorny creeper (Uvaria macrotricha).

akọwe [ákɔ̀wé] n.

clerk. (cf. Yoruba: akọwe).

akuenrhankuinrri [ákw̃éřã́kw̃ĩ̀rì] n.

pupa encased in a shell of twigs and strings.

akuete [àkwétè] n.

1. something of tremendous size or quality:

amẹ akuete ẹre ọ rhọre ― “It was an extraordinarily heavy rain that fell.”

2. the name of a woven fabric made in Ghana.

akugbe [àkúg͡bè] n.

unity; accord;

akugbe nọhuanrẹn ― “Holy Communion”

.

akughagha [àkúɣàɣà] n.

tree bear.

akuirọn [àkwíɽ̃ɔ̃̀] n.

a dark-brown bird with fluffy plumage.

akha [àxà] n.

weaver bird.

akhaẹn [àxãɛ̃̀] n.

stinginess.

akharha [àxàřà] n.

crutch; also a euphemism for the genitals.

akharho [àxářò] n.

a variety of monkey.

akhasẹ [áxasɛ̀] n.

prophet.

akhe [àxé] n.

a clay pot usually used for drinking water.

akhiẹ [àxyɛ̀] n.

mourning.

akhiọnkpa [àxĩɔ̃̀k͡pà] n.

loner (also okhiọnkpa).

akhọnmiotọ [àxɔ̃́mĩ̀ṍtɔ̀] n.

success, fulfilment, victory.

akhọwa [àxɔ̀wà] n.

1. night-watchman; security guard.

2. deputy.

ákhuankhuinsan [áxw̃ãxw̃ĩsã̀] n.

dungbeetle.

akhuanwa [áxw̃ã́wà] n.

wall ghecko.

akhuarhamwunnu [áxwáráɱũ̀nṹ] n.

lips.

ákhuẹ¹ [áxwɛ̀] n.

marble.

ákhuẹ² [áxwɛ̀] n.

tomorrow.

àkhuẹ [àxwɛ́] n.

wash; bath.

akhuẹn [áxwɛ̃́] n.

joint.

akpá [àk͡pá] n.

1. foetus;

2. spirit.

akpà [àk͡pà] n.

a foolish person.

akpakomiza [àk͡pàkómìzà] n.

hyena.

akpakpa [àk͡pák͡pà] n.

spider.

Akpakpava [àk͡pàk͡pávà] n.

the name of one of the streets in Benin City, it leads from the Ring Road to Ikpoba Slope.

akpalakperhan [àk͡pàlàk͡pèřã́] n.

Grey woodpecker.

akpalode [àk͡pálódè] n.

a belt worn as a protection against evil forces and charms.

akpan [ák͡p̃ã́] n.

baldness; bald head (cf. agbakpan).

akpannago [àk͡p̃ã̀nã́gó]

left-handed person.

akpata [ák͡pátá] n.

an indigenous musical instrument that is played like a harp.

akpanmwunse [àk͡p̃ã̀ɱũ̀sè] n.

eczema.

akpannigiakọn [àk͡p̃ã̀nigyakɔ̃̀] n.

soregums; infected gums.

ákpáwè [ák͡páwɛ] adv.

“were it that . . . ” e.g. akpawe i mwẹn igho, i gha dẹ imọto ― “were it that-I-had-money,I-would-buy-a-car: if I had money, I would buy a car.”

akpẹlẹ [àk͡pɛ̀lɛ̀] n.

a woman pregnant for the first time.

akpo [àk͡pò] n.

a nickname for a very short person.

akpolo [àk͡pólò] n.

a string of beads worn around the waist by girls.

akpọkọ [ák͡pɔ́kɔ́] n.

a variety of native pepper that’s very small and hot.

Akpọlọkpọlọ [àk͡pɔ̀lɔ̀k͡pɔ́lɔ̀] n.

one of the praise titles of the Ọba of Benin: Ọmọ n’Ọba n’Ẹdo, Uku Akpọlọkpọlọ.

alagbodẹ [àlág͡bòdɛ̀] n.

the last born of a woman. lit. meaning: “one who passes and blocks the way.”

alaghodaro [àláɣòdárò] n.

progress; improvement.

alama [àlàmà] n.

meddling (cf. igbalama).

alasẹ [àlásɛ̀] n.

carelessness/irresponsibility:

ọ ya igho fi alasẹ gbe = he-uses-money-make-carelessness excessively i.e. “he is too careless with money.”

alazi [álázi] n.

ape.

alele [àlélè] n.

procedure; established way of doing things; (also ilele ).

alẹlẹ [álɛ̀lɛ̀] n.

a creeper that’s mainly used for tying yam.

alẹvbẹ [àlɛ̀ʋɛ̀] n.

a bat-like night bird that flies only a short distance when stirred.

alimoi [àlìmoí] n.

orange; alimoinegiere-lime.

alubarha [àlùbářà] n.

onion; (Yoruba: àlùbọ́sà).

alughaẹn [àlúɣã̀ɛ̃] n.

difference.

alumagazi [àlùmàgázì] n.

a pair of scissors; (cf. Yoruba: àlùmɔ́gàjí) (also ugbeto; etuheru).

alumẹ [àlùmɛ̀] n.

a bird.

alumiọghọn [alumyɔ̃́ɣɔ̃̀] n.

the smooth-skinned lizard, which is also smaller than the normal lizard.

ama¹ [ámã̀] n.

1. mark:

ọ vin ama yọ ― “he drew a mark on it”

;

2. sign, symbol: ama emwin nodee ọna khin (the sign of thing coming this is) “this is a sign of things to come.”

ama² [ámã̀] n.

a bronze or brass casting:

Iran sa ọre ye ama ― “They cast it in bronze/brass.” i.e. “They immortalized it.”

amamẹ [àmã́mɛ̃] adj.

watery:

uwọnmwẹn amamẹ ẹre ọ lee ― It was a watery soup that she cooked

. (cf. amẹ).

amazẹ [ámazɛ̀] n.

carved or moulded figurines in a shrine.

ameda [àmédà] n.

rain-water (collected from a drainage tunnel on a roof, or as it flows down the roof). (cf. amẹ; eda).

amerhẹn [àméřɛ̃̀] n.

hot water (cf. amẹ; erhẹn).

ameve [àmévè] n.

tears (cf. evé).

amẹ [àmɛ̃̀] n.

1. water.

2. rain:

amẹ rhọọ ― “Rain is falling”

.

3. liquid:

ọ de amẹ ― “It has liquified”

.

4. juice:

amẹ alimoi ― “orange juice”

.

amẹmẹ [ámɛ̃̀mɛ̃̀] n.

a tree whose leaves have sandy surfaces like sandpaper. (cf. ebamẹmẹ), and is usually used for polishing wooden surfaces.

amẹzẹ [àmɛ̃́zɛ̀] n.

stream water (believed to be very cool):

Ọ furre vbe amẹzẹ ― “It is cool like stream water”

.

amiẹkue [àmyɛ̃́kwè] n.

concession; admission as accurate or true.

amivin [àmĩ́vĩ̀] n.

coconut milk.

amolokun [àmṍlókũ̀] n.

sea-water. (cf. Olokun).

amọgba [àmɔ̃̀g͡bà] n.

pipe-borne water.

amuẹtinyan [àmwɛ̃́tĩỹã̀] n.

faith, trust.

amufi [àmũ̀fì] n.

acrobats who used to perform at the isiokuo ceremony.

amunu [àmṹnũ̀] n.

verbal abuse or insult.

amuro [àmṹɽò] n.

sympathy, consideration.

amurhukpa [àmṹřùkpà] n.

kerosine.

amwenbọ [áɱẽ̀bɔ́] n.

favourite wife.

amwẹn [àɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. female;

2. wife.

amwọnba [áɱɔ̃́bá] n.

1. wife of the Ọba of Benin (also oloi);

2. wife of a ruler.

anini [ánĩ́nĩ́] n.

an old Nigerian coin that was worth 1/10 of a Kobo.

apiẹntisi [àpỹ́ɛ̃́tisì] n.

1. apprentice driver.

2. apprentice in general. (cf. Engl.).

araba [áɽábà] n.

1. rubber.

2. plastic wares (cf. Engl.).

áranmwẹn [áɽ̃ã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

tongue.

àranmwẹn [àɽ̃ã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. animal, usually wild rather than domestic.

2. game meat.

arebun [àɽébũ̀] n.

a variety of white yam.

arevbukhu [áɽèʋúxù] n.

inheritance; heritage; legacy (cf. ukhu).

arẹkẹn [àɽɛ̀kɛ̃̀] n.

a variety of snake that feeds on eggs.

arẹnrẹn [áɽ̃ɛ̃ɽ̃ɛ̃̀] n.

priggishly professing to know.

arighẹghan [aɽiɣɛɣã] n.

a painful swelling in the groin region.

áro [áɽó] n.

dye; indigo dye:

ọ rhuan ukpon áro ― She is wearing a cloth that has been dipped in indigo dye

.

àro [àɽò] n.

1. eye;

2. face:

ọ gbe orhue ye àro ― She rubbed chalk on her face

.

3. front or right side:

Ọ mu ukpọn aro daa iyeke ― She turned the front side of the cloth to the back

.

4. variety; kind:

àro ughughan ― “different kinds”

.

aroegbe [àɽwég͡bè] n.

a matching set; things of the same kind.

aroewu [àɽwéwù] n.

hearth.

aroẹrinmwin [àɽwɛ́ɽ̃iɱĩ̀] n.

1. the shrine at which the rites of ẹrinmwin (the ancestors) are performed.

2. (idiom) the brink of death:

Emianmwen ne ọ khuọnmwin kiekie naa, aroẹrinmwin ẹre a ke na ya wọlọ ẹre rhie ladian ― “This sickness that afflicted him lately, it was from the brink of death that he was saved.”

aroẹtẹ [àɽwɛ́tɛ̀] n.

the surface of an ulcer.

aroirofiekhoewerriẹ [àɽwíɽofyéxɔéwèriyɛ̀] n.

repentance (lit: one-thinks-thought-changes-mind.)

aroọkpa [àɽẁɔ́kpá] adj.

of the same kind: àro ọ́kpa “one variety”;

aroọkpa eveva khin ― “both are of the same kind”

.

aroọma [àɽwɔ́mà] n.

good fortune

àro ọma: “face (of) goodness:”

T’u gha miẹ aroọma: “May you find good fortune.”

arovbẹmwẹn [àɽòʋɛ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

greed (aro + vbẹ-mwẹn): “eye ― wideness”:

ọ mwẹn arovbẹmwẹn gbe ― “he is too greedy.”

arowa [àɽòwà] n.

1. master, boss.

2. husband.

arọ [àɽɔ̀] n.

cripple; paralysed person.

arọkpa [àɽɔ́kpá] n.

oneness; solidarity.

Arúkhọ [àɽúxɔ̀] n.

name of the ill-treated wife of Ogiso in Ẹdo folklore.

arhẹrhẹ [ářɛ̀řɛ́] n.

gentle persuasion, coaxing.

arhiema [àřyémà] n.

demonstration, proof.

arhiọkpaegbe [àřyɔ́k͡paègbé] n.

resurrection; (Christian sense) Easter.

Arhuanràn [ářw̃ã́ɽã̀] n.

name of the historic giant sized brother of Ọba Ẹsigie.

arhuaro [àřw̃áɽò] n.

a blind person (cf. afuozu).

arhuẹ [àřwɛ̀] n.

circumcision.

arhunmwun [ářṹɱṹ] n.

individual person:

arhunmwun-ọ́kpa ― “one person”

(also orhunmwun).

arhunmwontọ [ářũ̀ɱṍtɔ̀] n.

viper.

arra [àrá] n.

a variety of green caterpillar, typically found underneath leaves, and causes extreme irritation of the skin when one comes into contact with it.

arrale [áralè] n.

a busybody; a gossip.

arriana [àryíanã̀] n.

this life, as opposed to the previous or the next re-incarnation.

arre [árè] n.

tradition; cultural history:

emwin-arre ― historical event

.

arria [àryá] num.

bound variant of uri (200) which occurs in multiples of 200: arriaigbe ― 2,000 (i.e. 200 x 10).

arriaisẹn [àryáísɛ̃̀] num.

one thousand. arriaisẹn-arriaisẹn ― “one million”.

arriavbehe [àryáʋèhé] n.

next reincarnation.

arrianusin [àriànṹsĩ̀] n.

the previous life (i.e. before the present one).

arriọba [àryɔ́bá] n.

kingdom; government.

arriọkpa [àryɔ́kpà] n.

the colourful tail feather of a rooster.

arriukpa [àryìúkpà] n.

a variety of moth that hovers around lamps at night.

arrọn [àr̃ɔ̃] n.

a flaky skin disease that affects domestic animals such as goats and sheep.

asa [àsá] n.

shield.

asaka [àsákà] n.

a variety of large black ant that troops in a single file and stings when encountered. It also gives off a very strong smell when squashed. asaka-nokhiọnkpa [àsákànóxĩɔ̃̀kpà] a variety of black ant that goes singly. It typically has a painful sting.

asan [ásã́] n.

cane, usually used for flogging people or animals.

asanikaro [àsàníkàɽò] n.

pioneer.

asanmwonto [àsã̀ɱõ̀tò] n.

a variety of brown ants that troops in large numbers, and typically collects over greasy surfaces and left-over foods in garbage dumps.

ase [àsé] n.

state of being in the right in a case or a quarrel ―

Ozo ọ rri-ase vbe ẹmwẹn naa ― “Ozo is in the right in this case.”

asefẹn [àsèfɛ̃̀] n.

the sides of the human body.

aseza [ásézà] n.

soldier; (possibly from English: soldier); warrior (also ovbi-iyokuo).

ásẹ [ásɛ́] n.

1. proximity; environ ―

ásẹ ni ọ rhie ẹre yi ― “It is around that place that he put it”

;

ásẹ ni ọ na ru ẹre ― “It was around that time that he did it.”

àsẹ [àsɛ́] n.

authority.

asẹgiẹ [ásɛ́gyɛ́] n.

iron rod used by farmers for harvesting yam.

asẹlẹ [ásɛ̀lɛ́] n.

cricket (also ọsẹlẹ).

asẹn [àsɛ̃̀] n.

saliva.

asẹsẹ [ásɛ̀sɛ́] n.

a bird: robin.

asimo [ásímó] n.

a nickname for a very lean person.

asokito [ásòkítò] n.

hospital (cf. English: hospital) (variant forms are: asikito; ọsupito; etc).

asokosagba [ásókósàg͡bà] n.

a bikini-type underwear.

asologun [àsólógṹ] n.

xylophone.

asoro [ásóró] n.

a spear.

asoso [ásósó] n.

a wild fruit that’s very sweet, borne by a local plant known as ebiẹba.

asọn [àsɔ̃́] n.

night.

asua [àswá] n.

bad luck.

asuẹn [áswɛ̃́] n.

a shrub (Carpolobia lutea) whose wood is used for making the native harp, akpata [ákpátá].

asukpẹ [àsùk͡pɛ̀] n.

hiccups.

ata [àtá] n.

a variety of monkey.

atabatibo [àtàbàtíbó] n.

something that has developed or has been extended out of proportion:

Ọ ya mwẹn emwẹn khian atabatibo ― “He has turned my words into an incredible exaggeration; i.e., he has exaggerated my words beyond recognition.”

ataighimua [àtáiɣimw̃ã̀] n.

a final resolution (a-ta-ai-ghi-mua) ― “that which is said and is not to be debated”.

ataikpin [àtàik͡pĩ̀] n.

a variety of snake, which is like a boa, but of a smaller variety.

Atakparhakpa [àtàk͡pářàk͡pà] n.

1. name of the legendary rogue who was reputed to be a most skillful robber:

Atakparhakpa ne ogie-oyi ― “Atakparhakpa, the chief of robbers.”

2. nickname for a thief.

atalakpa [àtàlàkpà] n.

leopard.

atalọ [átàlɔ́] n.

sore-throat (also aitalọ).

atanunuyan [àtánũ̀nṹỹã̀] n.

a nickname for a very talkative person (a-ta-ne-unu-yan): “one who talks till (his) mouth tires.”

atata- [átátá] bd. n.

surface, as in

atata-obọ ― palm

(i.e. surface of hand);

atata-owẹ ― “sole of the feet.”

atauvbi [àtàuʋì] n.

the period just before sunset, characterized by the warm glow of the setting sun.

ateete [átèétè] n.

grasshopper.

atẹ [àtɛ́] n.

displayed merchandize, traditionally on cane trays (atẹtẹ) in the market place.

atẹtẹ [àtɛ̀tɛ̀] n.

the traditional cane tray on which merchandize, such as pepper, crayfish, etc., is displayed in measured portions for sale in the market place.

atiebi [àtyèbì] n.

a large insect that typically makes its characteristic calls at dusk; hence its name, which literally means: “caller of darkness”.

atimakasa [àtìmàkásà] n.

antimacassar a crotchetted covering thrown over chairs and other pieces of furniture as protection from grease or as an ornament. (cf. English).

atita [àtítá] n.

childish term for “meat”.

ato [àtó] n.

grassy plain; savana.

atọrhi [àtɔ̀ří] n.

gonorrhoea.

atọwọ [àtɔ̀wɔ̀] n.

whitlow on the finger, believed to be caused by the poison of the caterpillar, isue.

atugiẹn [àtùgỹɛ̃́] n.

a variety of monkey.

ava [àvá] n.

wooden or iron wedge used for splitting wood.

àvan [àvã̀] n.

1. afternoon;

2. daylight (as opposed to asọn ― nighttime).

aván [àvã́] n.

thunder and lightning; also avan-nukhunmwun.

aviẹn [àvỹɛ̃́] n.

clitoris.

avbe [áʋé] spec.

1. it precedes nouns or pronominals in the plural to express specificity:

avbe ikpia nii ― “those particular men”

; Vs.

ikpia nii ― “those men”

;

avbe iran ― “those ones”

Vs.

iran ― “they”

.

2. serves as an optional plural marker with nouns, esp. those that do not mark plural morphologically:

iyan nii ― that yam or those yams

;

avbe iyan nii ― those yams

.

Avbiama [àʋyámá] n.

the name of an Ẹdo-Speaking village.

avbiẹ [àʋyɛ́] n.

few or of limited quantity:

igho ne ọ mwẹn ― i-re avbiẹ ― “the money that he has is limitless”

.

avbiẹrẹ [àʋiɛ̀ɽɛ̀] n.

1. a coward; a weak person.

àwa [àwá] n.

dog (also ekita; ovbiakota).

áwa [áwà] n.

hour (cf. Engl. hour).

awan [àwã́] n.

tongs.

awanwan [áw̃ã̀w̃ã̀] n.

brightness, light.

awarọkpa [àwàɽɔ́kpá] adv.

immediately; at once (also ọwarọkpa).

áwẹ [áwɛ́] n.

a large bird with a tuft on its head.

àwẹ [àwɛ̀] n.

a fast, usually associated with the Muslim religion.

awua [àwwà] n.

taboo.

awuekia [àwwékyà] n.

impotent man.

ayaengbọmwan [àyáeg͡bɔɱã̀] n.

1. independence (in the political sense);

2. freedom from apprenticeship.

aye [áyé] n.

world.

ayegbema [àyégbémà] n.

self-betrayal.

ayegbemiẹ [àyégbemỹɛ̃̀] n.

endurance.

ayere [àyèɽè] n.

memoriam; remembrance.

ayi [áyì] n.

creation; nature.

ayighẹ [áyíɣɛ́] n.

a weakling; also ayinghẹn.

ayintọ [àỹítɔ̀] n.

(a-yin-tọ) ― “dwelling with longevity” a traditional greeting expressed to somebody who has just completed either the foundation of a residence or the entire building, to wish him long life.

ayọ [áyɔ̀] n.

the norm; the usual moderation; it is usually preceded by the comparative verb sẹẹ:

ọ rhiẹnrhiẹn sẹẹ ayọ ― it is sweet surpassing moderation, i.e. “it is extremely sweet”

.

ayenhọ [àyẽ́hɔ̀] n.

1. a deaf person;

2. (idiom) a stubborn person.

àyọn [àyɔ̃́] n.

1. wine;

2. beverage;

3. alcoholic drink.

áyọn [áyɔ̃̀] n.

black rubber tree.

ayọnni [áyɔ̃̀nĩ̀] n.

pressing iron (cf. English: iron).

aza [ázà] n.

1. store-room in the house;

2. bank.

azagba [àzàgbà] n.

the open; a public place:

ghẹ talọ ẹmwẹn mwẹn sẹ azagba ― “don’t announce my affairs to the open, i.e. keep my affairs secret.”

Azama [àzámà] n.

the name of a deity of the Ọba, said to have been an historic royal courtier.

azanna [àzã̀nã̀] n.

boar (bush and domestic).

azebe [ázébè] n.

library (aza ebe) “bank of books”.

azẹ [àzɛ́] n.

fee; contribution; levy.

azẹn [àzɛ̃́] n.

witch.

azi [ázì] n.

adze (cf. Engl.).

azigan [àzìgã́] n.

jiggar (cf. English: jiggar).

ázigho [ázíɣó] n.

(aza-ígho) “store of money”: commercial bank.

àzigho [àzíɣò] n.

stag bettle.

ba¹ [bá] vb.

to watch; to guard:

ghá ba ẹre ne ẹ ghẹ lẹ fua ― “keep watching it so that it does not run off”

.

ba² [bá] vb.

1. to do something stealthily:

te ọ ba la owa ẹre i ma na họn ― “he sneaked into the house, and that is why I did not hear him”

.

2. to walk lifelessly, as if from weakness.

ba³ [bá] aux.

to pretend to be doing something; to fake:

Te ọ ba viẹ ― “He is pretending to cry”

(also ma).

baa¹ [bàá] vb.

1. to be red or orange;

2. to be brightly coloured.

3. to shine, e.g. of the moon; to be lit (of lamps & other sources of light).

baa² [bàá] vb.

1. to implant a straight object into something, mostly into the ground; to thrust:

ọ baa erhan ye otọ ― “he stuck a stick into the ground”

.

2. (idiomatic) (with ohoghoi): to pin on, to attribute to:

ọ baa mwẹn ohoghoi ― “he pinned lies on me; i.e., he told lies against me.”

baa³ [bàá] vb.

to be difficult, arduous.

baa⁴ [bàá] vb.

1. (with ẹmwẹn) to twist; to alter:

ọ baa mwẹn ẹmwẹn ― “he twisted my words: he lied against me”

.

baa⁵ [bàá] vb. part.

(usually with vbs. such as rhie, mu, viọ, etc.) to add to:

rhie ọna baa ọni ― “take this to add to that; i.e. add this to that”

.

baa⁶ [bàá] adv. compltz.

for the sake of; because of:

ọ gbee mwẹn baa ẹmwẹn ruẹn ― “he beat me because of your affair: he beat me because of you.”

baan [bã̀ã́] vb.

to abstain from; to give up something; to stop doing something.

baba¹ [bàbá] vb.

plural or reiterative sense of baa³ i.e. to implant several objects or to implant the same object repeatedly:

ọ baba erhan lele otọ ― “he stuck sticks along the ground”

.

baba² [bàbá] vb.

reiterative sense of ba¹ above; i.e. to watch repeatedly; to spy on continuously:

gha baba ẹre ne ọ ghẹ lẹ fua ― “keep watching it so that it does not run off.”

baba³ [bàbá] vb.

to grope; to feel about as one does in the dark.

ba igban [bàígbã̀] vb.

(idiom) to proclaim a woman as the wife of the Ọba of Benin:

iran baa uvbi nii igban ― “they declared that young woman a wife of the Ọba.”

ba ku [bàkú] vb.

1. to make a mistake, to miss;

2. in the Christian sense ― to transgress; to sin.

balọ¹ [bàlɔ́] vb.

to be painful; to hurt.

balọ² [bàlɔ́] vb.

1. to scoop liquid with a small container;

2. to spill; to pour out.

ban [bã́] vb.

1. to peel off;

2. to separate forcibly:

ọ gha ban ikpakpa re fua ― “he will peel the skin off”

.

banbaan [bã́bã́ã̀] adv.

immediately; right now. (also: banbanna and banbanbanban).

bannọ [bã̀nɔ̃́] vb.

plural or reiterative sense of ban: e.g. to peel off several slices; or two or more people peel off something.

bebe [bèbé] vb.

1. to be mischievously overactive; troublesome (usually of children):

ọvbokhan na bebe gbe ― “This child is too troublesome.”

2. adventurous.

begbe [bègbé] vb.

(< ba egbe) to be self-protective; to be on one’s guard.

bẹbuu [bɛ̀búù] vb.

child language expression meaning “to lie down”.

bẹẹ¹ [bɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

to slice:

bẹẹ iyan nii ye akhe ― “slice that yam into the pot (and cook it)”

.

bẹẹ² [bɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

(with ọgọ) to tap (palm wine); to collect and store away. (cf: ọbọgọ; bọọgọ).

bẹbẹẹbẹ [bɛ́bɛ́ɛ́bɛ́] adj.

(used with the verb ye): very large extensive;

nene akhe ye bẹbẹẹbẹ ― “the pot is extremely large.”

bẹghe [bɛ̀ɣèé] vb.

to see; to sight:

I bẹghe ẹre vbe ọ dee ― “I saw him as he was approaching”

. (cf: dẹghee).

bẹkun [bɛ̀kṹ] adv.

1. (usually with vbs such as ru; bọ; re, etc.) ― incompletely:

ọ bọ owa nii bẹkun serae ye evba ― “he built that house half-way and left it there”

.

2. (usually with the vb. hoo: “to look for”) abortively; unsuccessfully:

iran hoo ẹre bẹkun ― “they searched for him unsuccessfully; i.e. he is nowhere to be found”

.

bẹlẹ [bɛ̀lɛ́] vb.

plural reiterative sense of bẹẹ¹: to cut into several slices; or for several people to engage in slicing.

bẹtẹ [bɛ̀tɛ̀] adj.

(usually introduced with the vb: ye) fat; stocky; chubby:

ovbi-ẹre ye bẹtẹ ― “her child is chubby.”

bẹtẹbẹtẹ [bɛ̀tɛ̀bɛ̀tɛ̀] adj. pl.

sense of bẹtẹ:

ivbi-ẹre ye bẹtẹbẹtẹ ― “her children are all chubby.”

bẹtẹẹ [bɛ́tɛ́ɛ́] adj.

(usually introduced with the vb. ye) very large; expansive:

eki ni ye bẹtẹẹ ― “that market is very large.”

bẹmwẹn [bɛ́ɱɛ̃̀] vb.

to stammer.

bi¹ [bí] vb.

1. to shove, to push:

bi ẹre hin odẹ rre ― “push it out of the way”

.

2. (idiomatic) to be moved by; to be of concern to; (usually occurs in negative clauses):

ẹmwẹn ọnrẹn ma bi mwẹn ― “His affairs are not of any concern to me”

. (cf. kaan).

bi² [bí] vb.

to vomit:

ọ bii ukhunmwun nii hia kua ― “He vomitted all that medicine out”

. (cf. kpa).

bi³ [bí] vb.

1. to be dark in shade or colour:

ukpọn naa ẹre ọ bi sẹ ọnii ― “This cloth is darker than that one.”

2. (with amẹ) to threaten; to be imminent:

amẹ bi ― “Rain is threatening”

(that is, there are dark clouds in the sky).

3. (with certain fruits, such as orunmwun; orhurhu; etc.): to be ripe; to be ready-to-eat:

orunmwun naa bi nẹ ― “This pear is ripe.”

bian [bĩ̀ã́] vb.

to slice off a strip.

bibi¹ [bìbí] vb.

to grope; to roam aimlessly (cf. bibi-odẹ).

bibi² [bìbí] vb.

to be foolish; to be stupid:

ú bibi ― “you are stupid.”

bibiode [bỳbiòdɛ́] vb.

to get lost; to go astray (bibi (vb) + odẹ ― road).

biegbe [byègbé] vb.

to give way; to dock.

biẹ [byɛ́] vb.

1. to give birth;

2. to have children (as opposed to being barren);

3. to have off-shoots (with plants such as iyan or igari).

bigọọ [bìgɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

to be crooked; curved or bent; not straight:

erhan na bigọọ ― “This tree is crooked.”

bigọbigọbigọ [bígɔ́bìgɔ̀bígɔ́] adj.

(usually introduced by the vb. ye): very crooked.

bigbe [bìgbé] vb.

to shut; to close.

bii [bìí] vb.

to stab; to jab with a pointed object:

ọ ya opia bii ẹre ― “He stabbed him with a knife.”

bobo [bòbó] vb.

to run anxiously back and forth (like a hen about to lay an egg); to wander aimlessly.

bodẹ [bòdɛ́] vb.

to stand guard (ba¹ + odẹ ― road).

bolo [bòló] vb.

to peel (skin), to strip off:

ọ bolo alimo ― “he peeled the orange.”

bọ¹ [bɔ́] vb.

to build; construct:

ọ bọ egedege: “he built a storey-house.”

bọ² [bɔ́] vb.

1. to predict; to tell one’s fortune:

ọbo bọ mẹ ― “the native-doctor told me my fortune.”

2. to consult a fortune-teller or native doctor:

i khian ya bọ yọ ― “I am going to consult a native-doctor on the matter.”

bọ³ [bɔ́] vb.

to be favourable to; to be good for (usually in proper names such as Isibọ; Edobọ; etc.).

bọlọzọ [bɔ̀lɔ̀zɔ̀] adj.

(introduced with the vb. ye) chubby; pleasingly fat and healthy-looking:

ọmọ ni ye bọlọzọ ― “that child looks nice and chubby.”

bọnmwẹn¹ [bɔ̃̀ɱɛ̃] vb.

1. to drop in small pieces, or granular form; to flake off:

iku ehẹn esọ bonmwẹn kua ― “some small pieces flaked off from the fish.”

2. to winnow.

3. to shake off dust or dirt from a surface:

bonmwẹn aga nii u ke tota yọ ― “dust that chair before you sit on it.”

bọnmwẹn² [bɔ̃̀ɱɛ̃́] vb.

(usually with verbs such as rhie, mu, kpaọ, dee, etc.) to do swiftly; to do briskly; to whisk off:

ọ bonmwẹn kpao ― “She left briskly”

.

bọọ [bɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

to console; to cheer up (usually a child who has been crying).

bọọn [bɔ̃̀ɔ̃́] vb.

(of wearing apparel) to lift, to raise up:

bọọn ukpọn ― “to raise up cloth (thereby revealing what lies below)”

.

bọọzi [bɔ̀ɔ̀zì] adj.

(usually introduced with the vb. ye) big and long; larger than normal size.

buan [bũ̀ã́] adv.

sufficiently; in more than enough quantity or value:

ọ winna buan ― “he worked sufficiently or hard enough.”

bubu [bùbú] vb.

1. (usually with verbs like kpaegbe; tota; kpao, etc.); to move in an awkwardly brisk manner:

ọ bubuu kpaegbe: “he got up in an awkwardly brisk manner.”

2. to be awkward; clumsy.

bue [bùé] vb.

to stay long; to linger:

ghẹ bue vbe ẹki-o ― “don’t linger at the market.”

iran buere ― “they stayed long”

.

bukpẹ [búkpɛ̀] excl.

formula of thanks expressed by females to their elders after a meal; it is also used as a greeting to an older person who sneezes.

bun [bṹ] vb.

1. to be plentiful; to be numerous:

ẹvbo bun vbe odọọ: “people are plentiful over there”

.

2. vb. (usually with the adv. gbe) to be much with:

iku bun ẹnrẹn gbe: “he is too fond of playing ― he plays too much.”

bunnọ [bũ̀nɔ̃́] vb.

plural or reiterative sense of buun:

aberhan bunnọ kue otọ ― “Tree branches have broken off on the ground”

.

buu¹ [bùú] vb.

1. to go toward; to approach something/somebody; to meet or join:

Ọ buu erhae ― “He went to meet his father.”

2. to approximate or approach in size or value:

ọna buu ọnii ― “This one approaches that one in value”

.

3. to deposit money toward; to make a down-payment on.

buu² [bùú] vb.

1. to settle (e.g. a case):

Ọ buu ohiẹn ne iran ― “He settled the case for them.”

2. to decide on something; to fix (e.g. a date):

ọ buu ẹdẹ ne iran ― “He fixed a date for them (i.e. He gave them an appointment).”

buu³ [bùú] vb.

1. to found; to establish:

Ọ kpẹre ne a ghi buu ẹvbo nii ― It is a long time since that town was founded

.

2. to assemble for a meeting; to meet as a group.

buun¹ [bũ̀ṹ] vb.

to break; to snap.

buun² [bũ̀ṹ] vb.

to confess to adultery by a woman.

da¹ [dá] vb.

(usually with obọ as subj.) to affect severely; to feel gravely:

obọ ohanmwẹn da re ― “The hand of hunger was severe on him; i.e. he starved.”

2. (with amẹ) to fall heavily:

Amẹ na wa da ― “This rain fell very heavily”

.

da² [dá] vb.

to rouse a feeling of longing; to cause to desire:

Ẹmwẹn ọse mwẹn da mwẹn ― “The thoughts of my friends rouse a feeling of longing in me.”

da³ [dá] vb.

to be stingy with; to hold preciously:

ígho da okpia na gbe ― “This man is very stingy with money.”

da⁴ [dá] vb.

to drink (especially alcoholic drinks).

da⁵ [dá] adv.

indicates that an action has just been begun or completed; or that it has just taken place:

Te Ozo da rre na. ― “Ozo has only just arrived.”

da⁶ [dá] adv.

(usually with expression vbs. such as tie, van, go, etc.): loudly:

Ọ da tie ẹre ― “He called loudly for him”

.

daa¹ [dàá] vb.

to treat with respect and consideration:

Ọ daa ne erhae gbe ― “He treats his father with deference.”

(hence Adaa ― name of a person).

daa² [dàá] vb.

(with obọ) to stretch out toward;

ọ daa obọ nẹẹ ― “he stretched out (his) hands for him ― i.e. as though to pick him up”

.

daa [dàá] vb.

(with amẹ) to collect rain water dropping from the roof:

lahọ, daa amẹ mẹ ― “Please collect some rain-water for me.”

daa [dàá] vb. part.

toward:

mu aro daa mwẹn ― “turn (your) face toward me.”

dabadogun [dàbàdógṹ] n.

a tree, Parinarium.

dada [dàdá] vb.

to haul by hand (usually involving more than one person).

Iran dada re laọ owa ― “they hauled it into the house.”

daehọ [daehɔ] vb.

― to anticipate; to expect.

dagbẹn [dã́gbɛ̃́] vb.

― to be accurate; to fall into line.

damẹ [dámɛ̃̀] vb.

to become liquified.

dan [dã́ã̀] adj.

bad, evil:

ọmwan dan nọ ― “He is an evil person”

.

dandaandan [dã́dã́ã́dã́] adv.

exactly; precisely (of time or location).

danmwenhọ [dã̀ɱẽ̀hɔ́] vb.

1. to listen:

lahọ danmwenhọ mwẹn ― “Please, listen to me.”

2. to obey; to heed.

danmwẹn [dã̀ɱɛ̃́] vb.

1. to taste something;

2. to test; to try out.

dayi [dàyí] vb.

1. to hold; to grip; to retain.

2. to withhold; to prevent:

Iwinna ẹre ọ da mwẹn yi ne i ma na sẹ eke ne u ye ― “It was work that prevented me from coming to your place.”

dayọn [dàỹɔ̃́] vb.

to drink wine or any alcoholic drink. (cf. da⁴ ).

de¹ [dé] vb.

1. to fall; Ọvbokhan nii dee ― “That child fell.”

2. to be epileptic.

de² [dé] vb.

1. to result in; to arise or follow as consequence:

Ẹzo de igbinna ne iran ― “The quarrel resulted in a tight between them.”

2. to come about; to happen:

vbe ẹzọ na a ya de hẹ? ― “How did this quarrel come about?”

dè³ [dè] inter. pron.

what? which? as in:

dẹghe? (< de ẹghẹ) ― “what time? when?”

dehe? (< de ehe) ― “what place?: where?”

devbene? (< de evbene) ― “what manner?: how?”

demwin? (< de emwin) ― “what thing?: what?”

dọghe? (< de ọghe) ― “whose?”

dọnwan? (< de ọmwan) ― “who”

. etc.

debaa [dèbàá] vb.

1. to join with; to mix with.

2. to support; to side with.

3. (in the religious sense): to bless.

dede [dèdé] vb.

to embrace.

dee¹ [dèé] vb.

to hold in a leash; dee ẹwe nii ne ẹ ghẹ lẹẹ fua ― “Hold that goat in a leash so that it won’t escape.”

dee² [dèé] vb.

1. to approach; to be in the process of coming;

Ọten mwẹn dee vbe odẹ “My sister is approaching down the road”

;

2. to indicate that referent will be available in a short while:

ọ dee ne ọ do tuọ ― “He will soon come to greet you.”

deghẹ¹ [déɣɛ̀] conj.

if.:

deghẹ u yo, u gha miọẹn ― “if you go, you will see it.”

deghẹ² [déɣɛ̀] inter part.

an interrogative marker requiring a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ answer: Q: Deghẹ u miọẹn? Ans. Ẹo, i ma miọẹn; or Ẹẹn, i miọen ― Q: “Did you see it? Ans No, I did not see it; or Yes, I saw it.”

dekaan [dèkã̀ã́] vb.

to touch; to come in contact with:

abọ ukpọn ọnrẹn dekaan mwẹn ― “The tip of her cloth touched me.”

dekẹe [dèkɛ̀é] vb.

to remain; to be leftover. (also dekẹrre).

dekuun [dèkũ̀ṹ] vb.

to collide with; to bump into:

Iran dekuun egbe vbe odẹ ― “They bumped into each other on the way.”

demu [dèmú] vb.

to pertain to; to concern.

dele [dèlé] vb.

plural or reiterative sense of de¹.

dẹ [dɛ̀] vb.

to buy:

ọ dẹ evbare vbe ebuka ― “He bought some food at the canteen.”

dẹghe [dɛ̀ɣé] vb.

to see; to sight:

I dẹghe ẹre vbe obọ ọre ― “I sighted it in his hands.”

dia¹ [dìá] vb.

to be located at; to reside at:

Edo ẹre i dia ― “I resided in Benin City”

.

dia² [dìá] vb.

to menstruate.

dia [dyá] vb.

1. to be straight:

úkpo naa diae ― “This road is straight.”

2. dia [dìá] to straighten, to make straight;

dia erhan na mẹ ― “straighten this stick for me.”

diake [dyàké] vb.

to be located close to; to stay with;

Diake omọ mẹ ne i ya giẹgiẹ khuẹ ― “Stay with the child for me while I go quickly to bathe.”

diakhẹẹ [dyàxɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

to wait for:

Diakhẹ mwẹn ― “Wait for me”

.

dido [dídò] vb.

1. to be large; expansive:

ukpọn na dido ― “this cloth is very wide.”

2. to be mature; experienced with age; strong:

erhan na dido ne ― “This tree has achieved full maturity.”

diẹn [dĩ̀ɛ̃́] vb.

to be senior to; to be older than:

Rẹn ọ diẹn mwẹn ― “He is older than me.”

digiẹ [dìgyɛ́] vb.

to become firmly established.

digiẹn [dìgỹɛ̃́] vb.

to squat.

diguẹ [dìgwɛ́] vb.

to kneel down.

digba [dígbà] vb.

to be big; large; extensive ―

Ugbo ẹre digba sẹẹ ọghomwẹn ― “His farm is larger than mine.”

dihoi [díhoì] vb.

to become nothing; become worthless or useless; to fail.

dikhuẹkhuẹ [díxwɛ̀xwɛ́] vb.

to be dwarfed.

din¹ [dĩ́] vb.

to be brave; to be bold.

din² [dĩ́] vb.

to be hoarse ―

urhu mwẹn din ne eve ― “My voice is hoarse from crying.”

dinmwin¹ [dĩ̀ɱĩ́] vb.

1. to be deep;

2. to be complex;

3. (of Edo) to be idiomatic:

Ẹdo na dinmwin ― “This Ẹdo speech is deep; i.e., very idiomatic.”

dinmwin² [dĩ̀ɱĩ́] vb.

to dip into liquid:

Ọ dinmwin ukpu ye uwu akhe-amẹ ― “He dipped the cup into the water pot.”

dinmwindinmwin [dĩ́ɱĩ́dĩ́ɱĩ́] adj.

(usually introduced by the verb ye) very deep.

dinna [dĩ̀nã́] vb.

to reach; to arrive at:

Ẹghẹ dinna ẹgogo eha nẹ ― “Time has reached 3 o’clock already.”

divu [dìvú] vb.

(of seed-yam only) to rot and germinate.

diyi [dìyí] vb.

1. (used as a curse) to become an outcast; to be denounced.

Te u gha diyi ― “May you be denounced.”

2. (< de¹ + iyi): “to contravene a rule or law”; to commit a breach.

diyẹndiyẹn [dĩ̀yɛ̃̀dĩ̀yɛ̃̀] adj.

clumsy in shape or motion.

dizigha [dízìá] vb.

to commit murder.

do¹ [dó] vb.

to weave:

ọ guẹ okhuae ne a do. ― “He knows how to weave a basket.”

do² [dó] vb.

1. (of a gathering or an occasion) to hold:

iran gha do iko vbe Ẹdo ― “They are holding a meeting in Benin.”

2. to be in full session (e.g. of ẹki):

Eki do vbe odọ ― “The market is in full session overthere.”

do³ [dó] vb.

to move restively:

Ọ gha do yo do rre ― “He is moving back and forth.”

do⁴ [dó] adv.

stealthily; secretly:

Ọ do ta ma rẹn ― “She told him secretly.”

dobọyi [dòbɔ́yì] vb.

to stop; to terminate:

Iran we ne Ozo dobọyi vbe iwinna ― “They said that Ozo should stop at work; i.e. Ozo was terminated at work.”

(cf. da-yi).

dodia [dòdyá] vb.

to stay quietly; to live peacefully.

doẹki [dwɛ́kì] vb.

to trade.

dogaa [dògàá] vb.

to surround; to encircle.

domia [dòmỹã́] vb.

1. to toss and roll about uncomfortably:

Ọ gha domia vbe ukpo vba ― “He is tossing about overthere on the bed.”

2. to wander aimlessly; to drift:

Te ọ ghara domia khian vbe uwu agbọn. “He was just wandering about aimlessly in the world.”

domu [dòmú] vb.

to carry secretly; to steal (a large or heavy object).

doo¹ [dóó] int.

an informal greeting, equivalent to “hello”, expressed between peers, or by an older or senior person to a younger or junior one. The plural form, wa doo!, is usually used by an older person to two or more younger people. It is also used by an adult visitor to announce his presence in a house.

doo² [dòó] vb.

an expression inviting somebody to do something:

Doo tota! ― “Come and sit down.”

doo³ [dòó] adv.

serves as a sequential marker in a narrative or discourse:

iran ghi se evba, iran na doo tue evbo hia; iran na doo tota . . . ― “when they got there, they then greeted everybody; they then sat down.”

dorhie [dòryé] vb.

to steal.

dovbe [dòʋé] vb.

to toss about in sleep.

dọlọ¹ [dɔ̀lɔ́] vb.

1. to repeat; to do again (also dọlegbe):

Ọ dọlọ bọe ― “He built it again.”

dọlọ² [dɔ̀lɔ́] vb.

to rub a mud floor or wall with the traditional muddy solution.

dọlọ³ [dɔ̀lɔ́] vb.

(with ukpọn): to sew:

Ọ ya emasini dọlọ ukpọn mwẹn ― “He sewed my cloth by machine.”

dọlọ⁴ [dɔ̀lɔ́] vb.

to reconcile; to make up after a quarrel:

Iran dọlọ nẹ vbe ẹzo ne iran te gha gui ― “They have reconciled after the quarrel that they had.”

dọlọyi [dɔ̀lɔ̀yí] vb.

1. to repair; to mend:

Ọ dọlọ ikẹkẹ mwẹn yi ― “He repaired my bicycle.”

2. to take care of; to arrange; to put in safe keeping:

Ọ dọlọ emwin hia yi vbe uwowa ― “She arranged everything in their proper place inside.”

dọmọ [dɔ́mɔ̀] int.

1. a deferential greeting, normally used for chiefs or other elderly people to whom courteous regard is due:

Dọmọ, edionmwan! “Greetings, old man!”

2. a greeting used for people resident at the Oba’s palace.

dọmwandẹ [dɔ́ɱã̀dɛ́] adj.

each one; everyone:

Dọmwandẹ ẹvbo mwẹn urhu ne ọ zẹ ― “Each country has the language that it speaks.”

dọn [dɔ̃̀] vb.

to be or become lean; to be emaciated.

dọnmwẹn [dɔ̃̀ɱɛ̃́] vb.

to construct the frame of a roof with rafters, before it is covered with thatch.

dọnmwinyi [dɔ̃̀ɱĩ̀yí] vb.

to proclaim a law or regulation.

dọọn [dɔ̃̀ɔ̃́] vb.

1. to snap.

Ifi Ozo dọọnrẹn ― Ozo’s trap snapped (i.e. and caught some animals)

.

2. to operate a switch.

dọyọ [dɔ̀yɔ́] vb.

to quench; to cease burning:

Erhẹn naa dọyọ nẹ ― “This fire has ceased to burn.”

dududu [dúdúdú] adv.

very dark:

Ọ siere dududu ― “It is extremely dark.”

duẹ [dùɛ́] vb.

to scatter; to disrupt.

dunmwun¹ [dũ̀ɱṹ] vb.

to pound:

Iran dunmwun ema ne ima ― “They pounded pounded-yam for us.”

dunmwun² [dũ̀ɱṹ] vb.

to introduce into fashion; to bring into vogue:

igoru ikhuo-Ẹdo ghi vbe ya dunmwun rre ― “Gold is what Benin women have introduced into fashion.”

dunna [dũnã] vb.

to be successful; to turn out right.

ebaan [èbã́ã̀] n.

now; at this time. (Also: ebanban; ewaan; ewanwan).

ebaba [èbàbá] n.

address term, used mainly by the young, for father. Other terms include evbavba; erha.

ebafọ [èbáfɔ̀] n.

a small plant whose leaves are used as vegetable in afọ soup.

ebakhuẹ [èbáxwɛ̀] n.

the red feathertail of a parrot.

ebakpẹ [èbákpɛ] n.

a plant (millettia thonningii) whose leaves are used for medication against dysentery.

ebamẹmẹ [èbámɛ̃̀mɛ̃̀] n.

the leaf of a local shrub with abrasive surface, and used for cleaning and shining rough surfaces.

eban [èbã́] n.

the act of stripping off clothes (cf. ban).

ebe [èbé] n.

1. leaf;

2. vegetable;

3. paper; book.

ebeebe [èbéèbé] n.

1. greenish colour;

2. foliage.

ebekhue [èbéxwé] n.

the leaves of “garden egg” used in a variety of soups as vegetable.

ebeni [èbénĩ̀] n.

a kind of leaf used for making the thatched roof of traditional houses.

ebevbarrie [èbéʋàryɛ́] n.

(< ebe + evbarie) a kind of fish (usually smoked) used in soups and stews.

ebẹn¹ [èbɛ̃̀] n.

a boundary, a line of demarkation, especially between adjacent farms.

ebẹn² [èbɛ̃̀] n.

dangerous debris, usually in the form of broken bottles and metal rods used to prevent trespassers from farms and other restricted territories.

ebi [èbí] n.

night; darkness;

ebi ro: “darkness has fallen.”

(Also ebiebi);

ebiebi so: “night has fallen i.e. it has become dark.”

ebiakabianu [èbyàkábyanu] n.

nonsensical talk; unintelligible utterances.

ebiavan [èbyávã̀] n.

“afternoon darkness”: eclipse of the sun.

ebibi [èbíbì] n.

aimless groping or wandering.

ebiẹ [èbíɛ̀] n.

beer (cf. Engl.).

ebiẹba [èbíɛ̀bá] n.

a local leaf traditionally used for parcelling cooked food such as boiled rice (izẹ) or ekusu (a kind of corn pudding), etc.

ebihieghe [èbíhyèɣè] n.

(< ebe + ihieghe) the fresh leaves of a tree (Myrianthus arboreus) used as vegetable in a variety of soup.

ebitẹtẹ [èbítɛ̀tɛ̀] n.

the leaves of a small plant used as vegetables in afọ soup.

ebiwinna [èbíwĩ̀nã̀] n.

“work paper”: job application.

ebiyẹn [èbíyɛ̃̀] n.

report; newsletter.

ebiyọyọ [ebíyɔ́yɔ́] n.

another name for ebitẹtẹ.

ebo [ébo] n.

white-man; European.

eboriwo [èbóɽíwò] n.

(< ebe + oriwo) “bitter leaf”, the leaves of a shrub, bitter in taste, often used with ikpogi (melon seeds) to make a common Edo soup.

ebọbọzi [èbɔ̀bɔ̀zí] n.

thin slices of boiled cassava, soaked in cold water, usually eaten as a snack, rather than as a meal.

ebọdọndọn [èbɔ́dɔ̃dɔ̃] n.

“water leaf”; the leaves of a small plant (Talinum triangulare) used as vegetable in preparing a variety of soups.

ebọlu [èbɔ́lù] n.

ball (also; ibọlu) (cf. Engl.) (also ibọru/ebọru).

ebọrhẹrhẹ [èbɔ́řɛ̀řɛ́] n.

a variety of local vegetable used in preparing soup.

ebubẹ [èbùbɛ̀] n.

fine sand; dust.

ebuka [ébúkà] n.

food canteen.

ebuluku [èbùlúkù] n.

a full-gathered wrap-around skirt that women traditionally wear under their wrappers. It is also worn as an outer garment by some native priests.

ebumwẹn [èbúɱɛ̃̀] n.

“salt leaf” a creeper (Manniophyton africanum); it is said to cause itching when touched.

ebumwẹnkhẹn [èbúɱɛ̃̀xɛ̃́] n.

“pumpkin leaf” a creeper whose fresh leaves are used as vegetable in soup. The seeds of the fruit are also edible when boiled.

eda [èdá] n.

rain water collected from the eaves of a roof. (cf. daa³).

Edaikẹn [èdàíkɛ̃́] n.

the title of the heir-apparent to the Ẹdo throne; his court is at Uselu.

edanmwẹn [èdã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

examination (cf. danmwẹn²).

ede [èdé] n.

bush-cow; buffalo. (also ẹhan).

edede [èdèdé] n.

old woman.

edẹ [èdɛ́] n.

grey hair.

edi [édí] n.

civet-cat.

edigue [èdìgwè] n.

villager; unsophisticated person.

edigun [èdígũ̀] n.

iron.

ediọn [èdỹɔ̃̀] n.

1. the elders of a clan or village usually about 42 and above in age;

2. pl. of ọdiọn: “older ones.”

ediọnmwan [èdỹɔ̃̀ɱã́] n.

old man.

ediran [èdíɽ̃ã̀] n.

this way; this side; this part; (also oderan: < odẹ + eran).

edirẹva [èdírɛ́và] n.

driver of a vehicle (cf. Engl.: driver) (also edrrẹva).

Edogun [èdógṹ] n.

title of a warchief.

Edọhẹn [èdòhɛ̃́] n.

title of one of the chiefs belonging to the Uzama.

edọkita [èdɔ́kítà] n.

doctor (cf. Engl.) (also ẹdokita).

edọn [édɔ̃̀] n.

flying termite.

edu [èdú] n.

translation (used with the vb. zẹ).

ee [éé] int.

response to most greetings and directives:

A: lare! B: ee! ― A: come here! B: okay!

.

efa [èfá] n.

disgrace; embarrassment.

efada [èfàdá] n.

a Roman Catholic Father. (cf. Engl.).

efẹn [èfɛ̃̀] n.

1. side of the body.

efẹnrhinyẹn [èfɛ̃̀řĩ́ỹɛ̃̀] n.

a snack prepared from unsifted cassava, eaten mainly in the delta area of Bendel State.

efiaide [èfyaídè] n.

Friday (cf. Engl.).

efoni [èfónì] n.

telephone.

efoto [èfòtó] n.

photograph; picture.

efọnkpa [èfɔ̃́k͡pá] n.

1. a certain place; a certain location;

2. the same place (also ehọkpa).

efukẹ [èfùkɛ̀] int.

an expression which implies that what had been said was a joke, a lie or a bluff.

efun [èfṹ] n.

boneless meat; flesh of animals or human beings; muscle. (also ifun).

ega-ifi [ègáifì] n.

an enclosed area in which traps are set.

egalahi [ègàláàhì] n.

a tiny drinking glass used for serving liqueur.

egedege [ègédége] n.

storey building.

egilẹ [égìlɛ̀] n.

snail.

egirramu [ègírámù] n.

gram (cf. Engl.).

egirrepi [ègírépì] n.

grape-fruit (cf. Engl.).

egosimeti [ègòsìmétì] n.

gold-smith (cf. Engl.).

Egọ [ègɔ̀] n.

a Bini village situated on the road leading to Siluko.

eguẹva [ègùɛ́và] n.

guava. (cf. Engl.).

egui [ègwí] n.

land-tortoise.

eguọ [ègwɔ̀] n.

a feat; an exploit; a performance.

egba [èg͡bá] n.

hunter’s ambush.

egbaha [ég͡bàhà] n.

the beam placed above a door to support the wall above it in traditional houses.

egbakhian [èg͡bàxyã́] n.

1. lovers;

2. a close friend of any sex.

egbalaka [ég͡bàlàkà] n.

ladder.

egbe¹ [èg͡bé] n.

1. body;

egbe hia khia mwẹn ― “all my body hurts me”

;

2. bulk:

ẹkpẹtin na mwẹn egbe ― “This box has bulk.”

egbe² [èg͡bé] n.

one another; each other:

Iran tuẹ egbe ― “They greeted each other.”

egbe³ [èg͡bé] n.

kind, variety;

egbe ọna ẹre ọ yẹẹ mwẹn ― “It is this kind that pleases me; i.e. This is the kind I like.”

egbe⁴ [èg͡bé] adv.

in spite of; though:

Egbe ne i ya khama ọnrẹn ighẹ i dee, i ma ye vba ọre vbe owa ― “In spite of the fact that I had told him that I was coming, I still did not meet him at home.”

egbebalọmwẹn [èg͡bèbálɔ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

hot temper; quick temper. (also ibalegbe).

egbedamwẹn [èg͡bèdáɱɛ̃̀] n.

being acutely sensitive to physical or emotional discomfort; being accutely affected by external stimuli, especially those that cause pain.

egbegiengiẹnmwẹn [ègbègỹɛ̃́gỹɛ̃ɱɛ̃̀] n.

being incapable of enduring or accommodating pain.

egbekanmwẹn [èg͡bèkã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

being easily irritable.

egbekẹn [èg͡békɛ̃̀] n.

wall (especially of a house).

egbemumwẹn [ègbèmúɱɛ̃̀] n.

excitement.

egberọkhọmwẹn [èg͡bèɽɔ́xɔ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

peace and comfort; luxury and leisure.

egberranmwẹn [èg͡bèrã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

health.

egbewọmwẹn [èg͡bèwɔ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

tiredness and fatigue.

egbowa [èg͡bówà] n.

the out-house used for toilet facilities:

Egbowa nokhua “the big out-house; i.e. latrine”

;

egbowa nekherhe ― “urinary”

.

égbọ [ég͡bɔ̀] n.

a variety of traditional songs sung on solemn occasions such as funerals.

ègbọ [èg͡bɔ́] n.

the phase of tree-felling in the process of making a new farm.

egbọn [ég͡bɔ̃̀] n.

a high fence made of ikhinmwin trees, and standing at the entrance of a village (ughe); it serves to ward off evil spirits and bad charms from the village.

egbọna [ègbɔ́nà] n.

(< egbe³ + ọna) “this kind”; this variety (cf. egbe³ ).

egbọghọ [égbɔ̀ɣɔ̀] n.

native tobacco; it has a very pungent smell.

egbu [égbú] n.

a kind of woodpecker which has a very big head and short beak.

Eghaẹvbo [èɣàɛ̀ʋò] n.

the title of two sets of Edo chiefs: 1. Eghaẹvbo Nore, and 2. Eghaẹvbo Nogbe. The latter is made up of officials of the palace (eguae), while the former consists of town chiefs; such as Iyasẹ, Esọgban, Esọn and Osuma.

eghan¹ [éɣã̀] n.

metal chain used for harnessing convicts.

eghan² [éɣã̀] n.

imprisonment; confinement.

eghẹrẹ [èɣɛ́ɽɛ̀] n.

idleness; something of ineffective value; something lacking in purpose or worth.

eghian [éɣỹã̀] n.

enemy; 2. pl. of oghian ― enemy.

egho [èɣó] n.

the over-night rubbish lying in the house before it is swept in the morning.

egho [èɣó] n.

(of food) staleness, resulting from lack of preservatives, especially over-night; 2. (of persons) the bad breath before mouth is cleaned in the morning.

eghorẹ [èɣóɽɛ̀] n.

an idiomatic expression for pregnancy.

eghọẹn [èɣɔ̃́ɛ̃̀] n.

foreigner.

eghute [éɣúté] n.

1. beach; riverside;

2. port; harbour.

eha [èhá] num.

three.

Ehaẹkpẹn [èháɛkpɛ̃̀] n.

title of a category of Edo chiefs.

ehan [éhã̀] num.

six.

ehẹankọn [èhɛ̃́ã̀kɔ̃̀] n.

plaque on teeth.

ehaya [èháyà] n.

rent; hire:

ọ mu imọto ẹre ye ehaya ― “He put his car on rent.”

ehe¹ [èhé] n.

1. place; location (also eke)

De ehe ne i gha mu enrẹn yi ― “What place shall I put it?”

2. journey:

I gha ye ehe akhuẹ ― “I shall go on a journey tomorrow.”

ehe² [èhé] n.

menstruation.

eheha [èhéhà] n.

groups of three; threes.

eheikehe [èhéikèhé] n.

anywhere; wherever:

eheikehe ne u rhirhi na miẹ ọnrẹn, u ghu khama mwẹn ― “wherever you happen to find it, you tell me.”

ehẹn [éhɛ̃̀] n.

fish.

Ehẹngbuda [èhɛ̃́gbúdà] n.

Name of a past Oba of Benin who reigned from about 1578 to about 1607 (Egharevba 1968:73).

Ehẹnmihẹn [èhɛ̃̀mĩ́hɛ̃̀] n.

name of a past Ọba of Benin who reigned in the first half of the thirteenth century (Egharevba 1968:73).

ẹhẹnnẹdẹn [èhɛ̃́nɛ̃́dɛ̃́] n.

perfect health and wholesomeness.

ehia [éhya] ind quant.

all (also hia when it occurs as a modifier.)

ehiagha¹ [èhyaɣà] n.

cf. ihiagha.

ehiagha² [èhyaɣà] n.

(with ivin) palm kernel:

Ọ ya ivin-ehiagha wọn igari ― “He used palm kernel to drink garri; i.e. he ate garri with palm kernels.”

ehianmwẹn [éhyã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

the hard shell of a fruit or nut:

ehianmwẹn-ivin ― “coconut shells”

.

ehiẹn [éhỹɛ̃́] n.

nails (of human); claws (of birds) (also ihiẹn).

ehionbọ [éhyṍbɔ̀] n.

(< ehiẹn-obọ) finger-nails (also ihionbọ).

ehionwẹ [éhyṍwẹ̀] n.

(< ehiẹn-owe) toe-nails (also ihionwẹ).

ehọ¹ [èhɔ́] n.

1. ear.

2. edge.

ehọ² [èhɔ́] n.

an annual festival of sacrifice to the ancestors.

Ehọ [èhɔ̀] n.

Ehor, a town on the boundary between Ẹdo and Esan-speaking people.

ehọkpa [èhɔ́kpá] n.

same as efọnkpa.

Ehọndọn [èhɔ̃́dɔ̃́] n.

title of a chief whose special function is to oversee the slaughtering and butchering of sacrificial animals at all the Oba’s sacrifices.

ehọnmwẹn [èhɔ̃́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

purification.

Eka [èká] n.

The Ika people and their language. They are a branch of the Igbo-Speaking people.

eka [ékà] n.

a variety of fried traditional cake made from maize or beans, and eaten mainly as snack.

ekaere ― fried bean cake

.

ekabita [èkábítà] n.

carpenter (cf. Engl.).

ekaebo [ékáebò] n.

(< eka + ebo): “Whiteman’s cake”: biscuits.

ekagha [èkàɣà] n.

muzzle; gag.

ekainkain [èkãĩ́kãĩ́] n.

traditionally brewed gin.

ekalaka [èkàlákà] n.

drinking-glass; tumbler (cf. Port.: caneca).

ekasa¹ [èkàsà] n.

1. a tree (Omphalocarpum procerum);

2. the rattle made from the husks of the seeds of the tree, strung with raffia and worn around the ankles by dancers.

ekasa² [èkàsà] n.

a very colourful dance performed by a dance troupe from Ogbelaka as part of the ceremonies to celebrate the Oba’s coronation.

ekasiu [èkàsiú] n.

cashew: the plant, the fruit and the nut. (cf. Engl.).

Ekatakpi [èkátákpì] n.

a nickname for a short and fat person, with short limbs; it derives from a character in Edo folklore who was a stump.

ekatapila [èkàtàpílà] n.

caterpillar; truck (cf. Engl.).

eke [èké] n.

place; location:

I yo eke ne ọ na winna ― “I visited the place where he works.”

(cf. ehe).

eke [èké] n.

stunted round yam, used mainly for planting.

ekesọgban [ékésɔ́gbã̀] num.

25. Also isẹnyan-ugie.

ekesugie [èkésùgyé] num.

15.

ekẹkẹrẹbo [èkɛ̀kɛ̀ɽɛ́bò] n.

something of little worth or consequence.

ekẹn¹ [èkɛ̃́] n.

one of the four days in the traditional week on which no market-day falls. The other days of the week are: ẹkiọba; ekẹn naka; and agbado.

ekẹ́n² [èkɛ̃́] n.

egg.

ekẹ̀n [èkɛ̃̀] n.

soil, mud; 2. wall of a house.

ekẹnnekhui [èkɛ̃̀néxuì] n.

(< ekẹn + nekhui)― “black soil”; humus.

ekẹnnẹkẹnnẹ [èkɛ̃̀nɛ̃̀kɛ̃́nɛ̃̀] n.

a spotted design; a pattern of spots:

ẹwu ẹre gbẹnne ẹkẹnnẹkẹnnẹ ― “His garment is spotted in design.”

ekẹtẹkẹtẹ [èkɛ́tɛ́kɛ́tɛ́] n.

ass; donkey.

eki [èkí] n.

trick.

eki [ékì] n.

(same as ukuoki) a pad placed to wedge a load on the head.

ekia [ékyá] n.

penis.

ekiawa [ékyáwà] n.

a shrub, Erythrina species.

ekigbesiyeha [èkígbésìyéhà] num.

50.

ekigbesiyenẹ [èkígbésìyénɛ̃̀] num.

70.

ekigbesiyisẹn [èkígbésìyísɛ̀] num.

90.

ekilo [èkílò] n.

kilogram (cf. Engl.).

ekilomita [èkìlómítà] n.

kilometre (cf. Engl.).

ekinyanwo [èkĩ́ỹã́wó] n.

guinea-fowl egg (< ekẹn + iyanwo) (cf. Yoruba ẹyin-awo).

ekiosisi [ékyósísí] n.

(< ekia + osisi) “penis of gun”: trigger of a gun.

ekita [ékítà] n.

dog (also awa; ovbiakota).

eko¹ [èkó] n.

temporary camp; settlement used for purposes of hunting, farming and, in the past, war.

Eko² [èkó] n.

the Edo name of Lagos, which originated with the use of the territory as a war-camp by Edo warriors in the 15th and 16th centuries.

ekoko [èkókò] n.

Utte masquerades, noted for the long chins of their masks. The masquerade is said to date back to the reign of Oba Ohẹn in the 14th century.

ekokodia [èkòkódyà] n.

ceremonial name for coconut.

ekokohiẹn [ekókóhỹɛ̃̀] n.

a long snail’s shell previously used as native spoon.

ekokoma [èkókómà] n.

a variety of native pop dance.

ekokoo [èkòkóò] n.

cocoa (cf. Engl.).

ekonbuẹ [èkõbúɛ] n.

(< ekẹ̀n + obuẹ) clay; soil with a large proportion of clay.

ekongbe [èkṍgbè] n.

(< ekẹ̀n + ogbe) “wall of Ogbe”; the wall that encloses the Oba’s palace in Benin City.

ekororo [ékóroro] n.

(< eka + ororo) bean cakes fried in groundnut oil, rather than palm oil.

ekọka [ékɔ́kà] n.

(< eka + ọka) “maize cake” traditional cake made from ground corn, and fried in palm oil.

ekọnka [èkɔ̃́kà] n.

the dried out cob of corn to which the grains are attached in an ear of maize.

ekọnkhọkhọ [èkɔ̃́xɔxɔ̀] n.

(< ekẹ́n + ọkhọkhọ) chicken egg.

ekọtu [èkɔ́tù] n.

law-court (cf. Engl.). (also ikotu).

eku [èkú] n.

malice.

ekuabọ [ékwábɔ̀] n.

upper arm.

ekuawẹ [ékwáwɛ̀] n.

thigh.

ekuẹ [ékwɛ́] n.

bellows.

ekuku [èkúkù] n.

cook (cf. Engl.).

ekuọmọ [ékwɔ́mɔ̀] n.

a fat brown rat (also known as ẹbete).

ekuu [èkúù] n.

semen.

ekuyẹ [èkùyɛ́] n.

spoon (cf. Port.: colher).

ekha [èxá] n.

a declaration; an authoritative statement:

Ekha gue Osa ― “Declarations are with god; i.e. god proposes.”

ekhae [éxàe] n.

sand.

ekhaẹmwẹn [èxàɛɱɛ̃̀] n.

chiefs; pl. of okhaemwen.

ekhaosisi [éxàosísí] n.

(< ekhae + osisi) “sand of gun”: gun-powder.

ekhàrha [èxàřà] n.

umbrella (also ugbinnamẹ).

ekhárha [èxářà] n.

recitation; recital.

ekhekhae [éxèxàe] n.

(< ekhae + ekhae) full of sand; being sandy.

ekherhe [èxéřé] n.

a little bit (of something).

ekhẹn [èxɛ̃̀] n.

a band of travellers, whether on foot or by some public means of transport:

ekhẹn ni rrie ẹki ― “travellers going to the market”

;

ekhẹn ni rrie ugbo ― “travellers going to the farm.”

ekhọe¹ [éxɔ̀e] n.

mind; will:

ekhọe daan ― “wickedness”; “meanness.”

ekhọe² [éxɔ̀e] n.

palm-branch shed of its leaves, used for tying yams.

ekhuae [éxwàe] n.

a group of charm made of pounded medicines used in both cursing and blessing rituals.

èkhue [èxwè] n.

1. shame, embarrasment.

2. shyness; self-consciousness.

ékhue [éxwé] n.

garden-egg; egg plant.

ekhuẹkhuẹ [èxwɛ́xwɛ̀] n.

palm-wine tapped from fallen palm tree (also udegbotọ).

ekhui [èxwì] n.

the scaly ant-eater.

ekhuọrhọ [éxwɔ̀řɔ̀] n.

swamp; muddy soil; slush.

èkpa¹ [èk͡pá] n.

vomiting; vomit.

èkpa² [èk͡pá] n.

consideration; cause;

Èkpa ruẹ ẹre ọ ya mwẹn rre ― “It was on account of you that I came.”

ékpa [ék͡pà] n.

1. fist:

ọ kuun ékpa da mwẹn ― “He clenched his fist at me”

;

2. hitting with the fist; boxing:

ọ fi mwẹn ékpa ― “He boxed me”

.

ekpaghudo [èk͡pàɣúdò] n.

a tree, Albizzia zygia.

ekpakara¹ [èk͡pákáɽá] n.

a variety of beetle found mainly on the raffia palm; it sucks juice out of the cuttings made by wine-tappers.

ekpakara² [èk͡pákáɽá] n.

convulsion; it afflicts mainly children.

ekpakpahunmwangan [èk͡pàk͡pàhṹɱã̀gã̀] n.

scorpion.

ekpalakpala [èk͡pàlàk͡pálá] n.

a flat fish with many bones and rough scales.

ekpamaku [èk͡pàmákù] n.

1. corrugated iron sheet, used for roofing modern houses, in place of the traditional thatch;

2. enamel plate, dish or bowl used in the household.

ekparhurhu [èk͡pářuřù] n.

a variety of wasp that makes its nest on creepers. It has a very painful sting.

ekpaye [èk͡pàyɛ̀] n.

followers; attendants.

ekpelekpele [èk͡pèlèk͡pélé] n.

mosquito lava swimming under the water surface.

ekpẹkpẹyẹ [èk͡pɛ́k͡pɛ́yɛ́] n.

duck. (cf. Yoruba pẹ́pẹ́yẹ).

ekpẹtẹsi [èk͡pɛ̀tɛ́sì] n.

storey building (also egedege). (cf. Yoruba pẹtẹsi).

ekpinni [ék͡pĩ̀nĩ̀] n.

half-penny (cf. Engl.).

ekpo [èk͡pò] n.

1. masquerade;

2. a particular masquerade society of young boys.

ekpokpo [èk͡pók͡pò] n.

traditional bronze toy “guns” which children mount on wooden holders and shoot with nails, using match-stick heads and sand as gun-powder.

ekpọkọ [èk͡pɔ́kɔ̀] n.

milky drivel emitted by babies, especially after a meal.

ekpọnkpọndọn [èk͡pɔ̃́k͡pɔ̃dɔ̃́] n.

a U-shaped pin used as a hair dressing implement by women.

ekpọnmwẹn [èk͡pɔ̃́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. thanksgiving performed by a newly-made chief in the form of a procession to the palace and various shrines.

2. (in the Christian context) a special service of thanksgiving in which special offerings are made to the church in gratitude to God for some special goodwill recently experienced by donor ― such as the birth of a child; successful completion of education, etc.

ekpukpu [èk͡púk͡pú] n.

a dish prepared from cassava.

elaghalogho [èláɣáloɣò] n.

a bell used in the Ọkhuahẹ cult, shaped like ẹgogo, but with a nail inside it.

elalọ [èlálɔ̀] n.

ringworm.

elapurhu [èlápuřù] n.

fugitive swellings in the groin.

elarhẹlarhẹ [èlářɛ̀lářɛ̀] n.

a disease in which fluid collects in cavities or tissues of the body; dropsy.

elawagbọn [èláwagbɔ̃̀] n.

maturity and experience that one acquires through diversified contacts and exposure.

elẹdẹ [élɛ́dɛ̀] n.

domestic pig.

elẹdi [èlɛ́dì] n.

lead; lead pencil.

elikhukhu [èlíxùxù] n.

pigeon (also enikhukhu).

elita [èlítà] n.

litre (cf. Engl.).

elọya [èlɔ́yà] n.

lawyer (also ulaya) (cf. Engl.).

elukeluke [èlùkélùké] n.

river-tortoise (also ẹruvbọ).

ema¹ [èmà] n.

drum; there are different varieties, such as emẹdo; emighan; emugho; etc.

ema² [èmà] n.

1. pounded yam; yam fufu;

2. a collective name for the different varieties of yam tuber, such as ikpẹn; igbin; ivu, etc.;

3. the soft pulp of fruits, usually edible:

ema-orunmwun ― “the pulp of native pear.”

emaba [èmàbà] n.

1. a variety of drum made from calabash, with a rattle attached to it; it is played in palace festivals;

2. a dance for which the emaba drum is used.

emabule [èmábule] n.

a nickname for a very stupid person.

emaili [èmaílì] n.

mile (also ibiriki) (cf. Engl.).

emakaesọn [èmàkàésɔ̃̀] n.

bicycle repairer.

emakaliki [èmàkálìkì] n.

mechanic; auto technician (cf. Engl.).

emasini [èmàsínì] n.

machine:

1. sewing machine; grinding machine and similar appliances;

2. motor-cycle:

U miẹ emasini ne Ozo da dẹ? Did you see the motor-cycle that Ojo just bought?

ematọn [èmátɔ̃̀] n.

metal;

ematọn nọwegbe ― “steel”

.

emazuọkọ [èmázuɔ́kɔ́] n.

a very stupid person; imbecile.

emehe [èméhè] n.

1. reserve; extra stock kept for future use:

Ọ ya evbare nii zẹ emehe ye iran ihẹ: “He packed that food for them as reserve”

;

2. gift:

Osanobua ọ ya re kpe emehe gun mwẹn ― “God sent it to me as a gift.”

emẹ [èmɛ̃́ɛ̃̀] n.

a general name for apes; individual varieties, include alazi, akharho, ọsa, etc.

emẹdo [èmɛ̃̀dò] n.

(< ema + Ẹdo) “drum of Benin”: a big round drum beaten with one stick and beaten during ugie ukpetuẹ.

emẹlu [èmɛ̃̀lú] n.

bull.

emi [émĩ̀] n.

bulk, thickness; weight:

Ọkpan na mwẹn emi ― This plate has bulk

.

emiamwẹn [èmỹã̀ɱɛ̃̀] n.

illness (also uhunmwonva);

emiamwẹn-Uhobo ― “Urhobo sickness”

, i.e. gonorrhea.

emiegbe [èmyẽ́gbè] n.

beads, worn around the neck, wrist, or around the hips. (also emwin-egbe).

emiehọ [èmyẽ́hɔ̀] n.

ear-rings (also emwin-ehọ).

emiekhue [èmyẽ́xwè] n.

disgrace; shame. (also emwienkhue).

emiẹki [èmyɛ̃́kì] n.

native pudding made from yam; it is steamed in wraps of ebiẹba leaves.

emighan [èmĩ́ɣã̀] n.

a drum for chiefs, placed on the ground and beaten with two sticks.

emilẹ [émĩ́lɛ̀] n.

a variety of red yam.

emiowo [èmyṍwò] n.

meat (also aranmwẹn).

emita [èmĩ́tá] n.

meter (cf. Engl.).

emitan [èmítã̀] n.

laziness; indolence.

emitẹ [émĩ̀tɛ̀] n.

a dwarf; a stunted person.

emizaduma [èmĩ́zàdùmã́] n.

a war drum.

emizagbẹdẹ [èmĩ́zàgbɛ́dɛ́] n.

a drum played for the izagbẹdẹ dance.

emọnde [èmɔ̃́dè] n.

Monday (cf. Engl.).

emorhọ [èmṍřɔ̀] n.

(< ema-orhọ) “yam of rainy season”: new yam.

emosima [èmṍsimã̀] n.

a kind of tortoise said to have been charmed by Ọkhuahẹ, and put in the bush surrounding his shrines.

emota [èmṍtà] n.

(< ema + ota) “pounded yam of the evening”, evening meal; supper.

Emotan [èmṍtã̀] n.

the name of an Edo heroine of the 15th century commemorated by the bronze statue of a queen mounted in 1954 at her grave site where a sacred uruhe tree once grew, in front of the Ọba market; this had been cut down inadvertently by a construction firm. By Ewuare’s decree, the Oba makes sacrifices to it, and every traditional burial procession visits the statue and offers it cowries and chalk.

emọ [èmɔ̃́] n.

children; off-spring (pl. of ọmọ).

emọwẹ [èmɔ̃́wɛ̀] n.

a variety of white yam, generally not used for pounding.

emuẹn [èmwɛ̃̀] n.

ashes.

emugho [èmṹɣò] n.

a small dancedrum beaten by hand, and used mainly by women.

emunẹmunẹ [èmũ̀nɛ̃̀mṹnɛ̃̀] n.

firefly; glow-worm.

emwan [èɱã́] adv.

here.

emwanmwan [èɱã́ɱã̀] n.

arrangement; preparation (cf. mwanmwan).

emwẹnmwẹn [èɱɛ̃́ɱɛ̃̀ɛ̃̀] n.

madness.

emwienhọ [eɱyẽhɔ] n.

ear-rings (also emiehọ).

emwienkhue [èɱĩẽ́xwè] n.

disgrace; shame; embarassment. (also emiekhue).

emwin [èɱĩ́ĩ́] n.

thing; object; issue.

emwinnekhua [èɱĩ̀néxwà] n.

“the great things”: the idiomatic designation for the burial rites of an Ọba.

emwindamwẹn [èɱĩ̀dáɱɛ̃̀] n.

tighthandedness; stinginess.

emwinfi [èɱĩ̀fí] n.

smallpox.

emwingbeni [èɱĩ́g͡bénĩ̀] n.

“thing that killed elephant”: tooth-ache (also emwinrrakọn).

emwinkemwin [èɱĩ̀kèɱĩ́] n.

anything; whatever thing.

emwinrebo [èɱĩ́ɽébò] n.

chinaware; porcelain.

emwinrẹnrẹn [èɱĩ̀ɽ̃̀ɛ̃̀ɽ̃̀ɛ́] n.

creeping insects (cf. rẹnrẹn).

emwinrrakọn [èɱĩ̀rákɔ̃̀] n.

“something in the teeth”: toothache (also emwinrrunu).

emwinrraro [èɱĩ̀ɽáɽò] n.

fever; also yellow fever or malaria fever (also evbirraro).

emwinrri [èɱĩ́rì] n.

“thing of the rope”: domesticated animals, such as sheep and goats.

emwinrrọbẹvbo [èɱĩ̀rɔ́bɛʋò] n.

“things that are in the Oba’s land”: male youth of 7 ― 14 years; traditionally they constituted an age-grade responsible for sweeping the streets. In villages, they also empty the refuse. (also evbirrẹvbo).

emwionko [èɱỹṍkɔ́ɔ̀] n.

farm crops; mainly cash crops.

emwionrhọ [èɱỹṍřɔ̀] n.

harvest.

emwiunbiẹmwẹn [èɱyúbyɛ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

“matter-of-childbirth.” labour.

emwiunwawa [èɱỹṹwàwà] n.

bean pottage made with palm oil.

ena [ènã̀] dem. pr.

these, these ones:

Ena ẹre ọ khaa ― “These are the ones he means”

.

enamwunsin [ènáɱṹsĩ̀] adv.

a long period of time back, for long ago:

enamwunsin ọ ghise edinran ― it is a long time since he got here: He has been here for long

.

enaimwẹn [ènã́iɱɛ̃̀] n.

“my owner”; “my lord”; a deferential address term used by women to their husbands and the latters’ relatives.

ene [ènẽ́] def. art.

the:

ene okpia vboo? ― “Where is the man?”

enena [énẽ́nã̀] dem.

these ones.

enenẹ [ènẽ́nɛ̃̀] adv.

in groups of four; fours.

enẹ [ènɛ̃́] num.

four.

eneirrọvbugie [ènɛ́iɽɔ́ʋugyè] num.

sixteen (i.e. four-missing-from-twenty)., eneirrovbọgban ― “twenty-six”: (i.e. four-missing-from-thirty).

enẹghẹdẹnẹ [ènɛ́ɣɛ́dɛ̀nɛ̃̀] n.

four days ago.

ení [ènĩ́] n.

elephant;

ení-amẹ ― “water elephant”: hippopotamus

.

enì [ènĩ̀] n.

name (also erin).

enia [ènyã́] adv.

thus; so; this manner.

enibokun [ènĩ́bòkṹ] n.

cattle egret.

enigie [ènĩ́gyè] n.

chiefs and other titled rulers.

enii [énĩ̀ĩ́] dem.

those ones.

enikaro [ènĩ́kàɽò] n.

(< ene-i-karo) “those who came in front”.

1. the ancestors.

2. pioneers.

enikẹre [ènĩ́kɛ̀ɽè] n.

the others; the remainder.

enikhukhu [ènĩ́xùxù] n.

pigeon (also elikhukhu).

enitan [énĩ̀tã̀] n.

prawns and shrimps.

eniwanrẹn [ènĩ́w̃ãɽ̃ɛ̃̀] n.

1. a deferential address term used for a group of elderly people. (sg. ― enọwanrẹn);

2. elders.

eniwanrẹn-asọn ― “elders of the night”: an idiomatic expression for witches, wizards, and other evil spirits

.

(e)nokpa [ènɔ́kpà] n.

the other one.

enọyaenmwan [ènɔ̃́ỹãɛ̃́ɱã̀] n.

“our owner”: (in Christian sense): our Lord.

epa [èpàá] n.

a colloquial address term for a man, used mainly by young people. (cf. Engl. Pa).

epẹntiro [èpɛ̃̀tiɽó] n.

petrol (cf. Engl.).

epianpian [èpyã́pyã̀] n.

the piping hornbill.

ére [éɽè] n.

beans.

ère [èɽè] n.

1. profit; gain; advantage;

2. reward.

Ọ rri ere iwinna esi ne ọ winnaẹn ― He got the reward of the good things he had done

.

Erediauwa [éɽédyàúwà] n.

name of the reigning Ọba of Benin.

Eresọyẹn [éɽésɔ̀yɛ̃̀] n.

name of a past Ọba of Benin.

erẹrẹ [èɽɛ́ɽɛ̀] n.

deception.

erẹnrẹn [èɽ̃ɛ̃̀ɽ̃ɛ̃́] num.

eight.

ero [èɽó] n.

deception; trick.

erọ [èɽɔ̀] n.

knife.

eru [èɽù] n.

placenta.

eruan [èɽ̃w̃ã́] n.

any harmful charm.

erha [éřá] n.

1. father; male parent;

2. ancestor for whom a shrine is mounted in the home.

erherha [éřéɽ̌á] n.

“father’s father”: paternal grandfather.

erhiye [éříyé] n.

“mother’s father”: maternal grandfather.

erha-nagbọn [éřànág͡bɔ̃̀] n.

“earthly father”; lover.

erha-nasagbọnmiẹn [éřànàsàg͡bɔ̃̀myɛ̃́] n.

“father-one-reaches the world to find”: foster father or benefactor.

erha-nọkhua [éřànɔ́xwà] n.

“big father”: grandfather.

erha-odede [érháodèdè] n.

great grandfather; also grandfather.

Erhamwonsa [éřàɱṍsà] n.

“Osa, my father” an appellation for the Supreme God, Osa.

erhan [èřã́] n.

1. tree; plant; shrub;

2. wood; stick, rod;

3. magical charm.

erhe¹ [èřè] n.

part of the palm fruit by which it is attached to the tree.

erhe² [èřè] n.

a copper stool said to have been sent to the Ọba of Benin by the Portuguese (Melzian p. 40).

erhẹn [èřɛ̃̀] n.

fire.

erhẹnbavbogo [èřɛ̃̀bàʋógò] n.

1. a shrub, Enantia affinis; the wood is bright yellow on the inside and gives off a yellow sap;

2. yellow colour.

erhẹnzọ [èřɛ̃́zɔ́] n.

(< erhẹn + ẹzọ) “wood of the law-suit” ― dock, witness box.

Iran tie ẹre ne ọ do sẹ osẹ vbe erhẹnzọ ― “He was called to the witness box to testify”

.

erhẹrhẹ [èřɛ́řɛ́] n.

a variety of melon, used for soup.

erhigọẹn [èřìgɔ̃́ɛ̃̀] n.

heron (also etingọẹn).

erhindo [eřĩ do] n.

(< erhan + ido) “loom stick”: the rod to which the threads are fastened in a loom.

erhọn [éřɔ̃́] n.

craw-craw; rashes. erhọnfọ ― heat rash.

erhuan [èřw̃ã́] n.

shedded skin or scales (e.g. of a snake).

erhuaengbe [èřw̃ã̀ɛgbè] n.

disciples; followers; attendants.

erhumohi [èřúmohì] n.

the darkheeled Cuckoo or Senegal Coucal.

erhunmwun [èřũ̀ɱũ̀] n.

prayer (mainly Christian sense, but also used in traditional religion); blessing.

erhunmwunrriarria [èřũ̀ɱũ̀ryáryà] n.

butterfly.

erhunmwunyẹn [èřṹɱũ̀yɛ́] n.

stranger; guest in a house.

erhuru [èřúɽú] n.

a variety of yam that has a slightly bitter taste when boiled.

erra [érá] n.

ganglion.

erri [èrì] n.

knotty part in a piece of wood or creeper.

erria¹ [èryá] n.

grazing.

erria² [èryá] n.

1. interpretation, explanation (e.g. of code terms in oracles or riddles).

erriarra [èryáryà] n.

sandfly.

erriọ [èryɔ́] adv.

thus; so; like that:

vbene u gie ẹrẹ, erriọ ẹre ọ wa gha ye ― “Just as you described it, so it was exactly.”

errọ [èrɔ́] n.

1. the state of being a tenant rather than landlord:

errọ ẹre o ye vbe òwa nii ― “He is a tenant in that house.”

;

2. suspense; uncertainty.

erru [èrú] n.

a rack on which yam harvest is arranged and tied for storage and safe keeping.

esa [èsá] n.

relevance; connection; contribution in some enterprise:

wẹ i mwẹn esa ne u ye vbe ẹmwẹn na ― “You have no relevance in this matter, i.e. there is no contribution you can make in this matter.”

esagiẹn [èságỹɛ̃̀] n.

blood (also ẹrhaẹn).

Esago [ésàgó] n.

the name of the god of thunder, Sango; (also esango; isango; & isago) (cf. Yoruba sango).

èsago [èságò] n.

a large narrow-necked bottle, usually encased in wickerwork.

Esagho [ésàɣò] n.

the name of the chief wife of Ogiso, typically depicted in Edo folktales as ill-fated.

esakpaede [èsákpáedè] n.

1. a variety of drum, used for a dance by the same name, and danced to by men (ighele).

esakparẹghodin [èsákpáɽɛɣòdĩ̀] n.

great-grandchild.

esalebo [èsàlébò] n.

a plant, whose black seeds are strung around a calabash to make the musical instrument known as “ukusẹ”.

esalọ [èsálɔ̀] n.

a disease in the form of small sores on hands and feet.

Esama [ésàmã́] n.

the title of the chief who performs the ama ceremony.

Esan [ésã̀] n.

the Ishan people, one of the tribes in the Edo ethnic group.

esatọde [èsátɔ̀déè] n.

Saturday (cf. Engl.).

esanmwan [èsã̀ɱã̀] n.

any carved bone or ivory.

ese [èsè] n.

any sacrifice that should have been made according to the prediction of an oracle:

ese ọ rre ọre egbe ne ọ na khuọnmwin ― “He is sick because he is in default of making a sacrifice that was predicted.”

eseku [èsèékʋ] n.

a dwarf-like being believed to wander in the dense forest, with a woven mat tucked under his armpit.

Esere [èsèrè] n.

the title of a senior chief of the Iwẹguae society.

eseso [èsésò] quant.

some; any (occurs only in negative clauses):

i sẹ evba, i ma miẹ iran eseso ― “I got there and found none of them.”

esẹghẹsẹghẹ [esɛɣɛsɛɣɛ] n.

the gum-tree (Tetrapleura tetraplera).

esẹntimẹta [èsɛ̃̀tímɛ̃tà] n.

centimetre (cf. Engl.).

esi¹ [èsì] n.

bush-pig (also esi-oha). esi-ebo ― domestic pig; hog.

esi² [èsì] n.

goodness; the right or desirable qualities:

ọmwan esi ― “a person of goodness”; i.e. a good person

;

emwin esi ― “a thing of goodness”: a good thing

.

esia [èsyá] n.

hale; ikpesia ― “halestone”.

esiasio [èsyásyò] n.

the Bristlebill bird.

esiesi [èsyési] n.

(< esi + esi) excellent quality; perfection.

esieki [èsyɛ́kì] n.

cheque (cf. Engl.).

esiga [èsìgá] n.

cigarette (cf. Engl.).

esikpogho [èsíkpóɣò] n.

the Bulbul.

esiliki [èsílikì] n.

silk; also rayon (cf. Engl.).

esimẹti [èsìmẽ́tì] n.

cement (cf. Engl.).

eso [èsó] n.

some:

eso rre emwan ― “some are here.”

esoghosogho [èsóɣósóɣó] n.

baby’s rattle. (cf. sogho).

esosomaye [èsósómàyè] n.

a charm, having predictive power, owned by the Ọba.

esọbiri [èsɔ́bìɽì] n.

shovel, spade (cf. Engl.).

esọbu [èsɔ́bù] n.

shop; trading store; workshop. (cf Engl.).

Esọgban [ésɔ̀gbã́] n.

the title of a senior chief, who is a member of the Eghaevbo n’Ore, and who acts for the Iyasẹ in his absence.

esọkisi [èsɔ́kìsì] n.

socks (cf. Engl.).

Esọn [ésɔ̃́ɔ̃̀] n.

the title of a senior chief, who is a member of the Eghaẹvbo n’Ore.

esọnde [èsɔ̃́dè] n.

Sunday (cf. Engl.).

esọsi [èsɔ́sì] n.

Church (cf. Engl.).

Esu [èsù] n.

1. in traditional religion: the name of a harmful deity believed to be sent by the other gods to cause trouble: it cannot kill a man, but would lead him into danger or temptation;

2. In the Christian sense, the Devil; Lucifer.

esughusughu [èsùɣùsúɣù] n.

owl.

esuku [èsùkúù] n.

school (cf. Engl.).

eta [ètá] n.

talk; speech (also pl. of ọta ― speech).

etalọ [ètálɔ̀] n.

1. utterances;

2. talkativeness.

etalugbo [ètálúg͡bó] n.

a farmer’s small wrap that he wears to the farm; loin-cloth.

etaro [ètáɽò] n.

(< eto ― aro) “hair of the eyesbrows”: eyebrows.

ete [ètè] n.

crisis; problem; trouble.

etebetebe [ètébétébé] n.

a very small insect that runs on the surface of water in rivers, streams and ponds.

eteburu [ètébùɽù] n.

table. (cf. Engl.).

etekia [ètékyá] n.

(< eto ― ekia) “hair of the penis”: male pubic hair.

etẹbitẹ [ètɛ́bítɛ̀] n.

eternity; forever.

etẹlivisọn [ètɛ̀lìvisɔ̃̀] n.

television (also etiivi).

etẹn [ètɛ̃́ɛ̃̀] n.

relatives; siblings. (also pl. of ọtẹn ― relation).

etianran [ètĩã́ɽ̃ã̀] n.

1. peacock;

2. silk.

etifuanro [ètífũã́ɽò] n.

(< eto ― ifuẹn ― aro): “hair of the wings of the eyes”: eyelashes.

etivi [ètìívì] n.

television. (also etẹlivisọn).

etingọẹn [ètĩ̀gɔ̃́ɛ̃̀] n.

heron (also erhigọẹn).

etisa [ètísà] n.

teacher (cf. Engl.).

etitibiiti [ètìtìbíìtì] n.

a black bird with a lyre-shaped tail, believed to be the king of birds.

eto [ètó] n.

hair;

eto nakiin ― “hair plaited with thread”

;

eto namẹn ― “braided hair”

;

etonukẹn ― “kinky hair”

.

etolotolo [ètòlótòló] n.

turkey.

etobatoba [ètòbàtóbá] n.

1. something that has become permanently glued on to something else;

2. a permanent stain. (cf. toba).

etọghọtọghọ [ètɔ́ɣɔ́tɔ́ɣɔ́] n.

rooster’s crest at its throat.

etọnni [etɔ̃́nĩ̀] n.

ton (cf. Engl.).

etuhe [ètúhè] n.

(< eto ― uhe) “hair of the vagina”: female pubic hair.

etuheru [ètùhéɽù] n.

scissors (also ugbeto; alumagazi).

eturarri [ètúɽàrí] n.

frankincense.

etuu [ètúù] n.

cannon.

eva [èvá] num.

two.

evẹbu [èvɛ̃̀bù] n.

verb (cf. Engl.).

evavu [èvávù] n.

valve, in cars, motorcycles and bicycles; (also evav) (cf. Engl.).

evé [èvé] n.

weeping.

evè [èvè] n.

elephantiasis of the scrotum.

éveva [évèvá] quant.

1. both (also èvèvá):

viọ éveva mẹ ― “give both to me”

.

èveva [èvévà] adv.

in pairs; two’s.

evẹn [èvɛ̃́ɛ̃̀] n.

wrestle.

evie [évyé] n.

a block with an iron surface on which smiths work metal; anvil.

evuato [évwátò] n.

grass-cutter.

evue [évwé] n.

a variety of ant that is found on corpses.

evba [èʋáà] adv.

over there; there:

mu ye evba: “place it over there.”

evbaakhuẹ [èʋàáxwɛ] n.

soap.

evbare [èʋàɽé] n.

food.

evbarriẹ [èʋàryɛ́] n.

an ingredient prepared from melon, used in native soups.

evbàvba [èʋàʋá] n.

an address and reference term meaning “father”, used mainly by adults. It also conveys some degree of respect and deference; in Christian prayers, it is usually used as an address term for God.

evbávba [èʋávà] n.

1. the supreme authority;

2. an address term often used for the Ọba.

evbayamose [èʋàyámòsé] n.

soap (also evbakhuẹ).

evbayawuo [èʋàyáwùó] n.

body cream; pomade.

evbibiọmọ [eʋibyɔmɔ̃] n.

parents.

evbihiọrọ [eʋihyɔɽɔ] n.

reptile.

evbikhọọ [èʋìxɔ̀ɔ́] n.

something of no value; a “no-good”.

evbisun [èʋìsṹ] n.

a general name for the different varieties of snails, such as egile, akikọ, etc., derived from their mode of crawling motion.

evbọ [èʋɔ́] n.

scabies.

evbu [èʋúù] n.

dew; morning mist.

ewa [èwá] n.

sleeping-mat made out of the stems of ebiẹba.

ewan [èwã́ã̀] n.

now (cf. eban).

ewanniẹn [èwã́nỹɛ̃̀] n.

response; reply; answer.

ewanmwẹn [éwã̀ɱɛ̃̀] n.

palm branch with the leaves on.

ewẹn [èwɛ̃́ɛ̃̀] n.

1. breast;

2. milk:

ya ewẹn nẹrẹn wẹn ― “breast-feed it.”

ewẹnmila [èwɛ̃́mìlá] n.

(< ewẹn ― emila) “cow’s milk”: dairy milk.

ewi [éwí] n.

a variety of fish, usually sold in the smoked form.

ewindo [éwĩ́dò] n.

window (cf. Engl.).

ewinso [èwĩ́sò] n.

whistle (cf. Engl.).

ewisiki [èwìsìkí] n.

whisky (cf. Engl.).

éwọe¹ [éwɔ́è] n.

whistling (by mouth).

éwoe² [éwɔ́è] n.

lava of a fly found under mats on mud beds that had been urinated on. It causes itching and craw-craw.

èwoe [èwɔ̀è] n.

attendants; followers.

Eyaẹn [èỹã̀ɛ̃́] n.

the name of a village on the outskirts of Benin along the Benin ― Auchi Road.

eyan [èỹã́] n.

pledge; promise (cf. yan).

eyanyan [èỹã́ỹã̀] n.

yawn (cf. yanyan); yawning.

eyeyẹ [èyéyɛ̀] n.

(< eyẹ ― eyẹ) “grandchild-grandchild”: cousins.

eyẹ [èyɛ́] n.

grandchild.

ezẹ [èzɛ́] n.

a chisel-like blade used by wine-tappers; (cf. afian).

ezẹgizẹgi [èzɛ́gízɛ́gí] n.

dysentery diarrhoea.

ezikẹn [ézíkɛ̃̀ɛ̃́] n.

1. flute; it is made from a long thin calabash, and played during certain palace festivals;

2. the whining of a child.

ezini [ézĩ̀nĩ̀] n.

engine (cf. Engl.).

ezinniya [èzĩ̀nĩ́yà] n.

engineer (cf. Engl.).

ezọbu [èzɔ́bù] n.

job: usually daily-paid labour, often requiring no specialized skill.

Ezọti [èzɔ́tì] n.

name of a past Ọba who reigned in about 1473. (Egharevba 1968:73).

ẹ [ɛ̀] pro.

3rd per. sgl. pronoun in the negative:

Ọ maa ra ẹ i maa? “He is good or he is not good? i.e. is he good or not?”

.

ẹbae [ɛ́bàe] n.

a meal made from processed cassava and eaten with soup.

ẹbee [ɛ̀béè] n.

danger; adversity.

ẹbete [ɛ́bétè] n.

a variety of brown bush rat (also ekuọmọ).

ẹbẹe [ɛ̀bɛ́è] int.

used to express delight at somebody’s mishap, especially if the mishap had been planned by the sufferer to befall someone else; it is the equivalent of “serves you right!” and is used mainly by children and women.

ẹbẹn¹ [ɛ̀bɛ̃̀] n.

a ceremonial sword carried by chiefs as part of their status symbols; it ranks lower than the sceptre, ada.

ẹbẹn² [ɛ̀bɛ̃̀] n.

a tree, found near water, (Mitragyna macrophylla), from which ceiling planks are obtained.

ẹbi [ɛ̀bíì] n.

a force that draws one into danger or peril.

ẹbibi [ɛ̀bìbì] n.

1. (used with the verb zẹ), bustle; excited activity:

ẹbibi zẹ vbe ore ― “there is a lot of bustle in town”

;

2. publicity; news of a person’s reputation:

ebibi ẹre sẹ ehe hia nẹ ― “his publicity had reached everywhere”

.

ẹbo¹ [ɛ́bò] n.

a variety of sedge, whose stems are used for weaving mats and bags.

ẹboo [ɛ̀bóò] n.

charm, medicine.

Ẹbomisi [ɛ̀bómìsí] n.

name of an Ẹdo deity who is said to have transformed himself into the hill now known as Oke Ẹbomisi along the Benin ― Agbor road.

ẹbọ [ɛ̀bɔ̀] n.

1. a god; deity;

2. symbolic objects instituted to represent particular gods and deities.

ẹbu [ɛ́bú] n.

a group of many individual objects or persons; a crowd:

Ghẹ rhie ẹre laọ uwu ẹbu ― “Don’t take him into the crowd”

.

ẹbubule [ɛ̀bùbùlé] n.

a herb used as vegetable in soups.

Ẹbue [ɛ̀buè] n.

name of Bini village.

ẹda [ɛ̀dà] n.

leucorrhoea.

ẹde [ɛ́dé] n.

crown.

ẹdekita [ɛ̀dékítà] n.

doctor, physician (cf. Engl.).

ẹdẹ [ɛ̀dɛ́] n.

day.

ẹdẹbiri [ɛ̀dɛ́biɽi] adv.

all day:

ẹdẹ biri ẹre ọ wa ya vbe odọ ― “It was the entire day that he spent over there; i.e. He stayed there all day.”

ẹdẹdẹmwẹndẹ [ɛ̀dɛ́dɛ́ɱɛ̃̀dɛ̀] adv.

forever; ever.

Ghẹ rha ẹdẹdẹmwẹndẹ ― “don’t steal ever.”

ẹ̀dẹgbe [ɛ̀dɛ́gbè] adv.

1. daybreak;

2. overnight.

ẹ́dẹgbe [ɛ́dɛ̀gbé] adv.

ten days duration.

ẹdẹgbedẹgbe [ɛ̀dɛ́gbedɛ́gbè] adv.

everyday; daily (also ẹdẹdẹgbe; and ẹdẹgbegbe).

ẹdẹgbegbe [ɛ̀dɛ́gbégbè] adv.

everyday; daily (also ẹdẹdẹgbe; and ẹdẹgbedẹgbe).

ẹdẹha [ɛ́dɛ̀há] adv.

three days duration:

ẹdẹha ọ ya ru ẹre foo ― “He took three days to complete it.”

ẹdẹhan [ɛ́dɛhã̀] adv.

six days duration.

ẹdẹhanrẹ [ɛ̀dɛ̀hã́rɛ̀] adv.

six days hence; in six days’ time.

ẹdẹhinrin [ɛ́dɛ̀hĩ̀rĩ́] adv.

nine days duration.

ẹdẹhinrọn [ɛ́dɛ̀hĩ́ɽɔ̃̀] adv.

seven days duration.

ẹdẹhinrọnrẹ [ɛ̀dɛ̀hĩ̀ɽɔ̃̀ɽɛ̀] adv.

seven days hence; in a week’s time.

ẹdẹikẹdẹ [ɛ̀dɛíkɛ̀dɛ́] adv.

any day; whatever day:

ẹdẹikẹdẹ ne ọ rhirhi nọọ, u ghi rhie nẹẹ ― “any day he asks at all, give it to him.”

ẹdẹki [ɛ̀dɛ́kì] n.

market day.

ẹdẹnẹ [ɛ́dɛ̀nɛ́] adv.

four days duration.

ẹdẹrẹnrẹn [ɛ́dɛ̀ɽɛ̃̀ɽɛ̃́] adv.

eight days duration.

ẹdẹruanrẹ [ɛdɛɽ̃wãɽɛ] adv.

eight days hence; in eight days time.

ẹdẹrriọ [ɛ́dɛ́ryɔ̀] adv.

the other day; that day.

Ẹdẹ ne i miọẹn, ẹdẹrriọ ẹre ọ sẹ Ẹdo ― “The day I saw him, that day he arrived in Benin: That day I saw him was when he arrived in Benin.”

ẹdẹsẹn [ɛ́dɛ̀sɛ̃́] adv.

five days duration.

ẹdẹva [ɛ́dɛ̀vá] adv.

two days duration.

ẹdiangbọn [ɛ̀dyã́gbɔ̃̀] n.

processed coconut oil, used as body cream.

ẹdienbo [ɛ̀dyẽ́bò] n.

“European palm-nuts”: pineapple.

ẹdienhiagha [ɛ̀dyĩẽhyàɣà] n.

palm kernel.

ẹdikẹtin [ɛ̀dikɛ̀tĩ́] n.

“day of rest”; Sunday (in the Christian sense) (also ẹduzọla; ẹdizọla).

ẹdizọla [ɛ̀dízɔ̀lá] n.

Sunday (also ẹduzọla; ẹdikẹtin).

Ẹdo [ɛ̀dó] n.

1. the native name for Benin City, as well as for the language of its inhabitants and environs;

2. the classificatory name for the group of related languages spoken in most of Bendel State, and which is a subgroup of the Kwa branch of the Niger ― Congo family;

3. the ethnic label for the speakers of the Central-Edo group of languages.

ẹdogbo [ɛ̀dógbò] n.

neighbourhood; immediate environment.

ẹdọọ [ɛ́dɔ̀ɔ̀] n.

cf. ẹdẹrriọ.

ẹdun [ɛ́dũ̀] n.

“bitter cola”, the fruit of the tree, Garcinia Kola.

ẹduzọla [ɛ̀dúzɔ̀lá] n.

“day of the week”: Sunday (also ẹduzọla nọkhua; edikẹtin; esọnde; ẹdizọla).

ẹẹn [ɛ̃́ɛ̃́] int.

“yes”; positive response to a question requiring Yes/No answer.

ẹfe [ɛ̀fè] n.

wealth; property.

ẹfọ [ɛ̀fɔ́] n.

same as afọ.

ẹfotọ [ɛ̀fótɔ̀] n.

(< ẹfe + otọ) “riches of the earth”: mineral.

ẹfua [ɛ́fuà] n.

whiteness; light complexion:

ovbi-ere nekherhe mwẹn efua ― “His smaller child has light complexion”

.

ẹgiẹgiẹ [ɛ̀gyɛ́gyɛ̀] n.

haste; hurry;

ya ẹgiẹgiẹ gha dee ― “use haste to come: Come with haste.”

ẹgiọn [ɛ́gyɔ̃́] n.

a single-stringed native musical instrument fashioned like a bow. It is put in the mouth and played with two sticks.

ẹgogo [ɛ́gógó] n.

1. bell:

iran kpe ẹgogo owiẹ nẹ ― “They have rung the morning bell.”

;

2. clock; watch:

ọ gba ẹgogo ye obọ ― “He straps a watch on his wrist: He is wearing a wristwatch.”

;

3. hour; time:

inu ẹgogo ọ tu? ― “How many hours have struck: what time is it?”

.

ẹguae [ɛ̀gwàe] n.

1. the Oba’s palace in Benin City;

2. the residence of a ruler.

ẹguẹ [ɛ̀gwɛ́] n.

hoe.

ẹguẹn [ɛ́gwɛ̃́] n.

the variety of bat that lives in house ceilings.

ẹgun [ɛ́gũ̀] n.

1. the bathroom in the traditional Edo house;

2. an area in the traditional house for storing foodstuff such as yams and plantains.

ẹgba [ɛ́g͡bà] n.

armlet.

ẹgbe [ɛ̀g͡bè] n.

a quick dancing step.

ẹgbenọgbifie [ɛ̀gbènɔ̀g͡bìfyé] n.

“Killer that kills the cleared bush”: harmattan wind (also ekhuakhua).

ẹgbẹdin [ɛ̀g͡bɛ̀dĩ́] n.

cylindrical drum; large barrel.

ẹgbẹ̀e [ɛ̀g͡bɛ̀e] n.

widow.

ẹgbẹ́e [ɛ̀gbɛ́è] n.

family; sib.

ẹgbẹle¹ [ɛ̀gbɛ̀lé] n.

a small piece of embroidered cloth wrapped around the waist by people attending ugie.

ẹgbẹle² [ɛ̀gbɛ̀lé] n.

an idiomatic word for suicide.

ẹgbo [ɛ́gbó] n.

forest; jungle.

ẹghele [ɛ́ɣèlè] n.

a man belonging to the ighele age-group; i.e. from 21 to 42 years. They were responsible for fighting during wars, and doing other community chores such as house building and tree felling.

ẹghẹ́ [ɛ̀ɣɛ́] n.

small yam-pole.

ẹghẹ̀ [ɛ̀ɣɛ̀] n.

time; period;

ẹghẹ̀ hia ― “at all times;” “always”

;

ẹghẹ̀ naa ― “at this time”; “nowadays”; “now”

;

ẹghẹ̀ nii ― “at that time”; “then”; “in those days”

.

ẹghẹikẹghẹ [ɛ̀ɣɛ̀íkɛ́ɣɛ̀] adv.

any time; whenever.

ẹghẹnẹdẹ [ɛ̀ɣɛ̀nɛ́dɛ̀] adv.

in the olden days; in the past.

ẹghẹso [ɛ̀ɣɛ̀só] adv.

sometimes; occasionally.

ẹghodin [ɛ́ɣòdĩ̀] n.

African black kite.

ẹghodo [ɛ́ɣòdò] n.

1. courtyard;

2. an unroofed and enclosed courtyard within the traditional Edo house into which rain water flows;

ẹghodo-ẹrriẹ ― “courtyard in the harem”

.

ẹghodo-ikun ― “courtyard in the ikun”

.

ẹghorhọ [ɛ̀ɣóřɔ̀] n.

(< ẹghẹ ― orhọ): “time of rains”: rainy season.

ẹghọẹn [ɛɣɔ̃ɛ̃] n.

a tree Terminalia superba, used as firewood only.

ẹghughu [ɛ̀ɣúɣù] n.

alligator.

ẹghute [ɛ̀ɣùté] n.

a kind of dance.

ẹghuyunmwun [ɛ̀ɣúỹũ̀ɱũ̀] n.

(< ẹghẹ ― uyunmwun) “time of dryness”: dry season.

ẹhae [ɛ̀haè] n.

forehead (also uharo).

ẹhan [ɛ́hã̀] n.

buffalo (also ede).

ẹhi [ɛ̀hì] n.

one’s guardian spirit.

ẹhiẹn [ɛ̀hiɛ̃́] n.

a general name for different varieties of native pepper.

ẹhiẹndo [ɛ̀hĩɛ̃́dò] n.

(< ehiẹn ― Ẹdo) “Benin pepper”: a variety of spice known as “alligator pepper”.

ẹhihi [ɛ̀híhì] n.

a very small variety of black ants usually found around sweet substances.

ẹhinakhọe [ɛ̀hìnáxɔè] n.

region at the back of the head.

ẹhiunhobo [ɛ̀hyúhòbò] n.

(< ẹhien ― Uhobo) “Urhobo pepper”; pepper soup ― a variety of soup prepared with much pepper and without oil, usually for convalescing people, or for women after childbirth. It is also prepared as an appetizer with choice meat or fish.

ẹho [ɛ̀hóò] n.

1. throat;

2. voice.

ẹhohẹziza [ɛ̀hóhɛzìzà] n.

(< ẹhoho ― ẹziza) “the wind of ẹziza” ― whirlwind.

ẹhoho [ɛ̀hóhò] n.

wind; breeze; ẹhohoni ― n. (< ẹhoho ― oni) “breeze of fever”: cool breeze (believed to cause a cold if exposed to it).

ẹhuan [ɛ́hwã̀] n.

1. lightness; brightness; light complexioned. (cf. efua).

2. light coloured kola-nut.

ẹhue [ɛ́hwè] n.

somebody/something with a large capacity for consumption; thing/person with big appetite.

ẹ́hun [ɛ́hũ̀] n.

fart (used with the verb nẹ).

ẹ̀hun [ɛ̀hṹ] n.

decayed parts of tree stems; effect of insect contamination in grain and other foodstuff; wormdust.

ẹkan [ɛ̀kã́] n.

agate beads.

ẹkete [ɛ́kété] n.

1. a ruler’s throne;

2. the throne of the Oba.

ẹkẹ [ɛ̀kɛ́] n.

cunning; deception.

Ẹkẹhuan [ɛ̀kɛ́hwã́] n.

name of an Edo village.

ẹki [ɛ̀kì] n.

1. market;

2. trade;

Eki-Ọba ― “Oba market”

;

Ẹki-agbado ― “Agbado market”

.

ẹkirẹ [ɛ́kìrɛ́] n.

frog.

ẹkiudu [ɛ̀kyúdù] n.

force:

ọ ya ekiudu miẹ ẹre re ― “He used force to take it from him: He took it from him by force”

.

ẹko [ɛ̀kóò] n.

1. belly;

2. capacity:

Akhe na mwẹn ẹko ― “This pot has capacity i.e. it is large”

.

ẹkobalọmwẹn [ɛ̀kòbálɔ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

“hurting of the belly”: grief; sadness; distress.

ẹkohihiẹmwẹn [ɛ̀kòhíhyɛ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

“pouring of the belly”: diarrhoea.

ẹkokodu [ɛ́kókódù] n.

“apex of the chest”: heart.

ẹkokhọmwẹn [ɛ̀kòxɔ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

“badness of the belly”: displeasure; irritation.

ẹkorhiẹnrhienmwẹn [ɛ̀kòryiɛ̃́ryɛ̃́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

“sweetness of the belly”: happiness; joy; pleasure.

ẹkorriaramwẹn [ɛ̀kòráɽáɱɛ̃̀] n.

“bitterness of the belly”: unhappiness; sorrow.

ẹkọ [ɛ̀kɔ́] n.

hot cereal made from corn.

ẹkuẹ [ɛ̀kwɛ́] n.

1. the Edo name for the town of Akure and its natives;

2. a general name for the Yoruba people.

ẹkun [ɛ̀kṹ] n.

waist.

ẹkuonkhuo [ɛ̀kṍxwò] n.

(< ekun ― okhuo) “woman’s waist”: a large piece of cloth, usually four yards wide, wrapped by women as part of their traditional outfit.

ẹkhókho [ɛ́xóxó] n.

1. dark corner;

2. any place characterized by secrecy.

ẹkhòkho [ɛ́xòxò] n.

a variety of large monkey.

ẹkhu [ɛ̀xù] n.

door; entrance.

ẹkhun [`xũ̀] n.

a person who is unable to work due to weakness or illness; a cripple.

ekhunkhun [ɛ̀xũ̀xṹ] n.

“sweat fly”: gnat.

ẹkhuia [ɛ̀xwyá] n.

bull.

ẹkpahiọ [ɛ́k͡páhɔ̀] n.

“urine bag”: bladder.

ẹkperọkhuẹ [ɛ̀k͡péɽɔ̀xwɛ̀] n.

a shining black bird, the size of a pigeon.

ẹkpẹho [ɛ́kpɛ́hò] n.

deep and resonating voice quality.

ẹkpẹn [ɛ̀kpɛ̃̀] n.

leopard.

ẹkpẹtin [ɛ́k͡pɛ̀tĩ̀] n.

box; chest.

ẹkpiku [ɛ́k͡píkù] n.

rubbish heap.

ẹkpirro [ɛ́k͡pírò] n.

an edible fruit with velvety brown skin of the tree Chrysophyllum africanum.

ẹkpiyeke [ɛ́k͡píyèkè] n.

“space of the back”: middle of the back; region between shoulder blades.

ẹkpó [ɛ́k͡pó] n.

1. space between two objects; gap:

rhie ẹkpó ne iran ― “give them gaps.”

;

2. time period:

ekpó nii ― “during that time”

;

ẹkpó rriọ ― in those days; that period

.

ẹkpò [ɛ́k͡pò] n.

1. bag;

2. N200.00, or the equivalent of one hundred pounds sterling.

ẹkpofi [ɛ́k͡pófì] n.

“bag of yaws” ― a yaws-ridden person.

ẹkpoghò [ɛ́k͡póɣò] n.

a pint-sized bottle used for measuring palm-oil for sale.

ẹkpoghó [ɛ́k͡póɣó] n.

a variety of bamboo plant, used for building houses and sheds.

ẹkpohian [ɛ́k͡póhyã̀] n.

leather bag.

ẹkpohunmwun [ɛ̀kapòhũ̀ɱũ̀] n.

headache.

ẹkpoki [ɛ́k͡pókì] n.

a cylindrical leather bag.

ẹkpokhurhu [ɛ́k͡póxùřù] n.

stomach.

ẹkpoliyẹkẹ [ɛ́k͡pòlíyɛ̀kɛ̀] n.

pregnant woman (also ẹkponiyẹkẹ).

ẹkpowa [ɛ́k͡pówà] n.

wall gecko.

ẹlẹdẹ [ɛ́lɛ́dɛ̀] n.

domestic pig (also elẹdẹ).

ẹlu [ɛ̀lú] n.

purple dye, obtained from the leaves and roots of a local plant. (also elaali).

ẹlubọ [ɛ̀lùbɔ́] n.

yam or plantain flour used for preparing the meal by the same name.

ẹmila [ɛ́mìlá] n.

cow.

ẹmwanta [ɛ̀ɱã́tà] n.

truth.

ẹmwẹn [ɛ̀ɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. word; speech; utterance:

I họn ẹmwẹn ne u tae ― “I heard the words you said; i.e. I heard what you said”

.

2. matter; subject; affair; case:

iran si ẹmwẹn nii sẹ ekọtu ― “They have dragged that case to court.”

ẹnina [ɛ́nĩ́nã́] n.

sensitivity; feeling.

ẹo [ɛo] n.

no; negative response to a question.

ẹpipa [ɛ́pípá] n.

keg, barrel.

ẹre¹ [ɛ̀ɽé] cop.

a variant of the focalizing copula ọre, which serves to link the focalized item with the rest of the sentence:

aga ẹre ọ tota yi. “It is a chair that he sat on”

, as opposed to

ọ tota ye aga ― “He sat on a chair”

― in which no item is focalized.

ẹre² [ɛ̀ɽé/ɛ́ɽè] pron.

one of the forms of the 3rd person singular pronoun when it occurs as object or as possessive:

Ọzo gbe ẹre ― “Ozo beat him”

;

ebe ẹre nọ ― It is his book

. Other forms of this pronoun are: ẹnrẹn; ọre; ọnrẹn;

ẹrere [ɛ́ɽéɽé] n.

flute.

ẹrẹ [ɛ́ɽɛ̀] n.

today.

Ẹribo [ɛ́ɽíbò] n.

the title of the second senior chief of the Iwebo society.

ẹrin [ɛ̀ɽĩ̀] n.

a small variety of squirrel with bulging eyes.

ẹrinmwin [ɛ̀ɽĩ́ɱĩ̀] n.

1. the other world; the life hereafter; in the Christian sense: heaven; the seat of God and the other heavenly bodies, as well as the resting-place of the saved; in the traditional sense: the world of the spirits of the dead, as well as of Osa and the other gods;

2. infants;

3. the spirits of ancestors; masquerade dancers, who are symbolically linked with the gods they represent.

ẹrinmwin-Idu [ɛ̀ɽĩ́ɱĩ̀dú] n.

“god of Idu” (idu was an old name for Edo, as well as the name of a past Oba of Benin); the shrine of the Oba’s father at the Ẹguae.

ẹriyo [ɛ̀rìyó] n.

the title of a chief.

Ẹro [ɛ̀ɽó] n.

title of the chief whose court is at Urubi quarters in Benin City, and who is a member of the Uzama.

ẹro [ɛ́ɽó] n.

that part of a rope in a trap which entraps the victim.

ẹrokhin [ɛ́ɽoxĩ̀] n.

chameleon.

ẹroro [ɛ́ɽóɽó] n.

a small bell which is found in shrines.

ẹrọnmwọn [ɛ́rɔ̃̀ɱɔ̃̀] n.

brass; brass bracelets and anklets.

ẹru [ɛ̀ɽù] n.

female antelope (cf. ẹrhuẹ).

ẹruvbọ [ɛ̀ɽúʋɔ̀] n.

river-tortoise (also elukeluke).

ẹrha [ɛ̀řá] n.

bush-cat.

ẹrhaẹn [ɛ̀řã́ɛ̃̀] n.

blood. (also esagiẹn).

ẹrherhe [ɛ̀řèřè] n.

brain.

ẹrhẹ [ɛ̀řɛ̀] n.

groin; lower abdomen.

ẹrhia [ɛ́řià] n.

1. malefactor;

2. rubbish.

ẹrhọnmwọn [ɛ̀řɔ̃̀ɱɔ̃̀] n.

hermaphrodite.

ẹrhu [ɛ̀řú] n.

hat; cap.

ẹrhunrhunmwonwa [ɛ́řṹřṹɱõ̀wá] n.

the roof of a house.

ẹrhunrhunmwun [ɛ̀řũ̀řũ̀ɱũ̀] n.

tail.

ẹrrẹe [ɛ̀rɛ́è] n.

1. someone else, who’s unknown to speaker,

Ghẹ rhie, ighẹ ọghe ẹrrẹe nọ ― “Don’t take it, for it belongs to someone else (who I don’t know)”

;

2. some unknown enemy:

ẹrrẹe ọ gha gbuẹ ― “May you be killed by some unknown enemy!”

― used as a common curse;

3. peer:

ẹrrẹegbe ― “peers of each other”

; matched pair: equals in strength and resources:

Iran vbe ọre se ẹrrẹegbe ― He and she are matched

.

ẹrriẹ [ɛ̀ryɛ́] n.

1. harem;

2. the Oba’s harem in the palace.

Ẹrriẹ [ɛ̀ryɛ̀] n.

the name of the street in which the first storey building in Benin City was constructed.

ẹrru [ɛ̀rú] n.

yam-stack.

ẹse [ɛ̀sé] adv.

well, properly:

ọ le evbare na ẹse ― “She cooked this meal properly”

.

ẹsee [ɛ̀séè] n.

favour; kindness; good turn:

ẹsee Osanobua ― “God’s kindness”

.

ẹsẹse [ɛ̀sɛ́sè] adv.

very well; very much:

ọ yẹ mwẹn ẹsẹse ― “It delights me very much.”

ẹsẹsẹmwẹnse [ɛ̀sɛ́sɛ́ɱɛ̃̀sé] adv.

very much; exceedingly; extremely:

Ọ ghaan ẹsẹsẹmwẹnse ― “It is expensive very much: it is extremely expensive”

.

Ẹsigie [ɛ́sigyè] n.

name of a past Oba of Benin.

ẹsin [ɛ́sĩ́] n.

horse.

ẹsọn [ɛ̀sɔ̃̀] n.

poverty; destitution.

ẹtẹ̀ [ɛ̀tɛ̀] n.

sore; ulcer.

ẹtẹ́ [ɛ̀tɛ́] n.

monkey.

ẹtẹbọ [ɛ̀tɛ̀bɔ́] n.

heap of mud collected for building purposes.

ẹti [ɛ́tì] n.

1. place in the forest which is rendered impassable by creepers and climbers;

2. confusion; obstruction.

ẹtin [ɛ̀tĩ́] n.

strength; power; force.

ẹtinfomwẹn [ɛ̀tĩ̀fóɱɛ̃̀] n.

(< ẹtin ― fo ― mwen): “the finishing of strength”: weakness.

ẹtu [ɛ̀tù] n.

beard.

ẹvbẹe [ɛ̀ʋɛ́è] n.

kola-nut, presented to guests as a sign of hospitality and good will; also used in several traditional ceremonies.

ẹvbigbagia [ɛ̀ʋígbàgya] n.

the variety of Kola that typically has only two cotyledons and is found mainly in Hausaland. It leaves an orange stain in the mouth. It is also known as evbigabari ― “Gambari-Kola”. It is not used in any ceremonial function in Edo land.

ẹvbii [ɛ̀uíì] n.

1. palm oil;

2. animal fat.

ẹvbo [ɛ̀ʋò] n.

1. country; land:

ẹvbo-Igbo ― “Igbo-land”

;

2. people:

ẹvbo ne i rre owa ― “people who are at home”

;

3. language:

ẹvbo Uhobo ― “Urhobo-language”

.

ẹwae [ɛ̀wàe] n.

1. family; sib (also ẹgbee; uniẹ);

2. empire:

ẹwae Edo ― “Benin empire”

.

ẹwe [ɛ̀wé] n.

goat;

ẹwe-amwen ― “female goat”

;

ẹwe-ọwẹ: “he-goat”

;

ẹwe-owa: “castrated goat.”

Ẹwẹdọ [ɛ́wɛdɔ̀] n.

name of a past Oba of Benin.

ẹwẹdọ [ɛ́wɛdɔ̀] n.

prison.

ẹwẹe [ɛ̀wɛ́è] n.

chest (part of the body).

Ẹwẹka [ɛwɛka] n.

name of the first Oba of Benin in the present dynasty. The title was also assumed by the father of Ọba Akẹnzua II as Ẹwẹka II.

ẹwia [ɛ́wyà] n.

smell; very strong odour.

ẹwo [ɛ̀wó] n.

funnel.

ẹwobi [ɛ́wóbí] n.

a despicable person.

ẹwu [ɛ́wù] n.

garment; dress.

Ẹwuakpẹ [ɛ́wwakpɛ̀] n.

name of a past Oba of Benin.

Ẹwuare [ɛ́wwaɽè] n.

name of a past Oba of Benin.

ẹyotọ [ɛ̀yòtɔ̀] n.

the foundation of a house.

ẹzẹ [ɛ̀zɛ̀] n.

river; stream.

ẹzi [ɛ̀zì] n.

1. tree stump when several feet above the ground;

2. the stem of an object that may be used as handle for lifting it;

3. the area surrounding the base of a tree.

ẹziza [ɛ̀zìzà] n.

a spirit believed to roam in the forest and give rise to whirlwinds: ẹhohẹziza.

ẹzọ [ɛ́zɔ́] n.

case; quarrel; law-suit.

ezuwunu [ɛ̀zúwúnú] n.

(< ẹzọ-uwuunu) “case of interior of mouth”: grumbling.

faa [fàá] vb.

to disgrace; to embarass.

fafa [fàfá] vb.

to fade.

fan [fã́] vb.

1. to release; to acquit, to set free:

A fan ọnrẹn vbe eghan ― “He has been freed from imprisonment”

.

fan ẹdin ― “to cut loose palm nuts from the tree”

,

2. to fall; drop suddenly:

ọ fan fi iguẹ ― “he dropped suddenly unto his knees”

;

amẹn fan fua ― “the rain started to fall suddenly”

.

fannọ [fã̀nɔ̃́] vb.

1. to loosen; to untie; to unfold:

fannọ oko ne a ghe emwin ne ọ rre uwẹre ― “loosen the parcel so we can look at what it contains”

;

2. plural or reiterative sense of fan:

Iran fannọ avbe oleghan kua ― “They have released the prisoners”

.

fe¹ [fé] vb.

to escape; to become free.

Ẹwe fe vbe irri ― The goat has escaped from the leash

; 2. to recover from illness:

Ọ fe nẹ vbe uhunmwonva ne ọ te vae ― “He has recovered from the illness that had afflicted him”

.

fe² [fé] vb.

to be wealthy; to be rich.

fee [fèé] vb.

to make rich; to enrich.

fenma [fẽ́mã̀] vb.

(< fan ― ema) “free yam”: to remove yams from the yam stack.

fẹfẹrẹfẹ [fɛ́fɛ́ɽɛ́fɛ́] adv.

(usually with the verb fo) entirely; completely; finally: (also, fẹrẹ)

Ọ rri ọre foo fẹfẹrẹfẹ ― He ate it up completely

.

fẹghẹrẹ [fɛ́ɣɛ́ɽɛ́] adj.

1. (used with the verb “ye”): very light; without bulk or weight:

ọ ghi ye fẹghẹrẹ ― It has become very light

;

2. adv. lightly; with little effort:

Ọ ru ẹre fẹghẹrẹ ― “He did it with little effort”

.

fẹko [fɛ̀kó] vb.

to be gentle, mild or gradual in doing something:

Iran fẹko dee vbe umọdia ― “They are gradually approaching in the distance.”

(also hẹko).

fẹrẹ [fɛ́ɽɛ́] adv.

completely; entirely:

Tue ẹre yọọ fẹrẹ ― “Pour it in completely: i.e. pour it all in”

.

fẹrẹfẹrẹ [fɛ̀ɽɛ̀fɛ̀ɽɛ̀] adv.

(occurs with the verb mu) very sharp:

Erọ na mu fẹrẹfẹrẹ ― “This knife is very sharp.”

fi¹ [fí] vb.

to throw:

ọ fi ígho fii otọ ― “he threw the money onto the ground.”

fi² [fí] vb.

1. to beat (of the pulse)

Udu ere gba fi leilei ― “His heart is beating rapidly”

.

2. to hit:

Ọ fi ẹre ubi ― “He hit him a slap” i.e. “He slapped him”

.

fi³ [fí] vb.

to shoot:

ọ fi ahianmwẹn vbe uhunmwun erhan ― “He shot a bird on the tree.”

fi⁴ [fí] vb.

to cover; to surround:

Erhọn fi ẹre egbe hia ― “craw-craw covered all his body: he is covered all over with craw-craw”

,

fi ekharha gue ẹre ― “Spread an umbrella over him: cover him with an umbrella.”

fi⁵ [fí] vb.

to leave behind:

Ọ fi ọmọ yọ mwẹn otọ ― “She left a child behind with me.”

fi-dọn [fìdɔ̃́] vb.

“to throw and miss”: to miss a target; to make a mistake.

fiagba [fyàgbá] idiom, vb.

an idiomatic expression that means “to summon a meeting” ― used mainly in folktales.

fián¹ [fỹã́] vb.

1. (active sense):

1. to cut;

2. to break (e.g. of string or rope); (stative sense): to be cut or broken; to be loose:

Erọ fian mwẹn obọ ― “The knife has cut my hand.”

;

Irri ne u ya dee ẹwe fiaẹn ― “The rope with which you tied the goat is broken.”

2. (of money): to change into smaller denominations (cf. fingho).

fian² [fỹã́] vb.

1. to be salty;

2. to have a sharp smell:

Orere hia waa fian ne ahiọ ― “The entire yard has a sharp smell from urine”

;

Uwọnmwẹn ne u lee waa fian. ― “The soup you cooked is too salty.”

fian-re [fyã̀ɽé] vb.

“cut eat”; to bite.

fian-rraa [fỹã̀ràa] vb.

“cut cross”: to cross over (e.g. a river).

fiangbe [fỹã̀g͡bé] vb.

“cut in addition to”: to bless.

fianmwẹn [fỹã̀ɱɛ̃́] vb.

to hit (against):

Ọ rhie erhan fianmwẹn ọnrẹn uhunmwun ― “He took a stick hit him on the head: He hit his head with a stick”

.

fianyaẹngbe [fỹã̀ỹã̀ɛ̃gbé] vb.

(< fian-yan-egbe) “to cut over body”. to self-aggrandize; to over-estimate one’s worth.

fie [fìé] vb.

to clear a plot with hoes and machets in preparation for farming. This usually precedes the felling of the trees on the plot.

fieghe [fyèɣé] vb.

to swing something; to sway; to wave:

Ọ fieghe obọ daa mwẹn vbe ọ gberra ― “He waved hands to me when he passed.”

fienwẹn [fỹẽ̀w̃ɛ̃́] vb.

“to cut breast”: to wean; to be weaned.

fiemwin [fyèɱĩ́ĩ̀] vb.

“to hit something”: to hit (somebody).

fiẹkun [fyɛ̀kṹ] vb.

“to throw waist”: to move the hips back and forth as in the movements during coitus.

fiẹnfiẹnfiẹn [fỹɛ̃́fỹɛ̃́fỹɛ̃́] adv.

describes a sharp sucking noise, as that produced when one tries to suck at bone marrow; or the squeaking noise of house mice.

fifi [fìfí] vb.

1. to leer with a longing for something:

Ghe fifi yọ mwẹn evbare ― “Don’t leer at my food.”

fiha [fíhà] vb.

“to throw oracle”: to cast oracle; to consult a diviner.

fii [fìí] adv.

into:

Ọ de fii ẹzẹ ― “He fell into the river.”

fikọ [fìkó] vb.

to stand and stare.

filo [fìló] vb.

plural or reiterative sense of fi¹ and fi³:

1. throw or drop things one by one; many people dropping things at the same time;

2. to shoot things one by one; or many people shooting things at the same time.

findin [fĩ́dĩ̀] vb.

“cut a grave”: to dig a grave.

fingho [fĩ́ɣó] vb.

1. “cut money”: to fine; to issue a fine;

2. to change money into smaller denominations; to give change.

finhue [fíhué] vb.

“to cut nose”

1. to have a deformed nose;

2. to have excessive nasality in one’s speech.

finve [fĩ̀vé] vb.

“to cut a price”: to price something.

fioghofiogho [fyóɣófyóɣó] adj.

(usually introduced by the verb ye) very tall and thin.

fioghoroko [fyóɣóɽóko] vb.

to hop about on one foot.

fiokin [fyókĩ̀] vb.

“to throw circles”: to turn round and round on the same spot (often leads to giddiness).

fionrueghe [fỹṍɽwèɣè] vb.

“to cause disturbance”: to harass.

fionsughu [fỹṍsuɣù] vb.

“to cause trouble”: to inflict trouble or problems.

fionvan [fỹõ̀vã́] vb.

“to throw a proverb”: to quote a proverb at somebody, expecting the latter to determine its meaning.

fiunu [fyùnú] vb.

“to throw mouth”: to speak disrespectfully of, or to, one’s superior.

fiweriẹ [fìwèriɛ́] vb.

to change; to transform.

fiya [fìyá] vb.

1. to die;

2. to abandon.

fiyekegbe [fíyèkègbé] vb.

“to throw back against”: to ignore; to neglect.

fo [fó] vb.

to finish; to end:

evbare foo vbe owa ― “food is finished in the house.”

foo [fòó] adv.

completely; totally:

I tie ebe nii foo ― “I read that book completely”

.

fọ [fɔ́] vb.

(used with ọfọ as subject) to perspire:

ọfọ fọ mwẹn ― “Perspiration is perspiring me”: I am perspiring

.

fọrhiọn [fɔ̀řyɔ̃́] vb.

“to finish strength”: to faint; to pass out.

fu [fú] vb.

to be gentle; docile:

ekita naa fu gbe ― This dog is very docile

.

fua¹ [fùá] vbl. part

(usually occurs with vbs such as rhie, mu, fi, de, etc.) and indicates that the relevant object/ subject of the main verb is thrown away, or out:

ọ de fua ― “It fell out”

: it dropped.

fua² [fwá] vb.

to be white or whitish (also fuọfua).

fuan [fũ̀ã́] vb.

to perish; to be annihilated.

fuegbe [fwègbé] vb.

“to be gentle to body”: to suit; to be agreeable for.

fuẹko [fwɛ̀kó] vb.

“to be gentle in the belly”: to be of a gentle disposition.

fuẹn¹ [fwɛ̃́] vb.

to stamp and roll about in:

Ibieka nii gha fuẹn vbe ekhuọrhọ ― “Those children are stamping and rolling about in the mud.”

fuẹn² [fwɛ́] vb.

to waste; to squander:

Ọ fuẹn igho erhae hia foo ― “He squandered all his father’s money completely.”

fuẹnfuẹn [fũ̀ɛ̃̀fũ̀ɛ̃̀] adv.; adj.

(usually introduced by the vb. ye)

1. very weak; almost lifeless e.g. a dying fire;

2. (with hẹwẹ) fast; repeatedly:

Ọ hẹwẹ fuẹnfuẹn ― “He is panting”

.

fuẹnrhẹn [fwɛ̃̀rɛ̃́] vb.

to smear on:

Ọ ya uwọnmwen fuẹnrhẹn egbe hia ― He smeared himself all over with soup

.

fuozu [fwózú] vb.

to be blind. (also fuezu).

fuọfua [fwɔ̀fwá] vb.

to be white or whitish (also fua).

furhu [fùřú] vb.

to grab; to snatch, to rush for, (usually of many objects and by more than one participants):

Iran furhu ehia foo ― “They have grabbed it all completely”

. (also fuu).

furhẹmwẹn [fùřɛ́ɱɛ̃̀] vb.

“to rush words”: to stutter. (also furhuẹmwẹn).

fuu [fùú] vb.

(usually in relation to large quantities): to grab; to appropriate greedily; to snatch.

ga¹ [gá] vb.

to serve:

ọ ga mwẹn la ukpo eha ― “He served me for three years.”

ga² [gá] vb.

to be cooked; to be ready to eat.

Iyan na gae ne ― “This yam is cooked.”

gaa [gàá] vb.

to surround; to encircle (also lẹgaa; gaga).

gadagbaa [gádágbáá] adj.; adv.

(usually introduced by the verb ye) huge; expansive.

gaga¹ [gàgá] vb.

cf. gaa.

gaga² [gàgá] vb.

1. to manage; to cope with limited means.

2. to care for; to look after:

Rẹn ẹre ọ gagae khian ― “He is the one tending him.”

gaigai [gàigài] adv.

describes a manner of walking: with wide confident strides.

gaingain [gã̀ĩgã̀ĩ] adv.

describes gait: with an air of arrogance.

gegeege [gégéégé] adv.

(usually introduced with the vb. ye): describes something that is in a heap, that is, so plentiful that it is in a heap:

Ize ne ọ dẹe ye gegeege ― “The rice she bought is in a heap.”

gele [gèlè] adv.

really; indeed; actually:

Ọ gele sẹ evba ― “He actually reached there.”

gelegele [gèlègèlè] adv.

in fact; in truth.

geletee [gélétéé] adv.; adj.

(usually introduced by the vb. yo, or ye), describes height, very high (also golotoo).

gẹdẹgbẹẹ [gɛ́dɛ́gbɛ́ɛ́] adv.; adj.

(usually introduced by the vb. ye) describes size: very big, very bulky.

gẹdẹgẹdẹ [gɛ̀dɛ̀gɛ̀dɛ̀] adv.

usually used as an emphatic modifier after personal prons.:

me gẹdẹgẹdẹ?: “my very self?” i.e. do you actually mean me?

gẹngẹnẹngẹn [gɛ̃́gɛ̃́ɛ̃́gɛ̃́] adv.

(usually introduced by the vb. ye) very tight; bloated ―

Ẹko ẹre ye gẹngẹnẹngẹn ― “His belly looks bloated.”

gẹnnẹ [gɛ̃́nɛ̃́] adv.

not at all:

Erhọkpa ma de fua gẹnnẹ ― “None dropped at all.”

gi [gí] vb.

to allow to do; to permit to do, to let:

Ọ gi Ozo la owa ― “He let Ozo enter the house”

. It has a variant gu when the object is 1st or 2nd pers. sg. pro.:

Ọ gu mwẹn la owa ― “He let me enter the house.”

2. to be able (to do something).

gia [gìá] vb.

plural or reiterative sense of fian:

1. to cut into several parts or pieces;

2. to cut several objects;

3. several people cut the same object; several people cut various objects. (also giagia).

giagia [gyàgyá] vb.

cf. gia.

giagha [gyàɣá] vb.

to cut or tear into shreds or little pieces.

Ọ giagha ukpon ye ọre ẹkun ― “He tore her cloth into shreds on her waist”: “He tore the cloth she wrapped around her waist into shreds.”

giangiangian [gỹã̀gỹã̀gỹã̀] adv.; adj.

(usually introduced by the verbs, baa or ye) very bright; brightly-coloured.

gianranran [gỹã̀ɽã̀ɽã̀] adv.; adj.

1. (with the verb tu): describes sound: the cry of a very young infant, especially at birth or during a bath;

2. (with ye): describes size: very tiny and numerous.

giasẹn [gìásɛ̃̀] vb.

“to spit saliva”:

1. to spit;

2. to pronounce a curse or evil wish on a person.

gidigbo-gidigbo [gídígbògídígbò] int.

a formula pronounced at the initiation of a wrestling match by one of the contending pairs.

gidigidi¹ [gìdìgìdì] adj.; adv.

(usually introduced by the verb ye) describes size: big and thick or strong (e.g. of yams; or human legs).

gidigidi² [gìdìgìdì] adv.; adj.

(usually introduced by the verb baa) describes flame: blazing hot.

gidigbi [gìdìgbì] adv;

firm and strong.

gie [gyé] vb.

to send:

Ọ gie ẹre Ẹdo ― “He sent him to Benin.”

gie¹ [gìé] vb.

to describe; to show:

Ọ gie odẹ ma mwẹn ― “He described the road to me; he showed me the way”

.

gie² [gìé] vb.

to compare: (usually occurs with a pre-verb ya)

Ya ọna gie ọnii ― “Compare this with that.”

gie³ [gìé] vb.

to spit (e.g. of a snake such as the spitting cobra).

gie⁴ [gìé] vb.

to affect (of certain sickness):

Uruvba gie ẹre akharha ― “Boil has affected his thigh: he has a boil on his thigh.”

gie [gyè] prep.

indicates a direction: towards; to:

Rhie ígho gie Ozo ― “Take the money to Ozo”

.

giẹ¹ [gyɛ́] vb.

to laugh.

giẹ² [gìɛ́] vb.

to rip off, or tear off:

abọ ukpọn mwẹn giẹre ― the edge of my cloth has ripped off

.

giẹgiẹ¹ [gyɛ̀gyɛ́] vb.

to tear to bits; to break into pieces.

giẹgiẹ² [gìɛ́gyɛ̀] vb.

to make haste; to be fast:

giẹgiẹ rri ọre ― “Eat it fast.”

giẹghẹ [gyɛ̀ɣɛ́] vb.

to be small (of many objects), in size, rather than quantity: tiny.

giẹghẹgiẹghẹ [gyɛ̀ɣɛ̀gyɛ̀ɣɛ̀] adj.; adv.

(usually introduced by the verb, ye) describes size: very small; tiny. (of many objects). (also giẹnrẹn or giẹrẹ).

giẹn [g̃ɛ̃́] vb.

to burn.

giẹngiẹn [gỹɛ̃̀gỹɛ̃́] vb.

1. to have low endurance or tolerance for pain or physical discomfort:

Egbe giẹngiẹn mwẹn gbe ― “My body cannot endure much pain.”

2. to be hypersensitive.

giẹnrẹn [gỹɛ̃̀ɽ̃ɛ̃̀] adj.; adv.

(usually introduced by the verb ye): very small; tiny, (of many objects). (also guẹnrẹnrẹn).

giẹrẹ [gyɛ̀ɽɛ̀] adj.; adv.

cf. giẹnrẹn.

gilọgilọ [gílɔ́gílɔ́] adj.; adv.

(usually introduced by the verb ye) describes appearance: tall and thin. (also fiofio).

gin [gĩ́] vb.

to leak.

ginna [gĩ̀nã́] adv.

against; to:

Ọ gba ẹre ginna erhan ― “He tied him to a tree”

.

giogiogio [gyògyògyò] adj.; adv.

(with the vb. baa) bright red. 2. (with the vb. tọn). very hot.

girri/grri [gìrì/grì] adv.

describes motion: sudden or unexpected motion.

go [gó] vb.

to shout, to scream (also so).

gogoogo¹ [gógóógó] adj.; adv.

(with the verb, so): describes noise: very loud. 2. (with the verb yo): very high.

gokaan [gókã́ã́] adv.; adj

(usually with the verb ye) describes appearance: very tall and clumsy.

golotoo [gólótóó] adv; adj.

(usually with the verb yo or tan) very tall.

gọ [gɔ́] vb.

(in the active sense): to bend or curve; (in the stative sense): to be bent, curved or crooked.

gọlọ [gɔ̀lɔ́] vb.

to walk gracefully.

gọlọgọlọ [gɔ̀lɔ̀gɔ̀lɔ̀] adv.

describes a manner of walking: with graceful gait.

gọn-ugie [gɔ̃̀ṹgyè] vb.

to worship; to hold the festival of.

gọngọnọngọn [gɔ̃̀gɔ̃̀ɔ̃̀gɔ̃̀] adv; adj.

describes appearance: pointed or angular.

gu¹ [gú]

co-verb to accompany in doing; to help in doing:

Ọ gu erhae winna ― “He worked with his father.”

gu² [gú] vbl part

cf. gi.

gu-dẹ [gùdɛ́] vb.

“to help buy”:

1. to assist in buying;

2. to buy from.

gu-dia [gùdìá] vb.

to live with (usually as a ward or servant).

gu-guan [gùgũ̀ã́] vb.

to speak with; to speak to.

gu-gui [gùgwí] vb.

“to quarrel with”: to scold; to query.

gu-gbinna [gùgbĩ̀nã́] vb.

“to fight with”.

gua¹ [gùá] vb.

1. to adulterate;

2. to admix (also guagua).

gua² [gùá] vb.

(< guẹ-vbe-a-ya): to know how (to do something); always occurs as a first member of serial verb constructions. (also guara).

gua¹ [gwá] vb.

to row (a boat). (also guokọ).

gua² [gwá] vb.

1. to dig;

2. to plant pieces of yam or cassava in prepared heaps of soil.

gua³ [gwá] vb.

(of space) to be capable of accommodating; to have enough room for.

Emwanna gha gua ima ― “This place can accommodate us.”

gua⁴ [gwá] vb.

(with ehien) to scratch or tear (with finger nails).

gua⁵ [gwá] vb.

(with kpaọ) to rise; to swell.

gualọ [gwàlɔ́] vb.

1. to look for; to search;

Ọ gha gualọ igho ― “He is looking for money”

(also hoo).

guagua [gwàgwá] vb.

to admix (cf. gua¹ (vb)).

guan [gũ̀ã́] vb.

to speak; to say something.

gue¹ [gùé] vb.

1. to cover; to put a lid on;

2. to shut; to close:

Ọ gue unu nẹ ― “He has shut mouth: he has shut up.”

gue² [gwé] vb.

1. to be located with;

2. to be in possession of.

Ebe mwẹn gue Ozo ― “My book is with Ozo.”

Igho i gue mwẹn ― “Money is not with me: I have no money”

.

guemwin [gwèɱĩ́ĩ̀] vb.

“to know something”: to be skilled; to be proficient.

guero [gwèɽó] vb.

(< guẹ ― ero) “to know tricks”: to be cunning.

guẹ [gwɛ́] vb.

to know; to be skilled at something.

gue [gùɛ́] vb.

to make sacrifice to one’s head during the Iguẹ ceremony; (also ruhunmwun).

guẹnrẹnrẹn [gwɛ̃̀ɽɛ̃̀ɽɛ̃̀] adj.; adv.

(cf. giẹghẹgiẹghẹ).

guẹzẹ [gwɛ́zɛ̀] vb.

“to row river”: to cross a river by boat.

guẹzẹguẹzẹ [gwɛ̀zɛ̀gwɛ̀zɛ̀] adv.

(usually with the verb rhia or kulo): describes degree: completely; totally; entirely.

Ọmọ na wa kulo guẹzẹguẹzẹ ― “This child is spoiled completely. i.e. The child is very badly behaved.”

gui¹ [gwí] vb.

1. to quarrel; to have a disagreement.

ma vbe ọre gui ― “He and I are quarrelling”

;

2. to complain; to be displeased with:

Ọ gui ighẹ i ma tuẹ ọre ― “He is complaining that I did not greet him”

;

3. to state one’s case (in a quarrel):

Ọ ghi gui oghẹe ne, mẹ na vbe gui ọghomwẹn ― “After he had stated his case, I then stated mine.”

gui² [gwí] vb.

to drone; to mutter indistinctly.

guiẹzo [gwyɛ́zɔ] vb.

1. (< gui-ẹzo) to argue a case.

2. to complain.

gukaan [gùkã̀ã̀] adj.; adv.

(with tota): clumsily, as if collapsing.

gulugulu [gúlúgúlú] adj.; adv.

(usually with dinmwin or ye) very deep; (of eyes): sunken.

gunu [gùnṹ] vb.

“to shut mouth”: to keep quiet; to shut up.

guo [gùó] vb.

to collapse; to break down.

guobọ [gwòbɔ́] vb.

“to know hand”: to be accustomed to; to understand (somebody or something).

guokọ [gwòkɔ́] vb.

to row or sail a boat.

guọ [gwɔ́] vb.

to tremble; to shiver.

guọghọ [gwɔ̀ɣɔ́] vb.

1. (in the transitive sense): to break; to crush; to pull apart;

2. (in the intransitive sense): to be broken; to get crushed or crumpled.

guọnmwengbe [guɔ̃̀ɱẽ̀g͡bé] vb.

to turn away abruptly (as if in protest).

guọnmwẹn [guɔ̃̀ɱɛ̃́] vb.

1. to move abruptly or suddenly;

2. (of a dog’s tail): to wag.

gba¹ [g͡bá] adv.

indicates that the action in the main vb. was performed collectively:

Iran gba rrievbare ― “They ate together”

.

gba [g͡bà] vb.

to tie; to bind:

ya irri gbae ― “Use a rope to tie it: Tie it with a rope”

.

gba³ [g͡bá] vb.

1. to be complete; to be accurate;

2. to assemble; to gather (of people):

Ẹvbo gba ye evba ― “People are gathered there.”

Ígho nii gbae ― “That amount is accurate.”

gbakhẹẹ [g͡bàxɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

to waylay; to lie in wait for.

gbaa [g͡bàá] vb.

to know somebody thoroughly, (especially his/her weaknesses or failures):

Iran hia gbaa ruẹ nẹ ― “They all know all your weaknesses already.”

gbaan [g͡bã̀ã́] vb.

to shift; to cause to move or fall by brushing against:

Ọ ya ukoko-obọ gbaan mwẹn emiowo fua vbe obọ ― “He used his elbow to knock down my meat from my hand”

.

gbadaa [gbádáá] adj.; adv.

(with ye) wide and expansive (e.g. field; lake). (also gbalaa; gbalazaa, gbodoo).

gbae [g͡báè] vb.

to be big; to be full-sized (also digba).

gbaẹngbe [g͡bã̀ɛ̃gbé] vb.

(< gbaẹn-egbe): “to shift body”: to move out of the way for something/someone; to shift one’s position; to avoid.

gbaghada [g͡bàɣàdà] adv.

describes a manner of falling: like the fall of something with branches or extensions (e.g. a person falling from a height with the limbs spread out).

gbaigbai¹ [g͡bàig͡bài] adv.

with the verb yunnu: to open and close repeatedly; to gasp:

ọ ghi yunnu gbaigbai vbene ọ khian wu ― “He is now gasping like someone about to die.”

gbaigbai² [g͡bàig͡bài] adv.

describes a manner of walking: with confident strides: ọ gha ze owe gbaigbai: “He is striding confidently”.

gbakiyẹyẹ [g͡bákíyɛ̀yɛ́] vb.

(< gbe-akiyẹyẹ) “to make a joke”, to make a fool of; to make a joke of:

Iran gha yae gbakiyẹyẹ ― “They are making a fool of him”

.

gbakpan¹ [g͡bákpã́] vb.

(< gbe-akpan) to be bald.

gbakpan² [g͡bák͡pã́] vb.

(< gbe-akpan): “to cause obstruction with foot”: 1. to obstruct or intercept someone walking along by causing him/her to stumble over his/her foot:

Ọ gbakpan yọ mwẹn owẹ, i na de ― “He caused me to stumble, and I fell”

: to cause to falter in one’s walk:

Ukpọn ne ọ rhuaẹn gbakpan ye ọre owẹ “The cloth she had wrapped around her caused her to falter in her walk.”

gbalama [g͡bálàmà] vb.

(< gbe ― alama) to be meddlesome; to undertake responsibilities that normally belong to others.

gbalaza [g͡bálázá] adj.; adv.

cf. gbadaa.

gbaleto [g͡bàlètó] vb.

(< gbalọ ― eto) “to wrap hair”: to wear a head-scarf.

gbalọ [g͡bàlɔ́] vb.

1. to wrap;

2. pl. or iter. sense of gba: to tie several objects; or to tie a rope round and round several times.

gbangbanangban [g͡bã́g͡bã́ã́g͡bã́] adj.; adv.

1. (introduced by the verb ye): strong; tight;

2. (used with other verbs): tightly; firmly:

Ọ ya ise kan iran kugbe gbangbanangban ― “He nailed them together firmly.”

gbangbanangban [g͡bã̀g͡bã̀ã̀gbã̀] adj.; adv.

erect; stiff; rigid.:

ọ mudia gbangbanangban: “It stood erect.”

gbankangbankan [g͡bã̀kã̀g͡bã̀kã̀] adj.; adv.

describes shape: big and thick (of several objects).

gbannọ [g͡bã̀nɔ̃́] vb.

1. to clear; to brighten up; (e.g. of cloudy weather):

Iso hia gbannọ nẹ ― “The entire sky has cleared. (i.e. it won’t rain any longer)”

;

2. (of sickness) to improve:

Oni ne ọ gbẹe fẹko gbannọ nẹ ― “The fever that had afflicted him is now gradually improving.”

gbaroghee [g͡báɽòɣèé] vb.

(< gbe² ― aro ― ghee): to take care of; to look after:

Rẹn ẹre ọ gbaroghe mwẹn vbe asikito ― “He was the person who looked after me in the hospital”

.

gbasan [g͡básã́] vb.

1. (< gbe³ ― asan) “to beat (with) cane”; to whip; to cane;

2. (idiomatic); to urinate (of male only).

gbe¹ [g͡bé] vb.

1. to hatch:

ọkhọkhọ mwẹn gbe ihinrọn ― “My hen hatched seven (chicks)”

;

2. to break (of day):

Ẹdẹ ma he gbe ― “The day has not broken: It is not yet daybreak.”

;

3. to force open (e.g. door)

Urho-iyekowa ẹre oyi gbe laọ owa ― “It was the back door that the thief forced open to get into the house.”

;

4. (with ete olighi, etc.): to precipitate something; to cause; to bring about:

Ọ gbe olighi ye iran iko ― “He caused a disruption in their meeting.”

gbe² [g͡bé] vb.

1. to dance:

Iran gha gbe ugho ― “They are dancing ugho dance”

.

2. to move:

ọ gha gbe yo gbe re ― “It is moving back and forth; i.e. it is not stable”

.

gbe³ [g͡bé] vb.

1. to beat; flog:

Iye Ozo gbẹẹ ye emwin ne ọ mu-fua ― “Ozo’s mother beat him on account of the thing he lost”

.

2. to catch in a trap:

Ọ ya ifi gbe uzo ― “He caught an antelope with his trap.”

3. to kill;

imọto gbe arhunmwenva vbe odẹ Ẹdo ― “A car killed two people along the Benin road.”

gbe⁴ [g͡bé] vb.

to pick leaves of a plant by hand:

I khian ya gbe ebuwọnmwẹn vbe iyekowa ― “I am going to pick vegetables from the back-yard.”

gbe⁵ [g͡bé] vb.

to undertake; to do; to make; to produce;

gbugbo gbe ― ugbo): “to do farm” ― to make a farm, or to engage in farming

.

gbe⁶ [g͡bé] vb.

1. (usually with liquids) to pour, to spill:

Ọ gbe amẹ ye otọ ― “He poured water on the ground”

;

2. to expose to; to come into contact with:

Ọ ya egbe gbe amẹ ― “He got his body wet.”

3. to soil; to make dirty:

Ọ gbe ukpọn gbe ― “she wears out cloth too readily.”

gbe⁷ [g͡bé] vb.

to be forfeited; to be gone for good:

Igho hia ne o zẹ ye ọvbokhan ren uhunmwun gbee ― “All the money he had paid on his wife’s head (i. e. as bride-price) is forfeited.”

gbe⁸ [g͡bé] adv.

1. very well; very much:

ọ mose gbe ― “She is very beautiful”

;

2. excessively; too much.

Ọghuẹ bun gbe ― “Yours are too plentiful i.e. Yours are more than you should have.”

gbè [g͡bè] prep.

against:

Ọ mu uhunmwun gbe ẹkhu ― “He hit his head against the door.”

gbè-gué [g͡bègwèé] vb.

to protect one’s secrets or weakness; to cover up for someone.

gbè-kaan [gbèkã́ɛ̃] vb.

“to move and touch”: to venture into contact with; to cross somebody’s path (in an adventurous sense):

Ghẹ gbe-kaan rẹn ighẹ ẹ i maa ― “Don’t cross his path, for he is not good!”

.

gbe-kue [g͡bèkweé] vb.

“to break and spill over”: to abuse vituperatively; to revile a person.

Okhuo nii ghi gbe-kue Ozo nẹ, ekhue na ghi mu ẹnrẹn ― “After that woman had reviled Ozo, he became ashamed.”

gbe-muotọ [g͡bèmwótɔ̀] vb.

“to beat to the ground”

1. to ruin completely; to exhaust someone’s resources;

2. to deface; to wreck.

gbe-rua [g͡bèɽuá] vb.

“to beat to the limit”: to kill. (also gbua).

gbee [g͡bèé] vb.

1. to slant:

Owẹ ọvbokhan na gbeere ― “This child’s legs are slanted i.e. they are not straight.”

2.

Iran mu erhan gbee odẹ ― “They placed a stick across the road to block it.”

gbegbeegbe [g͡bég͡béég͡bé] adv.

all (without exception); totally:

Iran hia kpaa gbegbeegbe ― “They all left totally.”

gbei [g͡beí] adv.

usually occurs after a clause or sentence to denote that the action expressed by the verb in the clause/sentence was performed in vain:

Vbene iran gualọ ọre sẹ, gbei, a ma miọẹn ― “In spite of how hard they looked for it, it was in vain; it was not found.”

gbehẹn [g͡béhɛ̃̀] vb.

(< gbe³ ― ehen) “to catch fish”: to fish.

gbenbe [g͡bẽ̀bé] vb.

(< gbẹn-ebe) “to write book”: to write; to write a letter.

gbele [g͡bèlé] vb.

pl. or reit. of gbe:

Ọ ya asan gbele iran ― “He flogged them with a cane.”

gberraa [g͡bèràá] vb.

to pass; to cross; to go through.

gbẹbẹn [gbɛ́bɛ̃̀] vb.

(< gbe²-ebẹn) “to dance (with) ẹbẹn”: to toss ẹbẹn in the ceremonial dance performed by chiefs while paying their respects to the Ọba.

gbẹhun [g͡bɛ̀hṹ] vb.

(< gbe ― ẹhun) “to break into a decayed state”: to decay from insect contamination.

gbẹmwẹnho [g͡bɛ̀ɱɛ̃̀hó] vb.

(< gbe-ẹmwẹn-ẹho): to spell out the meaning of a word in direct terms; to speak in direct, rather than idiomatic language.

gbẹn¹ [g͡bɛ̃́] vb.

to write; to carve; to mark.

gbẹn² [g͡bɛ̃́] vb.

to deflesh a piece of meat; to chew around bone.

gbẹn³ [g͡bɛ̃́] vb.

to clear off grass from a plot:

gbẹn irunmwun ― “cut grass”

.

gbẹngbẹn [g͡bɛ̃̀gbɛ̃́] vb.

1. intensive sense of gbẹn²;

2. to narrate in great detail, especially in secret:

Emwin hia ne iran ru ẹre vbe iyẹe i rre owa, ọ na doo gbẹngbẹn ehia ma iyẹe ― “All the things that they had done to her when her mother was away from home, she then narrated it all in great detail to her mother”

.

gbẹnnẹ [gbɛ̃̀nɛ̃́] vb.

pl. and reit. sense of gben¹:

Ọ gbẹnnẹ emwin ye aro ― “She has marks on her face.”

gbẹro [g͡bɛ́ɽó] vb.

to be exterminated.

U gha gbẹro ― “May you become exterminated”. (a common curse)

.

gbẹtẹ [g͡bɛ́tɛ̀] vb.

(< gbe ― ẹtẹ): to have an ulcer or a sore (usually on a leg or foot).

gbẹu [g͡bɛ̀u] adv.

describes a sudden and hard fall.

gbidii [g͡bídíí] adv.

with the verb (hunwan): mute; without uttering a sound.

I tuẹ ọre: ọ hunwan gbidii ― “I greeted him; he remained dead silent.”

gbìdii [g͡bìdìì] adv.

describes the sound of something heavy, such as a tree falling into water.

gbigiawẹ [g͡bìgyáwɛ̀] vb.

(< gbe² ― igiawẹ) to move with loud steps: to stamp around; to step firmly and loudly.

gbigunma [g͡bìgṹmã̀] vb.

(< gbe⁵ ― iguma) to grunt (e.g. with pain or fatigue).

gbigbi [g͡bìg͡bí] vb.

to spread like the wind:

Iyẹn nii gbigbi se ehe hia nẹ ― That news has spread everywhere (like the wind)

.

gbigbigbi [g͡bìg͡bìg͡bì] adv.

describes

1. the sound of a forceful knock on the door;

2. the movement of a strong wind or storm.

gbigbo [g͡bíg͡bò] vb.

(< gbe³ ― igbo) “to hit a top”: to play the game of igbo (in which a top is spinned in sand, by means of a piece of string tied to a stick).

gbii [g͡bíí] adj.; adv.

(with ye) numerous; very many.

gbighidi [g͡bìɣìdì] adv.

describes the falling of a big and heavy object.

gbikhiavbọ [g͡bíxyavɔ̀] vb.

(< gbe³ ― ikhiavbọ) to beat okro in a wooden mortar with a pestle (the traditional method of preparing okro for use in soup.)

gbinna¹ [g͡bĩ̀nã́] vb.

to fight.

gbinna² [gbĩ̀nã́] vb.

to seek the protection of somebody (from an adversary).

gbinrunmwun [g͡bĩ́ɽũ̀ɱũ̀] vb.

(< gbẹn ― irunmwun): to clear grass.

gbirhu¹ [g͡bìřú] vb.

(< gbe⁵ ― irhu) to make a roost (of a bird) to sit on eggs; to brood.

gbirhu² [g͡bìřṹ] vb.

(< gbe⁵ ― irhu) “to make a shade” to cast a shade.

gbirro [g͡bírò] vb.

(< gbe ― irro): to pose a riddle.

gbiyarre [g͡bìyárè] vb.

(< gbe-iyare) “to shout ‘Iyare’”: to wish well somebody who is embarking on a challenging enterprise by uttering “Iyare” (May you go and come); to wish safe return from the performance of a feat.

gboba [g͡bóbà] vb.

(< gbe ― oba): to be dented; to cave in.

gbobodo [g͡bóbóòdò] vb.

(< gbe ― obodo): “to dance obodo”: to pirouette; to spring and spin round and round on one foot.

gbodan [g͡bódã́] vb.

(< gbe ― odan): to interrupt; to obstruct.

gbodoo [g͡bódóó] adj.; adv.

very wide, broad (also gbodoo [gbòdòò]; gboo).

gbogiẹ [g͡bògyɛ́] vb.

(< gbe ― ogié) laugh at; to make fun of.

gbohio [g͡bòhyó] vb.

(< gbe ― ohio): to cave in; (of ground): to give way.

gbokoo [g͡bókóó] adj.

(used with ye) well-built; (of human beings); tall and stout.

gbokhokho [g͡bóxoxò] vb.

(< gbe³ ― okhokho): to hit on the head with the knuckles.

gbokhokheve [g͡bòxóxèvé] vb.

(< gbe¹ ― okhokho-evẹ): to burst into tears; gbokhokhogie: “to burst into laughter”.

gboo [g͡bóó] adj.

cf. gbodoo.

gbotọ¹ [g͡bótɔ̀] vb.

(< gbe³ ― otọ): to wear routinely; to wear everyday.

gbotọ² [g͡bótɔ̀] adv.

(< gbe ― otọ): against the ground; down:

Ọ de gbotọ: “It fell down”; “it dropped”

.

gbọfọ [g͡bɔfɔ] vb.

(< gbe ― ọfọ): to break out (with) sweat: to become damp; to be wet.

gbọhun [g͡bɔ́hṹṹ] adj.; adv.

of human beings: to be tall and stout (e.g. an over-grown child).

gbọọ [g͡bɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

to bark (of a dog).

gbọọ [g͡bɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

to plant seedlings or cuttings:

Ọ gbọọ iyan ― “He planted yam seedlings.”

gbọọọ [g͡bɔ̀ɔ̀ɔ̀] adv.

staring foolishly; looking agape.

gbọrho [g͡bɔ́řɔ̀] vb.

(< gbe¹ ― ọrho): “to hit mud”:

1. to be muddy, to get into mud;

2. to move around in the mud.

gbọtọn [g͡bɔ́tɔ̃̀] vb.

(< gbe¹ ― ọtọn) to break out with rust: to become rusty.

gbọvo [g͡bɔ̀vó] vb.

(< gbe⁵ ― ọvo―): to begrudge; to resent.

gbua [g͡bùá] vb.

(see gbe-rua).

gbubi [g͡búbì] vb.

(< gbe³ ― ubi): to slap (somebody).

gbugbo [gbúgbó] vb.

(< gbe⁵ ― ugbo) “to make farm”: to farm.

gbuke [g͡búkè] vb.

(< gbe² ― uke): “to dance uke dance”: to dance with joy by stamping around to a beat.

gbukegbuke [g͡búkég͡búké] adv.

describes a revolting smell:

Ọ wia gbukegbuke ― It smells very badly

.

gbukpukpẹ [g͡búk͡púk͡pɛ̀] vb.

(< gbe² ― ukpukpe)

1. to dance “ukpukpe” dance;

2. to trek back and forth anxiously.

gbuu [g͡bùù] adv.

describes a bad smell; (e.g. of fermented cassava.).

ghá¹ [ɣá] tense/asp. part.

1. present progressive marker: 2. future tense marker: Ọ gha vie: 1. “He is crying.”; 2. “He will cry”.

ghá² [ɣá] inter. pron.

Interrogative personal pronoun:

gha oni khin? “Who is that?”

Gha ọ miọrẹn? ― “Who saw it?”

ghà [ɣà] aux.

(occurs in conditional sentences):

1. if, when:

ọ gha rre, u ghi rhie ne ẹnrẹn “If/when he comes, give it to him.”

;

2. would have, (when it occurs in the consequent clause of a hypothetical sentence):

Akpawẹ i mwẹn ígho, i gha dẹ ọre. If I had money, I would have bought it

. In this context, the subject pronoun always has a high tone.

gháa [ɣáa] tense/asp. part.

1. (with high-mid tone) past progressive:

ọ ghaa viẹ vbe u kpaa “He was crying when you left.”

2. (with high-high tone) future progressive:

Ọ gháá viẹ vbe u a kpaa nẹ ― “She will be crying after you will have left.”

ghàa [ɣàá] vb.

to bask (usually in the sun, firelight, etc.); to enjoy warmth and light.

ghaan [ɣã̀ã́] vb.

to be expensive; dear.

ghabiona? [ɣábyɔ́ná] idiom.

“Who gave birth to this?”: a great, great, great grandchild; i.e. the fifth generation of offspring. (cf. eyẹ; ihiẹnhiẹn; esakparẹghodin).

ghae [ɣàé] vb.

to share; to divide:

Iran ghae egbe ye ihieva ― “They divided themselves into two parts.”

ghagha [ɣàɣá] vb.

to brag; to show off.

ghan [ɣã́] vb.

to behave haughtily; to be contemptuous.

ghanghanghan [ɣã̀ɣã̀ɣã̀] adv.

of weather: to be very hot and bright and by implication uncomfortable:

Ehe hia wa ye ghanghanghan ― “Everywhere is very uncomfortably hot.”

gharrao [ɣáráo] idiom.

a goodwill greeting used for chiefs ― wishing them long life.

ghee [ɣèé] vb.

1. to look at; to watch.

2. vbl. part. toward; in the direction of:

Ọ niẹ ebọ ghee odukhunmwun ― “He stretched his arm toward up; i.e. He lifted his arm upwards.”

.

gheghe [ɣèéɣé] adv.

suddenly; unexpectedly:

Ọ gheghe lẹ fua ― “He simply ran away unexpectedly.”

ghẹ [ɣɛ́] aux.

1. expresses negation in imperative and subjunctive sentences:

Ghẹ rhie nẹẹ ― “Do not give him.”

;

2. (with a mid tone) it expresses the negative of ghà in the consequent clause of a hypothetical sentence: (i.e. would not have)

I kpa rẹn, i ghẹ dẹ ― Had I known, I would not have bought (it)

.

ghẹẹ [ɣɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

to fornicate; to be promiscuous.

ghẹghẹ [ɣɛ̀ɣɛ́] vb.

1. to manage or handle a delicate or clumsy object with caution;

2. to cope with great effort:

Ọ fẹko ghẹghẹ egbe khian ― “He is merely managing to survive.”

ghẹghẹghẹ [ɣɛ̀ɣɛ̀ɣɛ̀] adj.; adv.

1. (with ọmaẹn) very old:

ọ khin ọmaẹn ghẹghẹghẹ: “He has become a very old man.”

;

2. unsteadily; insecurely:

Ọ guọ ghẹghẹghẹ ― “He is shaking insecurely.”

ghẹrẹghẹrẹghẹrẹ [ɣɛ́ɽɛ́ɣɛ̀ɽɛ̀ɣɛ́ɽɛ́] adv.

describes a manner of operation: unsteadily, as though unsure of a goal or target; without enthusiasm or zeal:

Iwinna ne a mu nẹẹn ru, ọ gha ru ẹre ghẹrẹghẹrẹghẹrẹ ― “The work he was given to do, he is doing without enthusiasm.”

ghi¹ [ɣí] aux.

1. occurs as a temporal particle in clauses:

Ọ ghi rre, ọ na rri evbare ― “When he arrived, he ate.”

;

2. as an aux in negative clauses, meaning “any more”:

E i ghi yo ugbo ẹghẹ hia ― “He does not go to the farm all the time any more.”

It has a variant ghu after the 2nd per. pron.

3. as an aux in an affirmative sentence to express resultative meaning “to become”:

Ọ ghi dọn: “He has become lean”

.

ghi² [ɣí] aux.

occurs in the consequent clause of a conditional sentence as the conditional marker

U gha miẹ ẹnrẹn, u ghi tuẹ ọre ― “If you see him, you should greet him.”

(also occurs as ghu after 2nd pers. sing. pron.)

ghirighiri [ɣìɽìɣìɽì] adv.

describes something very hot:

Ame na ton ghirighiri ― “This water is very hot (like boiling water).”

ghogho [ɣòɣó] vb.

to wander; to roam; go from place to place.

ghoo¹ [ɣòó] vb.

1. to hawk things for sale (e.g. by carrying them displayed on a tray or basket).

2. of birds: to fly around in circles.

ghoo² [ɣòó] vb.

to be a religious follower of;

ma i ghoo ẹbọ; Osanobua ẹre ima ghoo ― We do not worship or believe in pagan gods; it is God that we worship and believe in

.

ghọghọ [ɣɔ̀ɣɔ́] vb.

to be glad; to rejoice:

I ghọghọe ighẹ u sẹtin rre. “I am glad that you could come.”

ghu [ɣú/ɣù] aux.

af ghi 1 & 2.

ghughe [ɣùɣé] vb.

(< ghee-ughe): “to look at a show”: to watch a performance; to stare.

ghughẹ [ɣùɣɛ́] vb.

to stoop; to bend.

ha¹ [há] vb.

1. to pierce;

2. to penetrate:

Ha uvun ye ebe na ― “Pierce a hole in this paper.”

Olodẹ ha mwẹn obọ ― “A needle has pierced my hand.”

ha² [há] vb.

to start suddenly; to shudder:

Ọ hae vbe ọ bẹghe mwẹn ― “She started suddenly when she saw me.”

haa¹ [hàá] vb.

to frighten; to cause to shudder.

haa² [hàá] vb.

1. to parcel something;

2. (yams) to tie to stakes.

haako [hàákò] vb.

(< haa-ako) “to parcel a gift”: to send a gift parcel.

hae [hàé] vb.

to pay; to compensate:

Ha ígho ne ọ khare ― “Pay the amount she specified.”

haan¹ [hã̀ã́] vb.

to slope; to slant.

haan² [hã̀ã́] vb.

(of eating) to cause to choke (from food or liquid going into the windpipe).

Ẹhiẹn haan mwẹn ― “Pepper has choked me (by getting into my windpipe).”

haan³ [hã̀ã́] vb.

to deck up oneself in good clothes; to be all dressed up.

hanmwan [hã̀ɱã́] vb.

to be pregnant; to be with child.

hannọ [hã̀nɔ̃́] vb.

to select; to pick out; to choose.

hapa [hápà] vb.

to tie a piece of cloth around the waist and between the legs (to protect the sex organs) like underpants. This is often done as extra precaution before a fight.

he¹ [hé] vb.

to refuse; to reject; to decline.

he² [hé] adv.

(occurs in negative sentences): as yet:

I ma he kpaọ ― “I did not leave as yet; i.e. I have not yet left.”

;

I i he kpao ― “I do not leave as yet; i.e. I will not leave as yet.”

.

he³ [hé] aux.

indicates that an action was “finally” performed after much reluctance or difficulty:

ọ he kpaọ ― “He finally left (thank goodness!)”

.

heu [héù] int.

an exclamation of surprise; regret, or lamentation.

hẹẹ¹ [hɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

to pack and take away several things; to gather and remove.

hẹẹ² [hɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

in:

hẹẹ yo, hẹẹ rre ― to heave up and down (e.g. of waves); to parade up and down

.

hẹẹ³ [hɛ́ɛ] adv.

the second part of the interrogative formula for “how” questions:

vbe-hẹẹ?: vbe ọ kha hẹẹ? ― “How did he speak: what did he say?”

vbe ọ ru hee? ― “How did he behave?”

.

hẹẹkẹn [hɛ̀ɛ́kɛ̃̀] vb.

(< hẹẹ ― ekẹn) “to pack mud”: to pile up and prepare mud for house-building.

hẹẹ́n [hɛ̃́ɛ̃́] int.

yes.

hẹẹ̀n [hɛ̃́ɛ̃̀] int.

no.

hẹko [hɛ̀kó] vb.

cf. fẹko.

hẹnhẹn [hɛ̃̀hɛ̃́] vb.

1. to level up; to make level;

2. to form a sediment in a liquid.

hẹnhontọ [hɛ̃̀hṍtɔ̀] vb.

(< hẹnhẹn ― otọ) to level ground in preparation for erecting a building on it.

hẹnmwẹn [hɛ̃́ɱɛ̃̀] vb.

(< họn ― ẹmwẹn) “to hear word” to be obedient; to be responsive to instruction.

hẹnnẹdẹn [hɛ̃́nɛ̃́dɛ̃́] adv.

safely; wholesomely.

hẹwẹ¹ [hɛ̀wɛ́] vb.

(< hẹẹ² ― ẹwẹe)― to breathe:

Ọ gha hẹwẹ fuẹn-fuẹn ― “He is breathing fast: He is panting”

.

hẹwẹ² [hɛ̀wɛ́] vb.

1. to rest; to take a break from something exerting:

Ọ ghi zẹ winna, ọ na yaa hẹwẹ ― “After working for a while, he went to rest.”

;

2. to refrain from doing something; to stop doing what one was previously doing:

ọ hẹwẹ nẹẹ, ẹ i ghi viẹ ― “She has stopped, she is no longer crying.”

(also koẹtin).

hi [hí] vb.

to pledge with one’s maker about the course of one’s life in the next reincarnation.

hia¹ [hìá] vb.

1. to make an effort; to try;

2. to struggle against odds;

3. to make appreciable mark in one’s effort:

Ọ hiare vbe edanmwẹn ne iran ruu ― “He tried in the examination that they did.”

hia² [hìá] vb.

to scrape off (skin or cover):

Hia ukpakọn na mẹ ― “Scrape off the skin from this chewing-stick for me.”

hia [hyá] quant.

cf. ehia.

hian [hĩ̀ã́] vb.

to be clear and clean (e.g. of stream-water); to be bright (e.g. of cloth that has been washed clean).

hie¹ [hìé] vb.

to blow on a fire to keep it glowing:

Hie ẹrhẹn na ne ọ ghẹ dọyọ ― “Blow this fire so that it won’t go out”

; 2. to steam, or massage with a hot substance:

Ọ ya amerhẹn hie ẹre uhunmwun ― “He massaged his head with hot water.”

hie² [hìé] vb.

1. to put a ceiling on a room;

2. to construct the ridge of a roof.

hie³ [hìé] vb.

to arch; to bend; (also hierre):

Iyeke ẹre ghi hierre ne ihẹ ― “His back has become bent from the load he has been carrying”

.

hiehie [hìéhìé] adv.

(occurs in questions or negative sentences only) at all:

Ọ ma hiehie ra? ― “Is it good at all?”

Ẹo, ẹ i ma hiehie ― “No, it’s not good at all.”

hiengbe [hyẽ̀gbé] vb.

(< hin ― egbe) “to climb body”: to cover one’s body:

Ọ ya ukpọn hiengbe: “He used cloth to cover his body: He is covering his body with a cloth”

.

hiẹ [hìɛ́] vb.

to reduce in quantity or intensity: (e.g. of a crowd).

ẹvbo hiẹ nẹ vbe evba ― “People are now fewer there.”

hiẹrẹ [hiɛ́ɽɛ́] adj.

(usually with ye) quiet and peaceful:

Ehe hia ye hiẹrẹ ― “Everywhere is peaceful”

.

higboo [hígbóó] adj.

describes height: very tall and well-built (of human beings) (cf. gbọhuun).

hihiẹ [hìhyɛ́] vb.

to pour; to spill:

hihiẹ amẹ kua vbe akhe nii ― “Pour out the water from that pot.”

hii [hìí] int.

1. exclamation of shock, regret, or disappointment:

Hii! u ghẹ giẹ de ― “Oh dear, you shouldn’t have let it drop.”

;

2. adj.; adv. very quiet; very calm.

hiihii [hììhìì] adj.; adv.

(occurs with ye or ru) misty; hazy.

hiin [hĩ̀ĩ́] vb.

1. to climb:

ọ hiin odukhun ― “He climbed up.”

;

2. to swell:

Ehe ne ọ gbekpa yọ ọre hiinrin ― The place where he hit him has swollen up

(cf. hinmwian);

3. (of new moon) to rise or appear:

Uki hiinrin node ― “The new moon appeared yesterday.”

hin [hĩ̀ĩ́] vb.

to ride (e.g. bicycle or horse).

hinmwian [hĩ̀ɱĩã́] vb.

to swell; to be swollen:

Owẹ ne i ya khian hinmwiaẹn ― “The feet with which I walked are swollen.”

hio [hyó] vb.

to be arrogant; to be proud.

hiọ¹ [hìɔ́] vb.

to urinate.

hiọ² [hìɔ́] vb.

to run a line through something with a knife to open it (e.g. a pod of Kola-nut).

hiọrọ [hyɔ̀ɽɔ́] vb.

1. to crawl along the ground (e.g. a snake’s motion);

2. to drag something on the ground (e.g. something heavy):

Iran gba hiọrọ erhan nii la iba ― “They both dragged that piece of wood on to the slab.”

hiọnrọn [hyɔ̃̀ɽ̃ɔ̃́] vb.

to breathe.

ho-bẹkun [hòbɛ̀kṹ] vb.

(< hoo¹ ― bẹkun) to fail to find; to be irrecoverable; to be lost.

hoaro [hùáɽò] vb.

(< hoo¹ ― aro): to be curious; to be forward.

hoẹmwẹn¹ [hùɛ́ɱɛ̃̀] vb.

(< hoo¹ ― ẹmwẹn)

1. to be quarrelsome;

2. to provoke; to offend:

Iran ọ ho ẹre ẹmwẹn: “They are the ones who provoked him.”

hoẹmwẹn² [hùɛ́ɱɛ̃̀] vb.

(< hoo¹ ― ẹmwẹn) “to want the words” to like somebody; to love somebody.

hoho [hòhó] vb.

to blow (e.g. of wind).

hohua [hòhùá] vb.

to come to naught.

hoo¹ [hòó] vb.

1. to look for;

2. to want.

hoo² [hòó] vb.

to have sexual intercourse with.

họ [hɔ́] vb.

to lay (eggs).

họn [hɔ̃́] vb.

1. to hear;

2. to understand.

3. (with ẹmwẹn) to obey; to heed counsel or advice.

họnmwẹn [hɔ̃̀ɱɛ̃́] vb.

to brush oneself or something as a means of purification (e.g. after a breach of taboo):

ọ gbe ẹwe ya honmwengbe ― “He killed a goat and used it to purify himself.”

họnmwẹngbe [hɔ̃̀ɱẽ̀g͡be] vb.

to perform purification of self. (cf. họnmwẹn).

họọ [hɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

to wash (of clothes).

họọn [hɔ̃̀ɔ̃́] vb.

1. to sprout (of new leaves);

2. to grow (of hair).

hu¹ [hú] vb.

1. to foam;

2. (of soap) to form a lot of suds (i.e. to be effective for washing things clean).

hu² [hú] vb.

to show rapid growth (esp. the young of humans or animals).

hu³ [hú] vb.

(with ekpa) to cause to want to vomit: to cause nausea;

Ewia naa hu mwẹn ekpa ― “This smell rouses nausea in me; i.e. it makes me want to vomit.”

huan [hũ̀ã́] vb.

1. to be clean; to become clean; to be neat;

2. to be holy (in the Christian sense):

Orhiọn Nọhuanrẹn ― “The Holy Spirit”

.

hue [hùé] vb.

to swell; to rise; to increase in bulk:

Igari na huere ― “This garri has increased in bulk.”

huẹ [hùɛ́] vb.

to sulk; to be moody.

huẹhuẹ [hwɛ̀hwɛ́] vb.

to be sickly.

huẹn [hũ̀ɛ̃́] vb.

to rouse somebody (from sleep or state of unconsciousness).

huẹnrẹn [hũɛ̃ɽ̃ɛ̃́] adj.

very narrow and deep (like a long narrow passage, or a bush path).

hughu [hùɣú] vb.

to heave; to move back and forth (of a mass, such as water or a crowd).

Iran na gha hughu yo hughu rre ― “They were heaving back and forth.”

hun [hṹ] vb.

(with the noun ovbe ― “sleep”) to have a desire for (sleep):

Ovbe hun mwẹn ― “Sleep is with me” ― I am feeling sleepy

.

hunhunhun [hṹhṹhṹ] adv.

(with the verb gui ― to grumble) describes the indistinct hum of muttering:

Ọ gha gui vba hunhunhun ― “He is there muttering indistinctly (like a bee).”

hunwan [hũ̀w̃ã́] vb.

to be silent; to stop crying (of a child).

hurọọ [hùrɔ̀ɔ̀] adv.

describes a dull appearance; lifeless and dull.

i [ì] pron.

Non-emphatic first pers. sgl. subj. pronoun: I.:

I rrie owa ― I am going home

.

ibá [íbá] n.

mischief:

Ọvbọkhan na zẹ iba gbe ― “This child makes mischief excessively: This child is extremely mischievous.”

ibà [íbà] n.

mud bench; slab:

iba-orere: “the mud bench on the front veranda”

;

iba-iyekowa: “the mudbench on the back veranda”

, etc.

ibaba [ìbàbà] n.

brass bracelet worn by princesses.

ibaigban [ìbaìg͡bã̀] idiom.

“planting a thorn”: the act of declaring a woman an oloi (a wife of the Ọba) or a boy an ọmada (sceptre-bearer of the Ọba).

ibalegbe [ìbàlèg͡bè] n.

(< i-balọ-egbe): quick temper; hot temper. (cf. egbebalọmwẹn).

ibaro [ìbàrò] n.

long-suffering; ordeal.

ibata [íbàtà] n.

1. shoe, footwear (cf. Bata Shoe Co.);

2. a measuring unit equivalent to one foot.

ibi [ìbí] n.

1. charcoal;

2. soot.

ibiba [íbíbá] adv.

especially; in particular:

Gbe iran hia, ibiba enọdiọn ne ọ rrọọ ― Beat all of them, especially the oldest one among them

.

íbiẹ [ibyɛ́] n.

intestines.

ìbiẹ¹ [ìbyɛ́] n.

the male youth in a household; also ibiẹguae.

ìbiẹ² [ìbyɛ́] n.

a secret language used by the members of the Iwebo society. It is said to contain many Portuguese words.

ibiẹka [ìbìɛ́kà] n.

1. young children;

2. dependants (includes wives, children, wards and servants); pl. of both ọvbókhan and ọvbòkhan.

ibiẹkikhuo [ibìɛ́kíxuò] n.

(< ibieka-ikhuo) “female children”: girls (usually 7 ― 14 years of age); young ladies.

ibiekikpia [ìbìɛ́kíkpià] n.

(< ibieka-ikpia) “male children”: boys (usually 7 ― 14 years of age); young men.

ibiẹrrugha [ibɛ̀rrúɣà] n.

(< ibiẹ-rre ugha) “male youth that are in the chamber”: the young men in the service of the Ọba in the palace, such as retired emada (sceptre bearers); and the younger members of the Iwẹguae, Ibiwe and Iwebo societies.

ibiriki [íbíríkì] n.

1. mile; milestone;

2. brick (cf. Engl.).

ibiro [ìbíɽò] n.

an address term that means comrades; peers:

Ibiro mwan, wa lare ne a doo kuu! ― “Comrades, come and let us play.”

ibisi [ìbìsì] n.

of despicable character; of villainous quality:

Ekhoe ibisi ọ gue okhuo na ― “This woman has a villainous mind.”

Ibiwe [ìbíwè] n.

the name of one of the three palace societies. It is the one responsible for the harem.

ibo [íbò] n.

riddle (also itan).

ibobo [ìbòbò] n.

1. thin outer skin; a flake of skin:

Ibobo erhan bọnmwẹn ti ọre aro ― “A flake of the tree bark blew into her eyes.”

;

2. soft skin (e.g. of boiled yam);

3. a sheet (e.g. of a book); a slice.

ibota [ìbótà] n.

(< ibu-ota) “evening gathering”: traditionally the evening gathering of members of one or several households for the purpose of storytelling and the enactment of other verbal entertainment.

ibowa [ìbòwà] n.

(< i-bọ-owa) “the act of building a house”: housebuilding.

ibozẹghẹ [ìbòzɛ̀ɣɛ̀] n.

a small proportion; a few.

Emwan ibozẹghẹ ẹre ọ he zẹ igho iran ― “Only very few people have paid their dues.”

ibọkpọ [íbọ̀k͡pọ̀] n.

1. tent;

2. mosquito net.

ibu [ìbú] n.

meeting; assembly, gathering.

ibude [ìbùdè] n.

1. giving advice;

2. advice.

ibuemwin [ìbwèɱĩ̀] n.

founding; establishing.

ibuẹdẹ [ìbwɛ̀dɛ̀] n.

fixing a date; making an appointment.

ibun [ìbùn] n.

confession of adultery by a woman.

ibuohiẹn [ìbwòhyɛ̃̀] n.

judgement.

idabọ [ìdàbɔ̀] n.

(< i-daa -obo) begging for alms; 2. inviting a baby to one’s arms.

idada [ídàdá] n.

a frizzled haired person, usually believed to possess some magical powers; the shaving of the hair must be preceded by some rites. (cf. Yoruba: dáda).

idaehọ [ìdaèhɔ̀] n.

cf. idamwenho.

idagbo [ìdàgbó] n.

1. a public place;

2. bright and open place, as opposed to a shady and private place.

idan [ídã̀] n.

a drum beaten after the Ọba when he is going to an ugie.

idandan [ìdã́dã̀] n.

a hunch; a suspicion; a guess.

idanmwenhọ [ĩ̀dã̀ɱẽ̀hɔ̀]

1. listening;

2. expectation; anticipation.

idanwẹ [ídã̀wɛ̀] n.

heel.

idase [ìdásé] n.

rascality (of young children); daring acts of playfulness.

idasẹ [ìdàsɛ́] n.

novice; freshman.

idegbe [ìdèg͡bè] n.

unbethrothed girl.

ideghedeghe [ìdèɣédèɣè] n.

heights; a very high place.

idẹnghẹn [ídɛ̃̀ɣɛ̃̀] n.

a variety of native knife, used mainly in the kitchen.

idin [ìdĩ̀] n.

grave.

ido [ìdó] n.

loom.

idoboo [ìdòbòó] n.

1. impediment; obstacle.

idodia [ìdódyà] n.

name of a small, black snake, with a white spot on each side of its head. Its name (“I stay quietly”) derives from its characteristic poise: it lies coiled up, making little or no motion.

Idogbo [idóg͡bò] n.

name of an Edo village.

Idọkpa [ídɔk͡pa] n.

name of an Edo village.

idọla [ídɔ́là] n.

“dollar” ― worth English 20 pence (used to be a two shilling coin in Nigerian currency, but is no longer in use.)

idu [ídù] n.

a variety of wild dove.

Idu [ìdú] n.

an older name for Edo people, still in use in some Igbo communities.

idunmwun [ìdṹɱũ̀] n.

a neighbourhood; quarters in a town:

Idunmwun-Oliha: “Oliha quarters”

.

ifaegbua [ìfaeg͡bwá] n.

(< i-faa-egbe-rua) “the act of disgracing one’s self”: disgrace; embarrassment.

ifẹnmwẹn [ífɛ̃́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. arrow;

2. any thin piece of stick with a point:

ifẹnmwẹn-aguẹ ― “ribs”

;

ifẹnmwẹn-ikẹkẹ ― “spokes of a bicycle wheel”

;

ifẹnmwẹn-uhanbọ ― “the arrow of a bow”

; etc.

ifi [ìfí] n.

the general name for traps of all kinds.

ifianyaengbe [ìfyã̀yã̀ẽg͡bè] n.

selfaggrandizement; over-estimation of one’s worth.

ifie [ìfyé] n.

clearing a plot as the first stage to preparing it for farming purposes. Next stage is burning the grass cleared, and followed by the felling of trees.

ifiento [ìfyẽ̀tò] n.

the name of a group of men who wear their hair in small plaits and dance in certain palace ceremonies.

ifiẹzọ [ìfiɛ́zɔ́] n.

a formal accusation; a court case.

ifuanro [íf̃w̃ã́ɽò] n.

(< ifuẹn-aro) “wing of the eye”: eyelashes.

ifuẹko [ìfwɛ̀kò] n.

(< i-fu-ẹko) “being gentle of belly”: gentleness; calmness.

ifuẹn [íf̃w̃ɛ̃́] n.

wing e.g. of any flying thing.

ifuẹro [ìfwɛ̀ɽò] n.

diligence; dedication.

igabari [ìgàbàɽí] n.

“Gambari”; the Edo reference term for the Hausa/ Fulani people and various Arab tribes.

igan [ìgã̀] n.

feather.

igarawa [ígáɽáwá] n.

pail; bucket.

igari [ígàɽí] n.

1. processed cassava, in the form of rough powder, used for making ẹbae;

2. the name of the cassava plant.

igaza [ìgàzà] n.

shackles for the feet; fetters.

igẹdu [ígɛ́dú] n.

timber; any timber tree.

igẹngẹn [ígɛ̃́gɛ̃́] n.

1. the thin handle of a mug, jug or cup;

2. a small branch (of a tree).

igiangian [ìgyã̀gyã̀] n.

1. excited singing, shouting and clapping of hands, in support of masquerade dancers or wrestlers;

2. the excited cry or panic of someone in anticipation of pain (e.g. when an ulcer is going to be cleaned or dressed).

igiawe [ìgyáwɛ̀] n.

1. footsteps; the stamping of feet;

2. the heel of the foot.

igie [ìgyè] n.

1. the main part; the base;

igiogbẹ ― the seat of operation; the headquarters

;

2. corner.

igiemwin [ìgyèɱĩ̀] n.

illustration; description.

Ọ ya oni ru igiemwin ma iran ― “He used that as illustration to them”

.

igiẹ [ìgyɛ́] n.

the stamping of the feet.

igiẹmwẹn [ìgyɛ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

(< igie ― ẹmwẹn) “the base of speech”: the chest. (part of the body). (also ẹwẹe).

igiodẹ [ìgyòdɛ̀] n.

(< i-gie-ode) “describing the road”: guidance, direction.

igiogbẹ [ìgyóg͡bɛ̀] n.

the headquarters.

igiorua [ígyòɽúá] n.

water-yam (a variety of white yam).

igo [ìgò] n.

a full-sized bottle used as a measure for selling palm oil, kerosine, etc.

igobele [ìgóbèlè] n.

a tall drinking glass (cf. Engl. goblet).

Igodomigodo [ìgòdòmigòdò] n.

an old name for the Benin Kingdom.

igogo [igógó] n.

(with the vb. kpe) an unsteady walk:

Ọ kpe igogo dee vbe urria ― He is approaching unsteadily in the distance

.

igolu [ígólù] n.

gold (cf. Engl.).

igọgọ [ígɔ́gɔ̀] n.

corner; bend (of a road).

iguabọ [ìgwábɔ̀] n.

elbow.

igue [ígwé] n.

village; interior.

iguemwin [ìgwèɱĩ̀] n.

skill; knowhow; proficiency.

iguẹ¹ [ìgwɛ̀] n.

knee.

iguẹ² [ìgwɛ̀] n.

the festival of traditional thanksgiving annually performed by the Oba and all Edo nationals.

iguẹnguẹn [ígwɛ̃́gwɛ̃́] n.

stabbing with needle-like points:

Ọ solo ẹre iguẹnguẹn ― He stabbed it with pointed objects

. iguẹnguẹn-uwegbe (idiom): secret malicious molestation that may take various forms.

iguẹsẹ [ígwɛ̀sɛ̀] n.

expert.

Igun [ìgṹ] n.

a quarter in Benin which was traditionally occupied by the guild of blacksmiths. They formed a sib, whose morning greeting is “laa ni!”.

igunma [ìgṹmã̀] n.

a grunt; a low guttural sound which may express fatigue, distress, or weakness.

iguọmọrre [ìgwɔ̀mɔ̀ré] n.

first servants of a newly crowned Ọba.

igba [íg͡bà] n.

(with numerals) time; instance:

igbava (< igba eva) “two times”

;

igbaha (< igba eha): “three times”

etc.

igbagia [íg͡bàgyá] n.

the variety of kola nuts introduced by the Hausa; (also evbigabari).

Igbaghọn [íg͡baɣɔ̃̀] n.

1. the Edo name for the Jamieson river, near Sapele;

2. the name of the goddess of the river.

igbama [ìg͡bàmã́] n.

an adult male, anywhere from about age 14 to about 21.

igban [ìg͡bã̀] n.

1. thorn;

2. bone of fish.

Igbankẹ [ìg͡bã́kɛ̀] n.

the name of a town inhabited by both Edo and Ika people, to the East of Benin City. It is a boundary town between the Edo-speaking and Ibo-speaking areas of Bendel State.

igbe [ìg͡bé] num.

ten.

igbegbe [ìg͡bég͡bé] n.

velvet material.

igbehẹn [ìg͡bèhɛ̃̀] n.

1. fishermen;

2. (< i-gbe-ehẹn) ― fishing.

Igbekhuẹ [ìg͡bèxwɛ̀] n.

the name of an Ẹdo village, 25km. west of Benin.

igbemaba [ìg͡bèmàbà] n.

“calabash drummers” in the service of the Ọba.

igbesa [ìgbèsà] n.

supporters of each side of a context or a quarrel.

igbesanmwan [ìgbèsã̀ɱã̀] n.

1. the traditional wood and bone carvers for the Oba; the name of the quarters occupied by this group of artisans.

ígbigbe [íg͡bìg͡bé] n.

all ten:

Viọ igbigbe rre ― “Bring all ten of them.”

ìgbigbe [ìgbígbè] n.

tens; in groups of ten.

igbin [ìg͡bĩ́] n.

the second round of yam tuber produced by a yam plant; it is usually very hard and it is used mainly as seed-yam for planting.

igbinna [ìgbĩ̀nà] n.

a fight; lighting; a struggle.

igbiragia [ìgbìɽàgyà] n.

prostitute; harlot.

igbo¹ [ìgbò] n.

a top; a conical wooden toy which rotates on its sharp point when spinned in the sand.

igbo [ìgbò] n.

the Igbo-speaking people; (also igbọn).

igbogiẹ [ìg͡bògyɛ̀] n.

(< i-gbe-ogiẹ) making fun; jesting.

igbolighi [ìgbòlìì] n.

“making confusion”: causing confusion; disrupting.

igboo [íg͡bòó] n.

1. echo;

2. interference.

igbọn¹ [íg͡bɔ̃́] n.

knee.

igbọn² [ìgbɔ̃̀] n.

a derogatory Edo word for the Igbo-speaking people; (not much in use any more with this meaning, but as a general abusive term).

igbọvo [ìg͡bɔ̀vò] n.

grudge; resentment.

igbu [ígbú] n.

1. a big piece of cloth, about six yards wide before it is sewn, used by men as a covering-cloth.

ighaan [ìɣã́ã̀] n.

the Edo name for Igarra and its environs.

ighe [íɣè] conj.

1. serves as complementizer for embedded noun clauses:

o miẹ ighe iwinna nii lọghọ: “He found that that work was difficult”

;

2. serves as a subordinating conjunction in sentences with sequential clauses:

I khian ighe egbe wọ mwẹn ― I am going, for I am tired

;

3. serves to introduce nouns or noun phrases in apposition:

Ọ rre ne ighe Ozo ― “He has come, that is, Ozo: He, Ozo, has come.”

ighehe [ìɣèhè] n.

molar teeth.

ighele [íɣèlè] n.

manhood age group from about 21 to 42 years. Initiation into this age group is usually marked by some ceremony.

ighibiẹrriẹ [ìɣíbyɛ̀ryɛ́] n.

the female servants of the palace harem.

ighisu [íɣísù] n.

(< ígho-isu) interest paid on loan.

ígho¹ [íɣó] n.

money;

ígho nọba ― “gold”

;

ígho nofua ― “silver”

;

ígho-ehaya: rent

;

ígho-uhunmwun ― “tax”

(paid by every head of the population; hence the name).

ígho² [íɣó] n.

milk-teeth.

Ọmọmọ zẹ ígho nẹ: “The baby has started to have some milk-teeth.”

ìgho [ìɣò] n.

horn.

ighobioye [íɣóbyóyé] idiom.

something very expensive; something considered precious.

ighogho [ìɣòɣò] n.

1. smoke.

ighọnmighọn [íɣɔ̃́mìɣɔ̃̀] n.

the Edo name for a native of Igarra (it is not complimentary).

iha [ìhà] n.

oracle:

iha ominigbọn ― “Ominigbọn divination.”

ihako [ìhàkò] n.

presentation or gift ― giving; gift.

Ihama [íhàmá] n.

the title of leader of the Ihogbe chiefs; he attends to the Oba’s ancestral shrines of the paternal side.

ìhan [ìhã̀] n.

1. the wrong side; the awkward direction;

Ọ la mwẹn ihan rre ― “It came through my wrong side.”

íhan [íhã́] n.

a deep dry well.

ihe [ìhè] n.

1. location; place;

2. position, rank.

ihe ne iran do rhie ẹre yi na ma zẹdẹ ke nẹẹ ― “The position at which they have now placed him does not suit him at all.”

ihegbe [ìhégbè] n.

(< ihe-egbe) equals in rank.

iheni [ìhènì] n.

naming; name-giving (of a child).

iherhe [ìhèřè] n.

the toothless gums (of infants or the aged) (also irriorrio).

ihẹ [ìhɛ́] n.

load; luggage:

ihẹ ọre bun gbe ― “Her luggage is too much.”

ihẹn [ìhɛ̃́ɛ̃̀] n.

1. curse:

Ọ tie ihẹn mẹ ― “He called out a curse to me”: “He cursed me.”

2. oath:

Ọ ya mwẹn vẹn ihẹn ― “He used me to take an oath”: “He made me take an oath.”

ihẹnhunnu [ìhɛ̃̀hũ̀nũ̀] n.

(< i-hẹnhẹn-unu) “levelling of mouth”: a consensus; a unanimous decision.

ihẹnmwẹn [íhɛ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. kidney beans; the kidneys.

ihiagha [ìhyàɣà] n.

1. tassel of corn;

2. flowers of fruit trees;

3. naturally matted hair.

ihie [ìhyé] n.

1. ceiling;

2. the ridge of the roof of a house.

ihieghe [íhyèɣè] n.

1. a tree, Myrianthus arboreus, whose fresh leaves are used as vegetables in a native soup of the same name.

ihiehie [íhyèhyé] n.

a variety of beans, black in colour.

ihiẹn [íhyɛ̃́] n.

1. nails, claws; ihionbo: (< ihiẹn-obọ): ― finger nails; ihionwẹ: (< ihiẹn-owẹ): toes.

ihiẹnhiẹn [íhyɛ̃̀hyɛ̃́] n.

great-grandchild; third generation of off-spring.

ihiin [ìhĩ́ĩ̀] n.

mucus.

ihinrin [ìhĩ̀ɽ̃ĩ́] num.

nine.

ihinrọn [ìhĩ́ɽ̃ɔ̃̀] num.

seven.

ihiọn [íhĩɔ̃́] n.

1. pod of the plant, Luffa egyptiaca, used as sponge;

2. any substance used as sponge.

iho [ihòò] n.

1. one’s peer; comrade; one’s equal: when used with a pronoun, iho becomes ihua:

E i re ihua mwẹn ― “He is not my peer”

(usually implies he is inferior to me).

ihoi [ìhoì] n.

zero; naught; nothing.

ihọnmwengbe [ìhɔ̃̀ɱẽ̀gbè] n.

(< i-họnmwẹn-egbe): self-purification; the ritual is a complicated process, which includes brushing the body with the animal (or part thereof), usually a chicken intended for the ritual, as well as certain leaves, and the tip of a palm leaf, while certain purification formulas are recited.

ihọnmwonwa [ìhɔ̃̀ɱõ̀wà] n.

(< i-họnmwẹn-owa): the purification of house; usually performed to avoid the evil effects of a broken taboo.

ihu [ìhú] n.

1. foam;

2. poison.

ihua [ìhuà] n.

cf. iho.

ihuan [ìhwã́] n.

song.

ihuaro [ìhwàɽò] n.

curiosity; forwardness.

ihue [íhwé] n.

nose.

ihuru [íhúɽù] n.

an itchy foot irritation, believed to be caused by the droppings of earthworm: isinkolo (isan-ikolo).

ihunhun [ìhṹhũ̀] n.

millipede.

ika¹ [íká] n.

a special variety of coral necklace worn by chiefs, which is strung up on wire and forms a wide ring around the neck.

ika² [ìká] n.

the hard spur-like projection on a cock’s leg.

ikadẹlẹ [íkàdɛ́lɛ̀] n.

a pole with a fork (usually used for pegging things, to give them support).

ikagha [ìkàɣà] n.

1. bridle;

2. gag. (also ukhu).

ikainse [ìkã̀ĩsé] n.

a special charm used to arrest the powers of witches and wizards to transform back into their human forms.

ikan [íkã̀] n.

a creeper used for canes, as well as for weaving baskets. Its Latin name is given as Eremospatha mecrocarpa.

ikannaban [ìkã̀nã̀bã̀] n.

in an unripe state; tartness (of fruit).

ikaun [ikãũ] n.

potash.

ikawẹ [ìkàwɛ̀] n.

footstep:

Ọ lele ẹre ikawẹ ikawẹ ― “He followed his footsteps one after the other.”

ike [ìkè] n.

log; ikerhan (ike-erhan): a log of wood.

ikebe [ìkèbè] n.

buttocks (also itotaya).

ikebezu [ìkèbèzú] n.

fury.

ikeferi [ìkèfèɽí] n.

non-Christians; heathens; pagans.

ikele [ìkèlè] n.

a large piece; a lump of:

ikele ema “a large piece of pounded yam”

.

ikewu [ìkéwù] n.

pot-rest.

ikẹdẹ [ìkɛ̀dɛ̀] n.

“counter of days”: calendar.

ikẹga [ìkɛ́gà] n.

1. wrist (also urhuabọ);

2. good-luck charm in the form of a carved hand on a stool (used by men) or as an anklet of cowries (used by women). The idiom:

“khon mu obo yan ikega” ― “to succeed; to be victorious”

probably relates to the latter meaning.

ikẹkẹ [íkɛ̀kɛ́] n.

bicycle.

ikẹnrẹn [íkɛ̃́ɽɛ̃́] n.

1. poker dots;

2. drops of water on the skin (usually after a bath) like poker dots.

ikẹtin [ìkɛ̀tĩ́] n.

rest from work: edikẹtin (ẹde-ikẹtin): day of rest: (for Christians): Sunday; (for non-Christians): ekẹn.

ikian [ìkyã́] n.

fly; housefly.

ikiewua [ìkyèwuà] n.

waking the Ọba ceremonially by imitating the crow of the cock.

ikiọkhọe [ìkyɔ́xɔè] num.

one hundred and forty.

iko [ìkó] n.

council; meeting.

ikolo [íkòló] n.

earthworm.

ikoro [íkóɽó] n.

a very broad brass armlet worn by chiefs at certain ceremonies.

ikoroba [íkóɽóbá] n.

bucket; pail (also igarawa).

ikotu [ìkótù] n.

court. (cf. Engl.).

ikọ [íkɔ̀] n.

adversary; opponent; enemy.

ikọbọ [íkɔ́bɔ̀] n.

penny.

iku¹ [ìkù] n.

1. dirt; rubbish garbage;

2. small bits of; crumbs; left-over.

iku² [ìkù] n.

(of a sore) pus; gangrene:

iku la ọre ẹtẹ nẹ ― “His sore is now gangrene.”

iku³ [ìkù] n.

1. play; games; dances, etc;

2. friendship; cordiality.

ikuekẹn [íkwékɛ̃̀] n.

attendants; followers.

ikun¹ [ìkṹ] n.

bundle; a bunch (e.g. of plantains).

ikun² [ìkṹũ̀] n.

the equivalent of the parlour in the Edo traditional house in which the various ancestral shrines are housed. There may be more than one ikun in a house, depending on the affluence of the house-owner. e.g.

ikun ne ughoree ― “outer ikun”

;

ikun ne erriẹ ― “the harem ikun”

; etc.

ikuẹnkuẹn [íkw̃ɛ̃̀kw̃ɛ̃́] n.

wrinkles:

Ukpọn mwẹn bunnọ ikuẹnkuẹn ― “My cloth broke wrinkles: My cloth is wrinkled:”

ikuigho [ìkwíɣó] n.

(< iku-ígho) “small bits of money”: coins.

ikhan [ìxã̀] n.

1. (of human beings):

1. strong body odor;

2. the stale smell of rotting food.

ikharo [íxáɽò] n.

(< ikho-aro) “tribal mark of the face”: the tribal marks that were made on the forehead.

ikhẹgbe [ìxɛ̀g͡bè] n.

(< i-khẹẹ-egbe) supporting body; self-support; security.

ikhi [ìxì] n.

vengeance; revenge.

ikhian [ìxỹã́] n.

the magical transformation from human form into animals or other forms.

ikhiavbọ [íxyàvɔ̀] n.

okra (Hibiscus esculantus).

ikhiẹgbe [ìxyɛ̀gbè] n.

(< i-khiẹ-ègbé) lamentation; distress.

ikhinmwin [íxĩ́ɱĩ̀] n.

a tree, believed to be the oldest of all trees. It is planted as a hedge in shrine-cites. Its Latin name is given as Newbouldia laevis.

ikho [ìxò] n.

the traditional tribal mark made on the forehead of both men and women.

ikhọẹko [ìxɔ̀ɛkò] n.

(< i-khọọ-ẹko) ― “badness of belly” displeasure; unhappiness.

ikhọrhiọn [ìxɔ̀řyɔ̃̀] n.

(< i-khọọ orhiọn) “badness of soul”: ugliness; unsightliness.

ikhuiwu [ìxwíwù] n.

jealousy; hatred.

ikpakpa [ík͡pàk͡pá] n.

skin; peel; bark.

ikpakpalọ [ík͡pàk͡pálɔ̀] n.

brown lima beans.

ikpanro [ík͡pã́rò] n.

eye-balls.

ikpata [ík͡pátá] n.

highway robbers.

ikpatako [ík͡pátákò] n.

1. a small stool used for sitting mainly in the kitchen.

2. a makeshift bench.

ikpawẹ [ìk͡pàwɛ̀] n.

floor of house.

ikpayẹ [ìk͡pàyɛ̀] n.

followers; attendants.

ikpekere [ìk͡pékèɽé] n.

a snack made from unripe plantains (peeled, sliced thinly, salted and fried crisp in palm oil.)

ikpekhie [ìk͡pèxiè] n.

a variety of white beans.

ikpekperu [ík͡pékpéɽù] n.

an edible kind of mushroom found on decaying tree trunks.

ikpema [ìk͡pèmã̀] n.

the original royal drummers who resided in Ikpema quarters (idunmwũ̀n ikpema).

ikpenma [ìk͡pẽ̀mã̀] n.

(< i-kpẹn-ema) yam-harvesting.

ikpezikẹn [ìk͡pèzìkɛ̃̀] n.

the blowers of horn-trumpets and calabash flutes for the Ọba.

ikpẹ [ìk͡pɛ̀] n.

1. seed e.g. ikpogi (ikpẹ-ogi): melon seed; ikporu (ikpẹ-oru): cotton seed;

2. grain: ikpọka (ikpẹ-ọka) corn grains:

3. the unpounded bits of yam that feature like grain in badly-pounded yam.

ikpẹ² [ìk͡pɛ̀] n.

individual piece or member:

ikpẹdẹ (< ikpẹ ― ẹdẹ) individual days; date

;

ikpẹdẹ enẹ ― four days

;

ikpokuta (< ikpẹ ― okuta): a piece of stone ― a gravel

.

ikpẹdẹ [ìk͡pɛ́dɛ̀] n.

(ikpẹ ― ẹdẹ) individual days:

Inu ikpẹdẹ ọ ghi ye ne ọ ghi kpao? ― “How many days is it since he left?”

ikpedin [ik͡pɛdĩ] n.

palm nuts.

ikpẹkete [ìk͡pɛ̀kètè] n.

drummers placed behind the Oba while he is in attendance at a ceremony.

ikpẹkpẹ [ìk͡pɛ̀kpɛ́] n.

cemetery (also itẹ).

ikpẹn [ík͡pɛ̃̀] n.

yellow yam.

ikpẹsi [ìk͡pɛ̀sì] n.

a tall yam-pole.

ikpianbọ [ík͡pĩ́ã́bɔ] n.

cf. ikpihianbọ.

ikpianwẹ [ik͡pĩ́ã́wɛ̀] n.

cf. ikpihianwẹ.

ikpigho [ìk͡píɣó] n.

cowries.

ikpihianbọ [ík͡píhĩãbɔ] n.

finger:

ikpihianbọ-nogie; “the chiefly finger”: the thumb

;

ikpihianbọ-nusexae: “the finger that points”: the indicator

; (also

ikpihianbọ-nọwuaoroka ― “the finger that forbids rings”

);

ikpihianbọ-nadesẹ: middle finger

;

ikpihianbọ-oroka: ring finger

;

ikpihianbọ-nekherhe ― little finger

.

ikpihianwẹ [ík͡píhyã́wɛ̀] n.

toe; ikpihianwẹ-nogie: big toe.

ikpin [ìk͡pĩ́] n.

1. boa;

2. rainbow.

ikpirunmwun [ìk͡píɽ̃ṹɱũ̀] n.

the seeds of a weed that cling to clothes and body-hair.

ikpisẹ [ìk͡písɛ̀] n.

(< ikpẹ-isẹ) the black seeds woven in a net around a calabash to make the musical instrument known as ukusẹ.

ikpo [ík͡pó] n.

very hard and dry mud.

Ikpoba [ìk͡pòbà] n.

name of the river that runs along the eastern side of Benin City.

ikpogi [ìk͡pógì] n.

melon-seed used for preparing soup. (Yor: egusi).

ikpolẹki [ìk͡pólɛ̀kì] n.

an annual festival of the deity Ọkhuahẹ.

ikpolo [ìk͡pólò] n.

sweeping (mainly done in the morning, during which the entire house and premises are swept.)

Ikpokpan [ìk͡pòkpã̀] n.

name of an old village component of Benin City which is now part of the urban complex.

ikpokpan [ík͡pókpã̀] n.

a high rack over the hearth, used for storing various cooking ingredients and leftover soup.

ikporhu [ìk͡pòřù] n.

1. sermon-preaching (in the Christian worship as a part of the Sunday service);

2. evangelism.

ikpotoki [ìk͡pòtòkí] n.

the Edo name for the Portuguese, the people and their language. (also ikpotokin).

ikpọn [ík͡pɔ́] n.

pound (money; previously equivalent of the pound sterling and the Nigerian pound; now worth two Nigerian naira).

ikpọwia [ìk͡pɔ̀wyà] n.

the ceremonies performed on the sixth night of a “second burial.”

ikpu¹ [íkpú] n.

a variety of skin disease which itches very much.

ikpu² [íkpú] n.

a poisonous preparation.

ilaguẹguẹ [ílàgwɛ́gwɛ̀] n.

a kind of disease known as paralysis agitans.

ilakhuẹ [íláxwɛ] n.

a variety of dark brown ant which builds its nest on the underside of leaves.

ilavbodẹ [ìlàuòdɛ̀] n.

passers-by.

ile [ílè] n.

a bet.

ilekhue [ìlèxwè] n.

1. forbearance; consideration (for someone);

2. compassion.

ilele [ìlélè] n.

procedure; established rules of doing things (also alele).

ilelegumaza [ìlélégúmàzà] n.

hunchback.

ilovbiẹ [ìlóʋiɛ̀] n.

lying down.

ilu [ílú] inter. pron.

how many:

ilu iran ọ rre? How many of them came? (also inu)

.

ima [ìmà] pron.

emphatic 1st per. pl. pronoun; we, us, our, etc. it may be intensified by the suffix -mwan imamwan. As subject of a sentence, the initial vowel is usually dropped:

Ma ọ rre Edo: We are the ones in Benin

.

imamase [ìmàmàsé] n.

pretence; feigning (also imaru) (cf. Yoruba mọmọse).

imaru [ìmàɽú] n.

pretending; feigning.

imẹ [ìmɛ̀] pron.

emphatic 1st per. sgl. pronoun: I, me, my etc.; it may be intensified by the suffix -mwẹn: imẹmwẹn ― me, myself; as subject of a sentence, the initial vowel is usually dropped:

mẹmwẹn ọ ruẹe ― I myself did it

.

imiamiegbe [ìmỹã̀mỹẽ̀gbè] n.

(< i-miamia-egbe) “forgetting self”: forgetfulness.

imiẹfan [ìmỹɛ́fã̀] n.

(< i-miefan): redemption; salvation (in the Christian sense).

imiẹkue [ìmỹɛ̃́kwè] n.

1. (in the Christian sense): admission of sins; confession;

2. acknowledgement.

imina [ìmĩ́nã̀] n.

dream.

imu [ímũ̀] n.

confinement; imprisonment; arrest.

imuaẹnmwẹn [ìmw̃ã̀ɛ̃ɱɛ̃̀] n.

(< i-mua-ẹmwẹn) “arguing of words”: disagreement; argument.

imuakpa [ìmw̃ã̀kpà] n.

1. representing (a person)

2. representative.

imudia [ìmúdià] n.

standing.

imuegbe [ìmw̃ẽ̀gbè] n.

(< i-muegbe) “preparing”: preparation; planning.

imuegberrioto [ìmw̃ẽ̀gbèriòtɔ̀] n.

(< i-mu-egbe-rriotọ) “bringing body low”: humility; humbleness.

imuẹ [ímw̃ɛ̃́] n.

mosquito.

imuohan [ìmw̃õ̀hã̀] n.

gift-offering; presentation of gifts.

Inẹ [ínɛ́] n.

title of a chief; he is a member of the Ibiwe society.

inẹnẹ [ínɛ́nɛ̀] n.

an endearment term for mother.

inia [ínyá] n.

1. root (e.g. of a tree);

2. vein.

inọta [ìnɔ̀tà] n.

1. question, interrogation;

2. interrogating.

inu [ínú] inter. pron.

cf. ilu.

inugba [ínúg͡bá] inter. phr.

1. (< inu-igba): how many times;

2. adv. at any time; whenever:

Inugba ne o rhirhi miẹ mwẹn, te ọ gha tuẹ mwẹn ― “Whenever he saw me, he must greet me.”

ipapa [ìpàpà] n.

a sheet of something; a slice. (cf. ibobo).

irakhuẹ [íɽáxwɛ̀] n.

next tomorrow; the day after tomorrow.

iran [íɽ̃ã̀] pron.

the 3rd per. pl. pronoun: they, them, their etc.

iranmẹ [íɽ̃ã́mɛ̃̀] n.

the eaves of a house.

iranmwẹn [íɽ̃ã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

small black ants that are found around the house.

iranmwinran [ìɽ̃ã̀ɱĩ́ɽ̃ã̀] n.

a kind of water-plant that floats on the surface of ponds and lakes.

irere [íɽéɽè] n.

armpit.

irẹn [ìɽ̃ɛ̃̀] pron.

the emphatic 3rd per. sgl. pronoun. Variant forms of this pronoun include irọnrẹn, irọẹn, rẹn, rọẹn. As subject, or first item, in a sentence, the initial vowel is usually dropped:

Rẹn ẹre iran khaa ― “He is the one they mean”

.

ìrewe [ìɽèwè] n.

a band or nightguards.

írewe [íɽéwè] n.

the fruit of ọgọ used as fish-poison by fishermen.

irẹnmwin [ìɽɛ̃̀ɱĩ̀] n.

(< i-rẹẹn-emwin) “knowing something”

1. cleverness;

2. knowledge.

Irẹnmwin ẹnrẹn sẹ ọre gbe ― “His knowledge/cleverness is too much for him i.e. he is incredibly knowledgeable.”

íro [íɽó] n.

main road; main highway.

ìro [ìɽò] n.

thought; meditation.

iroghae [ìɽòɣaè] n.

a male age-grade consisting of about 14 ― 21 year olds. They were responsible for various communal labour in villages such as helping in house-building, sweeping public places; and clearing farm plots. (cf. igbama).

irorinmwin [ìɽòɽ̃ĩ̀ɱĩ̀] n.

burial ceremony.

irọn [ìɽ̃ɔ̃̀] n.

body hair (mainly of animals).

irueken [ìɽwèkɛ̃̀] n.

preparing the mud for building purposes.

iruẹbọ [ìɽwɛ̀bɔ̀] n.

1. performing the rites of a god, or juju;

2. pagan worshipping.

iruẹmwin [ìrwɛ̀ɱĩ̀] n.

(< i-ruẹ-emwin) “learning something”:

1. training; apprenticeship;

2. a lesson.

iruẹn [ìɽw̃ɛ̃́] n.

dirt; filth.

irunmwun [ìɽũ̀ɱũ̀] n.

grass; weed.

irhanro [ìřã̀ɽò] n.

(< i-rhan-aro) “opening of eyes”: sophistication; civilization; enlightenment.

irhiaeni [ìřyàenì] n.

“spoiling of name”: libel.

irhiaẹko [ìryàɛkò] n.

“spoiling of belly”: sorrow; unhappiness.

irhiama [ìřyàmà] n.

“taking of the sign”: baptism (Christian).

irhiẹdẹ [ìřiɛ̀dɛ̀] n.

“taking of days”: holidays; leave.

irhinrhun [ìřĩ̀řṹ] n.

cf. irhunrhun.

irhiokhuo [ìřiòxwò] n.

“taking of a woman”: marriage (also irhiọha).

irhiọha [ìřyɔ̀hà] n.

(< i-rhie-ọha) “taking of a bride”: marriage. (also irhiokhuo).

irhirhan [ìřìrã́] n.

numbness; cramps.

irhiso [ířisò] n.

locust.

irho [ìřò] n.

cheek.

irhu¹ [ìřú] n.

shade.

irhu² [ìřú] n.

a bird’s roost.

irhuaengbe [ìřw̃ã̀ɛ̃gbè] n.

pl. disciples. (also erhuaengbe) (Christian).

irhunmwinrhun [ìřṹɱĩ̀řṹ] n.

nakedness.

irhunrhun [ìřũ̀řũ] n.

mould; mildew; fungus. (also irhinrhun).

irri [ìrí] n.

1. rope; string;

2. creeping or climbing plant;

erhan vbe irri ― “trees and creepers.”

irriabe [ìryaàbè] n.

being guilty (of a crime; or in a case); guilt.

irriaikhi [ìryàixì] n.

revenge; vengeance.

irriase [ìryàsè] n.

being innocent in a case.

irriegie [ìrỳegyè] n.

(pl. of ọriegie); title-holders; chiefs.

irriokodẹ [iryòkòdɛ̀] n.

(< i-re-oko-odẹ) “eating of a parcel on the way”: misappropriation of property held in one’s trust; embezzlement.

irriorrio [ìryòryò] n.

gums (of the mouth); the toothless gums of infants or the aged.

irriovbe [ìryóʋè] n.

deep sleep.

irrioya [ìryòyà] n.

punishment.

irriwẹ [ìríwɛ̀] n.

beach.

irro [írò] n.

riddle.

irru [ìrù] n.

louse.

irruarusa [ìrwáɽúsá] n.

(< irru-Hausa): “Hausa louse” ― bed-bug.

isagha [ísáɣá] n.

a snack prepared from unsifted cassava. (also efẹnrhinyẹn).

isamẹ [ìsàmɛ̀] n.

1. Christian baptism;

2. fetching of water.

isan [ìsã̀] n.

excrement; faeces.

isango [ísã̀gó] n.

Sango, believed to be the god of thunder.

isanhẹn [ísã́hɛ̃̀] n.

key.

isasegbe [ìsàsègbè] n.

smartness; being athletic.

isawẹwẹ [ìsáwɛ̀wɛ̀] n.

groundnut: Arachis hypogoea.

ise [ìsé] n.

1. nail;

2. pains in the chest caused by the inflammation of the pleura (i.e. the two serous membranes lining the thorax and enveloping the lungs).

isekha [ìsèxà] n.

a word used before pronouns to express sympathy or empathy with the referent of the pronoun: it usually denotes something like “Poor so-and-so”:

Egbe ma zẹdẹ rran isekha mwẹn ― “Poor me, I am not well at all.”

(also odiguẹ).

isele [ìsélè] n.

shilling (i.e. former English, now 5 pence); equivalent of 10K in Nigerian money.

ìsẹ [ìsɛ́] n.

amen; response to a prayer or blessing; implies: “So may it be!”.

ísẹ [ísɛ̀] n.

1. the seeds used for making ukuse: they are woven loosely around the calabash with thread in the pattern of a net.

2. a native game played in a carved frame with marbles or the seeds of the otiẹn fruit.

3. any indoor game involving the use of seeds.

isẹguẹn [ísɛ́gwɛ̃́] n.

1. rough, gravelly terrain that’s very uncomfortable to walk on barefoot.

Isẹkiri [ìsɛ̀kíɽì] n.

The Itsekiri people.

isẹn [ìsɛ̃́] num.

five.

isi¹ [ìsí] n.

foreign land; a place other than the homeland. (also isiẹvbo).

isi² [ìsí] n.

source; origin; the base:

Emwin ne u ru na hia, ẹ i mwẹn a ma miẹ isi ẹre ― “All these things you are doing, we must see the source.”

Isi [ìsì] n.

name of a group of Ẹdo villages.

isiamẹ¹ [ìsyàmɛ̃̀] n.

(< i-si-amẹ) “drawing of water”; rain-making.

isiame² [ìsyàmɛ̃̀] n.

the state of being emaciated.

isiẹvbo [ìsyɛ́ʋò] n.

foreign land. (cf. isi).

isinmwiengbe [ìsĩ̀ɱỹẽ̀gbè] n.

(< i-sinmwin-egbe) “saving of the body” ― treatment from illness.

isinmwin [ìsĩ́ɱĩ̀] n.

siblings born after one; one’s younger sibling or the equivalent:

Ozo ọre isinmwin mwẹn ukpogie eha ― “Ozo is my sibling born third after me.” or “Ozo is equivalent to someone born 3rd after me.”

iso¹ [ìsó] n.

sky; space.

iso² [ìsó] n.

a deep muscle abscess suffered by the elderly.

isoko [ísókó] n.

1. outskirts of; environs: isoko-Edo ― the outskirts of Benin;

2. the people of Isoko ethnic group.

isotọn [ìsòtɔ̃̀] n.

a part of the second burial ceremony at which a procession dances through the streets with otọn and okun. It takes place on the fifth day.

isọkẹn [ìsɔ̀kɛ̃̀] n.

contentment; satisfaction.

isọtẹ [ìsɔ̀tɛ̀] n.

defiance; rebellion.

isu [ìsú] n.

interest (e.g. paid on a loan).

isue [ísué] n.

1. a hairy caterpillar believed to emit some poison when touched;

2. whitlow, caused by the caterpillar. (cf atọwọ, aganmwinsoso).

isunsun [ìsũ̀sũ̀] n.

nuisance; trouble.

itaba [ítábà] n.

tobacco.

itakhuẹn [ítáxwɛ̃̀] n.

1. a load-carrying pad made from the bark of the plantain plant; it is also used as the sponge for rubbing mud walls and floors with a fresh coating of wet mud;

2. rags; shredded cloth.

itakpa [íták͡pà] n.

the Edo name for the Nupe people; (the name derives from the tribal marks which they wear on their faces).

italawẹ [ìtálàwɛ̀] n.

trousers.

ítan [ítã́] n.

1. proverb;

2. a story illustrating a saying or a proverb;

3. a historical narrative, usually with a moral.

ìtan [ìtàn] n.

the feather-ordeal, which was used to detect the culprit in a theft, or to determine whether somebody was guilty or not of adultery.

itee [ítèé] n.

unending menstrual flow, or foul-smelling vagina discharge.

itehie [ítèhyé] n.

the small berries of a wild plant used by some in a sauce for eating boiled yam or plantain; it is said to have a sour taste.

itengbemu [ìtẽ̀gbèmũ̀] n.

“lifting up one’s self”: haughtiness; disdainfulness; lack of humility.

itẹ [ítɛ́] n.

cemetery (also ikpẹkpẹ).

itiẹzọ [ìtyɛ̀zɔ̀] n.

“calling of a case”: summoning to court; serving with summons.

itohan [ìtòhã̀] n.

mercy; compassion.

itohia [ìtòhyà] n.

guinea-worm.

itotaya [ìtòtàyà] n.

buttocks. (also ikebe).

itue [ítwé] n.

a tree; it has an orange-coloured latex.

ive [ìvé] n.

selling price.

ivie [ìvyé] n.

1. coral beads;

2. beads.

ivin [ívĩ̀] n.

1. palm tree;

2. coconut (also ivin-ebo);

3. palm kernels (also ivin-ehiagha);

4. nut.

ivin-eva [ívỹèvá] idiom.

“two nuts”: twins; ivin eha: “tree nuts”: triplets, etc.

ivbabọ [ìʋàbɔ̀] n.

1. empty-handedness;

2. poverty.

ivbi [ìuì] n.

scrotum.

ivbiẹ [ívyɛ̀] n.

quiet and solitary place or time.

ivbiẹkpo [ìvyɛ̀kpò] n.

a variety of poisonous snake (possibly the night adder).

ivbiorre [ìvyórè] n.

(< ivbi-orre): members of the new generation: the youth; the young people.

ivbiovẹn [ìvyóvɛ̃̀] n. idiom.

“children of the sun”: small butterflies that fly in swarms, usually of a single colour only.

iwakọn [ìwàkɔ̃̀] n.

(< i-wo-akọn) “being strong of teeth”: greed; avarice.

iwaniẹmwẹn [ìwã̀nyɛ̃̀ɱɛ̃̀] n.

response; reply.

iwẹro [ìwɛ̀ɽò] n.

1. conscienciousness; diligence;

2. maturity; sensibility:

Iwẹro ọghe enekherhe ẹre ọ sẹ ọghe enodiọn. “The sense of maturity of the younger is greater than that of the older.”

iwẹnwẹn [íw̃ɛ̃w̃ɛ̃̀] n.

craftiness; cunning.

iwinna [ìw̃ĩ̀nà] n.

work; labour.

iwowo [íwówó] n.

a shed or shack built of planks, leaves, or any other make-shift material.

ìwu¹ [ìwù] n.

the Edo traditional ethnic marks; no longer worn by present generations.

ìwu² [ìwù] n.

direct offspring; one’s children. (also ọmọ-iwu).

íwu [íwù] n.

capacity (of a container); cubic capacity. 2. the interior of a container.

iya [ìyà] n.

1. ditch; valley;

2. the big ditch around the Benin walls:

Iya Oguọla ― Oguọla’s ditch

(the ditch was said to have been dug at the instance of Oba Oguọla).

íyà [iiyà] int.

an exclamation of irritation or impatience.

Iya, wẹ i hẹnmwẹn ne a ta? ― “Why, don’t you hear what is being said?”

iyabọ [ìyábɔ] n.

forgiveness.

iyama [ìyáma] n.

1. an identification mark;

2. scar.

iyan [ìyã́] n.

yam.

iyarre [ìyárè] n.

“May you go and return”: goodwill greeting, usually called out to somebody embarking on a challenging enterprise such as war; or to somebody going on a long journey. It is also the traditional greeting to the Ọba or any of his chiefs by the populace on any stately occasion.

Iyasẹ [íyàsɛ́] n.

the title of the most important chief in Benin; he is the head of the Eghaevbo n’Ore.

iyayi [ìyáyì] n.

belief; faith.:

iyayi Ekristi: “the Christian faith.”

iye [íyé] n.

mother; iyiye: “mother’s mother”: maternal grandmother.

iye-nagbon [íyènág͡bɔ̃̀] idiom.

mistress; lover.

iye-nọkhua [íyènɔ́xwà] n.

grandmother.

iyekabọ [ìyékàbɔ́] n.

“back of the hand”: carelessness; lack of diligence.

iyeke [ìyèkè] n.

back (of the body); hind side (of something).

iyekiyeke [ìyèkíyèké] adv.

backwards:

iyekiyeke ọ ru ghe ― “He is always doing backward, i.e. He does not make progress”

.

iyekowa [ìyékòwá] n.

(< iyeke-owa) “back of the house”; backyard; latrine.

iyenhọ [ìỹẽ̀hɔ̀] n.

(< i-yin-ehọ) “deafness”: disobedience; stubbornness.

iyerha [íyeřá] n.

(< iye-erha) “father’s mother”, paternal grandmother.

iyerhẹn [ìyèřɛ̃̀] n.

“the setting of fire” burning the undergrowth on a plot as part of its preparation for cultivation.

iyẹ [ìyɛ̀] n.

(chicken lice) a kind of tiny insect found on chickens.

iyẹn [ìyɛ̃̀] n.

news; gossip.

iyẹn-nọma [ìỹɛ̀nɔ̀má] idiom.

1. (Christian): gospel;

2. good tidings.

iyẹngbe [ìỹɛ̃̀g͡bè] n.

straining to eject something from the body (e.g. a woman during childbirth; or somebody defecating).

iyi [ìyí] n.

law; rule; regulation. (cf. uhi).

iyin [íyĩ̀] n.

the sasswood tree; the bark is used in the preparation of an ordeal for witches.

iyiye [íyíyé] n.

(< iye-iye) “mother’s mother”: maternal grandmother.

iyobọ [ìyòbɔ̀] n.

assistance; help.

iyodede [íyódèdè] n.

(< iye-odede) “old mother”: grandmother.

iyokuo [ìyòkwò] n.

warrior; soldier.

iyokho [íyòxó] n.

coco-yam.

Iyọba [íyɔ́bá] n.

(< iye-Ọba) “mother of the Ọba” the Queen-mother.

iyọha [ìyɔ̀hà] n.

pawn; something left in a creditor’s keeping as security or pledge for an unpaid debt.

iyọmọ [íyɔ́mɔ̀] n.

1. a nursing mother;

2. any woman who has borne a child.

ìyọyọ [ìyɔ̀yɔ̀] n.

tassel (e.g. of ear of corn); loosely hanging cords as ornamented fringe on native crowns.

íyọyọ [íyɔ́yɔ́] n.

a variety of vegetable used in native soups. (also known as ebe nesiẹnsiẹn “narrow leaves”).

izabọ [ízábɔ̀] n.

shoulder.

izabọbọ [ìzabɔ̀bɔ̀] n.

merriment in the form of singing and dancing.

izagodo [ìzàgódó] n.

kerosine tin, usually about 4 gallons in capacity.

izakhue [ìzàxwɛ̀] n.

the ceremonies performed on the 3rd day of a second burial; which involves the killing of a goat at the deceased’s gate, and a processional dance through town.

izazako [ìzàzàkó] n.

a brown variety of antelope.

izedu [ìzèdù] n.

translating; interpreting.

izenọfua [ìzènɔ́fwà] n.

crayfish.

izevbudu [ìzèʋùdù] n.

“being hard in the heart”: stubbornness; obstinacy.

izẹ [ízɛ̀] n.

rice.

izẹ-Ẹdo [ízɛ́dò] n.

“Benin rice”: the native variety of rice, which is a tree: Treculia africana, with big and round fruits, the seeds of which constitute the rice. It is processed and made into rice pudding which is sold in little cakes as snack, rather than a full meal.

izẹghede [ìzɛ̀ɣèdè] n.

a shack.

izẹtin [ìzɛ̀tĩ̀] n.

defiance; open disobedience:

Emwin izẹtin ne ọ ru ẹre iran gu mu enrẹn khui ― “His defiant acts are what made them arrest him.”

iziengbe [ìzyẽ̀g͡bè] n.

patience; endurance.

izigha [ízìɣá] n.

murderer.

izobo [ìzóbò] n.

sacrifice in the form of food, or food substances left at road junctions for witches and other evil forces.

izohu [ìzòhù] n.

(< i-zẹ-ohu) “producing anger”, provocation; irritation.

izozo [ìzózò] n.

wandering; roaming.

izọla [ízɔ̀lá] n.

week (also uzọla).

izọmọ [ìzɔ̀mɔ̀] n.

naming ceremony of an infant; it was traditionally performed on the seventh day of birth, but the timing is no longer rigid in practice.

izu [ìzù] n.

even number.

izunu [ìzùnù] n.

being hard to please with food; refusing to eat what one does not like, and finding little to like.

ka¹ [ká] aux.

1. indicates that “the subject” of the clause was first to perform the action in the verb:

mẹ ọ ka rre ― “I came first”

;

2. that the action had been performed before in the past:

Ma ka rri ẹvbo naa yi ― “We had come to this town before.”

ka² [ká] vb.

to recount all the evil deeds committed as a witch, or practitioner of other strong and evil forces; to confess to evil doings.

ka³ [ká] vb.

to count; to reckon:

Ka iran ghee deghẹ iran gbae ― “Count them to see whether they are correct.”

ka⁴ [ká] vb.

to dry; to be crisp:

eka ne ọ fiaẹn ma ka ― “The bean-cake that she fried was not crisp!”

ka⁵ [ká] vb.

to buy palm wine (or other kinds of drinks):

Ọ ka ọgọ ayọn eha gie arowa ọre ― “He bought and brought three bottles of wine to his master.”

kaa¹ [kàá] vb.

to make dry; to cause to become crisp:

Iran gha kaa ehẹn vbe ovẹn: “They are drying fish in the sun.”

kaa² [kàá] vb.

to carve (e.g. a piece of wood).

kaa [káa] aux.

(< ka-gha) same as ka (adv.).

Iran ọ kaa sẹ ẹvbo naa ― “They were the first to come to this town”

.

kaan¹ [kã̀ã́] vb.

1. to touch;

2. to pertain to; to concern:

Ẹmwẹn na kaan mwẹn ― “This matter concerns me.”

kaan² [kã̀ã́] vb.

(of gun, pipe, etc.), to load; to fill with relevant substance:

Ọ kaan ukoko ne ọse ọre si ― “He filled a pipe for his friend to smoke.”

ọ kaan osisi mu gọ ― “He loaded a gun and placed it by.”

kada [kádà] idiom.

a greeting formula expressed by males to their elders after a meal as a mark of respect and gratitude. It is also expressed as a good-will greeting to an elder when he sneezes.

kadesẹ [kádèsɛ̀] adv.

(< ke² ― adesẹ). to be located between; to be in the middle of; to be at the centre of. (also kadesẹneva).

kadesẹneva [kàdèsɛ̀névà] adv.

cf. kadesẹ.

kae [kàé] vb.

the cry of a squirrel.

kaẹn [kã̀ɛ̃́] vb.

1. to construct or build with wood;

O kaẹn ùkhuerhe mẹ ― “He constructed a stool for me.”

;

2. to nail something; to attach things together with a nail:

Ọ kaẹn erhan nii mu ẹkhu-orere mẹ: “He nailed that wood to the front door for me.”

kaka [kàká] vb.

1. to become dry; to be dehydrated (e.g. of leaves becoming dry and crisp).

kakabọ [kàkàbɔ́] adv.

very much; exceedingly:

Ọ kakabọ tan: “He is very tall.”

kalọ [kàlɔ́] vb.

to stab repeatedly; to chop down:

Izigha ya ọpia kalọ iran vbe odẹ: “A highway robber stabbed them with a machete on the way.”

kalokalo [kálókáló] adj.; adv.

(used with the verbs sie, bi, or ye) describes profound darkness:

Ọ bi kalokalo: “It is extremely black.”

kan [kã́] vb.

to be difficult; to be tough:

ẹghẹ naa ghi kan gbe ― “These times are now very tough: These are difficult times.”

kan [kã́ã̀] adj.

bare; empty.:

Ghẹ ya ẹko kan la odẹ ― “Don’t go on the road with an empty stomach: don’t go without eating first”

.

kan [kã̀] vb.

in the idiom kan ukọ: to query; to find fault with.

kangunkangun [kã́gṹkã́gṹ] adj.

(used with the vb. ye) very lean; emaciated.

Ọ ye kangunkangun ― “He is very lean.”

kankanankan [kã́kã́ã́kã́] adv.

intensely:

1. (with van: “to shout”): loudly;

2. (with gba: “to tie”) tightly, firmly:

Ọ ya irri gba ẹre kankanankan ― “He tied it with a rope very firmly”

;

3. (with bi or siere: “dark”): profoundly:

Ọ bi kankanankan: “It is profoundly dark”

.

kanro [kã́ɽò] vb.

to feel unenthusiastic about (doing something) to feel reluctant about:

Eki na waa kọn mwẹn aro ne a yo: “I am not at all eager about going to this market.”

kanmwan [kã̀ɱã́] vb.

to be small.

kanyan [kã́ỹã́] adj.

unlikely; remote; unusual, etc. (usually used with the verb ye):

Ọ ye kanyan vbe aro mwẹn ― “It strikes me as being unrealizable.”

karo [káɽò] vb.

“to be in front of”

1. to precede; to be ahead of;

2. to be first:

Ozo ọ karo vbe edanmwẹn ne iran ruu ― “Ozo was first in the examination that they did.”

katakpi [káták͡pì] n.

the name of a mythical being that had no limbs; thus the word describes anything or anybody that looks fat and stout and tends to roll along rather than walk.

katekate [kátékáté] adv.

especially; particularly:

Iwinna rẹn keghi yẹ arowa ọre ẹsẹse, katekate ne obọ na wa vbe kẹ ọre ― “His work was pleasing to his master very much, especially as he was also very fast.”

kayọn [kàyɔ̃́] vb.

(< ka⁴ ― ayọn) to buy wine.

ke¹ [ké] vb.

1. to be located next to; to be near:

Owa mwẹn ọ ke ọghẹe ― “My house is next to his.”

ke² [ké] vb.

to be located at, relative to something else; to occupy a space (relative to something else):

Ọ we ne imẹ ke odaro ne irẹn ke iyeke: “He said that I should stay in front while he stays behind.”

ke³ [ké] aux.

(often occurs with ghi) sequential marker: indicates that the action in the main verb occurred sequentially after the action in the verb of the preceding clause:

Ọ ghi sẹ evba, ọ ke totaa: “When he got there; he then sat down.”

ke⁴ [ké] prep.

1. (occurs with verbs of motion, such as yo, rre, dee, etc.) indicates source or origin of motion: from:

Igue ọ ke rri iwinna: “It is from the village that he comes to work.”

;

2. general “source” notion (i.e. in respect to time and place).

Ẹgogo eva ẹre ọ ke winna: “He has been working from 2 p.m., i.e. he has been working since 2 p.m.”

ke⁵ [kè] conj.

serves to link up nouns, pronouns and noun phrases:

Ọ tie enọdiọn ke enekherhe ― “He called both the older and younger”

(cf. kevbe).

kee [kèé] vb.

1. to support on a potrest (to cook):

Mu iyan kee ne a re ― “Put the yam on the pot-rest so that we may eat: Cook the pot of yam (over the fire) on the pot-rest for us to eat.”

.

2. to prop up, to hold up in place:

Ọ ya erhan kee ẹre ― “He supported it with a stick.”

keegbe [kèègbé] vb.

(< kee ― egbe) “to prop up self”: to assume falsely a higher status than one is entitled to.

keere [kèérè] vb.

to be appropriate; to be good; to be suitable:

Ọ keere ye ukpo ne iran muẹrẹn yi naa ― “He is appropriate for this post that they have now put him.”

;

Ọ keere ne a gha ta emwanta ― “It is good for us to be telling the truth:” “It is good for us to speak the truth always”

.

kegbe [kègbé] vb.

(< ke¹-egbe): “to be near each other”: to be located next to each other; to be neighbours.

Iran bọ owa kegbe ― “They built houses next to each other.”

keke [kèké] vb.

to jostle; to push against:

Ọ keke ẹre fi ẹkhokho ― “He jostled her into a corner.”

kevbe [kèʋè] conj.; adv.

a conjunction linking up nouns, pronouns and noun phrases:

amwẹn ọnrẹn kevbe ivbi ẹre ― “his wife and children”

; 2. also, as well:

Ọ kevbe re ọduẹki ― “He is also a trader”

.

kẹeke [kɛékè] adv.

(< ke-ẹre-ke) along with; together with;

Ozo kẹeke amwẹn ọnrẹn ẹre ọ gba gha rrie ugbo ― “Ozo together with his wife it was that went to the farm: It was Ozo and his wife that went together to the farm.”

kẹẹ [kɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

1. to be prompt; to be quick:

obọ kẹẹ iran vbe iwinna na ― “Hand was quick for them in this work: they were quick in completing this work”

;

2. (as an idiom with obọ):

obọ kẹẹ nẹ: “The work has already been completed”

. (also

“Ọ kẹẹ nẹ”: “It is already completed”

.) Thus:

ọ kẹẹ iran ya ruẹe nẹ i ke sẹ evba. “They were already done with doing it before I got there: They had already completed doing it before I got there.”

kẹẹ [kɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

to remain; to be left over:

ígho ne ọ kẹẹre ọna khin ― Here is the money that was left over

. (also kẹrre).

kẹkan [kɛ̀kã̀]

1. adj.

1. bare:

owẹ kẹkan ― bare foot

;

2. ineffective; inconsequential:

eve kekan ọ viẹ ― “He is crying in vain; She is crying ineffectively.”

2. adv.

only; merely:

gu ẹre gui kẹkan ne u ghẹ gbẹe ― “Merely reprimand him; don’t beat him.”

kẹkẹ [kɛ̀kɛ́] vb.

to rot; to become rotten.

kẹkẹrẹkẹ [kɛ̀kɛ̀ɽɛ́kɛ̀] adv.

describes the crowing of a rooster.

kẹnnẹkẹnnẹ [kẽ̀nẽ̀kẽ́nẽ̀] adj.

(with gbẹnnẹ) describes a spotty design (cf. ekẹnnẹkẹnnẹ).

kẹrre [kɛ̀ré] vb.

to remain; to be left over. (cf. kẹẹ).

(e)kẹtẹkẹtẹ [kɛ́tɛ́kɛ́tɛ́] n.

ass; donkey. (cf. ekẹtẹkẹtẹ).

kẹtin [kɛ̀tín] vb.

(< koo ― ẹtin) “to gather strength”:

1. to rest, to relax;

2. to give up; to stop;

3. to die.

kie¹ [kìé] vb.

1. to open; to unfold (e.g. ekharha: umbrella);

2. to display:

O do ya ukpọn ne ọ da dẹ kie vbe ẹki ― “She came to display her newly-acquired cloth in the market.”

kie² [kìé] vb.

to remove:

Ọ kie ukpọn hin ovẹn rre: She removed the clothes from the line

.

kiekie [kyékyè] adv.

(< ke ― iyeke) to be last (in doing something)

Rẹn ọ kiekie rre. “He was the last to come.”

kigho [kíɣó] vb.

(< ka ― ígho) “to count money”; to reckon money.

kii [kìí] vb.

1. to coil; to curl up (e.g. of reptiles),;

2. to coagulate or thicken (e.g. of owo ― a kind of sauce; or palm-oil):

Ofigbọn na kii mu ọgọ ― “This palm oil has coagulated and stuck to the bottle.”

kin¹ [kĩ́] vb.

1. to tie tightly; to bind:

Ọ ya okun kin ẹbo ― “She used a twine to tie the bag tightly.”

;

2. to plait hair with thread.

kin² [kĩ́] vb.

1. to look for (fallen) fruits at the base of a tree;

2. to examine traps for catch.

kinmwin [kĩ̀ɱĩ́] vb.

to hit hard; to strike hard.

kinna [kĩ̀nã́] vb.

to watch cautiously; to spy on.

kinnegbe [kĩ̀nẽ̀gbé] vb.

(< kinna ― egbe) “to watch body cautiously”: to be on the alert for one’s safety; to be mindful about one’s safety.

kinnọ [kĩ̀nɔ̃́] vb.

1. to coil around (iter, sense of kii 1.);

2. to bind with rope:

Iran ya irri kinnọ ẹnrẹn mu erhan ― “They bound him to a tree with rope”

.

kiokiokio [kyòkyòkyò] adv.

describes a peel of laughter.

kisi [kìsì] adv.

(with saan ― “to jump”) smartly; nimbly:

Ọ sanrẹn kisi: “He jumped nimbly”

.

kiyeke [kíyèkè] vb.

(< ke² ― iyeke) “to be located at the back”, to be behind or at the back of.

kiza [kìzá] vb.

1. to be senseless; to be stupid;

2. to be mad.

ko¹ [kó] vb.

to hold a meeting; to congregate:

Iran gha ko vbene iran khian ya suẹn ọnrẹn hẹẹ: “They are meeting to decide how they will set about starting it.”

2. aux. indicates that the action in the main verb was performed by more than one person:

Iran hia ọ ko rri ọre ― “They all ate it together; or, They all joined in eating it.”

(also koko).

ko² [kó] vb.

to make aload pad:

ọ ghi ko ne, ọ na mu ihe yan uhunmwun: “After she had made a load-pad, she lifted the load on her head.”

kodaro [kòdárò] vb.

(< ke² ― odaro) to be in front. (also karo).

koikoi [koikoi] adv.

describes the sound of the pestle hitting the mortar during the pounding of yam or other meal.

kokerhẹn [kòkéřɛ̃̀] vb.

(< koko¹ ― erhẹn) “to assemble five” ― to make a fire.

kokẹtin [kòkɛ̀tĩ́] vb.

(< koko¹ ― ẹtin) “to gather strength” ― to rest; to take a break (from labour) (also kẹtin).

koko¹ [kòkó]

1. vb.

to gather together; to assemble; to collect:

Ọ na koko iran ígho viọ: “He collected their money and took it.”

(Used only in the transitive sense).

2. adv.

same as ko¹:

Iran koko kpaọ ― “They left together”

.

koko² [kòkó] vb.

1. to care for; to tend:

Rẹn ọ koko ọmọ mẹ: She is the one who tends the children for me

;

2. to feed; to provide for.

kokomẹmẹ [kókómɛ̃̀mɛ̃̀] n.

cucumber (cf. Engl.).

kokooko [kókóókó] adv.; adj.

(used with the verb ye):

1. describes something that is very solid and firm;

2. also describes something that is very dry and crisp.

koo [kòó] vb.

to set fractured bones.

kotọ [kótɔ̀] vb.

to be underneath or below.

koyọ [kóyò] int.

a general greeting formula; it expresses a wide variety of sentiments ranging from general good will to sympathy and affection.

kọ [kɔ́] vb.

1. to plant; to grow something;

2. (with ẹbọ ― “a god”) to put up a shrine for:

Ọ kọ olokun ne amwẹn ọnrẹn ― “He installed an olokun shrine for his wife”

.

kọlọ [kɔ̀lɔ́] vb.

to pick (fruit or leaves) from a tree; to pluck.

kọn¹ [kɔ̃́] vb.

to be foolish; to be senseless.

Ọ kọn sẹẹ ẹwe ― “He is foolish more than a goat: He is more foolish than a goat.”

kọn² [kɔ̃́] vb.

(of humans) to crawl around on all fours; (of animals) to graze.

kọnkọn [kɔ̃̀kɔ̃́] vb.

(pl. ref.) to be big in size:

Iyan ne u dẹ rre na waa kọnkọn ― “These yams that you bought and brought are very big.”

kọnyọn [kɔ̃̀ỹɔ̃̀] adv.

describes a kind of look (occurs with ghee: to look) to look at with an evil eye; to glare at:

Ọ gha ghe mwẹn kọnyọn ― “He is glaring at me.”

ku¹ [kú] vb.

to dip (in liquid); to immerse; to plunge:

Ọ ku ọbọ ye uwu akhe sa amẹ ― “He dipped his hand into the pot and collected some water.”

ku² [kú] vb.

to lose in value; to be devoid of worth:

Ẹki ne ọ do ku gbe ẹre ― “The trading that he was doing has become worthless: he has gone bankrupt in his trading.”

ku³ [kú] vb.

to join with;

Iran ku kugbe rri ọre: “They joined together to eat it”

.

kua [kùá] xbl. part

out; away; off:

Amẹ tue kua vbe akhe: “water poured out of the pot”

,

Alimoi kharha kua vbe ekpanaku “Oranges dropped off from the plate.”

(cf. fua).

kuakuakua [kwàkwàkwà] adv.

describes a peal of laughter.

kuamẹ [kuámɛ̀] vb.

(< kue ― amẹ) “to allow water” ― to become soggy; to become unwholesomely or unpleasantly damp.

kuan¹ [kũ̀ã́] vb.

1. to injure; to cause injury to; to afflict, or be afflicted:

Emwin kuan rẹn vbe oha ― “Something afflicted him in the bush.”

;

2. (usually as a second verb): to hit against:

Ọ mu obọ kuan ye egbekẹn ― “He hit his arm against the wall.”

kue¹ [kwè] vb.

1. to agree to something:

Ọ kue ne ọ rhie vbe ọghẹe ― “He agreed for her to take from his own”

;

2. for a woman to allow a man to have sexual intercourse with her.

kue² [kwé] adv.

it occurs before a verb to convert the clause into a question requiring comfirmation:

Ọ kue rre? “Did he come at all?”

;

Ọ kue rri evbare ― “Did he eat anything?”

Ẹẹn, ọ rri ekherhe ― “Yes, he ate a little.”

kue³ [kùé] prep.

on, over, at:

Amẹ sa kue Ọzo ukpọn ― “Water spilled on Ozo’s cloth”

.

Ekhae tue kue otọ ― “Sand poured on the floor”

. It is realised as kui in clause-final position:

Vbe ọ sa kui ― “Where did it pour?”

and as kuọ before mwẹn or mwan:

Amẹ tue kuọ mwẹn ― “Water poured on me.”

kuebe [kwèbé] vb.

(< ku² ― ebe) “to be devoid of leaves”, (of a tree) loose leaves; to become bare.

kuẹi [kwɛi] adv.; adj.

describes something very small; iter.: kuẹikuẹi: very tiny.

kuẹki [kwɛ́kì] vb.

(< ku² ― ẹki) “to be devoid of value in trade”;

1. to depreciate in value;

2. to become bankrupt.

kuẹ́n [kwɛ̃́] vb.

(occurs with dẹ: to buy): without paying: on credit:

Ọ dẹ ẹwu kuẹn vbe obọ mwẹn: “She bought a dress on credit from me.”

kùẹn [kwɛ̃̀ɛ̃́] vb.

to curl (also sikuẹn).

kuẹnkhun [kwɛ̃́xũ̀] vb.

(< kun-ekhun) “to form a cripple”: to become immobile; to be rendered motionless.

kuẹtin [kwɛ̀tĩ́] n.

cf. kẹtin.

kugbakẹghẹrẹ [kúgbakɛ̀ɣɛ́ɽɛ] adv.

cf. ukugbakẹghẹrẹ.

kugbe¹ [kùgbé] vb.

to join together; to unite (also kukugbe).

kugbe² [kùgbé] adv.

together.

kughudu [kúɣúdú] adj.

describes something small and deep, like a little bowl.

kukugbe [kùkùgbé] vb.

cf. kugbe¹.

kukuku [kùkùkù] adv.

describes the look of sprouting new leaves:

Ebe erhan na wa họọn kukuku: “The leaves of this tree have spouted in swarms.”

kukhunmwun [kúxũ̀ɱù] vb.

(< ke² ― ukhunmwun) to be above: to be on top of; to be higher than.

kulo [kùló] vb.

to be damaged; to be spoiled:

Ikẹkẹ na kulo nẹ; ẹi ghi gie a hiin. “This bicycle is now bad; it can no longer be ridden.”

kulu [kùlú] vb.

iter. of ku:

Iran kulu obọ ye uwawa zọlọ emiọwo ne i rrọọ viọ ― “They dipped their hands into the pot and picked out all the meat in it.”

kun [kṹ] vb.

to construct something; to fashion something:

Ọ kun imọto nẹẹ ya gha kuu ― “He constructed a (toy) car for him to play with.”

kuun [kũ̀ṹ] vb.

to package something; to pack together:

Ọ kuun emwin ẹnrẹn hia kpaọ ― “He packed all his things away.”

kuọ [kùɔ́] vb.

to faint; to become unconscious.

kurọọ [kùɽɔ̀ɔ̀] adv.; adj.

(used with the verb ye) dull, lifeless:

Edẹ nẹrẹ ye kurọọ ― “The day today is very dull.”

khaa [xàá] vb.

to say.:

Vbe ọ khaa hẹẹ? “What did he say?”

khaan¹ [xã̀ã́] vb.

to be fed up with; to have had enough of (something):

Iwinna khaan mwẹn: “I have had enough of work.: I don’t want any more work.”

khaan² [xã̀ã́] vb.

to sift; to separate the undesirable parts from the good parts (of something):

Khaan ẹre nii u ke muẹn ye akhe ― “Sift those beans before you put them into the pot.”

khaevbisẹ [xàeʋìsɛ́] vb.

“to say what comes to be”: to be in authority; to govern.

khamaa [xàmã̀ã́] vb.

to tell:

Khamaa rẹn ― “Tell him”

(also tamaa).

kharha [xàřá] vb.

to drop (of many things).

Alimoi kharha kua vbe okhuae ― “The oranges have dropped from the basket.”

kherhe [xèřé] vb.

1. to be small;

2. to be little.

kherhe [xéřé] adj.

1. (used with the verb ye) small; little:

Ọ ye kherhe ne ọ kẹre: “It is small that is left: What is left is small.”

2. adv. a little bit; slightly:

ọ kan rẹn kherhe ― “It touched it slightly.”

kherhekherhe [xéřéxéřé]

1. adj.

very small, tiny (of many things). (used with the verb ye).

Iran ye kherhekherhe ― “They are very small”

;

2. adv.

slightly; a little:

Ọ balọ kherhekherhe: “It is painful a little bit.”

khẹẹ [xɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

to await; to expect:

Ọ khẹẹ ruẹ vbe uwowa: “He is waiting for you inside.”

khẹkhẹ [xɛ̀xɛ́] vb.

to be simple; to be easy (usually occurs in negative clauses):

Iwinna na i khẹkhẹ ― “This work is not easy: It is tough.”

khẹke [xɛ̀ké] vb.

to be appropriate (in the sense of “what should be”):

Ọ khẹke ne u rhie ígho ẹre nẹẹ ― “It is appropriate that you give him his money: You ought to give him his money.”

khẹko [xɛ̀kóò] vb.

(< khọọ ― ẹko) “to spoil stomach”: to irritate or be irritated; to upset or be upset:

Ẹmwẹn ne ọ tae nii wa khọ mwẹn ẹko ― “Those things that he said really upset me.”

khia¹ [xìá] vb.

to hurt:

Obọ khia mwẹn ― “(my) hand hurts me.”

khia² [xìá] vb.

to scrape, to scratch with a sharp object. (skin or bark of something)

khia ukpakọn na mẹ ― “Scrape off the bark from this chewing stick for me.”

khian¹ [xyã́] vb.

to walk; to go by foot.

Imọto u la rre ra te u khiaẹn? “Did you come by car or did you walk?”

khian² [xyã́] adv.

indicates that the action in the main verb continues over a period of time:

Ọ viẹ khian ― He is crying along

;

Ọ rhulẹ khian: he is running along

.

khian³ [xyã́] aux.

inceptive marker; indicates that the action in the verb is about to begin, or that it will take place: it may be translated by: about to; going to; or want to:

Ọ khian gbẹe: “He is going to beat him”

;

I khian kpaọ ― I am about to leave; I want to leave; etc

.

khian [xĩ̀ã́] vb.

to transform into something else; to change; (usually by magical means):

ọ khian enọwanrẹn nẹ ― “He has become an elderly person; he has aged.”

; 2. to become.

khianmwun [xyã́ɱũ̀] vb.

to proceed; to keep going:

Ọ na khianmwun vbe uwowa ― “He proceeded into the house.”

khiẹ¹ [xìɛ́] vb.

to mourn for; to grieve:

khiẹgbe ― “to mourn self”: to show conventional signs of grief

.

khiẹ² [xìɛ́] vb.

1. to obstruct a passage with something;

2. to put a cork on a bottle.

khiẹn [xỹɛ̃́] vb.

1. to sell; to trade in:

Ọ khiẹn ukpọn vbe eki ― He sells cloth in the market

.

Igari ọ khiẹn: “She is a trader in garri: She is a garri-seller.”

;

2. to defeat (somebody) in a game.

Ọ khiẹn mwẹn vbe isẹ ne ima fii. “He defeated me in the game of isẹ that we played.”

khiẹn [xĩ̀ɛ̃́] vb.

to wipe off; to clean off:

Ọ khiẹn ameve hin aro rre ― “She wiped off the tears from her eyes.”

khiẹn [xĩ̀ɛ̃́] vb.

to twist:

ọ khiẹn mwẹn obọ ghee iyeke ― “He twisted my arm to the back.”

khin¹ [xĩ́] cop.

1. to be:

Ọvbokhan rẹn i khin. “His wife I am: I am his wife.”

2. to become; used with time words to mean “till”:

ọ khin akhuẹ ― “It becomes tomorrow; till tomorrow.”

Ọ khin evbaghazẹkpẹe ― “It becomes after some time: till later.”

khinkọ [xĩ́kɔ̃̀] vb.

(< khian⁴ ― iko) “to become an impediment”; to constitute a nuisance; an opponent or an enemy:

Ọ khin ere ikọ vbe isi-iwinna rẹn ― “He has constituted himself into a nuisance for him at his work place.”

khinraan [xĩ̀ɽã̀ã́] vb.

I. to melt. (e.g. of coagulated fat when heated).

khirhi [xìří] vb.

to do hurriedly; to be in haste:

Ọ khirhi le ẹre ― “He was in haste in cooking it: He hastily cooked it.”

khirhikhirhi [xìřìxìřì] adv.

in a hurry; hurriedly:

Ọ lee ẹre khirhikhirhi ― “He cooked it in a hurry”

.

khiokhio [xyòxyó] vb.

1. to scrape off (e.g. the burnt sediment of food in a pot.);

2. to scratch (with a sharp edge)

Ehọ ughegbe khiokhio mwẹn obọ ― “The edge of the mirror scratched my hand”

.

khọ [xɔ́] vb.

to resemble; to look like:

Ọvbokhan na ma zẹdẹ khọ evbibiọe ― “This child does not at all resemble his parents.”

khọnu [xɔ̀nú] vb.

(< khọọ ― unu) “to be bad in the mouth”; to taste bitter or sour. (cf. rriara).

khọọ [xɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

1. to be evil; bad:

evbikhọọ ― “a no-good”

;

orukhọọ: evil deeds; sins (in the Christian sense)

.

2. to be stern, strict, or severe:

Etisa na khọọ gbe ― This teacher is very strict

;

3. to be un-pleasant; to be bitter:

Ukhunmwun na khọọ unu ― “This medicine is unpleasant (in) the mouth: it is bitter.”

khọọn¹ [xɔ̃̀ɔ̃́] vb.

1. to fight incessantly:

Te iran vbe ọvbokhan rẹn khọọn sin ― “He and his wife have been fighting incessantly all this time.”

;

2. to fight a war with:

Ẹvbo iran o gu ẹvho ima khọọn. “It is their town fighting a battle with our town.”

Ma ẹre ọ khian khọọn miẹ otọ ― “We are the ones who shall fight and receive the ground: We shall win.”

khọọn² [xɔ̃̀ɔ̃́] vb.

1. to be desired; to be craved:

Iyan khọọn mwẹn: “I have a desire for yam”

.

Ibọru ne a gbe khọọn mwẹn: “I crave ball-playing: I feel like playing ball”

;

2. to be inclined toward doing, to feel like doing:

Ọ gha khọọn ruẹn u rhie nẹẹn deghẹ ọ ma vbe khọọn ruẹn u hẹwẹ ― “If you feel inclined to do so, you give it to her, if you are not so inclined, you leave it i.e. if you like you may give it to her, if not, you don’t.”

khọrọ [xɔ̀ɽɔ́] adv.

excessively; too much:

Ọvbokhan na viẹ khọrọ: “This child cries too much.”

khọrhiọn [xɔ̀řĩɔ̃́] vb.

to be ugly:

Aro ẹre khọrhiọn gbe ― Her face is very ugly

.

khu [xú] vb.

1. to chase; to run after;

2. to drive away:

Iran khu mwẹn vbe ẹvbo nii ― “They drove me away from that town.”

khua¹ [xùá] vb.

to be heavy:

Ihẹ na khua mwẹn ― “This load is heavy for me (to carry).”

khua² [xùá] vb.

1. to catch on a hook; to hang up:

Khua ukpọn na ye ise ne ọ rre egbekẹn ― “Hook this cloth on the nail on the wall.”

2. to clamp:

Ekhu khua mwẹn obọ ― “The door has clamped my hand.”

khuakhua [xwàxwá] vb.

1. to be tight; to be insufficiently roomy:

Aga na khuakhua ima ― “This chair is tight for us”

;

2. to jostle one another (e.g. in a crowd); to pack into a limited space.

khuan [xw̃ã́] vb.

to earn money; to make money:

Ígho ne ọ khian ya bọ owa ẹre ọ khuan. “It is the money that he intends to build a house with that he is making.”

khuan [xũ̀ã́] vb.

(with isan: faeces): to feel the urge to defecate:

Isan khuan mwẹn ― “I feel the urge to defecate.”

khuankhuanankhuan [xũã́xũã́ã́xũã́] adj.; adv.

1. very close; firm:

Ọse khuankhuanankhuan ẹre iran khin ― “They are very close friends.”

;

2. very securely:

Ọ rhie ẹre lẹre khuankhuanankhuan ― “He hid it away very securely.”

khuarha [xwàřá] vb.

to crack open by force (e.g. of a nut).

khue [xùé] vb.

(of udu: “heart”) to pound; to beat fast:

Iran ghi mu ẹnrẹn, udu ẹre na gha khue leilei: “When they caught him, his heart was pounding very fast.”

khuẹ [xùɛ́] vb.

1. to bathe; to wash (one’s body);

2. to swim.

khuẹn [xw̃ɛ̃́] vb.

(of ifi: trap) to set:

Ọ khuẹn ifi ye iyekowa ― “He set a trap in the backyard.”

khuẹnniẹ [xw̃ɛ̃̀nyɛ̃́] vb.

to respond; to reply.

khuẹrhẹ [xwɛ̀řɛ́] vb.

1. to be soft.

2. to be easy; not difficult.

khuẹrhẹẹ [xwɛ̀řɛ̀ɛ̀] adj.

1. gentle; peaceful.

2. (of ota ― “evening”) late.

khuo [xwó] vb.

to be slippery:

Iba na khuo gbe ― “This slab is very slippery.”

(also miọghọn).

khui [xùí] vb.

to lock:

Khui ẹkhu nii ― “Lock that door”

.

khuia [xwyá] vb.

to become clear, (of a person):

Urhu ne ọ te din mwẹn khuia nẹ ― “My voice that was ‘lost’ is now clear.”

khuikhui [xwìxwí] vb.

to be black; to be dark in complexion.

khuiri [xuíɽí] adj.

describes something that is very dark.

khuiwu [xwìwù] vb.

to be jealous; to begrudge:

Ọ khuiwu ọrue ọre gbe ― “She is overly jealous of her mate.”

khulo [xùló] vb.

iter, or pl. sense of khu:

Ọ khulo iran hia kua ― “He chased all of them away.”

khuorho [xwòřó] vb.

to putrefy; to rot.:

Alimoi ne ọ dẹ rre hia wa khuorho ― “The oranges that she bought here have all rotted.”

khuọn [xũ̀ɔ̃́] vb.

1. (with ọka: maize): to detach the grains from the cob:

Khuọn ọka yọ mwẹn ọkpan ― “Detach some corn grains (and put them) onto my plate.”

;

2. to pick off (of leaves or fruits from a tree);

3. to shed or be shed; to fall off: e.g. of leaves from a tree:

Ebe erhan naa hia khuọn kua nẹ ― “The leaves of this tree have all been shed.”

khuọnmwin [xwɔ̃̀ɱĩ́] vb.

to be sick; to be afflicted:

I ma rẹn emianmwẹn ne ọ khuọnmwin ― “I don’t know the ailment that afflicts him: I don’t know what he is sick of.”

khurhu [xùřú] vb.

to be thick (of sauce or soup).

kpa¹ [k͡pá] vb.

1. to vomit;

2. (with itan: proverb) to produce; to give:

Ọ kpa itan ma iran ― “He told them proverbs.”

kpa² [k͡pá] vb.

(of plantain and banana plants) to bring forth fruit:

Ọghẹdẹ na kpa nẹ ― “This plantain plant has sprouted a fruit.”

kpa³ [k͡pá] aux.

1. occurs as the conditional element in the hypothetical clause of a conditional sentence:

1.

kpa rẹn, i ghẹ rre: “Had I known, I would not have come”

;

2. occurs in the idiom: Ọ kpa maa . . . meaning “It is just as well . . .”:

Ọ kpa maa ighẹ ọ ma yo, ẹ ghẹ họn ẹmwẹn ne iran ta “It is just as well that he did not go, he would not have heard what they were saying”

.

kpaa [k͡pàá] vb.

1. to raise; to lift up:

Kpaa ihẹ na ghee deghẹ ọ khua ― “Lift up this load to see whether it is heavy”

;

2. to help to carry load:

Gu mwẹn mu ekherhe kpaa ruẹ vbe ihẹ naa ― “Let me help you to carry some of this load.”

kpaegbe [k͡paègbé] vb.

(< kpaa ― egbe) “to raise body”: to stand up; to rise.

kpaẹn [k͡pã̀ɛ̃́] vb.

1. to yank off (e.g. branches of a tree);

2. to pluck (e.g. fruits from a tree);

3. to fall off (by itself).

Abọ ọre kpaẹn fua ― a branch of it has fallen off

.

kpankpanankpan [k͡pã́k͡pã́ã́k͡pã́] adj.

very strong; very hard; extremely solid:

Ọ ye kpankpanankpan ― “It is very hard”

.

kpaikpai [k͡paikpai] adj.

very few; “one in a number”; an occasional one:

Emwan kpaikpai ọ sẹ evba ― “Only a few people get as far as there.”

kpakpakpa [k͡pàk͡pàk͡pà] adv.

describes the friskiness of an excited person or animal:

Ọ fi kpakpakpa ― “He is darting up and down excitedly.”

kpalọ [k͡pàlɔ́] vb.

to peel; to strip the bark off (e.g. a piece of wood or a tree-trunk):

Lahọ, kpalọ alimoi na mẹ ― “Please peel this orange for me.”

kpannọ [k͡pã̀nɔ̃́] vb.

reit. or pl. sense of kpaẹn:

Ebe hia kpannọ vuọn otọ ― “The leaves have all fallen to the ground.”

kpannọkpannọ [k͡pã̀nɔ̃̀k͡pã̀nɔ̃̀] adj.

(used with ye) describes a very rough surface.

kpaọ [k͡pàɔ́] vb.

to leave; to depart:

Erhae kpaọ gha rrie Eko ― “His father left and went to Lagos.”

kpasi [k͡pàsì] adv.

describes a manner of standing: firmly and upright:

Ọ mudia kpasi ― “He stood up straight and firm.”

kpataki [kpàtàkì] adj.

important; significant:

Ọmwan kpataki nọ vbe ẹvbo na ― “He is an important person in this town.”

kpatalẹ [k͡pàtálɛ̀] vb.

to defecate (not in popular use).

kpe [k͡pé] vb.

1. to wash (something):

kpe ọkpan: to wash dishes; to do dishes

.

2. to immunize oneself with charms against various sources of harm;

3. to dress a wound: of. kpẹtẹ.

kpee¹ [kpèé] vb.

1. to play a musical instrument:

Iran gha kpee ema vbe odọ ― “They are playing drums over there.”

;

2. to sing and dance in a procession:

Iku kpee dee vbe urria: “A dance group is approaching in the distance”

.

kpee² [k͡pèé] vb.

to blame (somebody) for something that went wrong; to accuse of being responsible for a mishap:

Ghẹ kpee mwẹn ighẹ i ma ren ọkpa, i ma rẹn eva vbe emwin ne ọ ruẹ ― “Don’t blame me, for I know nothing about what is wrong with you.”

kpee³ [kpèé] vb.

to shout continuously; to scream:

Ọ kpee eve rua vbe ọ ya aro miẹ ọnrẹn ― “She shouted out a cry when she saw it with her eyes: She burst out crying when she set eyes on it.”

kpee⁵ [k͡pèé] vb.

(with uhunmwun: “head”): to ache:

uhunmwun kpee mwẹn: “My head is aching me: I have a headache.”

kpeema [k͡pèémà] vb.

(< kpee¹ ― ema) “to play drums”: to drum.

kpeghe [k͡pèɣé] vb.

to shake; to sway:

Akọn mwẹn kpeghe ― “My tooth is shaking.”

kpẹẹ [k͡pɛ̀é] vb.

to be a long time, to remain for long.:

Ọ kpẹre vbe ugbo ― “He was a long time at the farm.”

kpẹghẹẹ [k͡pɛ̀ɣɛ̀ɛ̀] adj.

describes something that is very smooth:

Ukhu egbe ẹre ye kpẹghẹẹ ― “Her skin is very smooth.”

kpẹkuru [k͡pɛ̀kùɽù] adj.

short.

kpẹkpẹ [k͡pɛ̀k͡pɛ́] vb.

to frequent a place; to visit frequently.

Ọ kpẹkpẹ vbe owa mwẹn ― “He visits my house often.”

kpẹn [k͡pɛ̃́] vb.

(with iyan or ema): to harvest.

Iran gha kpẹn iyan vbe ugbo ― “They are harvesting yams at the farm.”

kpẹnrẹn [k͡pɛ̃́ɽɛ̃́] adj.

of very limited value; not much:

Ẹghe kpẹnrẹn ẹre ọ gbe vbe evba ― “It was a very short time that he spent there.”

kpẹtẹsi [k͡pɛ̀tɛ́sì] n.

cf. ekpẹtẹsi.

kpẹwẹkpẹwẹ [kpɛ̀wɛ̀kpɛ̀wɛ̀] adj.

unhealthily; puffy:

irho kpẹwẹkpẹwẹ ― “puffy cheeks.”

kpigho [k͡píɣò] vb.

(< kpe-ìgho) “to wash horns”: (idiom) to struggle (with somebody); to compete (with somebody):

Iran vbe arowa re gha kpigho ― “He is having a struggle with his master.”

kpiii [kpììì] adv.

describes a loud applause by a crowd. (also tiii).

kpogho¹ [k͡pòɣó] vb.

to be loose; not tight:

Italawẹ na kpogho vbe ẹkun mwẹn ― “These trousers are loose around my waist.”

(also logho).

kpogho² [k͡pòɣó] vb.

to make a solution; to prepare a liquid mixture:

Kpogho ukhunmwun nẹẹn nẹ ọ wọn ― “Mix a solution of medicine for him to drink.”

kpokpo [k͡pòk͡pó] vb.

to worry (somebody); to harass; to disturb.

kpola [k͡pòló] vb.

1. to sweep;

2. to gather (things) together; to assemble (things):

Emwin hia ma ghi mwẹn vbe owa, avbe oyi kpolo ehia, iran viọre. “All the things that we have in the house, the thieves assembled all and took away”

; (cf. koko¹).

kpoo¹ [k͡pòó] vb.

to sink; to give way (e.g. of the ground):

Otọ kpooro vbe iyekowa ― “The ground sank in the backyard.”

kpoo² [k͡pòò] adv.

describes intensity of brightness, (e.g. of a flame):

Erhẹn baa kpoo ― “The fire is flaming very brightly.”

kpoorhu [k͡pòórhù] vb.

(< kpee-urhu) “to shout voice”: to preach.

kpọ [k͡pɔ́] vb.

to be plentiful; to be in large supply:

Evbare waa kpọ vbe ẹvbo na ― “Food is in large supply in this town.”

kpọkọ [k͡pɔ̀kɔ́] vb.

to dribble; to emit saliva: (of infants, after a meal.)

kpọkpọọkpọ [k͡pɔ́kpɔ́ɔ́kpɔ́] adv.

(usually with hunwan: to be silent) total silence:

Iran hunwan kpọkpọọkpọ ― “They maintained total silence.”

kpọlọ [k͡pɔ̀lɔ́] vb.

to be large; big; huge.

Owa ne ọ bọe waa kpọlọ ― “The house he built is quite large.”

kpọnrọnkpọnrọn [k͡pɔ̃̀ɽ̃ɔ̃̀kpɔ̃̀ɽ̃ɔ̃̀] adj.

(with aro: eye) protruding:

Ọ ru aro kpọnrọnkpọnrọn vbe aro ẹkirẹ ― “He has protruding eyes like those of a frog.”

kpọnmwẹn [k͡pɔ̃̀ɱɛ̃́] vb.

to thank; to give thanks to:

Ọ kpọnmwẹn mwẹn ye iyobo ne i rhie nẹẹn ― “He thanked me for the help I gave him.”

la¹ [lá] vb.

1. to pass; to take (i.e. a certain way); to cross.

Edinran u lae ra odọ? ― “Was it this way you took or the other (way)?”

;

2. to expire; to be out-dated:

Ẹghẹ ọre la ne; a i ghi ru ẹe: Its time has passed; it is no longer done

.

la² [lá] vb.

to be loud; to resound:

Urhu ẹre la sẹ ọghomwẹn ― “His voice is louder than mine.”

la³ [lá] vb.

1. to emit pus (e.g. of an infected ear):

Ehọ ọre la: “His ear is giving off pus”

.

2. to produce water; to run (of a faucet):

Ọgba ne ọ rre owa na i la ― “The tap in this house does not run.”

la⁴ [lá] idiom.

(as part of a clan greeting): the first part of a clan greeting, such as “Lamogun”; “Laani” etc., which is used by younger or junior people to their elders and superiors as part of the morning greeting. The greetings may also be used on other occasions to extend respect, deference or goodwill.

laa [làá] vb.

to haul or carry many things, individually:

yaa laa iyan na laọ owa ― “Go and carry each of those yams into the house”

.

ladian [làdã̀ã́] vb.

to come out; to appear.

Ọ ladian vbe iyekowa ― “He appeared in the backyard”

.

lagha [làɣá] vb.

to dangle; to hang:

Obọ ovbuẹ lagha fua vbe uwu ukpọn ― “Your child’s arm is dangling from the cloth” (i.e. the cloth with which the child is tied behind his mother.)

laghalagha [làɣàlàɣà] adv.; adj.

describes something that is dangling.

Abọ ọre ne ọ bunrun de rrọọ laghalagha ― “The branch of it that was broken hung in a dangling form.”

lahọ [làhɔ́] vb.

please:

Lahọ, mu mẹ ― “Please, help me to lift the load on my head.”

lalọ [làlɔ́] vb.

to lick:

Ọ lalọ uwọnmwẹn foo nẹ ― “He has finished licking the soup.”

laọ [làɔ́] vb.

1. to enter (e.g. into a house):

Ọ ma laọ uwowa vbe ọ sẹ emwan ― “He did not come into the house when he got here”

: (also lao);

2. prep. occurs after verbs such as rhie, mu, vio, etc., to mean “into”:

Ọ mu ihẹ ọre laọ owa ― “He carried his load into the house.”

le¹ [lé] vb.

1. to cook food; to prepare food:

Ọ gua le ere ― “She knows how to cook beans.”

;

2. to immunize with charms.

le² [lé] vb.

to be very dirty; to be filthy:

Te ughugha ere le ― “His room is filthy”

.

lee [lèé] vb.

(used with yan) to insult somebody with abuses and belittling gestures:

Ọ lee yan rẹn ― “She rained abuses on him and belittled him with gestures.”

(also leghe).

lele¹ [lèlé] vb.

1. to follow; to accompany:

Ọ lele erhae gha rrie ugbo ― “He followed his father to the farm.”

lele² [lèlé] vb.

1. to roam; to wander:

Ọ lele ẹvbo hia khian ― “He is travelling through every country”

;

2. to be everywhere:

Utun wa lele ehehia vbe ugbo na ― “There are mushrooms everywhere in this farm.”

lele³ [lèlé] prep.

1. along; with:

Ọ viẹ lele ẹre dee ― “He is crying along with him as they approach”

(i.e. either he alone is crying or they are both crying);

2. after:

Ọ rhulẹ lele ẹre dee ― “She is running after him as he approaches”

(i.e. he is ahead of her, and not running). If he were also running with her, then the meaning of lele in the sentence would be “along” or “with” rather than “after”).

lẹẹ¹ [lɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

to flee; to run away:

Oyi nii lẹẹre ― “That thief fled.”

; 2. (of river) to flow.

lẹẹ² [lɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

to run (off colour); to wash off colour; to be non-colourfast.

Ukpọn na lẹẹ ― “This cloth runs”

.

lẹgaa [lɛ̀gàá] vb.

to surround; to go around. 2. as a prep. it means “around”:

Ọ gba ogba legaa owa re ― “He built a fence around his house.”

lẹlẹẹlẹ [lɛ́lɛ́ɛ́lɛ́] adj.

(with ye) huge; very big:

Ọmọ ne ọ biẹe ye lẹlẹẹlẹ ― “The baby she gave birth to is very big.”

lẹre [lɛ̀ɽé] vb.

to hide:

Ọ lẹre ye iyeke ẹkhu ― “He hid behind the door.”

lẹu [lɛ̀u] adv.

describes the sound made by a heavy object when it drops and hits the ground.

Ọ de lẹu ― “It fell heavily”

.

lẹulẹu [lɛ́úlɛ́u] adj.

large-sized, huge:

Iran hia ye lẹulẹu ― “They are all bigger than average size”

.

lẹvbo [lɛ́ʋò] vb.

(< la ― ẹvbo) “to pass town”: to roam through town; to perambulate.

lighi [lìɣí] vb.

1. to tangle (e.g. of a string);

2. to disrupt; to disturb peace (e.g. of a gathering):

Ọ lighi iko ne iran do rua ― He disrupted the meeting that they were holding

.

likpalikpa [lìk͡pàlìk͡pà] adj.; adv.

describes a rough surface, or a lumpy substance:

Aro ọre ye likpalikpa ― “His face is not smooth.”

logho [lòɣó] vb.

1. to be watery (of a solution):

Uwonmwẹn na logho gbe ― “This soup is too watery: it is not thick enough.”

2. to be slack; not tight:

Ewu na logho vbe egbe mwẹn ― “This dress is too slack on me.”

(also kpogho).

loghologho ― watery

; 3 loose.

loo [lòó] vb.

1. to use:

Erọ mwẹn ẹre ọ looro ya fiaẹn ― “It was my knife that he used to cut it.”

;

2. to spend (e.g. time; money; etc.).

Uzọla eva ẹre ọ looro vbe evba nii ― “Two weeks was what he spent in that town.”

;

Ọ loo ígho hia ne ọ guẹe foo ― “He spent all the money that he had.”

lore [lóé] vb.

to roam; to walk about (also lẹvbo).

lọ [lɔ́] vb.

1. to grind:

Ọ lọ ẹhiẹn: She ground pepper

;

2. to sharpen:

lọ erọ na mẹ ― “Sharpen this knife for me.”

;

3. (idiomatic): to be a witch.

lọọ [lɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

1. to press clothes with an iron:

Ọ gha lọọ ewu ne ọ khian yọ ― “She is pressing the dress that she will wear.”

;

2. to press over or hit with something heavy:

Ọ ya odo lọọ ọre obọ ― “She pressed over her hand with the mortar.”

lọghọ¹ [lɔ̀ɣɔ́] vb.

1. to be difficult; to be taxing:

Iwinna na lọghọ gbe ― “This work is very difficult.”

2. to cause suffering or agony:

Uhunmwonva na waa lọghọ mwẹn ― This sickness is really causing me a lot of agony

.

lọghọ² [lɔ̀ɣɔ́] vb.

to dangle (cf. lagha).

lọghọlọghọ [lɔ̀ɣɔ̀lɔ̀ɣɔ̀] adv.; adj.

cf. laghalagha.

lọlọ [lɔ̀lɔ́] vb.

iter. of lọọ²:

Ọ ya ekpa lọlọ ọre arọ ― “He pounded his face with blows (from his fist).”

lue [lùé] vb.

to chew:

lue unu ― “to chew mouth”; “to munch”

.

luẹluẹ [lwɛ̀lwɛ́] vb.

1. (of plants) to wither;

2. to be fatigued.

lughaẹn [lúɣãɛ̃̀] vb.

to be different; to be unique:

Ọna ọ lughaẹn vbe uwu iran ― “This is the unique one among them.”

lughu [lùɣú] vb.

to stir up; to disturb:

Ọ lughu amẹ nii ― “She stirred up the water”

. 2. to be unsettled; to be turbulent:

Ẹko mwẹn lughu ne i na rhulẹ ― “My stomach became unsettled because I ran.”

luluulu [lúlúúlú] adj.; adv.

cf. lẹlẹẹlẹ.

lurho [lúřò] vb.

“to pass gates”: to go from door to door.; to make the round of houses.

ma¹ [mã́] vb.

to fit; to suit (e.g. of clothing),

Ẹwu naa ma mwẹn ― “This dress suits me (i.e. it looks good on me).”

ma² [mã́] vb.

to form a crowd; to cram:

Evbo ma ye evba ― “People have formed a crowd there.”

ma³ [mã́] vb.

1. to mould something (e.g. pots or building blocks). (cf. manọ¹)

2. to make; to install (into office).

ma⁴ [mã́] aux.

to pretend to be doing something:

Ọ ma viẹ ― “He is only pretending to be crying.”

ma⁵ [mã́] adv.

the neg. particle in clauses with past or perfect tense meaning:

I ma yo: “I did not go.”

I ma he yo ― “I have not yet gone”

.

ma⁶ [mã́] aux.

1. indicates that the action in the main verb had been performed sometime before:

Ọ ma nọ ọnrẹn nẹ ― “He had asked him already before.”

ma [mã̀] pron.

a form of the 1st per. pl. pronoun; it usually serves as subj. of the clause or sentence in which it occurs:

Ma sẹ owa nẹ ― “We have reached home already”

.

maa¹ [mã̀ã́] vb.

1. to teach; to show:

Ọ maa ọnrẹn ebe: “He taught her (book)”

.

Ọ maa mwẹn odẹ ― He showed me the way

;

2. prep. occurs after verbs such as rhie, ta, kha, etc. as the equivalent of the prep. “to”:

Ọ rhie ẹre maa mwẹn ― “He showed it to me.”

maa² [màá] vb.

to be good; nice; proper, etc.

Okhuo na maa mẹ gbe ― “This woman is very good to me.”

malomalo [málómáló] adj.; adv.

1. twisted, rumpled.

2. roughly; untidily: in appearance:

Ọ vbuọ ukpọn nii malomalo ― “He folded that cloth roughly.”

mama¹ [mã̀mã́] vb.

1. to adhere; to stick together;

Ukpọn ne ọ hẹ ye ẹkpẹtin hia mama kugbe ― “The clothes he packed into the chest have all stuck together.”

mama² [mã̀mã́] vb.

to massage:

Ọ ya ukpọn mama ọnrẹn egbe ― “She massaged his body with a piece of cloth.”

manọ¹ [mã̀nɔ̃́] vb.

iter. or pl. of ma³:

Iran manọ akhe vuọn otọ ― “They moulded pots all over the place.”

manọ² [mã̀nɔ̃́] vb.

to writhe; to twist and roll oneself about. (e.g. with pain or discomfort).

Ọ gha manọ yo manọ rre vbe ukpo ― “He is writhing on the bed.”

meto [mẽ̀tó] vb.

(< mọ ― eto) to plait hair.

mẹ¹ [mɛ̃́] vb.

to hiss (to express contempt or grief.)

Ọ mẹ suẹẹn: “She hissed a hissing sound”

.

mẹ² [mɛ̃́] vb.

to plait hair.

Ọ guẹ eto ne a mẹ ― “She is good at hair-plaiting.”

mẹ³ [mɛ̃́] pron.

1. a form of the emphatic 1st per. sgl. pronominal which serves as subject of the clause or sentence in which it occurs:

Mẹ yo nẹ ― “I have gone already”

;

2. with a high tone, it represents the indirect object form of the 1st pers. sgl. pron.

Ọ rhie mẹ ― “He gave me”

(The high tone on the prououn is realized as slightly lower than the preceding high tone because it is at an utterance final position).

mẹtin [mɛ̃̀tĩ́] n.

cf. sẹtin.

mi [mĩ́] vb.

to squeeze; to wring:

Ọ mi ukpọn nii ọ ke taẹn ― “She wrung that cloth before she spread it out.”

miamia [mỹã̀mỹã́] vb.

to forget:

Ọ miamia eni mwẹn ― He forgot my name

.

miaro¹ [myã́ɽò] vb.

(< miẹ ― aro) “to find eye”, to have the opportunity to do something:

I ma miaro ya sẹ odẹ ọghuẹ ― “I did not find the chance to get to your place: I have been pre-occupied”

.

miaro² [myã́ɽò] vb.

(< mi ― aro) “to squeeze eye” 1. to make faces at; to sneer at.

miegbe [myẽ̀gbé] vb.

(< miẹ ― egbe) “to see each other”; to meet.

miẹ [myiɛ̃́] vb.

to see; to find:

I miẹ iyan ne u viọ rre ― “I saw the yams that you brought.”

miẹ [myɛ̃́] vb.

to accept; to receive:

Ọ miẹn mwẹn ígho ― “She accepted (the) money from me.”

miẹdia [myɛ̃̀dìá] vb.

to be in waiting; to grant audience to.

miẹfan [myɛ̃̀fã́] vb.

to redeem; to rescue.

miẹkue [myɛ̃̀kwé] vb.

to admit (something) as fact; to confess to something.:

Ọ miẹkue íghẹ rẹn ọ rriọe ― “He admitted that he was the one who ate it.”

miẹrhie [myɛ̃́řìè] vb.

(< mie ― rhie): “to see and take”; to come upon; to find; to discover.

Ọ mie ígho rhie vbe odẹki ― “He found some money on the way to the market.”

miẹmiẹ¹ [myɛ̃̀myɛ̃́] vb.

to suck something:

Ọ gha miẹmiẹ ikpẹ ọmerhan ― “He is sucking the seed of a fruit.”

miẹmiẹ² [myɛ̃̀myɛ̃́] vb.

to be sugarysweet:

ọ miẹmiẹ sọsọsọ: “It is overly sweet”

.

miẹmiẹmiẹ [myɛ̃̀myɛ̃̀myɛ̃̀] adj.

(usually with the vb., ye) sugary sweet.

migbo [mĩ́g͡bó] vb.

to echo:

Urhu ẹre migbo la umọdia ― “His voice echoed down the street.”

mile [mílè] vb.

(< miẹ ― ile) “to accept a bet” to make a bet; to bet. (also tile: < ta ile ― “to say a bet”).

mimi [mĩ̀mĩ́] vb.

(with aro) to shut; to close:

Wa mimi aro ne a nerhunmwun: “Close your eyes and let us pray.”

mina [mĩ̀nã́] vb.

to dream:

Ọ mina miẹ ọse ọre nasọn ― “He dreamt about his friend last night”

.

miobọ [myõ̀bɔ́] vb.

“to find hand”: to find time; to be chanced:

I ma miobọ ya rre nodẹ ― “I did not find time to come yesterday.”

(cf. miaro).

miọghọn [mĩɔ̃̀ɣɔ̃́] vb.

1. to be slippery; to cause to slip:

Eke ne ọ tue amẹ yi na miọghọn ― “This place where he spilled water is slippery”

;

2. to slip:

Ọkpan miọghọn fua vbe obọ mwẹn ― “The plate slipped out of my hand.”

(cf. khuo).

miọghọọn [myɔ̃̀ɣɔ̃̀ɔ̃̀] adj.

(usually with ye) smooth glossy:

Egbe ẹre ye miọghọọn ― “Her body is very smooth.”

mitan [mĩ̀tã́] vb.

to be lazy; to be sluggish:

Ọvbokhan naa mitan gbe ― “This child is very lazy.”

mitanmitan [mĩ̀tã̀mĩ̀tã̀] adv.; adj.

lazy; weak; wretched:

Ọ gha họ ukpọn vba mitanmitan ― “She is washing clothes over there in a very lazy manner.”

Oghẹdẹ na ye mitanmitan ― “These plantains are very wretched”

.

miuhunmwun [myũ̀hṹɱũ̀] vb.

(< mie ― uhunmwun) “to see head”: to survive:

Ẹi miuhunmwun vbe eke ne iran gie ẹre na ― “He won’t survive from this mission that they have sent him.”

mobọ [mòbɔ́] adv.

very much; very well:

Evbare na mobọ rhiẹnrhiẹn ― “This meal is very delicious”

.

mohu [móhù] vb.

to be angry. (also muohu).

mose [mòsé] vb.

to be beautiful; lovely; nice.

mosee [mòsèè] adj.

very beautiful; appealing:

Ẹvbo na ye mosee ― “This town is very beautiful.”

(also mosemose).

mosemose [mòsèmòsè] adj.; adv.

1. cf. mosee.

2. beautifully.

mọ [mɔ̃́] vb.

to bear fruit.

Erhan ogui na ma mọ ukpo na ― “This ogui tree did not bear fruit this year.”

mọmọ [mɔ̃̀mɔ̃́] vb.

1. to borrow:

Ọ mọmọ igho vbe aza ya bowa ― “He borrowed money from the bank to build a house.”

;

2. to lend:

Ọ mọmọ igho nẹẹn ya dẹ evbare: “He lent him money to buy food with.”

mọtọn [mɔ̃́tɔ̃̀] vb.

“to acquire rust”

1. to rust;

2. to be rusty;

ise na mọtọn ― “This nail is rusty”

(also muọtọn).

mu¹ [mṹ] vb.

to carry; to lift up:

Ọ mu aga yan uhunmwun eteburu ― He lifted the chair on top of the table

.

mu² [mṹ] vb.

to catch; to capture; to arrest:

Olakpa mu iran vbe odẹ ẹki ― “The police arrested them on the way to the market.”

mu³ [mṹ] vb.

1. to be afflicted (e.g. by disease or sickness) (the cause of affliction is always subject of sentence):

Oni mu ẹnrẹn nasọn ― “He was afflicted by fever last night.”

;

2. to be moved emotionally or psychologically (the emotion or psych. state often occurs as subject):

Ohu mu mwẹn ― “I am angry”

.

Ekhue mu ẹnrẹn ― “He was shamed.”

mu⁴ [mṹ] vb.

to acquire (usually a status):

Ọ mu okaro vbe edanmwẹn ne iran ruu ― “He acquired the first position in the exam that they did.”

Ọ mu eyẹ nẹ ― “He has already acquired a grandparent’s status.”

mu⁵ [mṹ] vb.

to be sharp:

Ọpia na i mu ― “This machete is not sharp.”

mu⁶ [mṹ] vb.

1. (of soup) to lose taste; (e.g. from having been kept for too long):

Uwọnmwẹn na mu nẹ ― “This soup has deteriorated”

;

2. (of day) to lose light; to grow dark:

Ẹdẹ mu nẹ ― “The day has grown dark.”

mu-dede [mũ̀dèdé] idiom.

to embrace; to hug:

Ọ muerhae dede ― “He embraced his father.”

mu-fua [mũ̀fùá] idiom.

to lose:

Ọ mu ígho fua vbe odẹ ― “He lost money on the way.”

mu-gba [mũ̀g͡bá] idiom.

cf. mu-rri.

mu-gbọọ [mũ̀g͡bɔ́] idiom.

to establish; to found:

Ọ mu esuku gbọọ ye ẹvbo ima ― “He established a school in our town.”

mu-hẹn [mũ̀hɛ̃́] idiom.

to initiate; to start:

Ọ ma he ye mu iwinna nii hẹn ― “He still hadn’t started on that job.”

mu-hin [mũ̀hĩ́] idiom.

to store away (something); to conceal:

Ọ ya mu ígho hin vbe aza ― “He went and stored away money in the bank.”

(also mu-lẹree). 2. to remove from; to take away from.

mu-kee [mũ̀kèé] idiom.

to put on the fire (to cook):

Ọ mu iyan kee ― “He put some yam on the fire (to cook).”

mu-khuẹ [mũ̀xùɛ́] idiom.

to promise away in marriage; to betroth:

ọ mu ovbi-ẹre nọdiọn khuẹ mẹ ― “He betrothed his oldest daughter to me”

.

mu-khui [mũ̀xwí] idiom.

to arrest.

Olakpa mu Ozo khui ― “The police has arrested Ozo.”

mu-kpaa [mũ̀k͡pàá] idiom.

to help to carry load.

Ọ ma miẹ omwan ne ọ gha mu ihẹ kpaa ore ― “She did not find anybody to help her carry some of her load.”

mu-lẹree [mũ̀lɛ̀ɽèé] idiom.

to conceal something. (cf. mu hin).

mu-maa [mũ̀màá] idiom.

to show (something) to.

Ọ mu owẹ ne ọ bunrun ma mwẹn ― “He showed me his broken leg.”

mu-na [mũ̀nã́] idiom.

to give (something big or bulky) to:

Ọ mu owa ne ima ― “He donated a house to us.”

The particle na changes to ne when immediately followed by its object.

mu-rre [mũ̀ré] idiom.

to bring:

Imoto mu iran rri Ẹdo ― “A vehicle brought them to Benin.”

The particle rre changes to rri when immediately followed by its object.

mu-rri [mũ̀rí] idiom.

to get stuck; to experience a stalemate; to encounter difficulties ―

Ẹmwẹn iwinna rẹn mu-rri. He has encountered a stalemate in the matter of his job. (i.e. he hasn’t made any progress in his job prospects)

. (also mu-gba).

mu-roo [mũ̀ɽòó] idiom.

“to worry about (something)”; to grieve over:

Ẹmwẹn ovbi ẹre ne ọ wuu ẹre ọ mu-rooro ― “It is the matter of his deceased child that he is grieving about.”

mu-ru [mũ̀ɽú] idiom.

to cheat (somebody).

Ọ mu iyẹe ru gbe ― “He cheats his mother excessively.”

mu-ve [mũ̀vé] idiom.

to buy wholesale:

Ọ mu ikhiavbọ nii ve ― “He bought that okro wholesale.”

mu-vbovbo [mũ̀ʋòʋó] idiom.

to carry on the back:

Ọ mu ovbi-ẹre vbovbo ― “She backed her child.”

mua¹ [mũ̀ã́] vb.

to multiply; to increase.

Ọ mua ígho ne ọ ya suẹn ẹki igbava nẹ ― “She has multiplied the amount with which she started trading twice over already.”

mua² [mũ̀ã́] vb.

(with ẹmwẹn) to argue with; to disagree with.

Ọ mua arowa re ẹmwẹn ― “She disagreed with what her husband said.”

muawẹ [nw̃áwɛ̀] vb.

(< mu ― awẹ) “to hold fast”: to observe a fast; to fast.

muegbe¹ [mwẽ̀gbé] vb.

(< mu¹ ― egbe) “to carry body” to prepare; to get ready.

muegbe² [mwẽ̀gbé] vb.

(< mu ― egbe) to dress up; to adorn oneself.

muẹmuẹ [mwɛ̃̀mwɛ̃́] vb.

to idle:

Ọ gha muẹmuẹ vbe ẹziekẹn ― “She is idling by the corner.”

mugbo [mwgbó] vb.

(< mu ― ugbo) to make farm; to start a farm.

muigbinna [mwígbĩ́nã̀] vb.

to stop a fight; to settle a quarrel.

muma [mũ̀mã́] vb.

to form a lump; to cling together into a lump.

muniẹ [mṹnĩɛ̃́] vb.

to be sluggish; clumsy.

muohan [mwõ̀hã́] vb.

1. to be afraid; to be frightened:

Ọ muohan mwẹn: “He is afraid of me”

;

2. to terrify; to make afraid:

Ebiebi mu mwẹn ohan ― “Darkness terrifies me.”

muohan [mũõ̀hã́] vb.

to offer as a gift; to present.

Ọ ya igho muohan ne iran ― “He presented them with money”

.

muohioro [mũóhióɽò] vb.

to be lonely; to be desolate.

Owa na mu ọmwan ohioro ― “this house makes one feel lonely.”

muohu [mwóhù] vb.

cf. mohu.

mwaan¹ [ɱã̀ã́] vb.

to measure; to gauge; to weigh:

Mwaan ọnrẹn ne a rẹn vbene ọ tan sẹ hẹẹ ― “Measure it so that we may know how long it is.”

mwaan² [ɱã̀ã́] vb.

to perform a surgical operation on; to cut open the body as part of an operation:

Te iran mwaan ẹnrẹn egbe vbe asokito ― “He was operated upon at the hospital.”

(Also used of corpses to describe the process of an autopsy).

mwaanmẹ [ɱã̀ã́mɛ̃̀] vb.

(< mwẹẹn + amẹ) to be juicy; to contain much fluid:

Ivin-ebo na waa mwaanmẹ ― “This coconut has much milk.”

mwan [ɱã́] pron.

a form of the 1st pers. pl. pron. used mainly in religious contexts: our; us:

orukhọ mwan ― “our sins”

;

miẹn mwan fan ― “save us”

; etc.

mwanmwan [ɱã̀ɱã́] vb.

to arrange (things and people):

Ọ mwamnwan ukpọn ye ẹkpẹtin ― “He arranged clothes into the box.”

mwẹẹn [ɱɛ̃̀ɛ̃́] vb.

to have; to possess:

ọ mwẹẹn emọ eva ― “She has two children.”

mwẹn-ígho ― “to be affluent.”

mwẹn [ɱɛ̃́] pron.

a form of the 1st pers. sg. pron: me; my:

ọ gbe mwẹn ― “He beat me.”

Ọse mwẹn ― “my friend.”

mwọọnghae [ɱɔ̃̀ɔ̃́ɣaè] vb.

(< mwẹẹn + ọghae) to be warm in temperature (e.g. water, or the body, etc.).

na¹ [nã́] vb.

1. to narrate:

Ozo na evbene emwin nii hia ya sunu hẹẹ ― “Ozo narrated how all those things came about”

;

2. to say, to utter (e.g. a prayer). (cf. naa).

na² [nã́] adv.

sequential marker: then; and then:

Ọ ghi tuẹ iran nẹ, ọ na tota: ― “After he had greeted them, he then sat down.”

na³ [nã́] prep.

A variant of the prep. ne which introduces the recipient or beneficiary in a sentence with verbs such as rhie, mu, viọ, etc. na is used when the complement NP does not immediately follow it:

Ọ rhie ígho ne Ozo: “He gave money to Ozo”

;

Ozo ẹre ọ rhie ígho na ― “It is Ozo that he gave the money to.”

na [nã́] adv.

1. occurs in relative clauses in which the relation is either temporal or locational:

Ẹghẹ ne ọ na rre, ma ma miẹ ọnrẹn ― “At the time when he came, we did not see him.”

2.

Ọ khama ima ehe ne ọ na miẹ ọnrẹn ― “She told us the place where she saw him.”

na [nà] dem. pron.

1. this:

Owa na ẹre ọ ye ― “This house is where he lives.”

;

2. general proximate: nearest, next before or after (in terms of place, order, time, thought sequence, causation, etc.):

Emwin ne u ru na i yẹ mwẹn ― “What you are doing now does not please me.”

Ne ọ na rre na, vbe ọ ghi ra dia? “As he has now come, where will he stay?”

.

naa [nã̀ã́] vb.

to spread uncomplimentary information about; to broadcast maliciously:

Ọ gha naa mwẹn khian ighẹ i ma rhie okhuo: “He is spreading unpleasant news about me concerning my not marrying.”

naa-ẹko [nã̀ɛkó] idiom.

to make pregnant; to put in the family way:

Ozo ọ naa Atiti ẹko: “It was Ozo that put Atiti in the family way.”

namwunsin [náɱṹsĩ̀] adv.

― cf. enamwunsin.

nana [nã̀nã́] vb.

1. to tread step by step; to climb gradually;

Fẹkọ nanaẹ ne u ghẹ de ― “Climb it slowly and gradually so that you may not fall.”

2. to narrate in detail; to spell out fully.

nè¹ [nè] rel. pron.

it introduces a relative clause; the vowel is usually deleted before the vowel of the pron. subj. of the rel. clause, or the initial vowel of the following noun:

Ọ ma mwẹn eke nẹ ọ diaa: “He showed me where he stays.”

nè² [nè] prep.

see na³.

nè³ [nè] adv.

so that; that:

Lare ne i khama ruẹn ― “Come so that I may tell you (something).”

né¹ [né] complz.

serves as a complementizer for (embedded) subjunctive clauses:

I ho ne u gha die owa mwẹn ― “I want you to come to my house.”

Ọ we ne ima kpaọ ― “He said that we should leave.”

(e)né² [(e)né] dem.; art.

1. serves to specify a definite reference; the vowel is usually deleted before a following vowel in normal speech:

ene ọmwan vboo? “Where is the person?”

I dẹ ene ukpọn ne u khare ― “I bought the cloth that you indicated.”

In this sense, ne, though translated as “the”, is different from the English def. article in that when it occurs with a noun, it does not merely indicate that the noun is not a first mention, but more strongly indicates that it is a specific reference: note the difference between these two sentences:

I miẹ ọnrẹn vbe ẹki. “I saw it at the market”

.

I miẹ ọnrẹn vbe ene eki. “I saw it at that particular market”

;

2. also serves to make attributive adjectives out of certain stative vbs:

kherhe ― “to be small”

;

nekherhe ― “small”

;

wẹnrẹn ― “to be thin”

;

newẹnrẹn ― “thin.”

né³ [né] epithetic part.

1. introduces attributive or titular qualifiers of a noun:

ọvbi-ẹre nokpia: “his male son”

;

Arhuanran n’olẹtin: “Arhuanran the strong one”

, etc.;

2. when it introduces a noun which serves as qualifier of itself, the particle usually serves to amplify the meaning of the noun, or to indicate the authenticity of the value of the noun:

okpia ne okpia nọ ― “He is a real man”

:

Ẹzọ ne ẹzọ ẹre ọ gui rhu ruẹ naa ― “It is a very solid case that he has argued against you.”

né⁴ [né] temp. part.

occurs before temporal nouns to express the sense of “that has passed”:

nukpo ― “the year that has passed” ― “a year ago”; “last year”

;

n’owiẹ-ẹrẹ ― “the morning that has passed”: this morning

.

negẹdẹẹgbẹ [négɛ̀dɛ̀g͡bɛ̀] adj.

very big, huge.

nekherhe [néxeře] adj.

small; little:

Owa nekherhe ― “a little house.”

nekhui [néxwì] adj.

black:

Ọmwan nekhui ― “a black person.”

nene [néne] dem. art.

emphatic form of né²:

n’okpia ọna khin ― “This is the man (we were talking about).”

nene okpia ọna khin ― “This is the very man (we were talking about).”

nerhunmwun [néřũ̀ɱũ̀] vb.

to pray (also lerhunmwun).

nẹ¹ [nɛ́] vb.

to defecate; to pass out faeces.

nẹ² [nɛ́] adv.

already:

Ọ wu nẹ ra? “Has he died already?”

nẹ³ [nɛ́] n.

the form of the 3rd per. sgl. pronoun “it” which occurs with the interrogative word vboo:

nẹ vboo nia ― “Where is it now?”

nẹdẹ [nɛ́dɛ̀] adj.; adv.

in the days past; in the old days.

nẹdẹso [nɛ́dɛsò] adj.; adv.

some time ago.

nẹghẹdia [nɛ́ɣɛ́dya] adj.; adv.

two days ago (third day back from today).

nẹkpẹnnẹkpẹn [nɛ̃̀kpɛ̃̀nɛ̃̀kpɛ̃̀] adv.

gradually, cautiously:

Si irri nii nẹkpẹnnẹkpẹn ne ẹ ghe fian ― “Pull that rope cautiously so that it won’t cut.”

nẹvusẹn [nɛ́vúsɛ̃̀] adj.; adv.

four days ago (fifth day back from today).

ni¹ [nĩ́] vb.

1. to subscribe (money) toward a group fund; to pay a membership levy:

i ni ígho-emitin mwẹn nẹ ― “I have paid my membership levy for my society”

;

2. to impose a membership levy:

Iran ni ígho-ukpọn emitin gun mwẹn ― “They sent to me about the membership levy I was required to pay, toward the purchase of the society uniform.”

ni² [nĩ́] vb.

1. (of a boat or canoe) to overturn; to sink:

Ọkọ iran ni ye ẹzẹ ― “Their boat overturned in the river.”

ni³ [nĩ́] vb.

(with orhiọn) to fail; to cease:

Orhiọn ni mwẹn ― “Soul has failed me”: “I feel faint; I am tired.”

nia [nĩ̀ã́] adv.

1. now; at this time:

ọ sẹtin gha khian nẹ nia ― He is now able to walk already

;

2. at last, finally:

Eban i ghi doo mioẹn nia ― “It is now that I have finally found it.”

(nia never occurs in utterance initial position).

niania [nyã̀nyã́] vb.

(usually with an abstract obj.) to drag indefinitely; to extend beyond proportions:

Ọ guẹ vbe a niania ẹmwẹn hẹẹ gbe ― “He is too fond of dragging matters indefinitely.”

(also tiantian).

niẹ [nĩ̀ɛ̃́] vb.

1. to stretch; to extend, to point:

Ọ niẹ owẹ gbe odẹ ― “He extended his legs across the way.”

nii [nĩ́ĩ́] dem. adj.

1. “that”:

ebe nii ― “that book”

;

2. generally specifies things remote or far away, in place or time:

Ne u na rre nii ― “that (time) when you came”

;

ehe ne i ma te ye nii ― “that place where we used to be”

, etc.

niwẹwẹ [nĩ́wɛ̀wɛ̀] adj.

(with amẹ) drizzling:

amẹ niwẹwẹ ne ọ miẹ ẹdẹ ― “the drizzling rain that took all day.”

nodẹ [nṍdɛ̀] adv.; adj.

yesterday.

nogie- [nṍgiè] adj.; num.

prefix used with numerals to derive their ordinal forms:

nogieva ― second

;

nogieha ― third

;

nogiene ― fourth

. etc.

nokaro [nṍkàɽò] adv.; adj.

the first.

nọ [nɔ̃́] cop.

to be; a form of the copula which does not take a complement.

Ọse mwẹn nọ ― “My friend it is”: “He is my friend”

.

Rẹn nọ ― “Him it is”: “It is him.”

(also cf. khin.)

nọfua [nɔ̃́fwà] adj.

white; whitish (pl. nefua).

(e)nọkhaevbisẹ [nɔ̃̀xaeʋìsɛ] adj.; n.

“he who says what comes to be”: the one in authority; the presiding authority. (pl. nikhaevbisẹ).

nọkhua [nɔ̃́xwà] adj.

1. big, large ―

erhan nọkhua ― “big tree”

;

2. (with kin terms): grand:

erha-nọkhua ― (pl. nekhua) “grandfather”

.

nọkpa [nɔ̃́kpà] adj.

the other (one):

Ebe nọkpa ọre ọghomwẹn ― “It is the other book that is my own (pl. nekpa).”

nọkpọlọ [nɔ̃̀kpɔ̀lɔ́] adj.

large, expansive:

Ẹvbo nọkpọlọ ọ yẹ mwẹn ― “It is large towns that I like.”

(pl. nikpọlọ).

nọmaa [nɔ̃̀mã̀ã́] adj.

good:

evbare nọmaa ― “good food”

.

nọnọ [nɔ̃̀nɔ̃́] vb.

to drip; to pour a drop at a time, or very slowly e.g.

ofigbọn nọnọ ye aga ― “Some palm oil dripped on the chair.”

nukpo [nṹkpò] adv.; adj.

last year:

Ọ rre nukpo ― “He came last year.”

oba [óbà] n.

dent;

Ikoroba na gbe oba ― “This pail has a dent”

.

obalọ [òbàlɔ̀] n.

pain; misery:

Ọ mu mwẹn fi obalọ ― “He brought me into pain.”

obele [óbèlè] n.

paddle:

Ọ ma miẹ obele ya gua okọ ― “He did not find a paddle with which to row the canoe.”

obẹlẹ [óbɛ̀lɛ̀] n.

a rough path; a track:

Iran fian obẹlẹ dee ― “They are making a track as they approach.”

oberhọmwan [òbéřɔ́ɱã̀] n.

(< obọ-erha-ọmwan) “one’s father’s hand”: the right hand; the right-hand side.

obẹrure [òbáɽúɽé] n.

“the hand that does not do to eat”: a resourceless person; a person with no means:

Ghẹ rhie ọmọ nẹẹn ighẹ obẹrure nọ ― “Don’t give him your child (to marry) for he is a resourceless person.”

obi [óbì] n.

snake-poison.

obiyọmwan [òbíyɔ́ɱã̀] n.

(< obọ-iye ọmwan) “one’s mother’s hand”: the left-hand; the left-hand side (also agobọ).

obobo [óbobò] n.

flower:

Ọ kọlọ obobo mẹ ― “He picked a flower for me.”

obòbo [óbobó] n.

boiled yam or plantain mashed in palm oil; it is often used in izobo (sacrifice).

obodo [òbòdò] n.

a kind of agile dance that entails spinning around several times.

obọ [òbɔ́] n.

1. arm, hand.

Ọ rhie ẹre obọ mwẹẹn ― “He held her by the hand”

;

2. side; direction:

D’obọ ne ọ lae yi ― “What direction did he take”

;

3. prep. with; in the sense of location:

Ọ sẹ iwinna rẹn rae yo ọmwẹn obọ ― “He left his work in my hand: He left his work with me”

;

4. from (in the sense of source):

Ọ doo rhie ọtẹn onrẹn vbe obọ mwẹn ― “He came to take his relative from me.”

obuẹ [óbwɛ́] n.

clay.

odan [ódã́] n.

1. heel;

2. interruption (in conversation):

Ẹghe hia ẹre ọ ya gbe odan yọ mwẹn ẹmwẹn ― “It is at all times that he causes interruptions in my speech.”

odaro [òdáɽò] n.

front; forward direction; ahead:

Sikẹ odaro ― “Move forward.”

odede [ódèdè] n.

1. (with kin terms): grand:

erha-odede ― “grandfather”

;

iye-odede ― grandmother

;

2. senior; leader; elder:

odede iko ― “leader of a society.”

odegbe [òdégbè] n.

a full-grown she-goat.

odekun [òdèkṹ] n.

accident (esp. road accident).

Okuo odekun ghi bun gbe vbe ẹghẹ na ― “The incidence of accidents is too much these days.”

odẹ [òdɛ́] n.

1. way:

Imọto de gbee odọ ― “A car is blocking the way.”

Ma ọnrẹn odẹ ne ọ gha la ― “Show him the way that he can take.”

;

2. a path, road:

Odẹ na i maa ― “This road is not good.”

;

3. manner of doing things:

Gie odẹ evbene a ya ruẹe hẹẹ ma mwẹn ― “Describe the way to do it to me.”

odẹrriẹ [òdɛ́ryɛ̀] n.

(< odẹ-ẹrriẹ) the harem; the women’s quarters in a house.

odibo [òdìbò] n.

1. a reliable and conscientious servant or assistant;

2. a delegate; messenger.

odidọn [òdìdɔ̃̀] n.

(with amẹ) cold:

amẹ odidọn ― “cold water.”

odighi [òdìɣì] n.

lake.

Odighi [òdìɣì] n.

the name of an Edo-speaking village to the West of Benin City.

odìn [ódĩ̀] n.

a deaf and dumb person.

odín¹ [ódĩ́] n.

the deep portions of a river or pool.

odín² [ódĩ́] n.

(as part of the expression kpa-odin) mind; the basis of one’s conviction or reason:

Emwin ne ọ ru nii ke ghi kpa agbọn hia odin ― “That thing that he did indeed disturbed everyone’s mind; i.e.: astonished everyone.”

odiyeke [òdíyèkè] n.

behind; at the back of.

odiyekowa [òdíyekòwá] n.

1. behind the house;

2. a euphemism for toilet facilities.

odò¹ [ódò] n.

a kind of potash used for thickening certain native soups.

odò² [ódò] n.

a disease: a variety of abdominal dropsy.

odó [ódó] n.

mortar, used for pounding.

ododo [ódòdó] n.

scarlet-cloth, used for ceremonial outfits by priests of various gods.

odore [òdóɽé] n.

the front of a house (facing the street).

odọ [òdɔ́] n.

over there:

Yaa mudia vbe odọ ― “Go and wait over there.”

odọnghọn [òdɔ̃̀ɣɔ̃̀] n.

1. the sticky saliva emitted by a drivelling child or invalid;

2. inner membrane enclosing foetus.

odukhunmwun [òdúxũ̀ɱũ̀] n.

1. top (of); top side; up:

Mu ẹnrẹn ye odukhunmwun ― “Place it at the top”

;

2. the skies:

Ọ gbaro ghee odukhunmwun ― “He raised his eyes toward the skies.”

oduma [òdùmã́] n.

lion.

oduwowa [òdúwówà] n.

the sleeping quarters of a house, usually not accessible to strangers or visitors.

ofẹn [òfɛ̃́] n.

mouse, rat.

ofi [òfĩ́] n.

yaws.

ofigbọn [ófĩ́gbɔ̃̀] n.

palm-oil (also ẹvbii).

ogi [ògì] n.

the melon creeper; its fruit and the seeds which are used for making a variety of native soup, also known as egusi (cf. Yoruba egusi).

ogiasọn [ògyàsɔ̃̀] n.

mid-night; dead of the night.

ogiavan [ògyávã̀] n.

mid-afternoon, when the sun is at its brightest and hottest: also ogiavan-ogiohogho.

Ogidigan [ògídígã̀] n.

a praise-name for Ọba Ewuare, which reflects his power and military exploits; equivalent of “the great”.

ogie [ògyè] n.

a titled ruler; a ruling chief; 2. an outstanding or superior variety of any set of things:

ogie-ukpọn ẹre emitin ima dẹe ùkpo na ― “It is a very superior cloth that our society bought this year.”

ogiemwin [ògyéɱì] n.

a most surprising thing; an unusual thing:

Ogiemwin ọna khin ― “This is a most surprising thing.”

ogienebo [ògyènébò] n.

“The white ruler”: the British Monarch, or the white local administrator during the colonial rule.

ogieva [ógyèvà] n.

comrade; friend, associate, etc.:

Ogieva mwẹn nọ ― “He is my friend.”

ogiẹ [ògyɛ́] n.

laughter:

Ọ rhie mwẹn ogiẹ ― “He takes my laughter; i.e. he makes me laugh.”

Ogiso [ògìsó] n.

the title of an early set of kings of Benin who are set to have reigned from about 900 ― 1200 AD.

ogiukpo [ògyùkpò] n.

1. altar (in the Christian church);

2. the dais on which shrines are made.

ogiurro [ògyúrò] n.

the frame of the Isẹ game.

ogolobiẹyẹn [ògòlòbyɛ̀yɛ̃́] n.

praying mantis.

ogologo [ógòlógó] n.

a dancer on stilts; 2. a nickname for an excessively tall person.

ogoro [ògòɽó] n.

male cricket.

ogue [ògúè] n.

state of poverty; destitution.

oguerhan [ógwéřã̀] n.

the shade cast by the foliage of trees; the shaded area under trees.

oguẹga [ògwɛ́gà] n.

a method of divination in which the seeds of the oguẹga tree (Detarium senegalense) are used.

ogui [ógwí] n.

Bush-mango tree (Irvingia gabonensis) and the fruit.

ogunmagala [ógṹmã̀gàlà] n.

chameleon (also ẹrokhin).

oguo [ógwò] n.

rioting; mass fighting.

oguozizi [ógwózìzì] n.

high fever involving much shivering.

ogba¹ [óg͡bà] n.

stake for digging yams.

ogba² [óg͡bà] n.

1. fence:

Ọ ya okpa ematọn gba ogba lẹga owa ọre ― “He fenced his house around with iron rods.”

;

2. a fenced yard or plot.

Iran vẹ laọ ogba esuku ― “They rushed into the (fenced) school compound.”

Ogbe [óg͡bè] n.

the section in Benin where the palace is. Other important public facilities in this area are the Sports Stadium and the air-port.

ogbee [óg͡bèè] n.

next year.

ogbigbi [òg͡bígbì] n.

excitement, sensation, commotion: (e.g. a running crowd):

Iran lẹ dee ogbigbi ― “They are approaching with excitement and commotion.”

ogbodu [òg͡bòdú] n.

a bird: the pintailed whydah.

ogboi [ògboì] n.

1. an ignorant person; an uninformed person:

Ogboi nọ vbe egbe owa ne a bọ ― “He is uninformed about house construction.”

2. someone who has not been initiated into the mysteries of a particular cult.

ogboleghan [ógbóléɣã̀] n.

“the yard of prisoners”: prison yard.

Ogboni [ògbónĩ̀] n.

the name of a secret society.

oghagha [òɣáɣá] n.

brag, boast, swaggering.

ogheghe [óɣeɣè] n.

the edible berries of okhikhan tree.

oghẹ [òɣɛ̀] n.

prostitution; adultery.

oghẹn [òɣɛ̃̀] n.

1. crowd; a large collection:

Iran ya oghen khian ― “They are going in a crowd.”

;

2. (of animals) a flock.

oghian [óɣyã̀] n.

1. enemy, adversary;

2. a euphemism used in reference to anybody favoured by the speaker, when the event concerning the referent(s) is unpleasant or unfavourable:

Oni waa gbe oghian mwẹn ― “Fever is afflicting my enemy (i.e. me)”

:

A wẹ erha oghian Ozo wu ― “They said the father of Ozo’s enemy is dead (i.e. poor Ozo’s father) etc.”

oghoo [òɣóò] n.

ram.

oghodan [òɣòdã̀] n.

ingratitude:

Ọmwan ẹse oghodan Ozo khin ― “Ozo is an ungrateful person.”

oghodua [óɣóduà] n.

the Christian equivalent for the “Almighty.”

oghogho [òɣòɣò] n.

beetle.

oghohẹn [òɣóhɛ̃̀] n.

a tree (Musanga smithii).

oghohọn [óɣòhɔ̃́] n.

the vulturine fish-Eagle; the feathers are used ornamentally in various ceremonies.

oghoroko [óɣóɽóko] n.

hopping; springing along on one foot.

oghọghọ [òɣòɣɔ̀] n.

joy; happiness.

oghunmwun [oɣũɱũ] n.

prisoner of war; a captive, traditionally used for sacrifice.

òha¹ [òhá] n.

1. bush; forest:

àranmwẹn bun vbe oha ― “Beasts are plentiful in the forest.”

òha² [òhá] n.

a mission of search (for something):

Ọ rrie oha-erhan ― “He is going in search of firewood.”

óha [óhà] n.

a spike; a staff with a pointed tip used for piercing things.

ohaha [òhahà] n.

a tree used mainly for firewood. Its Latin name is Macaranga barteri.

ohan¹ [òhã́] n.

fear; terror:

Ohan mu Ozo gbe ― “Ozo gets too easily frightened.”

Ibiẹka mu ohan erhẹn ― “Children fear fire.”

ohan² [òhã́] n.

gift:

ọ ya ẹwe ẹre mu ohan guẹ ― “He made a gift of his goat to you.”

ohanabe [òhánábè] n.

of a severe sort; an intense variety:

Ohanmwẹn gbẹe ọghe ohanabe ― “Hunger hit him in a severe way: He was severely hungry.”

ohanmwẹn [òhã̀ɱɛ̃̀] n.

hunger:

Ohanmwẹn gbe mwẹn ― “Hunger is hitting me: I am hungry.”

ohẹn [òhɛ̃́ɛ̃̀] n.

priest; religious minister.

ohia¹ [óhyà] n.

pod:

ohia-ẹvbẹe ― “kola-nut pod.”

ohia² [óhyà] n.

a tree, reputed to burn well as firewood; it also has medicinal value.

ohiamẹ [òhyámɛ̀] n.

(< ohio-ame) hole in tree-trunks filled with rain water, in which birds bathe, and other small animals drink water.

ohian [òhyɛ̀] n.

leather; also unprocessed skin of animal.

ohie [òhié] n.

a brief period of cessation of rains during the rainy season, usually in August.

ohiẹn [òhyɛ̃́] n.

judgement.

ohindin [òhydĩ̀] n.

the looped rope used for climbing palm trees.

ohinmwin [óhĩ̀ɱĩ̀] n.

the Edo name for the River Niger.

ohio [òhyó] n.

hole; dent.

ohioro [óhyóɽò] n.

solitude; loneliness:

Tẹ ohioro mu ọmwan vbe owa negẹdẹẹgbẹ na ― “One must feel solitary in such a big house”

.

ohogha [óhòɣá] n.

an empty state (e.g. of a container).

Ikoroba ohogha ẹre o mu ke ọgba rre ― “It was an empty pail that he brought back from the tap.”

ohoghe [òhóɣè] n.

falsehood; lie.

Ọ ba mwẹn ohoghe ― “He told a lie against me.”

(also ohoghoi).

ohoghoi [òhóɣòi] n.

cf. ohoghe.

òhoho [òhóhò] n.

a whole or complete thing, as opposed to a part or portion thereof:

Rhie ohoho mẹ; Ii gualọ ukhiọnmwẹn ― “Give me a whole one, I do not want a part.”

óhoho [óhòhó] n.

(of soups) the variety cooked without palm oil:

ikhiavbọ ohoho ― “Okra prepared without palm oil.”

ohọnmi [óhɔ̃̀mĩ́] n.

the person who is free from faults; the faultless person in a dispute, or in comparison to others.

ohọhọ [òhɔ̀hɔ̀] n.

slovenliness; untidiness:

Ohọhọ okhuo na bun gbe ― “This woman’s slovenliness is too much.”

ohu [òhù] n.

anger; aggravation:

Iran ya ohu mu mwẹn ― “They caused anger to catch me: They made me angry.”

ohuan [óhwã́] n.

sheep.

ohuẹ [òhuɛ́] n.

1. hunter;

2. dragonfly.

ohuẹn [óhwɛ̃́] n.

cough:

ohuẹn si ẹre ― “cough is worrying him: He has cough.”

ohukpọ [òhúk͡pɔ̀] n.

a variety of okra.

okan [òkã́] n.

1. blame; censure:

vbe ne ọ gae sẹ, okan ọ miẹ vbọ ― “In spite of how much service she rendered to him, it was censure that she got out of it.”

;

2. what one is lacking in; one’s deficiency:

gbe okan ― “to hit (on) one’s deficiency: to taunt with”

:

ọ ya ígho gbe mwẹn okan ― “He taunted me with money (which I lack).”

okaro [òkàɽò] n.

(also okao): the first; the primary (thing).

oke [òké] n.

hill; cliff.

okeke [òkékè] n.

false pretences, designed to cover up misdemeanours committed.

okerhẹn [òkéřɛ̃̀] n.

(< okọ-erhẹn)

1. steamship;

2. all motor boats and ocean liners.

okẹhoho [òkɛ́hòhò] n.

(< okọ-ẹhoho) “boat of the air”: aeroplane; aircraft.

okieke [òkyèkè] n.

the last; the end:

Okieke emwin ne u ru na i khian gha maa ― “The end of this thing that you are doing will not be good.”

okin [ókĩ̀] n.

1. spinning continuously;

2. giddiness:

Ọ ghi ze gbe ọkin, okin na mu ẹnrẹn ― “After spinning continuously for a while, he became giddy.”

okiogho [ókyòɣó] n.

disturbance; noise; fighting:

Okiogho bun iran gbe vbe owa na ― “There is too much fighting and rioting among them in this house.”

okiribọtọ [òkìɽìbɔ̀tɔ̀] n.

a rash infection of the scrotum.

okitikiti [òkìtíkìtì] n.

a state of rush; stampede:

Iran gha vẹ khian okitikiti ― “They are stampeding along.”

òko¹ [òkó] n.

an address term used by peers for each other:

oko, gu mwẹn ru ẹre ― “Please mate, help me to do it.”

òko² [òkó] n.

nest (usually of a bird; but also applicable to other small animals, such as lice):

Ahianmwẹn bọ oko ye ẹrhunrhunmwun-owa na ― “A bird built a nest in the eaves of this house.”

óko [ókò] n.

a horn (usually of ivory or from cattle) blown by native doctors in some of their rituals.

oko [òkò] n.

1. a packaged gift;

2. a parcel. (also ako).

okobo [òkóbó] n.

a foolish person.

okodẹ [òkódɛ̀] n.

something misappropriated; an instance of misappropriation.

okoro [òkóɽó] n.

1. prince;

2. the address and reference term for the male offsprings of the Oba, and some chiefs.

okọ [òkɔ́] n.

boat, canoe.

okuku [òkùkú] n.

traditional method of hair dressing by women, in which the simplest style is where the hair is packed up and bunched to form a nut at the top of the head; different varieties of the hair-style exist, some of which are still worn on ceremonial occasions by women of royal connections.

òkun¹ [òkṹ] n.

sea; also ocean.

òkun² [òkṹ] n.

the decorated box carried on the head in the funeral procession known as “isotọn”.

ókun³ [ókũ̀] n.

1. twine; thick rope.

okuo [òkúò] n.

war; battle:

Okuo i mose ― “War is not nice.”

okuta [òkútá] n.

rock; stone.

okha [òxá] n.

1. story; folktale:

Ọ ta okha nọrhiẹnrhiẹn ma ima ― “He told us an interesting story.”

;

2. History:

okha Ẹdo ― “The history of Benin.”

okhan [òxã̀] n.

a rodent with a long snout, that lives in the ground. It gives off a very strong and unpleasant smell. It is not edible.

okhi [óxì] n.

circle, ring.

okhian [òxỹã̀] n.

a variety of ants known as “soldier-ants”. They go in very large bands, and are usually found crowded over leftover food or oily surfaces.

okhiẹ¹ [òxyɛ́] n.

edge; margin:

Ọ mudia ye okhiẹ úkpo gha khẹ imọto ― “He stood at the edge of the road to wait for a vehicle.”

okhiẹ² [òxyɛ́] n.

plug, stopper; cork:

Rhie okhiẹ mẹ ne i ya khiẹ ọgọ na ― “Give me a stopper to cork this bottle with.”

okhikhan [óxíxã̀] n.

a tree whose berries (ogheghe) are edible.

okhiokhi [óxyòxì] n.

ripples:

Amẹ ne ọ rre ọghọdọ naa gha lẹẹ okhiokhi ― “The water in this pond is flowing in ripples.”

okhiọnkpa [òxỹɔ̃̀kpà] n.

a solitary person; a loner. (cf. akhiọnkpa).

okhogbo [òxóg͡bó] n.

a shack; a hut made of pitched stakes and roofed with thatched leaves.

okhokho [óxoxò] n.

a knock on the head made with the knuckles:

Ọ gbe okhokho yọ mwẹn uhunmwun ― “He hit me on the head with his knuckles.”

okhokho-eve [òxóxòevé] n.

a burst of tears:

Ọ sa okhokho-eve ― “She burst out crying.”

okhokho-ogiẹ [òxóxò-ògyɛ́] n.

a burst of laughter ―

Ọ sa okhokho-ogie ― “He burst out laughing.”

okhọ [òxɔ̀] n.

1. sternness; severity; (of children) crankiness; irritability:

okhọ ovbokhan naa tua gbe ― “This child’s crankiness is too severe.”

okhuae [òxwaé] n.

basket.

okhuakhua [oxwàxwà] n.

the harmattan season, which usually extends from mid-November to late January.

okhualema [òxwálèmã̀] n.

(< okhuae ― ọlema) “the cook’s basket.” ― a little basket with a cover, in which the ingredients for cooking are stored; it is usually hung above the fire-place.

okhuẹ [óxwɛ̀] n.

fruit: walnut. It is boiled to be eaten.

okhuẹn [òxwɛ̃̀] n.

a tree: Ricinodendron africanum.

okhuò [òxwò] n.

1. woman;

2. wife:

Ẹ i mwẹn okhuo ― “He has no wife.”

;

3. female:

ọmọ-okhuo ― “female offspring: daughter.”

(pl. = ikhuo).

okhuó [òxwó] n.

assigned portion of work or labour in a communal enterprise:

Iran fian okhuó mẹ ― “They assigned a portion of work to me.”

okhuohanmwẹn [òxwóhã̀ɱɛ̃̀] n.

(< okhuo-ohamnwẹn) a pregnant woman (also ẹkponiyẹkẹ/ẹkpoliyẹkẹ).

okhuọba [òxwɔ́bá] n.

(< okhuo-ọba) an adult female; a full-grown woman.

okpa [òk͡pá] n.

path; passage; track:

okpa-ame ― “drain”

;

okpa àranmwẹn ― “The track through which animals pass.”

okpagha [òk͡pàɣà] n.

a tree, Pentaclethra macrophylla.

okpamẹ [òk͡pámɛ̃̀] n.

(< okpe ― amẹ) “big rain”: heavy downpour, the type that causes flooding everywhere.

okpan [òk͡pã̀] n.

calabash, esp. the round variety cut and used as dishes in the home.

okpe- [òk͡pé-] adj.

usually occurs as a bound constituent of a compound it forms with the noun it modifies; it indicates that the noun is big, large, great or heavy, etc.:

Okpemwin ẹre ọ ru nuẹ na: “It is a great thing that he has done for you.”

òkpe [òk͡pè] n.

wine-tapper (usually palm wine).

ókpe [ók͡pè] n.

1. a flute (usually made from a variety of calabash);

2. also generally for any resonating musical trumpet; saxophone, etc.

okpemwin [òk͡péɱíì] n.

(< okpe- ― emwin) “a big thing”: a great event; a big service, etc.

okperhan [òk͡péřã̀] n.

(< okpe- ― erhan): a big tree.

okpẹhoho [òk͡pɛ́hòhò] n.

(< okpe- ― ẹhoho) a big wind; a storm.

okpẹvbo [òk͡pɛ́ʋò] n.

(< okpe- ― ẹvbo) a big town, country, etc.

okpẹzẹ [òk͡pɛ́zɛ̀] n.

(< okpe- ― ẹzẹ) a big river.

okpia [òk͡pyá] n.

1. man;

2. male:

ọmọ-okpia ― “male offspring: son”

(pl. = ikpia).

okpiokhuo [òkpyóxwò] n.

(< okpia-okhuo) “woman’s man”: a henpecked husband.

okpiọba [òkpyɔ́bá] n.

(< okpia ― ọba): an adult male; a full-grown man.

okpo¹ [òk͡pó] n.

male dog.

okpo² [òk͡pó] n.

the ridge beam of a roof.

okpokhuo [òk͡póxwò] n.

(< okpe ― okhuo) “a great woman”; an illustrious woman.

okpoto [òk͡pòtó] n.

toad.

okpovbiẹ [òk͡pòʋiɛ́] n.

wake-keeping; overnight vigil (usually involves dancing and singing).

okpowẹ [òk͡pówɛ̀] n.

(< okpe ― owẹ) “big leg”: long, confident strides.:

Ọ ghaze okpowe dee ― “He is approaching with confident strides.”

okpọta [òk͡pɔ́tà] n.

(< okpe- ― ọta) “big talk”: talking big; boasting.

okpọmwan [òk͡pɔ́ɱã̀] n.

(< okpe- ― ọmwan) “big person”: an eminent person.

okpunu [òk͡púnũ̀] n.

(< okpe ― unu) “big mouth”: word of mouth (not backed by action); empty talk.

ola [òlà] n.

the flow of the menses.

olaga [ólágá] n.

chairman (e.g. of an occasion).

olakpa [ólák͡pà] n.

law-enforcement officer; police.

oleghan [óléɣã̀] n.

prisoner.

oleghere [óléɣèɽé] n.

1. a swing;

2. swaying on a swing.

olẹtin [ólɛ́tĩ̀] n.

a very strong person.

oligbegbe [ólíg͡bèg͡bè] n.

goitre; morbid enlargement of thyroid gland, often showing as a large pendulous swelling in the neck.

olighi [ólìɣí] n.

confusion; disruption.

Oliha [ólíhà] n.

the name of a chief who is first in rank at the Uzama.

olikẹmwẹn [ólíkɛ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

(< olike ― ẹmwẹn) the gist of a statement; the essence of a message.

olima [òlímã̀] n.

file (a carpenter’s tool).

olimehi [ólímèhì] n.

a variety of yellow yam.

olodẹ [òlòdɛ̀] n.

1. sewing needle;

2. injection.

ologbo [ólóg͡bò] n.

cat (also ovbiẹdẹn).

oloi [ólói] n.

a wife of the Oba (pl. = iloi).

olokun [ólókũ̀] n.

the name of a god, believed to be “the owner of the sea”; He is believed to bestow wealth, prosperity and fertility on his followers; has many women priests and worshippers.

olokun [ólókũ̀] n.

the sea (also okun).

olose [ólósè] n.

1. a kind of snake;

2. the embodiment of beauty.

olotu [ólótù] n.

the chairman or head of a society.

olọ [ólɔ́] n.

grinding stone, used as a kitchen utensil.

olọghọ [òlɔ̀ɣɔ̀] n.

hardship; difficulty.

olọkọmwẹnho [ólɔ́kɔ́ɱɛ̃̀hò] n.

(< olọkọmwẹn ― ẹho) wind-pipe.

oluku [òlùkù] n.

the young of animals:

oluku-ẹwe ― “kid or/the young of a goat”

;

oluku ohuan ― “lamb.”

òmẹ [òmɛ̃̀] n.

hiss.

ómẹ [ómɛ̃́] n.

the fresh yellow leaves of young palm leaves, often used in the construction of masquerade dancers’ outfits, as well as for dressing shrines. It is also used for making crosses and decorating churches by Christians during the celebration of Palm Sunday.

omi [ómí] n.

a variety of new yam, that is considered to be of very good quality.

omiamwẹnzẹ [ómyãɱɛ̃zɛ̀] n.

iguana.

ominigie [òmĩ̀nĩ̀gyè] n.

class of titleless people; the common people.

ominigbọn [òmĩ̀nĩ̀gbɔ̃] n.

a more exclusive term for the ogwẹga divination.

omugui [òmùgwí] n.

lawyer; advocate.

omuhẹn [òmùhɛ̃́] n.

beginning; start.

omuyan [òmùyã̀ã́] n.

1. upper layers or levels of things stacked;

2. upper storeys in a building.

omwan [òɱã́] n.

measure; gauge.

ona [ònã́] n.

design; pattern.

oni [ònĩ̀] n.

1. fever; cold;

2. cold weather, capable of causing a cold:

Oni naa fi gbe ― “This cold weather is too severe.”

Onioni [ónyónĩ̀] n.

the name of the son of Arhuaran who was noted for his excessive might.

onioni [ónyónĩ̀] n.

doing things with excessive force and strength but with little evidence of rationality:

Ọ gha kun ẹnrẹn onioni ― “He is packing them with a lot of show of strength.”

onisan [ònĩ̀sã̀] n.

1. anus; the terminal outlet of the alimentary canal.

onurho [ònṹřò] n.

door-way; entrance.

ope [ópè] n.

calabash bowl used for drinking palm wine.

opirhi [ópìří] n.

a kind of dance which entails swinging the waist back and forth; it is native to the Delta peoples and danced mainly by women.

òre [òɽé] n.

native mat, woven from a variety of reed.

òre [óɽé] n.

1. outdoors; outside (i.e. from the house.)

Erhae rrie óre ― “His father has gone outside.”

;

2. the streets of a town; within the boundaries of the town:

Óre Ẹdo ― “within the City of Benin”

;

óre ẹvbo ― “centre of town”

. (also orere).

oregbe [òɽègbé] n.

over-feeding.

órere [óɽéɽé] n.

cf. ore.

òrere [òɽéɽè] n.

hare.

ori [òɽí] n.

body cream; pomade (usually made from coconut or palm kernel oil).

orinmwin [òɽĩ́ɱĩ̀] n.

corpse; dead-body.

oriwo [óɽíwò] n.

bitter-leaf; the leaves of a cultivated shrub, used as vegetables in soup.

oro [óɽò] n.

secret practices; usually associated with witchcraft and juju cults; confidential communication; secret meeting.

oroboto [òɽòbòtó] n.

hippopotamus (also eniamẹ).

orogo [òɽógó] n.

dog (also ekita; awa).

orogho [òɽòɣò] n.

muddy puddle (esp. of rain on the road).

oroka [òɽòká] n.

ring (worn on the finger).

orokẹ [òɽòkɛ̀] n.

horse-tail used as a whisk, or carried as part of a ceremonial dress by chiefs and native priests.

oroviẹ [òɽóvyɛ̀] n.

filth; messy condition or situation:

Sẹrae ye oroviẹ ne ọ yẹ ― “Leave her in the mess that she is in.”

orọnmwẹn [òɽ̃ɔ̃́ɱɛ̀] n.

state of marriage; married state:

Ọ rre orọnmwẹn vbe igue ― “She is in marriage in the village: She is undergoing her married state in the village.”

oru [òɽú] n.

(also oruru)

1. cotton (the plant and the fibre);

2. cotton thread;

3. thread in general:

iku-oru ― “a piece of cotton fibre”

;

ikpẹ-oru ― “cotton seeds, used for preparing a variety of native soup.”

oru [órùú] n.

an edible lava found in the stem of fallen palm trees.

orubu [óɽùbú] n.

a smooth-skinned lizard with a red under-side; it is said to be poisonous.

orueghe [òɽẁèɣè] n.

bother; disturbance; nuisance.

orukuru [òɽùkúɽú] n.

havoc; reckless misbehaviour.

orukhọọ [òɽùxɔ̀ɔ́] n.

sin (in the Christtian sense); wrongdoing. (cf. ru-khọọ).

orunmwun [óɽṹɱũ̀] n.

pear, mainly native variety;

orunmwun-ebo ― “avocado pear”

.

oruoru [óɽwóɽù] n.

reckless action; rash deeds, heedless of consequences:

Oruoru ne ọ ya ru vbe odọ ẹre iran na iyẹn ọnrẹn ma mwẹn ― “It is the rash deeds which he went to perform over there that they are narrating to me.”

orhiekoko [òřyèkòkó] n.

an adopted child:

Ẹ i mwẹn erha, ẹi mwẹn iye; orhiekoko nọ vbe owa na ― “She has no father, she has no mother; she is an adopted child in this house.”

orhiẹrhiẹn [òřỹɛ̃̀rỹɛ̃̀] n.

sweetness; delight:

Ọ gha miẹ orhiẹnrhiẹn iwinna rẹn vbe okiekie ― “He will see the happy reward of his work in the end.”

orhikhan [òřìxã̀] n.

struggle; worry; effort; exertion:

Ọ si orhikhan lele ivbi-ẹre gbe ― “She takes too much trouble over her children: She exerts herself much over her children.”

orhiọn [òřyɔ̃́] n.

1. spirit; soul (esp. the religious sense, both traditional and Christian):

Orhiọn Nọhuanrẹn ― “The Holy Spirit”

;

2. strength; power:

Okhuo naa i mwẹn orhiọn ― “This woman has no strength; she is lazy.”

Orhionmwọn [óřĩɔ̃̀ɱɔ̃̀] n.

the name of an Edo river after which a local government area has been named. Anglicized form is Ossiomo.

orhiọnni [òřyɔ̃́nĩ̀] n.

laziness; idleness.

orhokhua [òřòxwà] n.

a staff; a walking stick. (also ukpokpo).

orhọ [òřɔ̀] n.

1. rainy season: usually from late April to early November;

2. harvest season, when new crops flood the market:

ọkorhọ ― “new corn”

;

iyan orhọ ― “new yam”

. etc.

orhọnmwẹn¹ [óřɔ̃́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. heavenly star;

2. spotty design:

ukpon ọnrẹn filo orhọnmwẹn ― “Her cloth has a spotty design.”

orhọnmwẹn² [óřɔ̃́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

guinea fowl.

orhue [òřwè] n.

chalk (white chalk), traditionally regarded as a symbol of happiness and good fortune it is therefore used in all joyous occasions:

wa gun mwẹn gbe orhue ― “Rub on some chalk with me: rejoice with me by rubbing on some chalk.”

orhuọ [òřẁɔ̀] n.

bragging; boasting.

orhunmwun [óřũ̀ɱũ̀] n.

(cf. arhunmwun) individual; person.

orhunmwunyẹn [òřṹɱũ̀ỹɛ̃́] n.

visitor; guest.

Orra¹ [órà] n.

the Ora people and their language.

orra [órà] n.

stain; soil; smear:

Ọ ya orra ye ukpọn ne ọ rhuaẹn ― “She got some stain on the cloth she was tying.”

orre [órè] n.

the young generation; the youth:

Orre ne a ghi miẹ na ya egbe ta ivbi-eghọẹn gbe ― “The youth that one encounters these days like to imitate foreigners excessively.”

orrẹ [òrɛ́] n.

pillar.

orriamugho [óryámúɣò] n.

wandering; perambulating:

Ọ gha gbe orriamugho khian ― “He is wandering about.”

orriara¹ [òryàɽà] n.

bile.

orriara² [òryàɽà] n.

1. bitterness; sour taste:

orriara ukhunmwun na ma ye khuia vbe unu mwẹn ― “The bitter taste of this medicine has still not cleared from my mouth: The bitterness of this medicine has still not left my mouth.”

;

2. sorrow:

Ọ mu iyẹe fi orriara ― “She plunged her mother into sorrow.”

orrirri¹ [òrìrì] n.

electric eel.

orrirri² [òrìrì] n.

tremor; thrill of fear.

orruaẹn [orw̃ãɛ̃] n.

any relative-in-law.

osa [òsá] n.

debt; indebtedness.

Osa [òsà] n.

the Supreme God; also Osanobua (esp. in the Christian context). (also Osalobua).

ose [òsé] n.

beauty.

oseghe [òsèɣè] n.

(with sinmwin) defence, support:

ọ sinmwin oseghe ne ọtẹn ọnrẹn ― “He provided defence for his relative: He defended his relative.”

osẹ [ósɛ̀] n.

1. witness.

osẹka [òsɛ́kà] n.

debt:

Ọ mu osẹka yọ mwẹn urhu ― “He placed debt on my neck: He put me into debt.”

osi [òsí] n.

worry; anxiety.

osiba [òsìbà] n.

a gesture, in the form of bowing and extending folded hands to a skilled dancer, as a mark of acknowledgement of or admiration for his/her dancing ability:

Ọ mu osiba mẹ ― “She gestured to acknowledge my dancing ability.”

osisi [ósísí] n.

gun; ammunition.

óso [ósó] n.

wizard; sorcerer.

Osodin [ósòdĩ̀] n.

the title of a chief; he stands for the Oba’s departed father.

osorhue [òsòřwé] n.

a variety of porcupine.

osọnnọ [òsɔ̃̀nɔ̃̀] n.

irritating sight; eyesore; thing that offends the sight.

osọnmwẹn [òsɔ̃́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. a broken piece of something that has (been) broken off it: e.g.

osọmwẹn erhan ― “a chip of wood.”

osọnmwẹnhẹn [òsɔ̃́ɱɛ̃̀hɛ̃́] n.

a broken piece from a clay pot, large enough to be used as a make-shift plate or dish.

osọnmwinyan [òsɔ̃́ɱĩ̀ỹã] n.

(< osọnmwẹn ― iyan) a cut piece of yam.

osọnmwunkpọn [ósɔ̃́ɱṹkpɔ̃̀] n.

(< osọnmwẹn ― ukpọn) a piece of rag.

òsu [òsú] n.

a lump; a chunk; a whole piece:

oso-orhue ― “a chunk of white-chalk.”

Osun [òsṹ] n.

the magical spirit of herbs from which herbalists derive their healing power. It is worshipped as a god.

osuakọn [òswákɔ̃̀] n.

incisors, front teeth.

osuan [ósw̃ã̀] n.

contest; competition.

osughu [òsùɣù] n.

trouble; disturbance:

we ne ọ mu osughu ẹre ghe odọ ― “Let him take his trouble elsewhere.”

osukhọn [ósùxɔ̃́] n.

a person with a raised navel.

Osuma [ósùmã́] n.

a chief, fourth in rank among the Eghaẹvbo n’Ogbe.

osuru [òsùɽù] n.

at a single instance; at a first attempt:

Ọ rra isẹ nii hia vbe osuru ― “He caught all the seeds at a single instance.”

osùsu [òsùsù] n.

a crown of feathers on the head of certain birds (e.g. esikpogho; awe; etc.).

osúsu [òsúsú] n.

an organized monthly contribution engaged in by two or more people, in which a single member receives the total monthly collection in turn by agreement.

ota [òtà] n.

evening time; from about 4 p.m. till night fall; (also akota);

ota-khuẹrhẹẹ ― “late evening.”

oti [òtí] n.

leprosy.

otiegba [òtiègbá] n.

full assembly:

Iran na tie iko otiegba ― “They summoned a full assembly.”

otiẹn [ótỹɛ̃́] n.

an edible berry of the tree ― Chrysophyllum albidum.

otighi [ótìɣí] n.

disturbance; disruption.

otiku [òtíkù] n.

(< otọ ― iku): refuse dump.

otiti [ótìtí] n.

fame; popularity.

otoro [òtòɽó] n.

1. diarrhoea;

2. fluid faeces:

Ọ sa otoro kue egbe ― “He passed fluid faeces on his body.”

otota [òtótà] adv.; adj.

(< ota ― ota): every evening; evenings:

Rẹn ọ levbare otota ― “She is the one who cooks every evening.”

ototọ [òtótɔ̀] n.

bottom of; under:

ototọ erhan ― “under the tree.”

otọ¹ [òtɔ̀] n.

(also otọe, esp. in the speech of the elderly).

1. ground; soil:

Ghẹ gie ẹre ya owẹ kan otọ ― “Don’t let him touch the ground with his feet.”

;

2. bottom of: (e.g. of a container):

Iku hẹnhẹn ye otọ ore ― “Dust particles have settled at the bottom of it”

; (in this sense, also ototọ):

Ọ rhie ẹre lẹre ye otọ (or ototọ) ẹkpẹtin: “He hid it at the bottom of the box”

;

3. floor; ground:

Ọ tota ye otọ ― “He sat on the floor.”

otọ² [òtɔ̀] n.

reason; explanation:

Rhan otọ emwin ne ọ gu kpaọ ma mwẹn ― “Explain to me the reason for his leaving.”

otọlọ [òtɔ̀lɔ̀] n.

an itch; itching sensation.

Ebe na si otọlọ ― “This leaf causes itching.”

otọn [òtɔ̃́] n.

a decorated box carried along with dancing in one of the procession ceremonies of the traditional second burial.

otọwa [òtɔ́wà] n.

the floor of a room (as opposed to iba (slab) or úkpo (bed)).

otu [òtù] n.

1. a society; a social club:

otu Ahuẹmwengbe ― “The Ahuẹmwengbe society”

.;

2. age-group; age-mate; peers:

Otu ma vbe ọre khin ― “We are age-mates.”

otuẹ [òtwɛ́] n.

greeting; salutation.

otutu [òtùtú] n.

a frightening object or sight (esp. to children):

Otutu dee, ne u ghẹ ghi viẹ ― “A frightening object is approaching, so don’t you continue to cry.”

ovan [òvã́] n.

nickname:

De eni ne ọ ya rri ovan yi? ― “What did he use as a nickname: What is his nickname?”

ovẹn [òvɛ̃̀] n.

sun; sunshine:

Ovẹn yunmwun: “The sun is shining.”

ovian [òryã̀] n.

complaints; expression of regrets; grumbling.

Ovọnrramwẹn [òvɔ̃́ráɱɛ̃̀] n.

(also written as Ovọramwẹn): the reigning Oba of Benin during the British “Punitive Expedition” of 1897.

ovba [óʋà] n.

spleen.

ovbamẹ [òʋámɛ̃̀] n.

thirst:

Ọ kpẹre ne ovbamẹ ke gbe mwẹn sin ― “It is a long time since I have been suffering from thirst.”

ovbe [òʋé] n.

sleep:

Ovbe hun mwẹn ― “Sleep is affecting me: I am sleepy.”

ovbeni [óʋěnĩ̀] n.

elephant trunk.

ovbẹkhẹ [óʋɛxɛ̀] n.

a timber tree: Triplochiton Scleroxylon.

ovbẹvbẹ¹ [òʋɛ̀ʋɛ̀] n.

spade.

ovbẹvbẹ² [òʋɛ̀ʋɛ̀] n.

centipede.

ovbi- [òʋì] n.

(pl. ivbi)

1. child of; offspring of (always occurs with a noun or pronoun as possessor):

ovbi Ozo ― “Ozo’s child”

;

ovbi-mwẹn ― “my child.”

;

2. the young or small of anything; also things generally small-sized:

obvi-ẹwe ― “a kid”

;

ovbi-aga ― “a small chair”; “a small stool”

;

ovbi-erhan: “a small piece of stick, or a young plant”

;

ovbi-ẹho ― “a small voice, like that of a child”

etc.;

3. member of a group, society or social category:

ovbi-esuku: “a pupil of a school”

;

ovbi-Ẹdo ― “a native of Edo”

ovbi-esọsi ― “a Christian”

, etc.

ovbi-abẹe [òvyábɛè] n.

pen-knife; small knife.

ovbi-akota [òvyákòtà] n.;

(idiom) dog.

ovbi-aleke [òvyálèkè] n.;

(idiom) young lady; miss. (also uvbi).

ovbi-alumẹ [òvyálùmɛ̃̀] n.

a small bird.

ovbi-aro [òvyáɽò] n.;

(idiom) pupil (of the eye).

ovbi-ẹrinmwin [òvyɛ́ɽ̃ĩ̀ɱĩ̀] n.;

(idiom)

1. the child of a deceased person who is being buried;

2. an infant; a young child.

ovbi-ẹrrẹe [òvyɛ́rɛ́è] n.;

(idiom)

1. poor fellow; poor innocent person;

Sẹ ovbi-ẹrrẹe rae ighẹ ọ ma ruẹ emwin rhọkpa ― “Leave the poor fellow alone, for he did you no wrong.”

;

2. someone else’s child.

ovbi-ẹvbo [òvyɛ́ʋò] n.;

(idiom) same as ovbi-ẹrrẹe.

ovbi-odo [òʋiódó] n.

pestle.

ovbi-urumnwun [òvyúɽṹɱũ̀] n.;

(idiom) implement shaped like a dumb-bell used for grinding things in a wooden tray known as “urro”.

ovbiakhowẹ [òvyáxowɛ̀] n.;

(idiom) (< ovbiakhe ― owẹ): “small pot of the leg”: shin.

ovbieghoẹn [òvyéɣɔ̃ɛ̃̀] n.

foreigner; non-native.

ovbiogue [òvyógwè] n.

a poor person; a destitute.

ovbiọha [òvyɔ́hà] n.

bride.

ovbivbiẹ [óvỳʋiɛ́] n.

a snake: “black mamba”; it spits, and is poisonous.

ovbukhọ [òʋúxɔ̀] n.

he-goat.

òwa [òwá] n.

1. house, dwelling;

2. building.

ówa [ówá] n.

market stall.

owamẹ [òwámɛ̃̀] n.

(< òwa ― amẹ): water tower.

owebe [òwébè] n.

(< òwa ― ebe)

1. school;

2. a house roofed with thatch.

owekẹn [òwékɛ̃̀] n.

(< òwa ― ekẹn) mud house.

owere [òwèɽé] n.

senior elder; a respected elderly person; ọdiọnwere ― most senior, by age, of the senior elders.

owẹ [òwɛ̀] n.

1. foot;

2. leg.

owẹe [ówɛ́è] n.

broom.

owẹn [òwɛ̃̀] n.

sun; setting sun.

owiẹ [òwyɛ́] n.

morning:

owie vbirhivbirhi ― “dawn”

;

owiẹ fiororo or owiẹwiẹmwọnkpa ― “day-light”

;

owiowiẹ ― “every morning.”

owinna [ów̃ĩ̀nã́] n.

carpenter (also ekabita).

owo¹ [òwó] num.

one (in counting).

owo² [òwó] n.

a palm oil sauce used for eating boiled yam and plantain.

owogho [ówòɣó] n.

noise (in particular created by loud talk or laughter).

owowo [òwòwò] n.

1. heat (e.g. from proximity to a burning fire),

2. hot-temper; reactionary disposition:

Owowo ẹre tua gbe ― “His hot temper is too intense.”

owọkhọnmwọn [òwɔ́xɔ̃́ɱɔ̃̀] n.

(< owa ― ọkhọmwọn) “house of the sick”: hospital.

owọn [ówɔ̃̀] n.

1. bee:

Ọ gha gui vbe owọn ― “He is grumbling like a bee.”

;

2. wax (used by brass-smiths);

3. honey:

Ọ rhiẹnrhiẹn vbe owọn ― “It is sweet like honey.”

owọnwọn [òwɔ̃̀wɔ̃̀] n.

a bird: toucan; it has an immense beak.

owọrọ [òwɔ̀ɔ́ɽɔ̀] num.

eleven.

oya [òyà] n.

insult; humiliation:

Ọ ya oya nẹ ― “She gave insult to him: She insulted him.”

oyanghan [òỹã̀ɣã̀] n.

worry; bother; harassment.

oyaya [òyàyà] n.

excitement, enthusiasm; warmth:

Ọ sa oyaya mu ẹnrẹn “She received him enthusiastically.”

oyi [òyí] n.

thief; robber:

oyi ẹrinmwin (idiom) ― “a very crafty thief.”

oyiya [òyìyà] n.

comb.

ozan [òzã̀] n.

1. defect; shortcoming; fault:

Ozan i rrọ ọre egbe hiehie ― “There is no fault in her body at all: she is absolutely faultless!”

;

2. criticism:

Ozan ne ọ zan rẹn ẹre ọ ya ohu mu ẹnrẹn “The criticism that he criticized her is what made her angry: The way he criticized her is what angered her.”

oze [òzé] n.

lead (the metal).

ozi¹ [òzì] n.

crab.

ozi² [òzì] n.

a gentle breeze.

oziguẹ [ózìgwɛ̀] n.

a boat-handler; the rower of a boat or canoe.

ozikpalọ [ózìkpálɔ̀] n.

lizard.

oziya [òzíyá] n.

frankincense; a kind of aromatic gum resin produced by the oziya tree, Daniellia thurifera, which is burned as incense, and also by hunters on their hunting trips.

ozubu [òzùbú] n.

a fluffy-haired puppy.

ozuọba [ózwɔ̀bá] n.

same as oloi.

ọ [ɔ̀] pron.

3rd per. sgl. pronoun: he, she, it; usually functions as subject of the clause or sentence in which it occurs:

Ọ gbe ẹwe ― “He killed a goat.”

ọba- [ɔba] int.

a formula of salutation which is prefixed to various words designating times, seasons, occupations, dispositions, etc. in greeting on appropriate situations:

ọbota (< ọba ― ota) “greetings of the evening.” Good-evening!

ọbiwinna (< ọba ― iwinna) “Greetings as you work!”

, etc.

Ọba [ɔ́bá] n.

1. The ruler of Benin kingdom;

2. (without the captial letter): king; ruler.

Ẹvbo na i mwẹn ọba ― “This town has no ruler.”

ọbadan [ɔ̀bàdã̀] n.

almond tree;

ọmọbadan ― “almond fruit and seed.”

ọbafi [ɔ̀bàfí] n.

hunting trip; hunting:

Erhae rrie ọbafi ― “His father is going a-hunting.”

ọbaikpo [ɔ̀bàik͡pó] n.

male lizard.

ọbavan [ɔ́bávã̀] int.

Good afternoon (cf. Ọba).

ọbevbaru [ɔ́béʋàɽú] int.

well-done (cf. ọba).

ọbiro [ɔ̀bíɽò] n.

oracler; a diviner.

ọbo [ɔ̀bó] n.

1. a general term for various categories of doctors:

ọbo-ọrọnmila ― “diviner”

;

ọbo-itan ― “ordeal doctor”

;

ọbo-ebe ― “a Ph.D. holder”

; etc.;

2. ritual priests of various gods or deities.

ọbokhian [ɔ́bóxyã̀] int.

welcome!

ọbolokan [ɔ́bòlòkã̀] adj.; adv.

without soup or sauce:

Ẹba ọbolokan ẹre ọ mu nẹẹn re ― “It was eba without soup that she gave him to eat.”

Ọ rri ọre ọbolokan ― “He ate it without soup.”

ọbota [ɔ́bótà] int.

Good evening!

ọbowa [ɔ̀bòwà] n.

house-builder.

ọbowa [ɔ́bówà] int.

a greeting expressed by a new arriver to people met at home on arrival. “Greetings for staying at home.”

ọbowiẹ [ɔ́bówiɛ̀] int.

Good morning!

ọbude [ɔ̀bùdè] n.

adviser; counsellor.

ọbuohiẹn [ɔ̀bwòhyɛ̃̀] n.

judge.

ọdafẹn [ɔ̀dàfɛ̃̀] n.

1. husband (usually occurs with noun or pronoun indicating whose husband it is):

Ọdafẹn mwẹn ― “My husband”

;

ọdafẹn ọnrẹn ― “her husband, etc.”

(also ọdọ).;

2. a man who is a head of household.

ọdan [ɔ̀dã́] n.

gum; glue.

ọdayọn [ɔ̀dàyɔ̃̀] n.

an excessive drinker of alcoholic drinks; a drunkard.

ọdẹkuẹn [ɔ̀dɛ̀kwɛ̃́] n.

sale on credit.

ọdẹn [ɔ́dɛ̃̀] n.

joke; jest.:

Ọ gha gu iran gbe ọdẹn ― “He is having a joke with them.”

ọdiọn [ɔ̀dyɔ̃́] n.

1. oldest (chronologically).

Ozo ọ re ọdiọn vbe uwu iran ― “Ozo is the oldest among them.”

;

2. the primary thing; the most important; the first;

Vbe uwu emwin hia ne u ziro ẹre re na, owa nabọ ọre ọdiọn: “Of all the things you have just suggested, house-building is the most important.”

ọdọ [ɔ̀dɔ̀] n.

1. husband;

2. an address term for relatives of husband.

Lahọ, ọdọ mwẹn, daeyi mẹ ― “Please, my husband’s relative, hold it for me.”

ọdọlukpọn [ɔ̀dɔ̀lùkpɔ̃̀] n.

tailor (< ọ ― dọlọ ― ukpọn) “mender of cloth.”

ọduẹki [ɔ̀duɛ̀kì] n.

1. trader;

2. a small measuring aluminium bowl used for selling commodities like garri, rice, beans, etc.

mwaan ọduẹki isẹn mẹ ― “Measure 5 bowls for me.”

ọdukpọn [ɔ̀dùkpɔ̃̀] n.

weaver (of fabrics).

ọfẹndin [ɔ̀fɛ̃̀dĩ̀] n.

palm-nut reaper.

ọfiontọ [ɔ̀fĩṍtɔ̃̀] n.

a big bush rat (edible); locally referred to as a “rabbit” in English, but is quite different from the real rabbit.

ọfọ [ɔ̀fɔ́] n.

sweat; perspiration:

Ọfọ fọ gbe vbe ẹghẹ na ― “Sweat sweats a lot at this time: one sweats a lot a at this time.”

ọfuan [ɔ̀fùán] n.

destruction; annihilation (cf. fuan).

ọfunmwengbe [ɔ̀fũ̀ɱẽ̀gbè] n.

comfort; peace. (< ọ― fu ― vbe ― egbe) “coolness of the body”.

ọfurre [ɔ̀fúrè] n.

(< ọ ― furre) “coolness”: calmness, tranquility.

ọ̀ga [ɔ̀gá] n.

boss; master.

ọ́ga [ɔ́gà] n.

net.

ọgiodẹ [ɔ̀gyòdɛ̀] n.

guide.

ọgiọrọ [ɔ̀gyɔ́ɽɔ́] n.

heavy chain.

ọgọ́ [ɔ̀gɔ́] n.

bottle.

ọgọ̀ [ɔ̀gɔ̀] n.

palm-wine tapped from the top of the raffia palm. (also ọgọrọ).

ọgọgọ [ɔ̀gɔ̀gɔ̀] n.

(of a cock) cock’s crest. (also etọghọtọghọ).

ọgọrọ [ɔ̀gɔ̀ɽɔ̀] n.

same as ọgọ.

ọgua [ɔ̀gwá] n.

the room which serves as a “parlour” in the traditional Edo house.

ọgueva [ɔ̀gwèvà] n.

a double-faced person, who fosters trouble by stealthily backing both parties in a quarrel.

ọguiẹzọ [ɔ̀gwỳɛzɔ̀] n.

(< ọ-gui-ẹzọ) “one who argues a case”: litigant.

ọguọmwandia [ɔ̀gwɔ̀ɱã̀dyà] n.

“he who stays with one”: a servant; a house-help.

ọgba [ɔ̀g͡bá] n.

tap; faucet.

ọgbagba [ɔ̀g͡bàgbà] n.

a row of (things):

ọgbagba owa ― “a row of houses (on a street).”

ọgbakha [ɔ̀g͡bàxá] n.

conference.

ọgbalama [ɔ̀g͡bàlàmà] n.

a nosey person; a busy-body.

ọgban [ɔ́g͡bã̀] num.

thirty.

ọgbehẹn [ɔ̀g͡bèhɛ̃̀] n.

(< ọ ― gbe ― ehẹn) fisherman.

ọgbekpa [ɔ̀g͡bèkpà] n.

(< ọ ― gbe ― ekpa) boxer.

ọgbenbe [ɔ̀g͡bẽ̀bè] n.

(< ọ ― gbẹn ― ebe) clerk.

ọgbeni [ɔ̀g͡bènĩ̀] n.

(< ọ ― gbe ― eni) elephant-killer, elephant-hunter.

ọgbọlọfo [ɔ̀g͡bɔ̀lɔ́fò] n.

public knowledge; the open.

Ẹmwẹn na dinna ọgbọlọfọ nẹ ― “This word has now become publicly known; it has reached the open.”

ọgbọn [ɔ́g͡bɔ̃̀] n.

new, fresh.

ọgbugbo [ɔ̀g͡bùgbò] n.

(< ọ ― gbe ― ugbo) “one who makes farms”, farmer.

ọghae [ɔ̀ɣaè] n.

heat; warmth: mwọọnghae (< mwẹẹn ― oghae) “to have heat”; hot.

ọghe [ɔ́ɣé] prep.

1. possessive particle: of; belonging to:

ọghe Ozo ― “Ozo’s”

;

ọghe ima ― “ours”

;

2. pertaining to, concerning:

ọghe owiẹ ― “pertaining to the moming”

;

uyinmwẹn ọghe ẹghẹnẹdẹ ― “behaviour of the old days: traditional behaviour.”

It combines with pronouns and pronominals to form expressions such as:

ọghuẹ ― “yours”

(e.g.):

ọghọe/ ọghẹe ― “his/hers/its”

;

ọghomwan ― ours

;

oghiran ― theirs

;

ọghua ― “yours”

pl.; etc.

ọghẹdẹ [ɔ̀ɣɛ̀dɛ̀] n.

plantain.

Ọghẹnnẹ [ɔ́ɣɛ̃̀nɛ̃́] n.

1. the Ẹdo name for the Oni of Ife.

ọghẹrẹ [ɔ̀ɣɛ́ɽɛ̀] n.

hymen;

okhuo ne a ma he fian ọnrẹn ọghẹrẹ ― “a woman whose hymen has not been cut”: a virgin

.

ọghesi [ɔ́ɣésì] adv.

very much; exceedingly:

iran gbẹe ọghesi ― “They flogged him very much.”

ọghọ [ɔ̀ɣɔ̀] n.

respect; deference.

ọghọdọ [ɔ̀ɣɔ̀dɔ̀] n.

pond.

ọghọdọgbọ [ɔ̀ɣɔ̀dɔ́gbɔ̀] n.

a kind of weed: wild sugar-cane, not edible.

ọhá [ɔ̀há] n.

bride.

ọhà [ɔ̀hà] n.

catarrh; head-cold.:

ọha kpokpo mwẹn “catarrh is worrying me”: I have catarrh

.

ọhae [ɔ̀háè] n.

1. bachelor;

2. widower.

ọhẹ [ɔ̀hɛ́] n.

1. gift;

2. present.

ọhẹn [ɔ̀hɛ̃̀] n.

a variety of red ants that are found on fruit trees.

Ọhẹn [ɔ́hɛ̃̀] n.

the name of a past Ọba of Oba of Benin, who became crippled in the later days of his reign. He was the father of Ọba Ẹwuare.

ọ́ka [ɔ́kà] n.

corn; maize.

ọ̀ka [ɔ̀ká] n.

leader; usually followed by the noun or pronoun denoting what òka is leader of:

ọ̀ka ẹgbẹe ― “leader of clan; head of family”

;

ọ̀ka idunmwun ― “head of the neighbourhood (same as ọdiọnwere).”

ọkade-ọkade [ɔ̀kádéɔkade] adv.

step by step; gradually.

ọkaruosa [ɔ̀káɽwòsà] n.

debtor.

ọkemwionkọ [ɔ̀kèɱĩõ̀kɔ̀] n.

(< ọ-kọ-emwin-ọkọ) “crop-planter” large-scale farmer; cash-crop farmer.

Ọkiẹkiẹ [ɔ̀kyɛ́kyɛ́] n.

fore-play; loveplay.

ọkotọ [ɔ́kòtɔ̀] n.

the bottom position; the last:

ọmọ-ọkotọ ― “the last born child”

.

ọkuẹkuẹ [ɔ̀kùɛ́kwɛ̀] n.

jog; trot.

ọkuu [ɔ̀kúù] n.

disaster; calamity; total damage:

Ọkuu ọkuu ọ ru lele oghian mwẹn khian ― “Constant calamity is what he keeps having after me; i.e. He is forever encountering disaster in all he does for me.”

ọkha [ɔ́xá] n.

the cotton-seed tree (ceiba pentandra).

ọkhaẹmwẹn [ɔ̀xáɛ̀ɱɛ̃̀] n.

chief; special rank of traditional elders, appointed by the Ọba. They discharge various responsibilities within the traditional judicial system. The ọkhaẹmwẹn status is less important than that of an Ogie ― “a titled ruler” ― though every ogie is by implication an ọkhaẹmwẹn.

ọkhaẹn [ɔ̀xã́ɛ̃̀] n.

porcupine.

ọkhan [ɔ̀xã̀] n.

1. termites;

2. white ants.

ọkhẹ [ɔ̀xɛ́] n.

hunter’s ambush in the wild.

ọkhẹn [ɔ̀xɛ̃̀] n.

clientele; customers!

Obọ ọre tie okhẹn ― “His hands invites clientele; i.e. His patronage attracts additional clientele”

.

ọkhẹrhẹ [ɔ̀xɛ̀řɛ̀] n.

a young palm tree.

ọkhọe [ɔ́xɔe] n.

worm; larva.

ọkhọkhọ [ɔ̀xɔ́xɔ̀] n.

chicken; hen; fowl:

iyọkhọkọ (iye ọkhọkhọ) “mother-hen”: a fully-developed hen

.

ọkhọnmwọn [ɔ̀xɔ́ɱɔ̃̀] n.

a person suffering from a long-term or chronic illness:

ọkhọnmwọn ― oti ― “leprosy patient”

.

ọkhọọ [ɔ̀xɔ̀ɔ́] n.

evil deed; malicious act; mischief:

ọkhọọ bun ibieka na gbe ― “These children are fond of (performing) mischief.”

Ọkhuahẹ [ɔ̀xùáhɛ̀] n.

1. the name of a river in an Edo village by the same name, situated along Benin-Asaba road;

2. the name of a famous magician during the reign of Oba Ewuare. He is said to have transformed himself into the river Ọkhuahẹ, and is worshipped today as a deity.

ọkhuẹ̀ [ɔ̀xwɛ̀] n.

parrot.

ọkhuẹ́ [ɔ̀xwɛ́] n.

“small chop”; snacks bought and consumed compulsively (usually due to lack of selfdiscipline)

Ọ ya ígho ẹre hia rri ọkhuẹ́ foo ― “She spent all her money compulsively buying and consuming snacks.”

ọkhuẹn [ɔ́xwɛ̃́] n.

a tree (Brachystegia eurycoma).

ọkhuẹnkhuẹn [ɔ́xwɛ̃xwɛ̃̀] n.

a variety of thorny creeping plant.

ọ́kpa [ɔ́k͡pá] num.

one; single:

ebe ọkpa ― “one book.”

ọ̀kpa [ɔ̀k͡pà] n.

rooster (also ọkporhu).

ọkpá [ɔ̀k͡pá] n.

1. rod, staff;

2. a yard measure:

Ọkpa enẹ ukpọn na khin ― “This cloth is four yards long.”

ọkpakpata [ɔ̀k͡pàk͡pàtà] n.

(< ọ-kpe-akpata) akpata player (usually accompanies the playing with a chant of folk narratives).

ọkpan¹ [ɔ́k͡pã́] n.

plate.

ọkpan² [ɔ́k͡pã́] num.

odd number.

ọkpankpan [ɔ̀k͡pã́k͡pã̀] n.

anger born of frustration:

Ghẹ ya ọkpankpan so mwẹn ― “Don’t vent your frustration on me.”

ọkpatalẹ [ɔ̀kpàtàlɛ̀] n.

severe case of gonorrhoea.

ọkpayan-uri [ɔ́kpáỹãurì] num.

1. 201;

2. (idiomatic): innumerable.

ọkpema [ɔ̀kpèmà] n.

drummer.

ọkpẹn [ɔ̀kpɛ̃́] n.

side of; edge of:

Ọ mudia ye ọkpẹn úkpo ― “He stood at the side of the road.”

ọkpẹnzẹ [ɔ̀kpɛ̃́zɛ̀] n.

(< ọkpẹn-ẹzẹ) bank of the river.

ọkpẹtu [ɔ̀kpɛ̀tú] n.

a disagreeable event, or person: a nuisance.

ọkpo¹ [ɔ̀kpò] n.

pile; haemorrhoids.

ọkpo² [ɔ̀kpò] n.

goal; score (e.g. in a soccer game).

ọkporhu [ɔ̀kpòřù] n.

1. rooster;

2. preacher.

ọkpọ [ɔ̀kpɔ́] n.

walking stick; staff.

ọkpọkpa [ɔ́kpɔ́kpà] n.

one by one.

ọkpọmwan [ɔ̀kpɔ̀ɱã̀] n.

attendant; assistant; servant.

ọkpọnmwẹnse [ɔ̀kpɔ̃̀ɱɛ̃̀sè] n.

a grateful person.

ọlẹla [ɔ̀lɛ̀lá] n.

hall-way; passage way.

ọlọghọmwan [ɔ̀lɔ̀ɣɔ̀ɱã̀] n.

problems; hardship.

ọma [ɔ̀mã̀ã́] n.

goodness.

ọmada [ɔ̀mã̀dà] n.

the Ọba’s ceremonial sword bearer (pl. emada).

ọmaẹn [ɔ̀mãɛ̃̀] n.

old person; the aged.

ọmakhe [ɔ̀màxè] n.

(< ọ ― ma ― akhe) potter.

ọmamwaenmwin [ɔ̀màɱãẽ̀ɱĩ̀] n.

(< ọ ― ma ― emwan ― emwin) teacher (also etisa).

ọmerhan [ɔ̀méřã̀] n.

(< ọmọ ― erhan) fruit.

ọmiọmwanfan [ɔ̀myɔ̀ɱã̀fã̀] n.

(< ọ ― miẹ ― ọmwan ― fan) saviour (in the Christian sense).

ọmiwu [ɔ̀míwù] n.

direct off-spring, as opposed to eyẹ ― “grandchild.”

ọmobọ [ɔ̀móbɔ̀] n.

(< ọmo-obọ) “child of the arm”: infant.

ọmotọ [ɔ̀mótɔ̀] n.

(< ọmo-otọ): “child of the soil”: native, indigene.

ọmọ [ɔ̀mɔ̃́] n.

1. child; off-spring (pl. emọ):

Emọ eha ọ mwẹn ― “He has three sons”

;

2. (of a plant or tree): fruit.

Ọmọ [ɔ̀mɔ̃́] n.

an appellation for the Ọba:

“Ọmọ n’Ọba n’Ẹdo” ― “Ọmọ, the ruler of Benin.”

ọmọbe [ɔ̀mɔ̃̀bè] n.

problem child.

ọmọmọ [ɔ́mɔ̃́mɔ̃́] n.

baby; infant.

ọna [ɔ̀nã̀] dem. pronoun.

this one (pl. ena):

Ọna ọ ma sẹ ehia: “This one is the best of them all.”

(also ọnọna).

ọnii [ɔ́nĩ̀ĩ́] dem.

den.pron. that one (pl. enii):

Ọnii ọ yẹ mwẹn ― “That one is what I like.”

ọpakharha [ɔ̀páxářá] n.

empty boasts; bluff.

ọpẹkhẹrhẹ [ɔ̀pɛ̀xɛ̀řɛ̀] n.

yam pottage.

ọpia [ɔ́pià] n.

cutlass; machete.

ọpọrhipọ [ɔ̀pɔ̀řípɔ̀] n.

a tree, Sterculia tragacaniha.

ọra [ɔ̀ɽá] n.

dried okra (sliced and dried in the sun, to last longer).

ọre¹ [ɔ̀rè] cop.

1. serves as the link between a focalized element in a sentence and the rest of the sentence:

owa ọre ọ na vbaa re ― “Home it was that he met him: it was at home that he met him.”

;

2. serves as a link between clauses or sentences in a narrative discourse:

Iran ghi sẹ evba, ọre iran na tuẹ ọre; ọre iran na tota ― “When they got there, they greeted him, they then sat down . . . ”

(variant form is ẹre).

ọre² [ɔ́ɽè] pron.

3rd pers. sg. possessive pron: his, her, its:

owẹ ọre ― “his/ her/its feet.”

(Variant forms: ẹre, ọnrẹn, ẹnrẹn, re, rẹn).

ọrẹrẹ [ɔ̀ɽɛ̀ɽɛ̀] n.

a variety of beans.

ọrọ [ɔ̀ɽɔ̀] n.

paralysis.

ọrọgiọ [ɔ̀rɔ̀gyɔ̀] n.

a kind of wooden rattle.

ọrue [ɔ̀ɽúè] n.

co-wife.

ọruero [ɔ̀ɽwèɽò] n.

(< ọ-ru-ero) a cunning person; a deceitful person.

ọruẹbọ [ɔ̀ɽwɛ̀bɔ̀] n.

(< ọ-ru-ẹbọ) pagan.

ọruosa [ɔ̀ɽwòsà] n.

(< ọ-ru-osa) debtor.

ọrhẹnrhẹn [ɔ̀řɛ̃̀ɛ̃́řɛ̃̀] n.

a lot; a large quantity:

Ígho ne ọ mu rre ọrhẹnrhẹn ― “The money he brought was a whole lot.”

ọrhẹnrhẹnbiẹnrhẹn [ɔ̀řɛ̃̀řɛ̃̀bĩɛ̃řɛ̃̀] adj.

very large or numerous.

ọrhiae [ɔ̀řiáè] n.

useless thing; a no-good (person or thing).

ọrho [ɔ̀řò] n.

mud; slush.

ọrhọre [ɔ̀řɔ̀ɽé] n.

waterfall.

ọrhomwungborrie [ɔ̀řɔ́ɱũ̀gbóryè] adj.

numerous:

Ma dẹghe ọrhọvbungborrie ẹvbo ne i rre ― “We saw the numerous people that came.”

ọrriegie [ɔ̀ryègyè] n.

(< ọ-rri-egie) titlebearer; a titled person.

ọrriọvbe [ɔ̀ryɔ̀ʋè] n.

alien; stranger; foreigner.

ọrriukhu [ɔ̀ryùxù] n.

(< ọ-rri-ukhu) heir; inheritor.

ọsa [ɔ̀sà] n.

big ape: gorilla; chimpanzee.

ọsama [ɔ̀sàmà] n.

1. (< ọ-sa-ama) brass-smith;

2. sculptor.

ọsara [ɔ̀sáɽà] n.

saw (carpenter’s implement).

ọse [ɔ̀sè] n.

1. friend;

2. lover.

ọsegbe [ɔ̀ség͡bè] n.

in turns; turn by turn (also the reduplicated form: ọsegbe-ọsegbe).

ọsẹlẹ [ɔ́sɛ̀lɛ́] n.

cricket (also asẹlẹ).

Ọsẹmwẹndẹ [ɔ̀sɛ́ɱɛ̃̀dɛ́] n.

name of a past Ọba of Benin.

ọsiwu [ɔ̀sìwù] n.

the tribal mark cutter (no longer in practice).

ọsuohuan [ɔ̀swòhw̃ã̀] n.

(< ọ ― su ― ohuan): “leader of sheep”: shepherd.

ọta [ɔ̀tá] n.

speech; conversation:

Iran gha gbe ọta vba ― “They are conversing there.”

ọtakhọ [ɔ̀tàxɔ́] n.

back-biting; slander.

ọtan [ɔ̀tã̀] n.

squirrel.

ọ́tẹn¹ [ɔ́tɛ̃́] n.

a very sweet drink made from fermented ripe plantains.

ọ̀tẹn² [ɔ̀tɛ̃́] n.

1. general blood relative:

Ọtẹn ma khin ― “We are blood relatives”

;

2. sibling;

3. an address term for anybody one feels favourably disposed toward:

Ghe gui ọtẹn mwẹn ― “Don’t be offended please.”

ọtọn [ɔ̀tɔ̃̀] n.

rust.

Ọvia [ɔ̀vyá] n.

1. the name of a river;

2. the name of the goddess of Ovia river, and the cult that worships it.

ọviẹn [ɔ̀vyɛ̃́] n.

slave; servant.

ọvo [ɔ̀ʋó] n.

half-heartedness; disinclination. (also in the reduplicated form: ọvọvo):

Ọvọvo o ya ru iwinna na ― “He did this work half-heartedly.”

ọmwan [ɔ̀ɱã́] n.

person; human being (pl.: emwan):

emwan nibun ― “Many people.”

ọmwanbabe [ɔ̀ɱã̀bàbè] n.

a witch (also azẹn).

ọmwẹnmwẹn [ɔ̀ɱɛ̃́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

a mad person.

ọvbehe [ɔ́ʋèhé] n.

another one; another.

ọvbokhan [ɔ̀ʋóxã̀] n.

1. child; a young person, hence

ọvbokhonkhuo (< ọvbokhan-okhuo): girl

;

ọvbokhonkpia (< ọvbokhan ― okpia) “boy”

;

2. servant, assistant;

3. (also with low tones: ọvbokhan ) “wife” ― always occurs with a possessive:

ọvbokhan mwẹn ― “my wife.”

ọvbokhunvbi [ɔ̀ʋóxũ̀ʋí] n.

a girl or young woman (in her mid to late teens).

ọ́wa [ɔ́wá] n.

epilepsy.

ọ̀wa [ɔ̀wà] n.

castrated animal:

ẹwe ọwa ― “castrated goat.”

ọwara [ɔ̀wàɽà] n.

1. straight, uninterrupted stretch (of time or space):

ọwara uki eha ― “for an uninterrupted period of three months.”

ọwẹ [ɔ̀wɛ̀] n.

male (used of animals only).

ọwẹe [ɔ̀wɛ́è] n.

farmer (also ọgbugbo).

ọwẹwẹ [ɔ̀wɛ́wɛ́] n.

a kind of native explosive fired like a gun at second burial ceremonies.

ọwiẹyi [ɔ̀wiɛ̀yí] n.

used item; second-hand.

ọwọ [ɔ̀wɔ̀] n.

a variety of house-bat.

ọyarra [ɔ̀yàrá] n.

an uncouth person.

ọyẹnmwẹn [ɔ̀ỹɛ̃̀ɱɛ̃̀] n.

joy; merriment.

ọyunnua [ɔ̀ỹũ̀nw̃ã́] n.

a surprise; amazement.

ọza [ɔ̀zá] n.

a sash used by a woman for tying a baby to the back.

Ọza [ɔ̀zà] n.

the name of an Edo-speaking community, whose dialect of Edo is quite distinct.

ọzedu [ɔ̀zèdù] n.

(< ọ-zẹ-edu) interpreter.

ọzẹba [ɔ̀zɛ̀bá] n.

a sticky and unanticipated problem.

Ọzọlua [ɔ̀zɔ̀luà] n.

the name of a past Oba of Benin. He was the father of Ọba Ẹsigie.

ọzuọ [ɔ̀zuɔ̀] n.

fool; idiot.

panpanpan [pã́pã́pã́] adv.

describes a quality of noise, such as the blast of an automobile horn:

Ọ gha tu panpanpan ― “He is crying, making a flat and loud noise.”

pàpá [pàpá] vb.

1. to stroke gently with the palm of the hand, or any flat object.;

2. to attach (something) to a flat surface:

ọ papa ebe nii mu ẹkhu ― “He attached that sheet of paper to the door.”

papaapa [pàpààpà] adj.; adv.

describes something flat and wide:

Ọ ru aro papaapa ― “He has a face that is flat and wide.”

parha [pařa] adv.; adj.

describes an object that’s broad and flat, such as a tray, a human head that’s big and flat at the top:

Ọ ru uhunmwun parha ― “He has a head that’s big and flat.”

pepepe [pépèpé] adv.

describes a general friskiness or liveliness:

Ọ gha dan khian pepepe ― “He is hopping friskily along.”

pẹpẹ [pɛ̀pɛ́] vb.

1. to lure; entice:

Ọ pẹpẹ ọre fi osa ― “She lured him into debt.”

;

2. to pet; to pamper.

pẹrẹrẹ [pɛ̀ɽɛ̀ɽɛ̀] adv.

describes the gliding motion of a bird in flight:

Ọ tin fua pẹrẹrẹ ― “It flew away in a glide.”

pẹrhẹ [pɛ̀řɛ̀] adj.; adv.

describes a flat surface that is also low, such as a stool, or the top of a low tree stump.

pianranran [pyã́ɽ̃ã́] adj.

describes something that is thin and long, or extended (e.g. like a cane).

piẹn [pĩ̀ɛ̃́] vb.

1. to press against;

2. to push forcibly into a limited space or against a hard surface:

Ọ piẹn ọnren mu egbekẹn ― “He pressed her against the wall.”

piẹnpiẹn [pỹɛ̃̀pỹɛ̃́] vb.

1. same as piẹn;

2. (of space) to be too tight.

piẹnrhẹn [pỹɛ̃̀řɛ̃́] vb.

to become smashed; (of ripe fruit or vegetable) to be smashed; to decompose.

piọrhọ [pyɔ̀řɔ́] vb.

same as piẹnrhẹn.

piọrhọpiọrhọ [pyɔ̀řɔ̀pyɔ̀řɔ̀] adv.; adj.

describes something that is soft and messy, such as over-ripe or rotten fruit.

pirhi [pìří] vb.

1. to blur, or smear:

Ọ pirhi ehia kugbe ― “He smeared all together.”

;

2. to be or become blurred, or smeared ―

Emwin hia ne i gbẹn pirhi vbe aro mwẹn ― “Everything I wrote became blurred in my eyes.”

pirhipirhi [pìřìpìřì] adv.; adj.

unclear; blurred; confused:

Ehia ye pirhipirhi ― “They all seem confused and indistinct.”

pupupu [pùpùpù] adv.

describes the fluttering of a large bird in a short distance flight:

Ọ gha gbe ifuẹn pupupu ― “It is fluttering its wings.”

ra¹ [ɽà] inter. part.

question particle requiring a “Yes” or “No” answer:

Ọ rre ra? ― Did he come?

ra² [ɽà] conj.

or; a conjunction introducing the second of two alternatives:

Ọ gha rre ra ẹ i dee? “Will he come or not?”

ra [ɽá] adv.

inceptive formative which indicates that an action is about to begin:

Ọ ra kpaọ ― “He is about to depart.”

raan [ɽã̀ã́] vb.

to till; to stuff up; to cram:

Ọ ran uvun ne ọ tọnnọẹ ― “He filled the hole that he dug.”

rae [ɽàé] vb.

to go to a place (occurs more generally in a negative clause):

Ọ wẹ irẹn i ghi rae ― “He said that he will not go any more.”

; 2. (with sẹ in sẹ-raẹ): to leave; to depart:

Ọ sẹ erhae rae ye igue ― “He from his father departed at the village” ― “He departed from his father in the village or: He left his father behind in the village.”

raghoragho [ɽáɣóɽáɽó] adj.

describes the shades of colour between light green and light blue.

Ukpọn ne ọ rhuaẹn ye raghoragho ― “The cloth that he tied looked greenish.”

ranmwẹn [ɽã̀ɱɛ̃́] vb.

to fry in oil; to cook by frying ―

Ọ ranmwẹn emiowo ne ima re ― “He fried meat for us to eat.”

ranran [ɽã̀ɽã́] vb.

to melt; to become liquefied by heat:

Ofiugbọn ne ọ mu yan erhẹn ranran nẹ ― “The oil that he put on the fire has melted.”

; 2. (fig.) to melt with fear or apprehension:

ọ te ranran vbe ọ deghe ẹre ― “He almost melted when he saw her.”

re¹ [ɽé] vb.

to eat (when followed directly by its object, it becomes rri)

Iran rri ẹma ne ọ le ne iran ― “They ate the pounded yam that he cooked for them.”

re² [ɽé] vb.

to acquire (something): (when directly followed by its object, it becomes rri) ―

Iran gu ẹre ghọghọ yẹ egie ne ọ re ― “They rejoiced with him over the chieftaincy title that he acquired.”

Ọ rri egie ― “He acquired a title.”

re³ [ɽé] vb.

to incur (e.g. hardship) (when directly followed by its object, it becomes rri):

Ọ rri oya vbe owa ọdọ ọre ― “She incurred abuse in her husband’s house.”

re⁴ [ɽé] vb.

(of shoes, blades of knives, machetes, etc.) to deteriorate in quality; to wear; to show signs of damage or age as a result of ordinary use:

Ibata na re nẹ ― “These shoes are now worn.”

re⁵ [ɽè] cop.

to be:

Ọkpa re okpia nọkẹre re okhuo ― “One is male while the other is female.”

ree [ɽèé] vb.

1. to bury (a dead person).;

2. to conceal:

Ọ ree ẹre ye uwu ukpọn ― “She concealed it in her apparel.”

reghe [ɽéɣé] adv.

describes something that is very high up:

Ọ rhie rrọ reghe vbe odukhunmwun ― “He hung very high above (also reghereghe).”

reghereghe [ɽéɣéɽéɣé] adv.

1. very high; far beyond reach;

2. (of eyes): deep-set.

rere [ɽéɽe] int.

a greeting, used mainly by the elderly, to mean “welcome”.

rerere [ɽéɽéɽé] adv.

describes a very high pitched sound ―

Ọ da van rerere ― “He gave vent to a loud shrill.”

rẹẹn [ɽɛ̃̀ɛ̃́] vb.

1. to know ―

I rẹẹn inu ne ọ rre evba ― “I know how many that are there”

.;

2. to be acquainted with; to recognize ―

Ọ ma ghi te rẹẹn ọnrẹn ― “He almost did not recognize him.”

rẹghẹrẹghẹ [ɽɛ̀ɣɛ̀ɽɛ̀ɣɛ̀] adj.

(of colour): shades ranging from pale pink to light shades of red and orange; (of temperature): warm, lukewarm:

Amẹ na ye rẹghẹrẹghẹ ― “This water is lukewarm.”

rẹnrẹn¹ [ɽɛ̃̀ɽɛ̃́] vb.

1. to tickle (somebody); to excite the nerves (of somebody) to produce laughter:

Ọ gha rẹnrẹn mwẹn ― “He is tickling me.”

;

2. to be tickled.

rẹnrẹn² [ɽɛ̃̀ɽ̃ɛ̃́] vb.

to crawl (like an insect); to glide slowly on the ground.

rẹnrẹnrẹn [ɽ̃ɛ̃̀ɽ̃ɛ̃̀ɽ̃ɛ̃̀] adv,; adj.

describes smooth and gentle motion, or appearance.

rẹrẹ [ɽɛ̀ɽɛ́] vb.

1. to deceive ―

Ọ rẹrẹ ọre miẹ ọnrẹn igho ― “He deceptively took money from him.”

;

2. to lure, to entice:

Ọ ya igho rẹrẹ ọre rhie kpaọ ― “He used money to lure her away with him. He lured her away with money”

.

riin [ɽĩ́i] dem. adj.

a variant of the demonstrative adjective “nii”, used mainly by “old people”.

rinmwian [ɽĩ̀ɱyã́] vb.

to beg; to plead with:

Rinmwian mwẹn ne i ghẹ kpaọ sẹ ruẹ rae ― “Plead with me not to depart from you.”

ro¹ [ɽó] vb.

to be cheap:

Evbare waa ro vbe ẹvbo na ― “Food is quite cheap in this town.”

ro² [ɽó] vb.

(of a boil or an inflamed tumour) to leak out pus; to discharge pus:

arighẹghan ne ọ mu ẹre owẹ ma he ye ro ― “The boil that afflicted him on the leg has not yet started to discharge pus.”

ro³ [ɽó] vb.

to flood; to inundate; to form a crowd:

Amẹ ro vuọn úkpo ― “Water has flooded the road: The road is flooded with water.”

Ọgba ro ne ẹvbo ― “The tap is crowded (with people).”

rogho [ɽòɣó] vb.

to be undesirably soft or watery; (of fruit or vegetable); to deteriorate; to start to rot.:

Etamatosi hia ne ọ dẹ rre rogho vuọn okhuae ― “All the tomatoes she bought here have started to rot in the basket.”

roo [ɽòó] vb.

cf. roro.

roro [ɽòɽó] vb.

1. to think, to meditate;

2. to compute; to reckon;

3. to add:

Roro ehia kugbe ne u khama mwẹn inu ne iran khin ― “Add all together and tell me how many they are.”

(also roo).

rọ¹ [ɽɔ́] vb.

1. to exchange:

Ya ọnona rọ ọnii ― “Exchange that with this.”

;

2. to change money into smaller denominations; to make change:

Lahọ, rọ ígho na mẹ ― “Please, change this money (into smaller denominations) for me.”

rọ² [ɽɔ́] vb.

to come to a standstill; to rest; to stop:

Ai miẹ ẹghẹ ne agbanmwẹn ọnrẹn ya rọ ― “There is never a time that his jaws are at rest. (i.e. He is forever talking).”

rọkhọ [ɽɔ̀xɔ́] vb.

(of fruit)

1. to be very ripe:

alimoi na rọkhọ nẹ ― “This orange is now very ripe.”

;

2. to be easy (to do); to be stress-free:

Iwinna ne ọ mu mẹ ru rọkhọ ― “The work that he gave me to do is easy.”

;

3. to be comfortable; peaceful:

Owa na rọkhọ mwẹn egbe ― “This house is comfortable for me (for my body)”

.

4. (of illness) to subside; to lessen:

Uhunmwonva ẹre fẹko rọkhọ nẹ ― “His illness is gradually subsiding.”

rọn [ɽ̃ɔ̃́] vb.

1. to drip; to shed moisture or liquid; to leak:

Ofiugbọn rọn kua vbe uko ― “The oil dripped out of the calabash.”

;

2. to look radiant; to have a sheen:

Ke ne ọ ya sẹ Ẹdo, te ọ ghi rọn ― “Since she arrived in Benin, she has been looking radiant.”

rọnmwẹn [ɽ̃ɔ̃̀ɱɛ̃́] vb.

to marry (used mainly of a woman)

Ọtenmwẹn ẹre ọ rọnmwẹn ― “It is my relation that she married.”

ru [ɽú] vb.

1. to do; to perform ―

Ọ ru iwinna ne a mu nẹẹn nẹ ― “He has already performed the task that he was assigned.”

;

2. to perform the ritual rites (e.g. of ancestors or a deity); to offer sacrifice:

Akhuẹ ẹre ọ khian ru erhae ― “It is tomorrow that he will perform the rites of his father (or ancestors).”

;

3. to be like; to have the characteristics of:

Ukpọn ne iran dẹe ru ebebe ― “The cloth which they bought is greenish (is like foliage)”

.

ru-khọọ [ɽúxɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

1. to sin; to err;

2. to ill-treat.

rua¹ [ɽùá] adv.

indicates that the action in the verb with which it co-occurs was performed to the extreme limit:

Ọ bun mwẹn obọ rua ― “He broke my hand completely.”

(Other forms of the adverb are ruan; -uan; -ua, -a).

rua² [ɽùá] pron.

same as ruan².

ruan¹ [ɽũ̀ã́] vb.

to drug (a person); to administer poison (to a person).

Iran ruan rẹn vbe ehe ne ọ yoo ― “They drugged him where he went.”

ruan² [ɽũ̀ã́] pron.

a form of the 2nd person pl. pron. (poss. & obj.) which is used mainly by the elderly:

Ẹmwẹn ruan ọ ya mwẹn sẹ usẹ ― “It is on your (pl.) account that I am suffering”

: “I am suffering on your account”. Now most people would say: “Emwẹn uwa ọ ya mwẹn sẹ usẹ.” (other forms of the pronoun are rua, -uan, & -ua).

ruburubu [ɽùbùɽùbù] adj.

(usually introduced by the vb. ye) describes something that is round and smooth.

rue [ɽùé] vb.

to vie with (usually of co-wives).

ruegbe [ɽwègbé] vb.

to engage in a verbal or physical tussle with somebody:

Te iran eveva ruegbe sin ― “Both of them have since been engaged in a tussle.”

rueghe [ɽwèɣé] vb.

to shake; to move back and forth; to be unsteady.

ruẹ¹ [ɽùɛ́] vb.

1. to learn:

Ọ ruẹe vbene a ya kuun ẹnrẹn hẹẹ ― “He learned how it is constructed”

;

2. to teach (to somebody)

Ọ ruẹ ọre ikẹkẹ ne a hin ― “He taught him how to ride a bicycle.”

ruẹ² [ɽùɛ́] pron.

a form of the 2nd pers. sgl. pron. (possessive):

ebe ruẹ ― “Your book”

; (other forms of the pron. are ruẹn, -uẹ, -uẹn, -ẹn, -ẹ).

ruẹn [ɽ̃ũ̀ɛ̃́] vb.

to pour liquid into a container; to fill with liquid:

Ruẹn amẹ ye ọgọ nii mẹ ― “Fill that bottle with water for me.”

ruẹn [ɽ̃ũɛ̃] n.

same as ruẹ², but occurs only in a nasal environment:

ẹmwẹn ruẹn ― “your matter”

.

ruẹse [ɽwɛ̀sé] vb.

1. (< ru¹ ― ẹse) “to do a kindness”; to help; to bestow a favour;

2. (as part of the greeting: “U ruẹse”) to be deserving of one’s gratitude or indebtedness:

“U ruẹse vbe egbe mwẹn ” ― “I am grateful for your help/kindness to me.”

rundẹnrundẹn [ɽ̃ũ̀dɛ̃̀ɽ̃ũ̀dɛ̃̀] adj.

(usually intr. by the vb. “ye”) describes something (or somebody) that is weak and unhealthy-looking.

runran [ɽ̃ũ̀ɽ̃ã́] vb.

to be startled; to start or shudder (e.g. with shock or fright):

Ọ runraẹn vbe avan-nukhun-mwun vaẹn ― “She shuddered when it thundered.”

ruosa [ɽwòsá] vb.

(< ru¹ ― osa) to incur a debt; to be in debt.

rururu [ɽùɽùɽù] adj.

(usually introduced by the vb. “ye”) describes a big and distended object.

rhaa [řàá] vb.

to steal:

Iran rhaa gbe vbe ẹvbo na ― “They steal exceedingly in this town (i.e. there is a lot of stealing in this town.)”

rhaan [řã̀ã́] vb.

1. to loosen; to untie:

Rhan irri nii hin ẹnrẹn owẹ rre ― “Loosen that rope from its leg.”

;

2. (with aro) to open.

rhaanro [řã̀ã́rò] vb.

(< rhaan ― vbe ― arọ) “open at the eyes”: to be sophisticated; to be civilized. (cf. ìrhànrò).

rhanmwẹn [řã̀ɱɛ̃́] vb.

1. to dip (a piece of food) into soup or sauce (before eating it) (e.g. eba or pounded yam).;

2. to touch, to come into contact with:

Ukpọn ne ọ rhuaẹn rhanmwẹn otọ ― “The cloth she is tying touches the ground.”

;

3. (idiom) to be affected severely:

Obọ rhanmwẹn ọnrẹn vbe ugbemwẹn ne iran gbẹe ― “He really had it from the beating that they gave him.”

rhanmwẹn [řã́ɱɛ̃̀] adv.

“to the extent that”; “so much so” (usually occurs in a negative clause):

Ei rhulẹ rhanmwẹn ne obọ ghẹ vba ọre ― “He cannot run so much (so fast) that he would not be caught.”

rhanrhananrhan [řã́řã́ã́řã́] adv.

very loudly:

Ọ vaẹn rhanrhananrhan ― “He shouted very loudly.”

rhee [řèé] adv.

even though; though:

Ọ rhee yẹ mwẹn, sokpan ii khian sẹtin dọe ― “Even though I like it, I will however be unable to buy it.”

rherhe [řeře] adv.

quickly, early, in good time:

Ọ rherhe kpaọ ― “He left in good time.”

U ghi rherhe rre ― “Arrive early”

(As part of the greeting: U rherhe) “farewell”; “safe-journey”, etc.

rhia [řyá] vb.

1. to spoil or to become spoilt; to go bad; to develop a fault:

Ikẹkẹ mwẹn rhiae ― “My bicycle has developed a fault.”

Uwọnmwẹn na rhiae ― “This soup has gone bad.”

rhia [řìá] adv.

wastefully; wrongly:

Ọ lo ígho hia ne a mu nẹẹn rhia ― “He spent all the money he was given wastefully.”

rhie [řìé] vb.

1. to take; to acquire (used generally of a singular obj. only)

Ọ rhie ebe ne ọ ghaa rre evba ― “He took the book that was there.”

;

2. to pick up something:

Ọ rhie ẹre kpaọ gha rrie owa ― “He picked it up and took it home (with him)”

.

Combination with advs. and other verbs:

rhie baa ― “to add”:

Ọ rhie ekherhe baa re ― “He added a little to it”

;

rhie-fua ― “to throw away”:

“Ọ rhie enọkẹre fua” ― “He threw away the other one”

:

rhie-gbakhua ― “to save”; “to put away as standby”:

O rhie ígho kherhe gbakhua khẹẹ ivbi-ẹre ― “He saved a little amount of money away for his children.”

rhie ― hin ―

1. “to remove”:

Ọ rhie nẹima ne ọ rrọọ hin vbọ ― “He removed the bad one out of it”

.;

2. to store away; to keep:

Ọ rhie ígho ne iran rhie nẹẹ hin ― “He kept the money that they gave him.”

rhie ― lẹre ― “to hide (something)”:

Ọ rhie ígho ẹre lẹre ye uwowa ― “He hid his money in the house”

;

rhie maa “to show”; “to prove to”:

Ọ rhie uyinmwẹn dan rẹn maa vbe evba ― “He demonstrated his bad habit there.”

rhie na ― “to give to”; “donate”:

Ọ rhie ígho ne ibiẹka eso ― “He gave money to some children.”

“rhie-rrọ” ―

1. “to perch”:

Ọ rhie rro ye uhunmwun erhan ― “It perched on the tree.”

;

2. “to hang up” ―

Ọ rhie ẹwu ẹre rrọ ye irri ― “He hung up his garment on the rope.”

rhie mwẹẹn ― “to hold”:

Ọ rhie ẹkpo mwẹẹn vbe obọ ― “He was holding a bag in his hand.”

; 3.

rhie-yi ― “to place or leave (somewhere)”:

Ọ rhie ígho ye otọ ― “He left money down (behind)”

.

rhiegbe [řyègbé] vb.

“to take self”: to emancipate from apprenticeship or wardship.

rhiẹnrhiẹn [řỹɛ̃̀řĩɛ̃́] vb.

1. (of edible things) to be delicious; to be appetizing:

Evbare na waa rhiẹnrhiẹn ― “This meal is very delicious”

;

2. (of non-edible things): to be delightful, pleasant and pleasurable:

Eghẹ emwiunkpo rhiẹnrhiẹn gbe ― “The new year period is very pleasant.”

rhikhan [řìxã́] vb.

1. to be smooth, supple and pliable; (of pounded yam): to be of smooth consistency; “good-to-eat.”;

2. to put up a struggle:

Ọ rhikhaẹn lelẹe ― “She struggled after him”

.

rhinnọ [řĩ̀nɔ̃́] vb.

1. to disturb a wound through contact with something:

Ọ rhinnọ mwẹn owẹ ― “He hurt the wound on my leg.”

;

2. to rouse painful memories:

Ẹmwẹn ọnrẹn wa vbe rhinnọ mwẹn orhiọn ― “Thoughts of him have again roused painful memories in my mind.”

rhinrinrin [řĩr̃ĩ́r̃ĩ́] adv.

(of time) continuously; non-stop.

Te iran ye khẹẹ ọre rhinrinrin do sẹ ẹre na ― “They are still waiting for him continuously up to this day.”

rhiobọyebe [řiòbɔ́yèbé] vb.

(< rhie-obọ-ye-ebe): “Put hand on paper” ― to sign or certify a document.

rhiọ [řyɔ́] vb.

to do something very early in the morning (at the crack of dawn):

Ọ rhiọ khuẹ ne ọ mieke na rherhe muegbe ― “He bathed at dawn so that he would be ready in time.”

rhiọha [řyɔ̀há] vb.

(< rhie ― ọha) “to take a bride”: to marry.

rhiọọn [řyɔ̃́ɔ̃́] adv.; adj.

indicates extreme state of coldness.

Ọ gbonni rhiọọn ― “It is freezing cold.”

;

Egbe ẹre ye rhiọọn ― “Her body is very cold.”

rhiọrre [řyɔ̀ré] vb.

to wake up; to rise:

Ọ rherhe rhiọrre nowiẹrẹ ― “He woke up early this morning.”

rhirhi [říří] adv.

expresses the general adverbial meaning shared by the following Eng. pronouns: whatever, whoever, whenever, however: ever:

Eghe nẹ ọ rhirhi khọn ruẹn ― “whenever you like”

;

omwan ne ọ rhirhi rre ― “whoever comes”

;

ehe ne u rhirhi yo . . . “wherever you go”

, etc.

rhiukorrọọ [řìúkórɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

(< rhie-uko-rrọọ) “to hang up the gourd”: an idiom for “to commit suicide by hanging”; “to hang.”

rhoo¹ [řòó] vb.

1. to praise (esp. in the religious sense).;

2. to compliment or commend somebody on some outstanding achievement or good disposition.

rhoo² [řòó] vb.;

to commit a breach of etiquette in reference to the Ọba.

rhovbiẹ [řòvyɛ́] vb.

to abuse or insult verbally:

Ne ọ na rhovbiẹ mwẹn ẹre i na gbẹe ― “On account that he abused me verbally was why I beat him.”

rhọkpa [řɔ̀k͡pà] quant.

(occurs usually in neg. clauses). any:

emwin rhokpa rre evba ― “anything is not there: nothing is there.”

I ma miẹ ọnwan rhọkpa vbe evba ― “I did not see any person there: I saw nobody there.”

rhọọ¹ [řɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

to pick up things from the ground:

Ọ gha rhọ alimoi ne i kharha kua ― “She is picking the oranges that dropped (down).”

rhọọ² [řɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

to rain:

amẹ rhọọre nodẹ ― “It rained yesterday.”

rhu¹ [řú] vb.

1. to cover over something (e.g. with a larger object):

Ọ si ukpọn rhu aro ― “He pulled the cloth (to cover) over his face.”

;

2. to cast a shade over (something):

Erhan rhu gue ẹre ― “A tree has cast a shade over it.”

;

3. to wear a hat:

Ọ rhu erhu ― “He wore a hat”

.;

4. (of plants) ― to have a full foliage; to be covered with leaves.;

5. (of eyes) to be blind:

Te aro ọre rhuu ― “His eyes are blind.”

rhu² [řú] vb.

to light a lamp or a fire; to set ablaze:

Ọ rhu erhẹn ye owa ― “He set fire to the house.”

rhua [řùá] vb.

to soak (something) in liquid:

Ọ rhua igari ye amẹ ― “She soaked some garri in water.”

(also rhuarhua).

rhuan [řwã́] vb.

1. to wrap a piece of cloth around the body; to tie a wrapper;

2. to dress up (e.g. in full regalia).

rhuan [řũ̀ã́] vb.

to shed skin (e.g. of snakes); to peel.

rhuarhua¹ [řwàřwá] vb.

cf. rhua.

rhuarhua² [řuàřuá] vb.

to look fatter and healthier, esp. after an illness; to put on a little more flesh esp. by a lean person.

rhuẹ¹ [řùɛ́] vb.

to circumcize.

rhuẹ² [řùɛ́] vb.

(of fats and oil): to coagulate; to congeal.

rhuẹ³ [řùɛ́] vb.

(of a trap): to set a trap.

Ọ rhuẹ ifi khẹe ofẹn ― “He set a trap for the rats.”

rhugbama [řùg͡bàmá] vb.

to assemble; to come together.

rhulẹ [řùlɛ́] vb.

(< rhie ― ule)

1. “to take a race”: to run:

Ọ sẹtin rhulẹ ― “He can run.”

;

2. (in combination with another vb.): to make haste; to hurry:

Ọ rhulẹ ru ẹre ― “He made haste to do it: he did it hastily.”

rhunmwunda [řũ̀ɱũ̀dá] adv.

because (of); on account of:

Ọ kpaọ rhunmwunda emwin ne iran ru ẹre ― “He left because of what they did to him.”

rhuo [řùó] vb.

to peel off the skin (used mainly of boiled yam):

Ọ rhuo iyan ye ọre odo ― “He peeled yam into the mortar for him (to pound)”

.

rhuọ [řwɔ́] vb.

to boast; to brag.

rhurhẹ [řùřɛ́] vb.

1. to pour away; to spill:

amẹ rhurhẹ kua vbe ọgọ ― “Water poured out of the bottle.”

;

2. to break out with; to develop (usually of a skin condition):

Ikponi rhurhẹ kuẹ ọre ― “He broke out into goose-bumps.”

rhurhu [řùřú] vb.

to crowd together; to move in swamps:

Iran rhurhu lẹga ẹre ― “They crowded around it.”

rraa¹ [ràá] vb.

1. to dab (something) on; to smear with a cream or some solution: (e.g. paint):

Ọ ya orhue rraa uhunmwun ― “He dabbed chalk on his head.”

;

2. to caress esp. (with the palm); to rub back and forth:

Ọ gha ya obọ rraa ẹre egbe ― “She is caressing him with her hand.”

rraa² [ràá] vb.

(usually in combination with fian ― to cut): to cross:

Ọ fian ukpo rraa ― “He cut across the road: he crossed the road.”

rraa³ [ràá] vb.

to catch something that was thrown into the air:

Ọ rraa ibolu ne a fi giẹe ― “He caught the ball that was thrown to him.”

rraa⁴ [ràá] vb.

to commit a breach (of the law); to fail in the application of a rule:

Ọ rra uhi ― “He broke the law.”

rraa⁵ [ràá] vb.

(with ikpowo ― porridge) to prepare (porridge), to cook (it).:

Ọ ma rẹn vbe a rraa ikpowo hẹẹ ― “He did not know how to prepare porridge.”

rraan [rã̀ã́] vb.

1. to heat up (e.g. cold soup);

2. (of egbe ― body): to be well, sound:

Egbe ma rraan mwẹn ― “Body is not sound for me: I am not well; I am ill.”

;

3. (of weather) to be crisp and nice:

ehe hia rraanrẹn ― “Everywhere is crisp and bright”

.

rrabọ [ràbɔ́] vb.

(< rraa¹ ― obọ) “to rub hands”: to rub palms together in a gesture expressive of supplication, respect or praise.

rre [ré] vb.

1. to be located at:

Iran rre ughugha nii ― “They are in that room.”

;

2. to be available at:

Egbẹ ọna vbe rre ẹvbo ima ― “This variety is also found in our town”

(when there is no direct locative complement, or when a prep. occurs before the locative, the form used is rrọọ):

Eso vbe rrọọ vbe ughugha nii ― “There are also some in that room.”

rre [réè] vb.

1. to arrive:

Node ẹre ọ rre ― “Yesterday was when he arrived”

(with this sense, it usually does not take a locative complement);

2. to come (when there is a locative complement it becomes rri):

I rre, sokpan i ma miẹ omwan rhọkpa vbe owa ― “I came but I did not find anybody at home”

;

I rri emwan, sokpan . . . “I came here, but . . . .”

(with this sense, rre is replaced by dee in the progressive aspect):

I dee ― “I am coming”

(when there is a locative complement, dee becomes di):

I di owa ruẹ ― “I am coming to your house.”

rree [rèé] vb.

to be distant; to be remote (in both time and space):

Eko rree vbe Ẹdo ― “Lagos is far from Benin”

;

Ọ rreere ne a ghi ru ẹre ― “It is a long time ago that it was done.”

rri¹ [rí] vb.

1. to tie a knot; to fasten:

Rri ere mu aberhan ne ọ ghẹ lẹ fua ― “Fasten it to a branch so that it may not run away.”

;

2. (with mu): to tangle; to get stuck:

Ọ mu rri ― “It has tangled.”

rri² [rí] vb.

1. to tread upon; to trample:

ọ ya owẹ rri mwẹn ukpọn mu otọ ― “She trampled over my cloth.”

(cf. rrilo).

rri³ [rí] vb.

the transitive form of re (1, 2 & 3):

Ọ rri izẹ ― “He ate rice.”

rria¹ [rìá] vb.

to rinse out:

Ọ rria ukpọn hẹ ye ovẹn ― “She rinsed clothes and put them out in the sun.”

rria² [rìá] vb.

to extrapolate; to interpret into more familiar terms (e.g. of a configuration in an oracle).

rriabe [ryàbé] vb.

(< re³ ― abe) to be guilty (in a case).

rriaikhi [ryàìxí] vb.

to avenge; to take revenge.

rriara [ryàɽá] vb.

to be bitter, unpleasant, sour.

rriarria [ryàryá] vb.

to hover around (a person) with a craving for a share of his/her food:

Ọ gha rriarria ye ọre evbare ― “She is hovering around with a craving for his food.”

rriase [riàsé] vb.

(< re³ ― ase) to be innocent (in a case).

rrie [rìé] vb.

1. to retreat; to go away:

Ọ gha ru ẹre fo nẹ, ọ rrie ― “When he has completed it, he will go away”

.;

2. to be in the process of going (to a place); to be on the way to:

Ọ rrie uhunmwun ne a gie ẹre ― “He is on his way on the errand which he was sent.”

Ọ rrie owa ― “He is on his way home.”

rriẹrriẹ [ryɛ̀ryɛ́] vb.

(of something cooking over an open fire) to turn over or around; to adjust over the fire (so that it doesn’t burn).

rrievbare [ryèʋàɽé] vb.

(< re¹ ― evbare) “to eat food” ― generally means “to eat” when nothing specific is indicated.

rriẹ [ryɛ́] vb.

to be smooth:

Gie ẹre rrie ― “Let it be smooth.”

rriẹ [rìɛ́] vb.

to make smooth; to cause to be smooth:

Ya okuta rriẹ ọre ― “Smoothen it with a stone.”

rriẹrriẹ́ [ryɛ̀ryɛ́] vb.

1. to loiter;

2. to frequent a place ―

Ọ rriẹrriẹ vbe owa ọre ― “He visits her house frequently.”

rriẹrriẹ̀ [ryɛ̀ryɛ̀] adv.

(of colour): pale:

Ọ baa rriẹrriẹ ― “It is pale red (i.e. pink)”

; 2. (of temp.) mild, lukewarm:

Ọ tọn rriẹrriẹ ― “It is mildly hot: it is lukewarm.”

(also rẹghẹrẹghẹ).

rrii [rĩ̀ĩ́] vb.

to keep domestic animals (not as pets, but as livestock):

Ọ rrii ẹwẹ ― “She keeps goats.”

rrilo [rìló] vb.

1. the plural or reiterative sense of rri

1. and 2.:

Ọ rrilo iran mu erhan ― “He tied them to trees.”

Ọ ya owẹ rrilo mwẹn ukpọn ― “She trampled over my clothes.”

;

2. to massage:

Ọ ya amerhẹn rrilo ẹre egbe ― “She massaged his body with hot water.”

rriokodẹ [ryòkódɛ̀] vb.

(< re² ― okodẹ) “to acquire what one was entrusted with” ― to embezzle.

rriosa [ryòsá] vb.

(< re³ ― osa) “to incur debt”: to be in debt; to owe (usually money):

Ọ rri Ozo osa ― “She owes Ozo money.”

rriovan [ryòvã́] vb.

(< re² ― ovan) “to acquire a nickname” ― to bear as a nickname:

Ọ ya Ọsa rriovan ― “He has “Ọsa” as a nickname.”

rrioya [ryóyà] vb.

(< re³ ― oya) “to incur insult”: to suffer.

rriukhu [ryùxú] vb.

(< re² ― ukhu) “to acquire inheritance” ― to inherit.

rroo¹ [ròó] vb.

to process by heating (e.g. of pepper or okro).

rroo² [ròó] vb.

to be strong and indelicate (e.g. of pottery).

rrọ́ọ [rɔ́ɔ̀] vb.

to exist; to be:

Igho ye rrọọ ― “Money still exists: There is still money”

;

Emwan eso rrọọ ne ẹi gua tie ebe ― “There are some people who cannot read.”

rrọ̀ọ¹ [rɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

1. to endure; to bear:

Egbe mwẹn i-rrọọ ẹmwẹn ọnrẹn ― “My body cannot endure his matter i.e. I am not able to undertake responsibility for him”

;

2. to accommodate; to have capacity for (in terms of volume):

Ọgọ na i-rrọọ ehia ― “This bottle cannot accommodate all”

(also gua).

rrọọ² [rɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

1. to stir, to turn over (e.g. of soup)

Rrọọ uwọnmwẹn nii ne ẹi ghẹ giẹn ― “Stir that soup so it may not burn.”

rrua [rùá] vb.

1. to push; to shove:

Ọ rrua mwẹn gbotọ ― “He pushed me down.”

;

2. (usually of limps) to bump; to knock (against something):

Ọ rrua owẹ ― “He bumped his foot.”

rruan [rũ̀ã́] vb.

to afflict:

Ẹbe rruan rẹn ― “Adversity has afflicted him.”

rruọrruọ [rwɔ̀rwɔ́] vb.

to talk in coherently; to babble.

sa¹ [sá] vb.

1. (of water) to draw, to collect:

Ọ sa amẹ vuọn akhe hia ― “She drew water into all the pots”

.;

2. (of liquids, generally): to scoop; to collect with a hollow container:

Sa uwọnmwẹn ye ọkpan mẹ ― “Scoop some soup into the plate for me.”

sa² [sá] vb.

to cast (in brass or bronze):

Iran sa ẹre ye ama ― “They cast a figure of him.”

sa³ [sá] vb.

1. to sting; to bite:

Ẹyẹn sa mwẹn vbe oha ― “A snake bit me in the bush.”

;

2. to shoot (with a weapon):

Ọ ya uhanbọ sa ẹre ― “He shot it with a bow.”

saa¹ [sàá] vb.

to burst; to break open explosively:

Ọmọ-okpagha saare ― “The cassia-pod has burst open.”

(cf. salọ).

saa² [sàá] vb.

1. to weave or braid hair (by hand);

2. to weave generally:

Ozo gua saa ẹbo ― “Ozo knows how to weave a sack.”

saa [sáà] int.

“shoo!” an exclamation used to chase out domestic animals.

saan [sã̀ã́] vb.

to jump:

Ọ saan ogba gberra ― “He jumped over the fence.”

saba [sàbá] modal

1. to be able; to be capable:

Ọ saba winna ― “He is able to work: He works well.”

;

2. to be permitted; may:

U saba kpaọ ― “You may go”

;

3. to be possible; can, could, might, etc.:

Ọ saba lẹẹ deghẹ u ma gbaro sotọ vbe egbe ẹre ― “He could escape if you do not watch him diligently.”

sahẹ [sáhɛ̀] vb.

to faint; to lose consciousness.

salọ¹ [sàlɔ́] vb.

1. Plural or reiterative sense of sa (“to sting”):

Ehihi salọ mwẹn egbe hia ― “Ants have bitten me all over my body”

;

2. Pluralor reiterative sense of saa¹:

Ọmọ okpagha hia salọ vuọn otọ ― “Cassia pods have burst and are all over the ground.”

salọ² [sàlɔ́] vb.

to comb (hair):

Ọ ma salọ eto ẹre ― “He did not comb his hair.”

sakaan [sàkã̀ã́] vb.

to be spoiled; to be over-indulged (usually of children). Transitive sense = sakan:

Ọ sakan ọmọ na ― “she spoiled this child”

.

sakọn¹ [sákɔ̃̀] vb.

(< sẹ ― akọn) “to chip teeth”: to have one’s teeth filed (for cosmetic effect).

sakọn² [sákɔ̃̀] vb.

(< se¹ ― akon) “to sew teeth”: to grip (something) with the teeth:

Ọ sakọn mu ẹnrẹn ― “She gripped it with her teeth.”

sakparẹghodin [sákpáɽɛɣòdĩ̀] n.

cf. esakpareghodin.

samẹ [sámɛ̀] vb.

(< sa¹ ― amẹ) (in the Christian sense) to baptize; to be baptized:

I samẹ vbẹ ẹghẹ ne i na ye kherhe ― “I was baptized when I was very small.”

sanmwẹn [sã̀ɱɛ̃́] vb.

(of specks or small drops of liquid).

1. to splash on:

amẹ sanmwẹn kuọ nwen ― “Water splashed on me.”

;

2. to snatch:

Ọ sanmwẹn ọnrẹn vbe obọ mwẹn ― “He matched it from me.”

;

3. to shake out (to release excess water, dust, dirt, etc.).

sanmwẹn ọnrẹn u ke taẹn ― “Shake it out before you spread it.”

sata [sátà] n.

1. to charter (a lorry):

Ọ sata imọto gha dee ― “He chartered a lorry to come.”

;

2. to buy wholesale:

Ọ sata alimoi nii vbe obọ enọgude ― “She bought those oranges wholesale from the seller.”

se¹ [sé] vb.

to sew ―

Ọ se ukpọn ẹse ― “She sews (cloth) well.”

se² [sé] vb.

to break open a shell; to husk:

Ivin ma se vbe odọ sin ― “We have since been husking palm kernels over there.”

; 2. (with ivin) to have multiple births:

Ọ se ivin eva ― “She gave birth to twins.”

sekhae [séxàe] vb.

to march.

sẹ¹ [sɛ́] vb.

1. to reach; to be up to: (applicable to time and space):

O sẹ uki eha ne ọ ghi kpaọ ― “It has reached three months since he left.”

Ọ sẹ ibiriki isẹn ne ima he la ― “It is up to five miles that we have walked.”

;

2. to be adequate; to be enough:

Igho na i sẹ mwẹn ya dẹ ọre ― “This money (amount) will not be enough for me to buy it.”

;

3. to arrive (at a location).

De ẹdẹ ne ọ sẹ emwan yi? “When did he arrive here?”

;

4. to visit; to come or go:

Ọ ma he sẹ owa mwẹn ke ne ọ ya sẹ evbo na ― “He has not visited my house since he arrived in this town.”

;

5. to come to be; to come true:

Emwẹn ọbo sẹe ― “The word of the oracler has come to be.”

sẹ² [sɛ́] vb.

to chip:

Ehọ akhe na sẹ fua ― “The tip of this pot has chipped off.”

sẹ³ [sɛ́] vb.

(of osẹ ― witness) to testify as witness (usually combines with its generic object, osẹ as a single word ― sosẹ ― when they are not discontinous)

Ọ sosẹ gbe iran ― “She testified against them.”

Ose ohoghoe ẹre ọ sẹe gbe iran ― It was false testimony that she gave against them

.

sẹẹ [sɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

1. to surpass; to be superior to:

Etin ẹnrẹn sẹẹ ọghuẹ ― “His strength is superior to yours.”

;

2. (in a comparative sense): to be more or geater than:

Ọna kpolọ sẹẹ ọnii ― “This is bigger than that.”

sẹkẹsẹkẹ [sɛ̀kɛ̀sɛ̀kɛ̀] adj.

describes an untidy and irritating object or sight:

Ukpọn ren ye sẹkẹsẹkẹ ― “Her cloth is filthy.”

(also sẹlẹkẹ).

sẹlẹkẹ [sɛ̀lɛ̀kɛ̀] adj.

1. describes a dirty or filthy obj. or sight.;

2. (of ovbiogue ― poor person) the level of complete destitution.

sẹrae [sɛ́ɽàé] vb.

(< sẹ ― rae) to leave behind; to leave alone.:

Ọ sẹ ovbi ẹre rae ye owa ― “She left her child behind at home.”

sẹrhiẹnrhiẹn [sɛ̀řyɛ̃̀řyɛ̃́] vb.

to revoke a curse; to absolve (a person) from the effect of a curse:

I sẹrhiẹnrhiẹn ruẹn ihẹn ne i tie nuẹn ― “I absolve you from the effect of the curse I had pronounced on you.”

sẹrriọ [sɛ́rìɔ́] adv.

(< sẹ¹ ― eriọ) “up to that”: such that; so much so.:

Ọ dae sẹriọ ọ na gha viẹ ― “It was so severe that she was crying.”

(also sẹvberriọ).

sẹsẹsẹ [sɛ̀sɛ̀sɛ̀] adv.; adj.

describes something that is either very clean or very white:

Ewu ẹre fua sẹsẹsẹ: “Her dress was sparkling white.”

sẹtin [sɛ̀tín] vb.

(< sẹ¹ ― ẹtin) “to be able” to be strong enough (to do something); to be capable of (doing something). (also saba, mẹtin).

sẹvberriọ [sɛ̀ʋérìɔ̌] adv.

cf. sẹrriọ.

si¹ [sí] vb.

1. to cause; to bring about:

Ọ si amẹ gbe iran ― “He caused rain on them.”

Rẹn ẹre ọ si ẹre ighẹ ọ wu ― “He was the one that caused it that she died: He brought about her death.”

si² [si] vb.

1. to pull (something); to drag (something):

Ọ si ukpọn gue egbe ― “He pulled the cloth to cover his body: He pulled the cloth over his body.”

;

2. to shift (something):

Si ẹre hin odẹ rre ― “Shift it out of the way.”

;

3. to move; to change location:

Iran si kpaọ gha rrie ẹvbo ọvbehe ― “They moved away to go to another town”

(cf. si-kẹẹ; si-mama; si-koko etc.).;

4. (of baby): to crawl:

Ẹi he si ― “She is not crawling yet.”

si³ [sí] vb.

to reduce; to grow less (in size, intensity, or capacity):

Amẹ ne ọ te ro vuọn ukpo si nẹ ― “The water that had flooded the road has reduced.”

(cf. siame).

si⁴ [sí] vb.

to smoke (i.e. cigarette or pipe):

Ọ si esiga ― “He smokes cigarettes.”

si-kaẹn [sìkã̀ɛ̃] vb.

(< si² ― kaẹn) to be or become sound and strong.

si-kẹẹ [sikɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

(< si² ― kẹẹ) to be close to.

si-koko [sìkòkó] vb.

(< si² ― koko) to assemble.

si-kuẹn [sìkwɛ̃́] vb.

(< si² ― kuẹn) to crouch; to fold over; to bend.

si-khua [sìxwá] vb.

(< si² ― khua) to hinge (something); to hold in place.

si-mama [sìmàmá] vb.

(< si² ― mama) to crowd together; to become jammed together.

si-yo [sìyó] vb.

(< si² ― yo) to move away, move off.

siamẹ¹ [syámɛ̃̀] vb.

(< si³ ― amẹ) to emaciate.

siamẹ² [syámɛ̀] vb.

(< si¹ ― amẹ) to cause rain to fall (usually by magical means).

sie¹ [sìé] vb.

to be dark (in shade or complexion).

Ovbi ẹre sie sẹ mwẹn ― “Her child is darker than me.”

(also siere).

sie² [sìé] vb.

to lower (something) down (e.g. a load carried on the head, or a pot on the fire).

Ọ sie ihẹ ne ọ mu ― “She put down the load that she was carrying.”

siere [sìěɽě] vb.

to be black:

Ọvbokhan na siere ― “This child is black in complexion.”

(also sie¹ ).

siẹn¹ [ɛ̀yɛ̃́] vb.

to deny.

siẹn² [syɛ̃́] vb.

1. to drain:

Siẹn amẹ ọnrẹn kua ― “Drain out the water.”

;

2. to flow steadily; to drip:

Ameve siẹn kua vbe aro ọre ― “Tears are streaming from her eyes”

;

3. to be drenched:

Egbe ẹre siẹn ne ọfo ― “His body is drenched with sweat.”

siẹn³ [sĩ̀ɛ̃́] vb.

1. (of structure) to collapse:

Ekẹn siẹn rhu ẹre ― “The walls collapsed on him.”

;

2. (of a crowd): to pour from all sides:

Iran siẹn rhu ẹre ― “They crowded on him.”

siẹnrẹnrẹn¹ [sĩɛ̃̀ɽ̃ɛ̃̀ɽ̃ɛ̃̀] adv.; adj.

1. describes clarity of light or flame:

Ọ baa siẹnrẹnrẹn ― “It is shining brightly and clearly.”

; 2. (with ye) describes something very clean and spotless.

siẹnrẹnrẹn² [sĩɛ̃́ɽ̃ɛ̃́ɽ̃ɛ̃́] adv.; adj.

(of water): clean and pure:

amẹ na hianrẹn siẹnrẹnrẹn ― “This water is extremely clean and clear.”

siẹnsiẹn [sĩ́ɛ̃́sĩ́ɛ̃́] adj.

describes things that are thin and long (e.g. thin fingers or thin and long plantains).

siẹnsiẹnẹnsiẹn [syɛ̃̀syɛ̃̀ɛ̃̀syɛ̃̀] int.

(used as part of the introduction of a tale or a story): implies that the story is very interesting:

Okha ọkpa siẹnsiẹnẹnsiẹn na doo rre . . . ! “Once came a very interesting story . . . !”

sigẹnsigẹn [sígɛ̃́sígɛ̃́] adj.

describes something or someone very lean.

sihuan [sìhũã́] vb.

(< so ― ihuan) “to sing a song”: to sing.

sikan [sìkã́] vb.

1. to struggle (with somebody or thing):

Ọ sikan lẹlẹe ― “He kept up the struggle with him (in a fight)”

;

2. to gum to something; to be stuck to:

ukpọn ọnrẹn sikaẹn mu aga ― “His cloth stuck to the chair”

;

3. to be tough; hard to chew (of meat).

sikansikan [sìkã̀sìkã̀] adv.; adj.

describes something tough (i.e. to cut or separate) or stringy.

silasila [sìlàsìlà] adv.; adj.

describes something untidy and disorderly. (also silosilo).

silo [sìló] vb.

plural or reiterative sense of si²:

Ọ silo emwin ẹnrẹn hia kpaọ ― “He moved all his things away.”

Ọ silo ehia khian ― “He is dragging all along.”

sin¹ [sĩ́] vb.

to miss (e.g. in a game); to fail to perform according to the rules (such as dropping a dice, etc.). It usually means that the player loses points and also his turn.

sin² [sĩ́] vb.

(usually occurs as a second vb.) ― to rub on; to smear:

Ọ ya iruẹn sin mwẹn ukpọn ― “She used dirt to rub on my cloth: She soiled my cloth with dirt.”

sin³ [sĩ́] adv.

for a long time; for long:

Ọ khẹẹ ruẹ sin ― “He has been waiting for you for a long time.”

sin-aro [sĩã́ɽò] vb.

to make faces (usually associated with brides); to put on a haughty look.

sin-ẹro [syɛɽo] vb.

(with ẹro) to be diligent; to be perceptive (same as wẹro).

sinmwin¹ [sĩ̀ɱĩ́] vb.

to struggle (with somebody else) to obtain something; to obtain by force:

Ọ sinmwin ẹnrẹn emiowo rhie ― “He obtained the piece of meat from him by force.”

sinmwin² [sĩ̀ɱĩ́] vb.

1. to cure; to heal with medication:

Ọ sinmwin ẹnrẹn vbe emiamwẹn ne ọ khuọnmwin ― “He cured him of his illness.”

;

2. to save; to protect:

Osanobua sinmwin ima vbe obọ ẹbee ― “God saved us from danger.”

sinmwin³ [sĩ̀ɱĩ́] vb.

to have as a younger sibling:

Ozo ẹre Atiti sinmwin kegbe ― “Ozo is the person Atiti has as her immediate younger sibling.”

sioi [síóí] adv.; adj.

describes something that’s solitary and gracelessly erect:

Ọ mudia vba sioi ― “It stood there, alone and awkward.”

siosa [syòsá] vb.

(< si² ― osa) “to draw a debt”: to demand payment of a debt.

sira [sìɽà] adv.

in the presence of:

Ọ sira mwẹn gbẹe ― “He, in my presence, beat her: He beat her in front of me.”

(also sirra).

sire [sìɽé] pre-vb.

“Is it true that . . . ?” “Is it the case that?”: occurs in an interrogative clause to indicate that special confirmation is desired regarding the action or state expressed in the verb:

Ọ sire ma? Is it “really” good?

(somewhat like

“gele” ― “really”,“truly”

).

sirra [sìrà] adv.

cf. sira.

siwu [síwù] vb.

to make the tribal tattoo-marks.

so¹ [só] vb.

1. to prick; to pierce slightly:

Igban so mwẹn owẹ ― “a thorn has pricked my foot”

;

2. to jab (with a pointed object, such as a nail, or with a fist):

Ọ so ekpa ye ọre ẹkoo ― “He jabbed her on the stomach with his fist”

.;

3. to tap fluid (e.g. from a boil, or the trunk of a tree).

so² [só] vb.

1. (with obọ (hand) as obj.) to touch in hand-shake (usually occurs as one word with its direct obj., obọ when they are not discontinuous):

Iran ghi sobọ nẹ, iran na tota ― “After they had shaken hands, they sat down.”

cf.:

Ọ sọ mwẹn obọ ― “He shook hands with me”

.;

2. to grip (usually with the hands):

Ọ so obọ ye ọre ukpọn ― “He gripped her cloth (with her hands)”

.

so³ [só] vb.

to shout; to make a loud cry or vocal sound:

Ọ so dee vbe umọdia ― “She shouts as she approaches in the distance.”

so⁴ [só] vb.

(with ihuan as obj.) to sing; to utter musically (usually occurs with its generic object, ihuan, as one word):

Ọ sihuan ẹsẹse ― “She sings songs very well: She sings very well.”

; 2. (of asukpẹ): to have the hiccups:

Asukpẹ so mwẹn ― “I have the hiccups.”

so⁵ [só] vb.

1. (with ebiebi “darkness” as subj.): to fall; to occur:

Ebiebi ma he so ― “Darkness has not fallen.”

;

2. to effect; to hatch; to make:

so uma ― “to make a conspiracy”

.

sobọ [sòbɔ́] vb.

cf. so².

sogho¹ [sòɣó] vb.

to rinse (container, mouth, etc.) by filling with water or other liquid, shaking and emptying; to cleanse from impurities by rinsing:

Sogho akhe nii u ke samẹ yọ ― “Rinse that pot before you store water in it.”

sogho² [sòɣó] vb.

to cause something to rattle; to cause a rattling noise by shaking something:

Ghẹ ghi sogho emwin yọ mwẹn ehọ ― “Stop rattling things in my ears.”

sogho³ [sòɣó] vb.

same as logho.

soghosogho¹ [sóɣósóɣó] n.

cf. esoghosogho.

soghosogho² [sóɣósóɣó] adv.

1. describes a rattling noise;

2. same as loghologho.

sokpan¹ [sòkpã́] conj.

1. but:

Ọ yẹẹ mwẹn, sokpan ígho mwẹn i gba re ― “I like it, but my money is not enough to buy it.”

;

2. unless:

Ẹi yo sókpan u gbẹe ― “She will not go unless you beat her.”

sokpan² [sòkpã́] vb.

to make an exception of:

Gbe enena ne u sokpan enikẹre ― “Beat these (ones) and exempt the rest.”

solo¹ [sòló] vb.

1. plural or reiterative sense of so¹ and so³:

Emwin solo iran owẹ ― “Things pricked their feet.”

Ibieka nii gha solo ― “Those children are shouting.”

solo² [sòló] vb.

to pick one by one with a pointed obj. (e.g. of birds eating grain).

sosẹ [sósɛ̀] vb.

cf. sẹ³.

sotọ [sótɔ̀] vb.

(< sẹ ― otọ) “to reach the ground”: to be imminent; soon to happen:

Emwiunkpo sotọ nẹ ― “The New-Year is at hand.”

sọguọ [sɔ̀gwɔ́] adj.

soft, tender, and immature:

Ọvbokhan sọguọ he nọ ― “He is yet a tender and immature child.”

(also sọguọsọguọ).

sọguọsọguọ [sɔ̀guɔ̀sɔ̀guɔ̀] adj.

describes things soft, tender and delicate on account of being yet young.

sọn¹ [sɔ̃́] vb.

1. to sprout;

2. to grow high or bushy (used of grass and hair).

sọn² [sɔ̃́] vb.

to take or consume time and or energy (usually occurs in neg. clauses).

Ẹi sọn iran ruẹe foo ― “It will not take time before they complete it.”

sọnnọ [sɔ̃̀nɔ̃́] vb.

1. to irritate; to aggravate:

Emwin ne ọ ru sọnnọ mwẹn gbe ― “What she does irritates me a lot.”

;

2. to feel resentful toward; to feel aversion toward:

Ẹi sọnnọ ọmwan rhọkpa ― “She does not resent anybody.”

sọọ [sɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

1. to tear or be turn; to rip (e.g. of cloth or paper);

2. to split into pieces (e.g. of wood with an axe):

Ọ ya ughamwan sọọ erhan nii ― “He split the wood into pieces with an axe.”

sọsọsọ [sɔ̀sɔ̀sɔ̀] adv.

1. excessively foamy (e.g. soapy water):

Evbakhuẹ na hu sọsọsọ ― “This soap foams very much.”

;

2. describes the intensity of grave anger:

Ohu mu ẹnrẹn sọsọsọ ― “He is extremely angry.”

sọtẹ [sɔ́tɛ̀] vb.

1. to defy;

2. to rebel against.

sọyẹnmwẹn [sɔ́ỹɛ̃̀ɱɛ̃̀] vb.

to rejoice; to make merriment.

su¹ [sú] vb.

1. to guide; to lead; to direct.;

2. to escort:

su mwẹn sẹ umọdia vbodọ ― “Escort me to the lane over there.”

;

3. to tend livestock:

ọsuohuan ― “shepherd.”

su² [sú] vb.

to pay as interest on money borrowed or in forbearance of debt:

Ikpọn eheha ẹre ọ hae vbe uki ne ọ ya su ig͡ho ne ọ mọmọe rre ― “He pays three pounds a month as interest on the money he borrowed.”

sua [sùá] vb.

cf. to push, to shove:

Ọ sua mwẹn gbotọ ― “He pushed me down.”

(cf. rrua).

suakpa [swákpá] vb.

to make a click with the thumb and middle finger as part of the gesture of denouncement or disgust.

suẹn [sũ̀ɛ̃́] vb.

to begin, to initiate:

Ọ suẹn okhian nẹ ― “He has started to walk.”

suku [sùkú] vb.

(with aro as obj.): squeeze; to wrinkle:

Ọ suku aro ― “He squeezed his face: he frowned.”

sukusuku [sùkùsùkù] adv.; adj.

unpleasantly twisted, such as a frown or a grimace:

Ọ ru aro sukusuku: “He made a grimace.”

sukpẹ [sùkpɛ́] vb.

(with owẹ as obj.) to limp:

Ọ sukpe owẹ dee ― “He is approaching with a limp.”

sulele [súlèlé] adv.

(with mu) to carry ― usually a person across the shoulder with legs straddled around the neck.

suma [súmã̀] vb.

(< se¹ ― uma) “to make a conspiracy” to conspire:

Iran suma gbẹe ― “They conspired and killed him.”

sun¹ [sṹ] vb.

1. to move slowly; to be slow:

Ọ sun gbe ― “He is very slow.”

to crawl.

sun² [sṹ] vb.

to be sticky or glutinous.

Ọ sun vbe ọdan ― “It is sticky like gum.”

sun³ [sṹ] vb.

to have a smooth consistency; to be free of granular or other solid contents (e.g. of wellpounded yam):

Ema na ma sun; ikpẹ vuọẹn ― “This pounded-yam is not smooth; it is full of lumps.”

sunnọ [sũ̀nɔ̃́] vb.

pl. or reiterative sense of sun¹:

Iran sunnọ gbe ― “They are very slow.”

Egilẹ hia sunnọ kua ― “All the snails have crawled away.”

sunnọsunnọ [sũ̀nɔ̃̀sũ̀nɔ̃̀] vb.

describes a very slow, lifeless gait.

sunsun [sũ̀sṹ] vb.

to be blurred; to be dim (of perception):

Ehia sunsun yọ mwẹn aro ― “They have all become blurred in my eyes. (I am confused about them).”

sunu [sùnṹ] vb.

to happen; to occur.

Nodẹ ẹre ọ sunu ― “It was yesterday that it happened.”

suo [sùó] vb.

to collapse; to cave in (e.g. of walls or the ground).

suuun [sṹṹṹ] adv.

with a fixed gaze, or prolonged silence.

susẹ [susɛ] vb.

to be in poverty; to suffer.

ta [tá] vb.

1. to say, to state:

Ọ tae vbene o ya de ― “He stated how it happened”

ta-ma ― “to tell, to report to”, (cf. khaa). talọ plural or reiterative sense of ta: to talk continuously; to narrate; to prattle; to chat.;

2. (with isẹ) to play the isẹ game

Isẹ Ẹdo lọghọ gbe ne a ta ― “Isẹ Edo is very difficult to play”

;

3. (with ile) to make a bet.

taa [tàá] vb.

1. to imitate; to mimick:

Ọ guẹ vbe a taa ọmwan ― “He is good at imitating people.”

;

2. to compare:

Ai ya Edo taa igue ― “You cannot compare Benin with a village.”

tafia [tàfyá] vb.

to be nosy; to meddle; to interfere; to be forward.

Ẹi re iren a tiere; te ọ tafia lele iran ― “It was not him they called, he merely forwardly tagged along with them.”

taintain [tã̀ĩtã̀ĩ] adv.

1. describes the taste of being over-salted:

Uwọnmwẹn na fian taintain ― “This soup tastes heavily over-salted.”

;

2. describes the pungent whiff of urine:

Úkpo na fian taintain ne ahiọ ― “This bed stinks of urine.”

takhirhi [táxìřì] vb.

to perform a single or multiple somersaults in the air.

talọ [tàlɔ́] vb.

1. pl. or reit. sense of ta¹:

Iran gha talọ ― “They are talking.”

;

2. To grumble; to complain:

Ọ gha talọ ighẹ i ma doo tuẹ iran ― “He is complaining that I did not come to visit them.”

: talọ kue ― “to upbraid; to insult”:

Iran hia talọ kue ọre rhunmwunda emwin daan ne ọ ru ― “They all upbraided him for the bad things that he did”

. talọ maa ― “to report to; to lay a complaint with.”

Iran doo talọ ẹmwẹn ọnrẹn maa erhae ― “They came to report him to his father.”

;

3. (idiom) to be mentally deranged or unstable:

Ọ talọ ― “He is mentally unstable.”

tamaa [tàmã̀ã́] vb.

to tell (also khamaa).

tan¹ [tã́] vb.

1. to be tall (of human beings):

Ọvbokhan na gha tan ― “This child will be tall.”

;

2. to be long (applies to both time and objects):

Ẹghẹ ne ọ gbe vbe Ẹdo ẹre ọ tan sẹẹ ne ọ khian gbe vbe Eko ― “The period he spent in Benin is longer than what he will spend in Lagos.”

Erhan na ma tan sẹ vbene ima ho ― “This stick is not long enough as we want”: “This stick is not as long as we would want.”

tan² [tã́] vb.

1. to spread out:

Iran tan ukpọn ye ovẹn ― “They spread out clothes in the sun.”

;

2. to hang or tie across (e.g. a rope):

Ọ tan irri ye odẹ ― “He tied a rope across the road.”

tantanantan [tã̀tã̀ã̀tã̀] adv.; adj.

describes something that is erect; straight and stiff:

Ọ niẹ egbe rua tantanantan ― “He stretched his body out straight and erect.”

te¹ [té] aux

1. almost:

Ọ te de ― “He almost fell.”

;

2. before:

Ozo te kpaọ, ọ keghi tuẹ iran ― “Before Ozo left, he greeted them.”

te² [té] aux.

1. (with psychic st. vbs, such as hoo ― “like”, “want”; roo ― “think”; etc.): implies that the state expressed in the verb was not attained:

Ọ te hoo ne i wu ― “He had wanted me to die.”

;

2. (with over vbs.): implies that the state or action described in the vb., though attained or accomplished, is still lacking in truth-value or effect, in some respect, and so the clause is usually followed by another clause introduced by sokpan (but):

Ọ te sẹe, sokpan ọ ma gua mwẹn egbe ― “He sewed it alright, but it did not fit me.”

te³ [té] aux

It occurs optionally at sentence initial position to indicate affirmation with a general meaning that may be glossed as: “It is the case that . . . ”

Te ọ yẹ mwẹn ― “It is the case that I like it”

(i.e. I do like it). When it occurs in a sentence ending with the question particle “ra”, te is usually the focus of the question:

Te ọ yẹ ruẹ ra? “Is it the case that you like it? (i.e. Do you like it?)”

If the answer to such a question is affirmative, then “te” introduces the sentence:

Eẹn, te ọ yẹ mwẹn ― “Yes,I like it.”

If for any reason it is deleted, the high tone on its vowel replaces the low tone of the pronoun:

Ọ yẹ mwẹn ― “It is the case that I like it.”

tee [tèé] vb.

to decorate, to ornament:

Ọ ya efoto tee ughugha ẹre ― “He decorated his room with pictures.”

teitei [téitéi] adv.

describes the fast beat of the pulses in a state of fear or anxiety:

Udu ẹre gha kpee teitei ― “His heart is beating very fast.”

tengbemu [tẽ̀gbémũ̀] vb.

(< tọn ― egbe ― mu) “to lift body” to be haughty; proud; arrogant.

tete [tèté] vb.

to economize, to use sparingly:

Ọ ma rẹn vbe a tete ígho hẹẹ ― “He does not know how to spend money economically.”

tẹ¹ [tɛ́] vb.

to fall out of favour with; to fall out of grace:

Ọ tẹ nẹ vbe aro mwẹn; ma vbe ọre i ghi ku ― “She has fallen out of favour with me; she and I are no longer close.”

tẹẹ [tɛ̀ɛ́] int.

an address term, expressive of speakers favourable disposition toward the person addressed while at the same time disfavouring a third person:

Lare, tẹẹ ― “Come (”good person“, etc.)”

tẹẹn¹ [tɛ̃̀ɛ̃́] vb.

to be related to; to have as a blood relative:

Ma vbe ọre tẹẹnrẹn vbe oberha ― “She and I are related paternally.”

tẹẹn² [tɛ̃̀ɛ̃́] vb.

to file up; to display in a file:

Avbe oleghan tẹẹn dee ― “The prisoners are approaching in a file.”

tẹntẹnẹntẹn [tɛ̃́tɛ̃́ɛ̃́tɛ̃́] adv.

describes the state of being crammed:

Ughugha nii vuọn tẹntẹnẹntẹn ne ẹvbo ― “The room is crammed full of people.”

ti [tí] vb.

to boil (e.g. water):

Gie amẹ ti nẹ u ke mu iyan yọ ― “Let the water boil first before you add the yam.”

(also tin).

ti [tí] vb.

to be plump:

Okhuo na ti vbe egbe hia ― “This woman is plump all over.”

tian [tĩ̀ã́] vb.

to praise:

Ọ tian rẹn ye iwinna ne ọ winnae ― “He praised him for the work that he did.”

tiantian [tĩã̀tiã́] vb.

same as niania.

tie [tìé] vb.

1. to call; to summon:

Tiẹ ẹre gun mwẹn ― “Call him for me (also summon him to me)”

.;

2. to utter; to call out ―

Iran tie eni ẹnrẹn vbe odọ ― “They are calling out his name over there.”

;

3. to read (also tiebe):

Ọ tie ebe ne iran gbẹn giẹe ― “He read the letter that they wrote to him.”

tiebe [tièbé] vb.

(< tie ― ebe) “to read book”: to read; to study ―

Ọ gua tiebe ― “He can read”

(cf. tie).

tiẹbọ [tìɛ́bɔ́] vb.

(< tie-ẹbọ) “to call a deity”: to swear; to swear at (somebody).

Ọ tiẹbọ mẹ ― “He swore at me.”

tiẹzọ [tìɛ́zɔ́] vb.

(< tie-ẹzọ) to sue.

tighi [tìɣí] vb.

cf. lighi.

tighitighi [tìɣìtìɣì] adv.

in a tangled state:

Irri na ye tighitighi ― “This rope is all tangled up.”

tiihẹn [tìhɛ̃́] vb.

to swear at; to curse (a person).

tiii [tììì] adv.

cf. kpiii.

tiko [tìkó] vb.

(< tie ― iko) “to summon a meeting”; to assemble; to hold a meeting.

tila [tìlá] vb.

to belittle; to despise:

Ọ ya aro tila oghian mwẹn rua ― “He used eyes to belittle my enemy: He belittled me with her look.”

tile [tílè] vb.

to make a bet. (cf. ta).

tin¹ [tĩ́] vb.

to fly:

Elikhukhu tin fua ― “The pigeon has flown away.”

tin² [tĩ́] vb.

(with ihin) to sneeze (It usually occurs as a single word with ihiin when the two are not discontinuous in a sentence):

Ọ tinhiin kuọ nwẹn ― “He sneezed on me.”

tin³ [tí] vb.

to boil. (cf. ti).

tinniẹ [tynĩɛ̃́] vb.

to be small; tiny:

Ọwẹ ọre tinniẹ ― “Her feet are small.”

tinniẹtinniẹ [tĩ́nyɛ̃́tĩ́nĩɛ̃́] adj.; adv.

(with pl. ref. only) very tiny; minute:

Iran ye tinniẹtinniẹ ― “They are very tiny.”

tisẹ [tísɛ̀] vb.

(< ta ― isẹ) “to play isẹ”: to play isẹ ( a kind of game).

titi [tìtí] vb.

1. to be renowned; famous:

Ọba Ẹdo titi gbe ― “The ruler of Benin is very famous.”

;

2. to be popular, to be in vogue:

Igoru titi gbe vbe obọ ikhuo ― “Gold is very popular among women.”

to [tó] vb.

1. to be peppery hot:

Uwọnmwẹn na waa to ― “This soup is very peppery.”

;

2. to be “effective” (usually of a drug, a charm or a deity):

Ukhunmwun na to gbe ― “This medicine is very effective.”

toba [tòbá] vb.

to stick to; to adhere to ―

Ebae toba mu ọkpan ― “Eba has stuck to the plate.”

tobatoba [tòbàtóbá] n.

cf. etobatoba.

tobọ-ọmwan [tòbɔ́ɱã̀] adv.

by oneself; the set of reflexive pronouns are formed by replacing the second-part of the compound: “ọmwan” with the possessive form of the respective pronoun forms:

tobọ-mwẹn ― “by myself.”

tobọ-ruẹ ― “by yourself”

;

tobọ-ọre ― “by himself/herself/itself”

; etc.:

Iran tobọ-iran kie urho ― “They opened the door by themselves.”

tohan [tòhã́] vb.

to be compassionate toward; to be kind to; to pity:

Ọ tohan Ozo rhie ígho nẹ ― “He compassionately gave Ozo some money.”

tohio [tòhió] int.

Introductory formula used by a story-teller to invite an audience to listen to his story: Story-teller: Tohio. Audience: Hia hia kpoo. Story-teller: I ra ta okha ọkpa ma uwa ― (“I am going to tell you a certain story”). Audience: tae tao ighẹ ma danmwẹnhọ ― (“Go on and tell it for we are listening”). And then the story begins.

tohoghe [tòhóɣè] vb.

(< ta ― ohoghe) “to tell a lie”; to lie:

Ọ tohoghe gbe ― “He is fond of lying.”

tokha [tóxà] int.

an exclamation indicating surprise, and requesting for confirmation of what had been said. May be interpreted by expressions such as “Really?”; “Is that so?”, etc.

tota [tótàá] vb.

to sit down; to sit.

toto [tòtó] vb.

to revive; to fill out (usually of an emaciated person).

Egbe ẹre fẹko toto dee nẹ ― “Her body is gradually filling out again.”

tọ [tɔ́] vb.

to live long:

Emiamwẹn i khian giẹe tọ ― “Sickness will not let him live long.”

tọlọ¹ [tɔ̀lɔ́] vb.

1. to itch:

Egbe hia tọlọ mwẹn ― “All my body is itching me: I am itching all over.”

;

2. to scratch:

Ọ tọlọ eke ne imuẹ na rriọe ― “He scratched where the mosquito bit him.”

tọlọ² [tɔ̀lɔ́] vb.

(with ohuẹn) to suffer from cough; to cough ―

Ohuẹn tọlọ mwẹn ― “Cough aftlicts me: I have cough.”

tọn¹ [tɔ̃́] vb.

1. to be hot (i.e. of high temp.)

Ya ukpọn muẹn ighẹ ọ tọn ― “Carry it with a piece of cloth for it is hot.”

tọn² [tɔ̃́] vb.

to roast (over open fire):

Ọ tọn ọghẹdẹ ne ima re ― “She roasted plantain for us to eat.”

tọn³ [tɔ̃́] vb.

to fell (a tree); to cut down (usually a tree):

Ọ ma tọn erhan ne i rre evba ọ kẹ gha kọ emwin yọ ― “He did not fell the trees there before he started to grow things in it.”

tọn⁴ [tɔ̃́] vb.

to bury (something) in the ground:

Ọ tọn ígho ẹre hia ye uwotọ ― “He buried all his money in the ground.”

tọn⁵ [tɔ̃́] vb.

(with mu) to lift; to carry:

Ọ tọn ihẹ mu yan uhunmwun aga ― “He lifted the load onto the top of the chair.”

tọnnọ [tɔ̃̀nɔ̃́] vb.

1. pl. or iter. sense of tọn²; tọn³; tọn⁴ and tọn⁵:

Iran tọnnọ iyan re ― “They roasted yam and ate”

;

Iran tọnnọ erhan nii hia kua ― “They fell all those trees”

;

Iran tọnnọ ígho iran hia ye uwotọ ― “They buried all their money in the ground”

;

Iran tọnnọ ihẹ mu yan uhunmwun ― “They lifted the loads onto their heads.”

tọntọn [tɔ̃̀tɔ̃́] vb.

cf. toto.

tu¹ [tú] vb.

1. to cry:

Ọ kpẹre ne ọvbokhan na ke tu sin ― “It is a long time since this child has been crying.”

;

2. to shout:

Iran tu ne oghọghọ vbe iran mioẹn ― “They shouted for joy when they saw him.”

tu² [tú] vb.

(of ẹgogo) to strike:

Inu ẹgogo ọ he tu yi? “How many clocks have struck? i.e. what time is it?”

tu³ [tú] vb.

(with asẹn) to emit (spit).

tua [tùá] vb.

1. to tighten; to make firm:

Tua irri ne u ya gba iran ne iran ghẹ kharha kua ― “Tighten the rope with which you tied them so that they may not drop out.”

;

2. to intensify (e.g. effort)

Wa tua yọ ne a rherhe ruẹe foo ― “Intensify your effort so that we may complete it in good time.”

(also tuabọ);

3. to be overly-demanding; to impose excessive pressure:

Iwinna rẹn tua gbe ― “His work is too demanding.”

tuabọ [twàbɔ] vb.

(< tua ― obọ) “to tighten hand”: to intensify effort (in doing something). (also zabọ).

tuakpẹ [twàkpɛ́] vb.

(< tua ― ukpe) “to intensify lip”: to shout; to talk loudly.

Ọ tuakpẹ gbe ― “He shouts too much.”

tuasẹn [tuásɛ̃̀] vb.

(< tu³ ― asẹn) “to emit spit”: to spit.

tuantuantuan [tũ̀ã́tũ̀ã́tũ̀ã́] adv.

describes blinking fast:

Ọ gha bunnọ aro tuantuantuan ― “He is blinking fast.”

tuantuantuan [tw̃ã̀tw̃ã̀tw̃ã̀] adv.

describes a constant gaze:

Ọ gha ghe mwẹn tuantuantuan ― “She is gazing at me continuously.”

tue¹ [tùé] vb.

1. to pour out (from a container):

Ọ tue ayọn ye ukpu ― “He poured wine into a cup (from a bottle)”

;

2. to spill:

amẹ tue kue otọ ― “Water spilled onto the ground”

;

3. to leak out; to ooze:

Owẹ ne ọgọ fian mwẹn re ye tue esagiẹn ― “My foot which was cut by a piece of bottle is still oozing blood.”

tue² [tùé] vb.

(of eto) to comb or brush out and leave unstyled or unplaited:

“Okhuo na tue eto ye uhunmwun gha rrie ore” ― “This woman brushed out her hair and went out like that i.e. She went out with her hair brushed out unstyled and unplaited.”

tuẹ [twɛ́] vb.

1. to greet; to salute.

Ọ ma tuẹ ọmwan rhọkpa vbe ọ laọ owa ― “He did not greet anybody when he came into the house.”

;

2. to pay a visit (to a person):

Ọ ya tuẹ ọse ọre ne ọ da biẹ ― “She went to visit her friend who had just had a baby.”

tuẹin [tw̃ɛ́ĩ́] adv.; adj.

describes something very small (also tueintuein for pl. or iter. ref.)

Ehia ye tuẹintuẹin ― “They are all very tiny.”

tuẹintuẹin [tw̃ɛ̃́ĩtw̃ɛ̃́ĩ] vb.

cf. tuẹin.

tuẹyi [twɛ̀yí] vb.

to announce the presence of a person; to seek audience for a person:

Ọ kpẹre nẹ i ghi rre sin; i ma miẹ enọ tuẹyi mwẹn ― “It is a long time since I arrived; I did not find anybody to announce my presence.”

tughu [tùɣú] vb.

cf. lughu.

tukẹ [tùkɛ́] vb.

to be small, tiny.

Iyan na tukẹ gbe ― “These yams are too small.”

tukẹtukẹ [túkɛ́túkɛ́] adv.; adj.

describes very tiny things or a manner of doing things in small bits:

Ọ manọ iran tukẹtukẹ ― “He moulded them in little bits.”

tulẹ [tùlɛ́] vb.

1. to run (same as rhulẹ);

2. tulẹmu: to pick up a race; to take off; to start running.

tuo [twó] vb.

1. to hang low:

Ọbọtuo na tuo ― “These eaves are low-hanging”

;

2. (of a garment) to droop low; to be long:

Gi abọ ẹwu na tuo ― “Let the edge of this cloth droop low.”

u [ù] pron.

a form of the 2nd pers. sing. that occurs as subject of a clause:

U rre nodẹ ― “You came yesterday.”

ube [úbè] n.

a variety of native drum beaten by women mainly in palace festivals.

ubi [úbì] n.

a slap:

Ọ fi ẹre ubi ― “She gave him a slap.”

ubidọn [ùbìdɔ̃̀] n.

cheetah.

ubiẹmwẹn [ùbyɛ́mɛ̃̀] n.

delivery; childbirth.

ubo [ùbó] n.

a variety of creeper with large edible fruit.

ubọmwẹn [ùbɔ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

(< u ― bọ ― mwẹn) the act of predicting through oracle.

udahae [ùdàhàe] n.

a string of coral beads worn across the forehead (as part of a ceremonial dress) by the Ọba and some senior chiefs.

Udazi [údazì] n.

one of the praise titles for the Supreme Being which refers to his identity as the “Giver of life”: “Osa n’Udazi.”

úde [údè] n.

a sickness that commonly afflicts infants, caused by the enlargement of the spleen.

ùde [ùdè] n.

advice, counsel:

Ọvbokhan na i họn ude ― “This child does not heed advice.”

udefiagbọn [ùdéfyagbɔ̃̀] n.

(< u ― de ― fi ― agbon) “one who dropped into the world: an orphan; one without friends or relatives.”

udeguọghọ [ùdéguɔ̀ɣɔ̀] n.

(< u ― de ― guogho) “falling and breaking”: a term for a long string of coral beads worn to hang down around the neck.

udemwunrri [ùdèɱũ̀rì] adv.

suddenly; without warning:

Ọ ladian udemwunrri ― “He appeared suddenly.”

(also udomwunrri).

uderhu [údèřú] n.

(< u ― de ― rhu) “falling upon”: the name of a variety of hawk.

udẹn [údɛ̃́] n.

a liquid preparation made from palm kernels and used as body-oil.

udian [ùdyã́] n.

tsetse-fly.

udienni [ùdyẽ́nì] n.

(< udian ― eni) “elephant tsetse-fly”: a variety of fly, larger than udian, (hence the name) and found mainly in the bush. Its sting is very painful.

udin [ùdĩ́] n.

the oil palm tree.

udinmwẹn [ùdĩ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. being courageous;

2. courage, bravery.

udinmwinmwẹn [ùdĩ́ɱĩ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. depth;

2. being deep.

udọnmwẹn [ùdɔ̃́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. being lean;

2. leanness.

udu [ùdù] n.

1. heart;

2.

udu n’ ẹko ― “heart of the stomach”: liver

;

3.

udu n’ ohogha ― “the empty heart”: lungs (spleen)

.

ududu [ùdùdù] n.

a lump; a piece of compact mass (e.g. of chalk, clay, dough, etc.):

ududu-ugbe ― “a lump of earth thrown as a missile.”

ufemwẹn [ùféɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. being rich;

2. freedom; release from obligation or bondage;

3. recovery from illness.

ufomwẹn [ùfóɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. end; ending.

ufua [ùfwá] n.

a variety of yam which may be pounded even though it is white.

ugamwẹn [ùgáɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. Christian church service:

ugamwẹn owiẹ: “morning service”

;

ugamwẹn ota ― “evening service”

;

2. the act of serving.

ugan [ùgã̀] n.

the poles in a yam stack to which the yams are tied.

ugie [ùgyé] num.

twenty.

ugie [ùgyè] n.

1. a general term for palace ceremonies, (such as iguẹ; aguẹ; ugiama; ikhurhẹ; etc.);

2. a celebration.

ugiọnmwinbi [úgyɔ̃́ɱĩ̀bĩ́] n.

charcoal.

ugo [ùgó] n.

wild yam-plant.

ugọngọn [úgɔ̃́gɔ̃̀] n.

1. the sharp edge of something:

Ọ ya ugọgọn-obọ fi ẹre emwin ― “He used the edge of his hand to strike him”: “He struck him with the edge of his hand”

;

2. ugọngọn-iyeke ― “the spine.”

uguakpata [ùgwákpátá] n.

a special hair-cut worn only by the Ọba and chiefs in which all the hair is shaved except a curved strip at the top of the head around the face.

ugue [ùgwé] n.

cover; lid:

Ọ ya ugue ẹre gue ẹre ― “He covered it with its lid.”

uguowẹ [úgwówɛ̀] n.

a very narrow path.

uguu [ùgúù] n.

vulture.

ugba [úg͡bà] n.

a kind of dance usually performed at second burial ceremonies.

ugbadiye [ùg͡bàdìyɛ̀] n.

(< u ― gbe ― adiyẹ) “that which kills chickens” a fatal disease of chickens.

ugbaro [úgbáɽò] n.

1. forehead;

2. face.

ugbe [úg͡bé] n.

missile; stone e.g. pebble used as a missile.

ugbefẹn [ùg͡bèfɛ̃́] n.

1. side of the body;

2. a flat side of anything other than the top surface:

Ọ mwanmwaẹn avbe iyan nii lele ugbefẹn ẹkpẹtin: “He arranged those yams along the side of the box.”

ugbemwẹn¹ [ùg͡béɱɛ̃̀] n.

(< u ― gbe ― mwẹn)

1. dancing;

2. dance.

ugbemwẹn² [ùg͡béɱɛ̃̀] n.

(< u ― gbe ― mwẹn)

1. flogging;

2. beating.

ugbeto [ùg͡bètò] n.

scissors (also alumagazi and etuheru).

ugbẹkun [ùg͡bɛ̀kũ̀] n.

belt.

Ugbẹkun [ùg͡bɛ̀kũ̀] n.

the name of a village.

ugbẹn [ùg͡bɛ̃̀] n.

period; time:

De ugbẹn ne u ya rre ― “What time that you use to come?: When did you come?”

; (ugbẹn-eso) (cf. ugbẹnso).

ugbẹnso [ùg͡bɛ̃̀só] adv.

(< ugben ― eso)

1. sometimes; occasionally:

Ọ sẹ emwan ugbẹnso ― “He comes here occasionally”

;

2. perhaps; maybe:

Nọọ ọnrẹn ghe, ugbẹnso ọ gha rẹn ọnrẹn ― “Ask him and see, perhaps he will know it.”

ugbẹrherhe [ùg͡bɛ̀řèřè] n.

a sickness of infants ― a condition clinically known as “displaced fontanel” (“the fontanel is the membranous space in an infant’s head at adjacent angles of the parietal bones.”).

ugbidian [ùg͡bìdyã̀] n.

fly-whisk (also ugbudian).

ugbihan [ùg͡bìhã̀] n.

the blind side; a position in which one is unguarded:

Ọ la ugbihan miẹ mwẹn re ― “He came from my blind side to take it away from me.”

ugbo [úg͡bó] n.

farm:

Ọ mu ugbo vbe igue ― “He has a farm in the village.”

ugbogiorinmwin [úg͡bógyóɽĩ̀ɱĩ̀] n.

a mythical monstrosity believed to reside in the ẹrinmwin; he is said to be very ugly and frightful; hence 2. a nickname for a deformed or very ugly person.

ugbogbogan [ùg͡bógbógã́] n.

a term for a person who is very difficult to work or live with.

ugboghodo [ùg͡bòɣòdò] n.

a depression on the ground; a shallow pit.

ugboloko [ùg͡bòlòkò] n.

bone; skeleton.

ugborre [ùg͡bórè] n.

shea butter.

ugbudian [ùg͡bùdyã̀] n.

cf. ugbidian.

ugbugbe [ùg͡búg͡bè] n.

1. cross (in the Christian sense).

ugbugbe [ùg͡búg͡bè] adv.

1. horizontally:

Ọ mwanmwan erhan nii ugbugbe ye iba ― “He arranged the wood horizontally on the slab.”

;

2. crosswise.

ugbugbẹhia [ùg͡búgbɛhià] adv.

always; regularly; often:

Ọ sẹ òwa mwẹn ugbugbẹhia ― “He visits my house regularly.”

ugha [ùɣà] n.

1. a special section of the palace (in the form of a quadrangle) where the Ọba is buried and his shrine installed.;

2. room.

ughaẹn [ùɣãɛ̃̀] n.

1. of a different sort:

Ughaẹn ọghomwẹn khin ― “Mine is of a different kind.”

ughanmwan [ùɣã̀ɱã̀] n.

axe.

ughanmwẹn¹ [ùɣã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

(< u ― ghaan ― mwẹn) being expensive.

ughanmwẹn² [ùɣã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

(< u ― ghan ― mwẹn) arrogance; haughtiness.

úghe [ùɣé] n.

1. a show; a performance (e.g. of dances or acrobatic display);

2. look; gaze; stare:

Ughe ne ọ ghe mwẹn re ma yẹẹ mwen ― “The way that she looked at me did not please me.”

úghe [úɣè] n.

the entrance into a village.

ughegbe [ùɣègbè] n.

mirror; 2. any object of glass:

ughegbe-aro ― “eyeglasses; spectacles.”

ughẹdẹ [ùɣɛ̀dɛ̀] n.

sun-glasses.

ugho [ùɣò] n.

a kind of dance.

ughọtọn [úɣɔ̀tɔ̃́] n.

the name of an Ẹdo coastal village which served as the port for the first European visitors to Benin. It is also known as Gwatto.

ughu [úɣù] n.

1. boundary line.;

2. line of demarcation between two properties:

Ọ kọ ivin ye ughu ― “He planted a coconut tree along the boundary line.”

(cf. uwu).

ughugha [úɣúɣà] n.

room; bedroom.

ughughan [ùɣúɣã̀] n.

different types or kinds:

Emwin ughughan ẹre ọ viọ gie ima ― “Different kinds of things were what he brought us.”

ughughọn [úɣúɣɔ̃́] n.

empty snail-shell.

ughunghunmwun [ùɣũ̀ɣũ̀ɱũ̀] n.

1. roots of large trees that appear as stumps above the surface of the ground;

2. tree stump.

uhae [úhàe] n.

well:

Amẹ nẹ ọ rre uhae na hian gbe ― “The water in this well is very clear.”

uhaeso [úháesò] n.

a bird; swallow.

uhanbọ [úhã́bɔ̀] n.

bow (for shooting with an arrow ― ifẹnmwẹn).

uharo [úháɽò] n.

forehead (also ẹhae; ugbaro).

uhe [ùhé] n.

1. vagina; vulva;

2. anus;

3. the lower end of an object (esp. that with a normal vertical stance).

uhẹ [úhɛ̀] n.

the Edo name for Ifẹ.

uhi [ùhì] n.

1. law:

Ọ rra uhi ― “He committed a breach of the law.”

;

2. custom. (cf. iyi).

uhiamwẹn [ùháɱɛ̃̀] n.

struggling (coping with problems or difficulties); keeping up appearances.

uhiri [úhìɽì] n.

a variety of large ape; a baboon.

uhobo [ùhòbò] n.

the Edo name for the Urhobo people and their language.

uhoro [úhóɽò] n.

pawpaw.

uhukpa [úhukpa] adv.

(also urukpa)

1. once:

Uhukpa ẹre ọ sẹ emwan ― “He came here only once”

;

2. instantly; at once:

Ọ na wa sa eve rua uhukpa ― “She simply broke into tears instantly.”

(usually with “nii” in this second sense).

uhuanmwẹn [ùhwã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. cleanliness; neatness;

2. being clean.

uhunmwonva [ùhṹɱṍvà] n.

illness; sickness (usually serious).

uhunmwun¹ [ùhṹɱũ̀] n.

1. head:

Ọ mu ihẹ yan uhunmwun ― “She carried a load on her head”

;

2. the top of; the upper end of an object:

Ọ tota ye uhunmwun eteburu ― “She sat on top of the table.”

;

3. the important part of an issue:

uhunmwun ẹmwẹn ― “an important point.”

uhunmwun² [ùhṹɱũ̀] n.

errand; message:

Ọ gie mwẹn uhunmwun ― “He sent me on an errand.”

uhunrun [ùhũ̀ɽṹ] n.

the last day of a period of 9 days; the 9th day.

Ọ khin uhunrun i ke ghi vbe miọọn ― “It will be nine days’ time before I see you again.”

ukata [ùkàtà] n.

a straw hat with broad rims.

uké [ùké] n.

a pad used as filler in special hair styles (such as okuku) to give the hair a fuller look.

ukè¹ [ùkè] n.

a kind of merry dance which entails short quick steps and stamping of the feet.

ukè² [ùkè] n.

a cripple.

ukegbe [ùkégbè] n.

lap:

Ọ mu ọmọ yan ukegbe ― “She carried the child on her laps.”

ukeke [ùkéké] n.

1. a piece of stick; a peg;

2. a pen.

ukẹn [ùkɛ̃́] n.

kinky hair.

uki [ùkì] n.

1. moon;

2. month.

ukiọnfọn [ùkyɔ̃̀fɔ̃̀] n.

(also ukhiọnfọn)

1. scarf;

2. handkerchief.

uko [úkó] n.

calabash (usually used as containers for various household items):

ukamẹ (< uko ― amẹ): “calabash of water”

;

ukedọlọ ― (< uko ― edọlọ) “calabash used for holding the muddy solution used for rubbing the walls and floors of the house; a calabash dish used for holding various liquids; etc.”

ukodo [ùkòdò] n.

a deep pot used for cooking soups and porridge.

ukohunmwun [ùkòhũ̀ɱũ̀] n.

pillow.

ukòko¹ [úkòkò] n.

pipe.

ukóko² [úkókó] n.

1. joint, angle:

ukoko-abọ ― “elbow”

;

ukoko owẹ ― “ankle.”

ukokọghọ [úkokɔ́ɣɔ̀] n.

1. a small calabash used for storing medicine.;

2. a casual term for the young breasts of an adolescent.

ukoni [ùkònì] n.

kitchen.

ukorobozo [ùkòɽòbòzò] n.

a variety of wild-fowl.

ukotin [ùkótĩ́] n.

a straight hair-pin used by hair-plaiters for parting hair.

ukọ¹ [úkɔ̀] n.

1. messenger, delegate:

Avbe ukọ ne iran gie rre nakhin ― “These are the delegates that they sent down.”

;

2. (in contemporary use): Commissioners or Ministers of government:

Ukọ ne ọ gbaro ghe ẹmwẹn ígho ― “The Commissioner in-charge of Finance.”

ukọ² [úkɔ̀] n.

blame; query:

Ọ kan mwẹn ukọ ígho ne i ma miẹ rhie nẹẹ ― “He blamed me for the money I did not have to give him.”

ukọnghọnrọn [ùkɔ̃́ɣɔ̃̀ɽɔ̃́] n.

a formidable task or difficult assignment; a stalemate:

Iwinna ọnrẹn khin ukọnghọnrọn ― “His case has become a stalemate.”

ukọnmwẹn [ùkɔ̃́ɱɛ̀] n.

foolishness; stupidity.

Uku [úkú] n.

one of the praise-names for the Oba: “Uku-Akpọlọkpọlọ”.

ukugba [ùkùgbà] n.

1. belt.;

2. disease: inflammation of the groin glands.

ukugbakẹghẹrẹ [ùkúgbakɛ̀ɣɛ́ɽɛ̀] adv.

1. always; all the time; at all times:

Ukugbakẹghẹrẹ ẹre ọ ya viẹ ― “He cries all the time.”

ukuoki [úkwoi] n.

a pad used for wedging a load on the head.

ukusẹ [úkúsɛ̀] n.

a musical instrument in the form of a round calabash rattle, played mainly by women.

ukhiọnfọn [ùxyɔ̃̀fɔ̃̀] n.

cf. ukiọnfọn.

ukhiọnmwẹn [ùxyɔ̃́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. half;

2. portion of; part, rather than whole:

Ukhiọnmwẹn ẹre ọ ru iwinna nii re ― “He only did a portion of that work.”

ukhọn [ùxɔ̃̀] n.

navel.

ukhú¹ [ùxú] n.

gag.

ukhú² [ùxú] n.

the sprouting tip of a germinating seed.

ukhù [ùxù] n.

inheritance (also arevbukhu).

úkhuerhe [úxwèřè] n.

sugar-cane.

ùkhuerhe [ùxwéřé] n.

a low stool.

ukhuegbe [ùxwégbè] n.

skin.

ukhuẹn [ùxwɛ̃́] n.

the fibrous remains of the oil palm fruit after the oil has been extracted and the kernels shelled and removed. It is often used as fire-kindler or in the preparation of native soap.

ukhukhu [úxuxù] n.

the thick driedout bark of trees, usually gathered and used for kindling fire.

ukhukhu [úxùxù] adj.

individual varieties; different kinds (of things):

Ukhùkhu ehan ẹre ọ viọ rre ― “Six different kinds were what he brought”

.

ukhùnmwun¹ [ùxũ̀ɱũ̀] n.

1. sky (also odukhunmwun; iso);

2. up:

Ọ hin ukhùnmwun bu ẹre ― “He climbed up to meet him.”

ukhùnmwun² [ùxũ̀ɱũ̀] n.

1. medicine; drug; medication:

Ọ kpogho ukhùnmwun nẹẹ wọn ― “He mixed some medicine for him to drink”

;

2. magic charm:

Ọ ru ukhùnmwun osisi nẹẹ ― “He made a charm against guns for him.”

ukhúnmwun [ùxṹɱũ̀] n.

1. famine;

2. the period of two months before harvesting season.

ukhurhẹ [ùxùřɛ̀] n.

a carved staff which constitutes part of ancestral shrines.

ukpa [úk͡pá] n.

1. lamp; lantern;

2. any artificial source of light, such as the electric bulb or a car light:

Ọ rhu ukpa yọ mwẹn aro ― “He beamed his lights (car-lights) into my eyes.”

ukpabọ [ùk͡pàbɔ̀] n.

a wash-basin.

ukpafẹn [ùk͡pàfɛ̃̀] n.

the floor drain or gutter in the quadrangle of traditional Edo houses.

ukpakọn [úk͡pákɔ̃̀] n.

chewing stick.

ukparanmwẹn [ùkpáɽã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

(also ukparo) a disease which is often described as “coated tongue”; symptoms include lack of appetite, fever, and constipation.

úkpewẹn [úk͡péwɛ̃̀] n.

a disease: palpitation.

ùkpewen [ùk͡péwɛ̃̀] n.

tip of the breast; teat; nipple.

ukpẹ [ûk͡pɛ́] n.

1. point; tip:

Ọ ya ukpẹ-olodẹ so ẹre ― “He jabbed it with the tip of a needle.”

;

2. beak; lips:

ukpẹ-ahianmwẹn ― “the beak of a bird.”

ùkpo [ùk͡pó] n.

1. year;

ùkpo nọgberra ― “last year.”

úkpo¹ [úk͡pò] n.

1. bed;

2. couch.

úkpo² [úk͡pò] n.

1. paved road;

2. street.

úkpo³ [úk͡pò] n.

position, rank:

Úkpo nọkhua ọ ye vbe eke ne ọ na winna ― “He is in a high position where he works.”

ukpogie [ùk͡pógyè] n.

rank order:

ukpogieva ― “second”

;

ukpogieha ― “third”

;

ukpogigbe ― “tenth”

; etc.

ukpogho [ùk͡póɣó] n.

1. cowrie;

2. a disease of the eye in which the eyeball is partially or wholly covered by a white blotch and thereby resulting in partial or total impairment of vision; cataract.

úkpokpo [úk͡pòk͡pò] n.

a staff; a walking stick.

ùkpokpo [ùk͡pòk͡pò] n.

trouble; harassment; nuisance.

ukpomobiẹ [ùk͡pómóbyɛ̀] n.

the name for the different varieties of sunbirds.

ukpọbian [ùkpɔ́byã̀] n.

a small variety of squirrel.

ukpọkhọkhọ [ùkpɔ́xɔxɔ̀] n.

“the beak of a chicken”: the name of a special hair style worn by the Ọba’s wives.

ukpọlọmwẹn [ùk͡pɔ́lɔɱɛ̃́] n.

1. fatness;

2. being large-sized:

Vbe ukpọlọmwẹn ọnrẹn a sẹ hẹẹ? “How big is it?”

.

ukpọn [ùk͡pɔ̃̀] n.

1. cloth;

2. women’s wrapper: ukpenhe (< ukpọn ― ehe): the dressing used for menstruation.

ukpu [úkpù] n.

1. cup; drinking glass;

2. measuring cup (esp. for selling rice, grain, garri, etc.):

mwaan ukpu eva yọ ― “Measure two cups into it.”

ukpukpẹ [úk͡púk͡pɛ̀] n.

1. a kind of brisk dance in which dancers jog up and down to a fast-beat song and music. It is usually performed during second-burial processions, and thanksgiving processions by chiefs;

2. (fig.) an ordeal of going back and forth for a cause that seems endless:

Ke ne ọ ya gha khuọnmwin gha dee, ukpukpẹ asokito ẹre i gbe ― “Since he became sick till now, I have been going back and forth to the hospital.”

ulakpa [ùlàk͡pá] n.

red laterite soil considered good for house-building, but not for farming;

“ulakpa n’ ogiekẹn” ― a euphemism for “the grave.”

ule [úlé] n.

a state of excitement, possibly generated by alchohol or other intoxicants.

ulelefe [ùlèlèfè] n.

ant-hill.

ulẹ [ùlɛ́] n.

1. race;

Rẹn ẹre ọ ban mwẹn vbe ulẹ ne ima rhiere ― “He was the one who finished first in the race that we held.”

;

2. flight (fleeing):

Ulẹ ẹre ọ ya kpaọ vbe ẹvbo nii ― “He went away in flight from that town.”

uloko [ùlókò] n.

Iroko tree.

ulọka [ùlɔ̀kà] n.

a kind of corn-cake eaten as a snack.

ulọmwan [ùlɔ́ɱã̀] n.

an order restricting the public from coming near certain locations where secret ceremonies are being performed.

uma [ùmà] n.

1. a secret meeting set up to plot against someone, or to decide on issues disapproved of by speaker:

Iran ya so uma nasọn ― “They held a secret meeting last night.”

umamwẹn [ùmã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

being good or beneficial; progress:

Umamwen ẹvbo na ẹre ima gualọ ― “It is the good of this town that we seek.”

umaranmwẹn [ùmáɽã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

a fable; a story about animals.

umẹ [ùmɛ̃́] n.

the red dye obtained from the camwood tree.

umẹwaẹn [ùmɛ̃́wã̀ɛ̃] n.

a wise person; an intelligent person.

umian [ùmyã́] n.

hallucination; illusion.

Umogun [úmõ̀gṹ] n.

the royal family of Benin; their sib greeting is “Lamogun.”

umozo [ùmõ̀zò] n.

sword.

umọbiẹ [úmɔ̃̀byɛ̀] n.

a woman who gives birth to many children; a very fertile woman.

umọbọ [ùmɔ̃̀bɔ̀] n.

1. a foster child;

2. any foster-relation (used with the term of the relative):

umọberha ― “foster father.”

umọbiye ― “foster mother”

; etc.

umọdia [úmɔ̃̀dià] n.

the stretch of visible distance:

Ọ dee vbe umọdia ― “He is approaching in the distance.”

umọmọ [ùmɔ̃́mɔ̃̀] n.

hammer.

umuadiyẹ [ùmwã̀dìyɛ̀] n.

(also umuọkhọkhọ) tiger-cat (also translated as “fox” by Melzian).

umuọkhọkhọ [ùmwɔ̃̀xɔ̀xɔ̀] n.

cf. umuadiyẹ.

umwan [ùɱã́] n.

1. scale.;

2. a measuring instrument.

umwẹn [ùɱɛ̃́ɛ̃̀] n.

salt.

umwọnmwẹn [úɱɔ̃ɱɛ̃̀] n.

equality; being equal:

Umwọnmwẹn ẹre iran ye ― “They are equal.”

uniẹ [únyɛ̃́] n.

a kind of hot spice, used in medicinal sauces.

uniẹrẹ [ùnyɛ̃́ɽɛ̀] n.

four days hence.

unu [ùnṹ] n.

1. mouth;

2. generally entrance (esp. a narrow one) or access route into an enclosed area:

unu-odẹ ― “gate-way: the entrance.”

unuẹhẹn [únwɛ̃́hɛ̃̀] n.

(also uruẹnhẹn) a deep soup spoon used for scooping soup.

uremwẹn [ùɽéɱɛ̃̀] n.

burial.

uri [ùɽí] num.

two hundred.

uro [úɽó] n.

line; ordered fashion:

Ọ ya iran ye uro: 1. “He placed them into line: He made them orderly.”

urodẹ [úɽódɛ̀] n.

1. passage way;

2. the middle of the road:

Ghẹ mudia ye urodẹ ― “Don’t stand in the middle of the road.”

uroramẹ [úɽòɽámɛ̀] n.

a narrow drain; a gutter.

uru [ùɽù] n.

a big bulging narrownecked bottle, usually cased in wicker, and used for storing or selling palm-wine.

uruki [úrukì] n.

a magical or spiritual force that acts on people and thereby causes them to act in a contrary manner.

uruvba [úrùʋá] n.

boil.

urhe [úřèé] n.

a kind of snail.

urho [ùřò] n.

1. gate; entrance;

2. door:

ọ kie urho laọ owa ― “He opened the door and entered the house.”

urhomwẹn [ùřóɱɛ̃̀] n.

adulation; worship.

Urhonigbe [ùřònígbè] n.

the name of an Edo town.

urhu [ùřù] n.

1. neck;

Ọ se ivie ye urhu ― “He wears a coral necklace around his neck.”

;

2. voice:

Urhu ẹre la gbe ― “His voice is too loud.”

urhuabọ [ùřwábɔ̀] n.

(< urhu ― abọ): “neck of the hand”: wrist.

urhuaro [ùřwàɽò] n.

(< u ― rhu ― aro) “that which blinds the eye”: a variety of cactus whose sap is believed to cause blindness.

urhuawẹ [ùřwáwɛ̀] n.

(< urhu ― owẹ) “neck of the leg”: ankle.

urhukpa [ùřùkpà] n.

1. lantern;

2. lamp.

urria [úryà] n.

far distance:

Urria ọ ke dee ― “It is from a far distance that he is coming.”

urrisẹ [ùrísɛ̀] n.

(< urro ― isẹ) “the tray of isẹ”: the portions of the wooden frame of the isẹ game in which seeds gained in the course of a game are kept. (also ogi-urrisẹ).

urro [ùrò] n.

a flat wooden tray with a rim used as a kitchen implement. Soup ingredients are ground on it by means of a wooden dumb-bell: ovbi-urunmwun.

Usama [úsàmá] n.

a site at the Ọlọtọn quarter used for some of the ceremonies of the Oba’s coronation.

usana [ùsáná] n.

matches.

use [ùsé] n.

assistance (mainly in the form of physical labour) which used to be rendered reciprocally and mutually among neighbours.

Use [ùsè] n.

the name of an Edo village.

Uselu [ùsèlú] n.

the quarter of Benin where the Edaikẹn has his court.

usẹ [ùsɛ́] n.

1. poverty; destitution:

Ọ kpẹre ne usẹ ke sọe ― “It is a long time since he has been stricken by poverty”

;

2. general want:

usẹ-ígho ― “want for money”

;

usẹ-ọmọ ― “want for children”

; etc.

usẹn [ùsɛ̃́] n.

a period of five days:

usiẹnre (usẹn-ẹre): “five days hence.”

usi [ùsì] n.

fame; renown.

usi [ùsí] n.

starch; carbohydrate.

usie [ùsyé] n.

a nickname for a very dark complexioned person.

usimwọngbẹn [úsiɱɔ̃̀gbɛ́] adj.

numerous; very many:

Usimwọngbẹn ẹvbo ẹre ọ rre: “The people who came were numerous.”

usun [ùsṹ] n.

1. things or people arranged in a file or row:

Iran ya usun dee ― “They are coming in files”

;

2. some, from among a crowd; a portion (of a large number of people or things).

Usun vbọ maa; enikẹre i maa ― “Some of them are good, the others are not.”

usunbunmwẹndin [úsṹbṹɱɛ̃̀dĩ́] n.

the remains of the oil-palm bunch after the fruits have been removed.

usunsẹn [ùsṹsɛ̃̀] adv.

(< usẹn ― usẹn) every five days.

utete [útètè] n.

a low hill.

utianmwẹn [ùtỹã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

praise; commendation.

utọmwẹn [ùtɔ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

longevity.

utọnyotọ [ùtɔ̃̀yòtɔ̀] n.

(< u ― tọn ― ye ― otọ) “what is dug in the ground”: a big drinking-pot buried to the rim in the ground in order to keep the water cool.

utukpumwenrhan [útúkpúɱẽ̀řã́] n.

a low tree stump.

utumwẹn [ùtúɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. crying;

2. shouting.

utun [ùtṹ] n.

mushroom.

uvẹ [ùvɛ̀] n.

marrow bone.

uvianmwẹn [ùvyã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. complaints and regrets (usually about what one lacks or needs); (also ovian);

2. the act of making such complaints.

uviẹn [úvyɛ̃́] n.

line, file; row:

Ọ mwanmwan ibieka nii ye uviẹn ― “He arranged the children in a line.”

uviẹmwẹn [ùvyɛ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. crying;

2. lamentation (e.g. for the dead). (also eve).

uvun [ùvṹ] n.

a hole;

uvun-ehọ ― “ear passage”: the pierced hole on the ear-lobe for ear-rings

;

uvun-ihue ― “nostril.”

uvbemwẹn [ùʋéɱɛ̃̀] n.

scarcity; limited supply.

uvbi [ùʋí] n.

1. a girl or woman of royal birth.;

2. a young woman: miss (also ọvbokhan-uvbi).

uwa¹ [ùwà] pron.

a form of the 2nd pers. pl. pronoun.: you pl.

uwa² [ùwà] n.

prosperity; well-being; affluence.

uwanmwẹn [ùwã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

brightness;

uwanmwẹn-ẹdẹ ― “day-light”; “the brightness of the day.”

; 2. growing; development; 3. wisdom.

uwawa [ùwàwà] n.

cooking clay-pot (usually used for making soups).

uwaya [úwáyà] n.

1. wire;

2. telegraph.

uwẹ [ùwɛ̀] pron.

a form of the 2nd pers. sgl. pronoun: you.

uwẹnrhiẹn [úwɛ̃̀řyɛ̃́] n.

cane; whip.

uwẹnrhiọntan [úwɛ̃̀řyɔ̃́tã̀] n.

(< uwẹnrhiẹn ― ọtan) “squirrel’s whip”: a plant: Glyphaea laterifolia.

uwoha [úwóhà] n.

(< uwu ― oha) in the thick of the jungle; inside the bush.

uwowà [úwówà] n.

(< uwu ― owa) within the house; indoors (as against outside).

Ọ la uwowa ― “He went indoors.”

uwowá [úwówá] n.

(< uwu ― owa) within the shed:

Ọ rre uwowa ― “It is inside the shed.”

uwọnmwẹn [ùwɔ̃̀ɱɛ̃̀] n.

native soup, used for eating meals like ema, ẹbae, akasan, etc.

ùwu¹ [ùwú] n.

death.

úwu² [úwù] n.

cf. ughu.

uwú³ [úwú] n.

1. the inside of a thing (esp. a container or vessel);

2. within.

uye [ùyè] n.

a ditch; a pit.

uyẹngbe [ùyɛ̃̀gbè] n.

tray;

uyẹngbe-emuẹn ― “ash-tray.”

uyẹnghẹn [úyɛ̃̀ɣɛ̃́] n.

a variety of brown rat with white stripes down its back.

uyi [úyì] n.

honour; prestige:

Iran rhie uyi ẹre nẹẹn ― “They accorded him the honour that was due to him.”

uyinmwẹn [ùyĩ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

1. behaviour; conduct; manner:

Uyinmwẹn ọnrẹn i ma ― “Her conduct is not good.”

;

2. custom; tradition:

uyinmwẹn Ẹdo: “Ẹdo custom.”

uyunmwun [ùyũ̀ɱũ̀] n.

dry season ― from December to early April.

uza [ùzà] n.

destructive mischief; damage.

Uzama [ùzámà] n.

the council of seven chiefs made up of: Oliha, Edọhẹn, Ezọmọ; Ẹro; Ehọlọ n’Irre, Ọlọtọn and Edaikẹn.

uze [ùzé] n.

handle.

uzekhae [ùzèxàe] n.

a sandy heap; a sandy play-ground (for children).

uzẹbu¹ [ùzɛ̀bú] n.

(of ígho) counterfeit money.

Uzẹbu² [ùzɛ̀bú] n.

the quarter in Benin where the court of Chief Ezọmọ is.

uzẹmwẹn [ùzɛ́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

arrogance; conceit.

uzo [úzò] n.

antelope.

uzọla [úzɔ̀lá] n.

week (cf. izọla).

uzuanmwẹn [ùzwã́ɱɛ̃̀] n.

displaying (often brazenly) the desire for other people’s food.

va¹ [vá] vb.

1. (of animal) to dissect; to cut up;

2. to break into parts along natural lines of partitioning (e.g. the parts of a kola-nut):

Va ẹvbẹe na ne a rriọe ― “Break this kola that we may eat it”

;

3. (of plantain) to peel; to split and remove the peel:

Ọ va ọghẹdẹ ye erhẹn: “She peeled a plantain (and put it) in the fire (to roast).”

va² [vá] vb.

(of sickness): to be afflicted by illness (usually has “uhunmwun” as its subject):

Uhunmwun va mwẹn ― “I am sick; I am not well.”

vaa [vàá] vb.

to split into two parts (they need not be equal). to break or crack:

Ọ ya erhan vaa re uhunmwun ― “He broke her head with a stick.”

vaan [vã̀ã́] vb.

to call at a place, (by way of digression from the main destination); to make a side-call at a place.

Ọ vaan owa mwẹn vbe ọ ke ẹki dee ― “She called at my house on her way from the market.”

van [vã́] vb.

to shout:

Ọ van mu iran ― “He shouted on them.”

vabọ [vàbɔ́] vb.

1. to branch off; to develop a branch:

Erhan na vabọ gbaa ehe hia ― “This tree has branched all over.”

;

2. to depart from a main track; to digress; to change course. (cf. vaan).

vanbọ [vã̀bɔ́] vb.

1. to cease (from doing something); to desist; to stop:

Ọ vanbọ vbe ayọn ne a da ― “He has stopped drinking alcohol.”

ve [vé] vb.

to price something; to bargain for:

Ei gua ve emwin ― “He does not know how to bargain for something.”

vẹ¹ [vɛ́] vb.

1. (of a secret; scheme) to become exposed; to come to the open:

Ero ne iran ru vẹe gbe iran ― “The trick or secret scheme that they made got exposed on them.”

;

2. to expose:

Gha vẹe ero na? ― “Who exposed this scheme?”

vẹ² [vɛ́] vb.

1. (of a sore) to deteriorate; to break out:

Ghẹ gi ẹtẹ na vẹ sẹ ọna ― “Don’t let this sore deteriorate more than this.”

;

2. to disperse (of a crowd) ―

Iran vẹe kpaọ ― “They all dispersed.”

;

3. to spill, to pour out:

Igarri vẹe kua vbe ẹbo ― “The garri poured out of the sack.”

vẹẹ [vɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

to disperse a crowd; to chase away a large group of people or animals in different directions:

Ọ vẹẹ avbe ẹwe nii kua ― “He chased away the goats in different directions.”

vẹn¹ [vɛ̃́] vb.

to wrestle.

vẹn² [vɛ̃́] vb.

1. (of a fire) to catch; to break into flames:

Hie erhẹn na ne ọ vẹn ― “Blow this fire so that it may catch.”

;

2. to spark off; to erupt; to break out:

Ẹzọ vẹn ne iran vbe odọ ― “A quarrel has broken out among them over there.”

vẹn³ [vɛ̃́] vb.

to swear (usually by something deemed powerful or potent, such as God or a special deity, etc.).

vian [vĩ̀ã́] vb.

to grumble; to complain (about misfortune or lacks.).

viẹ [vyɛ́] vb.

1. to cry; to weep.;

2. to crow (of a rooster).

viẹn [vỹɛ̃́] vb.

1. to ripen (used mainly of palm fruits);

2. (of eyes) to wear a look expressive of a longing for, (a strong desire for):

Aro ẹre viẹn ye ọmwẹn evbare ― “His eyes are set on my food: He longs for my food.”

viẹnviẹnrẹnviẹn [vyɛ̃́vyɛ̃́ɽɛ̃́vyɛ̃́] adj.; adv.

describes something extremely small.

vin¹ [vĩ́] vb.

1. to dart; to start very rapidly in some direction:

Ọ vin gberra mwẹn ― “He darted past me.”

;

2.

vin rraa ― “to jump over.”

vin² [vĩ́] vb.

1. to cut with a sharp object (e.g. in vaccination);

2. to mark (something):

Ọ vin emwin ye egbekẹn ― “He marked something on the wall.”

vinhẹn [vĩ̀hɛ̃́] vb.

(< vẹn ― ihẹn) “to swear an oath”: to swear (cf. vẹn³).

vinnọ [vĩ̀nɔ̃́] vb.

pl. and iter. sense of vin 1 and 2.:

1.

Iran vinno kua ― “They darted away”

;

2.

Ọ ya abẹe vinnọ ọnrẹn uhunmwun ― “He used a pen-knife to cut marks on his head.”

viọ [vìɔ́] vb.

1. pl. sense of rhie (i.e. implies that many objects (people or things) are taken; or that many people are performing the taking; or both.):

Iran viọ iran kpaọ ― “He took them away”

;

Iran viọ eso kpaọ ― “They took some away.”

etc.

vo [vó] vb.

(of yams) to rot internally (usually from excessive heat):

Iyan na ne u dẹ rre voo ― “This yam that you bought home has rotted.”

Ghẹ gie iyan na vo ― “Don’t let this yam rot.”

vu [vú] vb.

1. to root out; to dig up:

Ọ vu inian erhan nii hin otọe rre ― “He dug up the roots of that tree out of the ground.”

vulo [vùló] vb.

pl. and iter. sense of vu:

Iran vulo igari ke ugbo rre ― “They dug up some garri roots from the farm.”

vuan [vũ̀ã́] vb.

to slip and fall from a height:

Ọ vuan vbe aga ― “He slipped and fell from the chair.”

vuọn¹ [vw̃ɔ̃́] vb.

to be full ―

“Akhe na vuọẹn ne amẹ” ― “This pot is full of water.”

vùọn² [vw̃ɔ̃́] vb.

to fill ―

Ọ sa amẹ vuọn akhe ― “He fetched water to fill the pot.”

vuuun [vṹṹṹ] adv.; adj.

describes something very deep.

vba [ʋá] vb.

1. (of liquids and powdery mass) to spill as a result of heaving motion; to overflow from the heaving force:

Amẹ ke ekpamaku vba kue otọ ― “Water spilled onto the floor from the basin.”

;

2. to heave:

Amẹ gha vba yo vbarre vbe ekpamaku ― “The water is heaving back and forth in the basin.”

vbaa [ʋàá] vb.

1. to meet; to join with; to catch up with:

Ọ ya vbaa ore vbe ugbo ― “He went to meet him in the farm.”

;

2. (idiomatic): (usually in construction with “vbe owa”): to be a virgin:

A vbaa ọre vbe owa ― “She was met at home: She was a virgin.”

;

3. to affect (e.g. a curse).

Ihẹn ọnrẹn i vbaa mwẹn ― “His curse will not affect me.”

;

4. to land on; to hit (as a target):

Ugbe vbaa ọre uhunmwun ― “A missile hit her on the head.”

(also vbaọ).

vbavba [ʋàʋá] n.

an address term for “father”, used mainly in prayers, or in contexts when the person addressed is very old, and extra deference is intended:

Dọmọ, vbavba! ― “Greetings, old father!”

(cf. evbavba).

vbavbavba [ʋàʋàʋà] adv.; adj.

describes bulging eye-balls: aro vbavbavba.

vbe¹ [ʋè] prep.

in, at, on (depending on the noun with which it occurs):

vbe odẹ ― “on the way”

;

vbe ọwa ― “at home”

;

vbe owiẹ ― “in the morning”

, etc.

vbe² [ʋè] inter.; pron.

what?:

vbe ọ mu fua? ― “What he lost?”: What did he lose?

vbọzẹ (< vbe ― ọ― ze?) “What-it-be responsible for?” What is it that is responsible for . . . ?; why? Vbọọkhin? (< vbe ― ọ ― khin?) “What-it-be?”: What is it (that) . . . ; why?:

Vbọọkhin ne u na viẹ? “Why are you crying?”

vbé¹ [ʋé] prep.; conj.

as, like (occurs with only nouns and noun phrases as its complement; clausal complements are introduced by vbene):

Ọ guan vbe erhae ― “He talks like his father.”

Ọ khian vbe ọmwan ne ẹi mwẹn orhiọn ― “He walks like somebody without strength.”

vbe² [ʋé] conj.

1. and:

Atiti vbe ọse ọre ẹre ọ gba yo ẹzẹ ― “It was Atiti and her friend that went to the stream together”

(cf. kevbe);

2. also; as well:

Ọ vbe wẹ erhae gha rre ― “He also said that her father will come.”

(cf. kevbe).

vbee [ʋèé] vb.

to be scarce; in short supply:

Ígho vbee gbe vbe ẹghẹ na ― “Money is very scarce at this time.”

vbekpa [ʋèkpá] adv.

concerning (something; someone; etc.); in connection with; about ―

Ọ gu ẹre guan vbekpa owa ne ọ bọ ― “He talked to him concerning the house he is building.”

vbene [ʋénẽ̀] conj.

cf. vbe¹.

vbenia [vénỹ̀ã́] adv.

(< vbe¹ ― enia) this way; like this; thus:

Ọ khaare vbenia ― “He said like this: He said thus.”

(also vberian ― a form used mainly by old people).

vberriọ [ʋéryɔ́] adv.

(< vbe¹ ― errio) like that:

Ọ ruẹe vberriọ ― “He did it like that.”

vbẹe [ʋɛ́è] vb.

to be wide, broad:

Urro na vbẹe ― “This wooden tray is wide.”

vbẹ̀ẹ¹ [ʋɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

1. to widen; expand:

Ọ fian ekherhe ya vbẹẹ ukpọn na ― “She cut a little bit to widen this cloth.”

;

2. (idiomatic) (with aro as subject): to be wide-eyed; to be greedy:

Aro vbẹẹ ọre gbe ― “Eyes widen for her excessively: She is very greedy.”

vbẹẹ² [ʋɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

to stoop:

Ọ vbẹẹ la onurho ― “He stooped to cross the doorway.”

vbiẹ [ʋìɛ́] vb.

to sleep:

Ohuẹn ma gi Ozo vbiẹ nasọn ― “Cough did not let Ozo sleep last night.”

vbiẹrẹ [vyɛ̀ɽɛ́] vb.

to be cowardly; to lack courage:

Ọ vbiẹrẹ gbe ― “She is too cowardly.”

vbiẹvbiẹ [ʋiɛ̀ʋiɛ́] vb.

1. to heat up (water):

Ọ khian vbiẹvbiẹ amẹ nuẹ ― “She is going to heat up some water for you.”

;

2. to be warm; (of water) to be “not cool”, and therefore unpleasant to drink:

Amẹ na wa vbiẹvbiẹ, ẹi gi a wọn ― “This water is quite warm; it is not suitable for drinking.”

vbirrivbirri [ʋìrìʋìrì] adj.; adv.

(usually occurs with owiẹ): decribes early dawn:

Owiẹ vbirrivbirri ― “at the crack of dawn.”

vbobọvbobọ [ʋòbɔ́ʋòbɔ́] adv.

(< vbe ― obọ ― vbe ― obọ) “at hand, at hand”: right now; instantly:

Ọ sanmwẹn ọnrẹn rhie vbobọvbobọ ― “He snatched it instantly.”

vbokho [ʋòxó] vb.

1. to bend; to twist:

Ọ vbokho ẹre obọ ghe iyeke ― “He twisted her arm to the back.”

;

2. to be flexible; be capable of bending:

Erhan na i-vbokho ― “This piece of stick is not flexible.”

vboo¹ [ʋòó] vb.

1. to ripen; to be ripe:

Ẹdin-ebo na vbooro nẹ ― “This pineapple has ripened.”

;

2. (of eyes) to redden (with expectation):

Aro ọre vbooro ye odẹ ― “Her eyes have reddened on the road: Her eyes are fixed on the road (with expectation).”

vboo² [ʋòó] inter.; part.

(occurs at the end of the sentence): location question particle: (to be) where?

Owa ruẹ vboo? ― “Where is your house?”

vbovbo [ʋòʋó] vb.

1. to carry (usually a child) on the back:

Ọ mu ọmọ vbovbo ― “She backed a child”

;

2. to be carried on the back:

Ọ wẹ irẹn i vbovbo ― “He said he will not be carried on the back.”

vbọ¹ [ʋɔ́] vb.

1. to spring; to leap:

Ọ vbọe hin uhunmwun erhan ― “He leapt up on the tree”

;

2. to pull out, to extract:

Iran vbọ mwẹn akọn vbe asokito ― “They extracted my tooth at the hospital.”

vbọ² [ʋɔ́] adv.

(compressed from vbe ― vbọ) “from it”; “in it”:

ọ ma miẹ ọghẹe vbọ ― “He did not find his own in it.”

vbọlọ [ʋɔ̀lɔ́] vb.

1. pl. and iter. sense of vbọ:

Iran vbọlọ akọn ― “They had their teeth extracted.”

Iran vbọlọ kpaọ ― “They leapt away.”

vbu [ʋú] vb.

to borrow:

Ọ doo vbu ukpọn vbe obọ mwẹn ― “He came to borrow some cloth from me.”

vbuaro [vwáɽò] vb.

to be stranded; to be in a helpless state.

vbuovbuo [vwòvwó] vb.

1. to heat (native pear) in hot ashes or hot water to soften the pulp.;

2. to deteriorate; to go bad. (of perishable foods, esp. fruit, vegetable, and meat).

vbuyẹ [ʋùyɛ́] vb.

to be lazy; weak.

vbuyẹvbuyẹ [ʋùyɛ̀ʋùyɛ̀]

1. adv.

indolently; weakly.;

2. adj.

weak; lazy; indolent.

wa [wà] pron.

a form of the 2nd pers. pl. pron.: you.:

Wa ghẹ gui ― “You (pl.) don’t be angry: Don’t be angry.”

waa¹ [wàá] vb.

1. to lay out; to display; to spread out:

Ọ waa emwin ne ọ khiẹn ye atẹtẹ ― “She displayed what she was selling on a straw tray.”

;

2. to divide into parts or groups:

Ọ waa iran ye ihi-eha ― “She divided them into three parts.”

waa² [wàá] vb.

to castrate (e.g. goat or dog).

waa³ [wàá] vb.

(in wabọ) “to exterminate” (the branches or offspring):

A wabọ ọre ― “His lineage has been exterminated.”

A gha wabuaa (a common curse) “May your lineage be exterminated.”

waan¹ [wã̀ã́] vb.

1. to grow up; to mature:

Ọ ma he waan ― “She is not yet matured.”

waan² [wã̀ã́] vb.

to be wise; to be intelligent:

Ọvbokhan na waan gbe ― “This child is very intelligent.”

waan³ [wã̀ã́] vb.

(of the day) to dawn; to grow light:

Ẹdẹ waan nẹ ― “The day has dawned.”

wagha [wàɣá] vb.

to disintegrate; to crumble:

Ukpudu umwẹn ne ọ mu mwẹn wagha ye ọre obọ ― “The lump of salt that she was holding has crumbled in her hands.”

waghawagha [wàɣàwàɣà] adj.

crumbly.

wanmẹ [w̃ã́mɛ̃̀] vb.

(< wọn ― amẹ) to drink water.

wannawanna [w̃ã̀nã̀wã̀nã̀] adj.; adv.

describes anything with a sheen; flashy:

Ọ fi wannawanna ― “It is shining brightly”

.

Ọ ye wannawanna ― “It is flashy”

.

wanniẹ [w̃ã̀nỹɛ̃́] vb.

1. to respond; to reply.;

2. to argue with:

Ohan i gi a wanniẹ ọnrẹn ẹmwẹn ― “One does not argue with him for fear.”

wannọ [w̃ã̀nɔ̃́] vb.

to isolate; to separate:

Ọ wannọ iran ― “He separated them.”

wanwan [w̃ã́w̃ã̀] adv.

right now (cf. wanwanna).

wanwanna [w̃ã́w̃ã́nã́] adv.

just now; right now:

Wanwanna ọ kpaọ ― “He left only just now.”

(also wanwan).

wanwanwan [w̃ã̀w̃ã̀w̃ã̀] adj.; adv.

cf. wannawanna.

we [wé] vb.

to order (something); to send for something from the market:

Ọ we mwẹn izẹ ― “She ordered for rice through me.”

wee¹ [wèé] vb.

1. to open by lifting the lid; to uncover:

Ọ wee ọkpan ne ọ ghe emwin ne ọ rọọ ― “He opened the dish to see what is in it.”

;

2. (of hat) to lift off (from the head);

3. (of book) to open.

wee² [wèé] vb.

1. (of a crowd) to shout in applause; to shout in unison.;

2. to shout upon in contempt (e.g. a thief or criminal); to boo at:

Iran gha wee oyi nii khian ― “They are booing the thief along.”

wegbe [wègbé] vb.

to be strong; to be energetic.

werriegbe [wèriègbé] vb.

to turn back; to go back; to return:

Ọ werriegbe gha rrie ẹvbo ẹre ― “He went back to his country”

; (with another verb in a serial construction, it usually has the adverbial meaning of “again”).

werriẹ [wèriɛ́] vb.

to roll; to turn over:

Ọ werriẹ fi uvun ― “He rolled into a hole.”

wẹẹ [wɛ́ɛ̀] vb.

to say (usually doesn’t require a complementizer):

ọ wẹẹ ọ foo nẹ ― “He said (that) it is finished.”

wẹiwẹi [wɛ́iwɛ́i] adv.; adj.

1. (of a walk): briskly; with agility;

2. describes tiny or under-sized objects.

wẹnrẹn [w̃ɛ̃̀ɽ̃ɛ̃́] vb.

thin, narrow, lean.

wẹro [wɛ́ɽò] vb.

to be resourceful; sensible.

wẹwẹ [wɛ̀wɛ́] vb.

to drizzle.

wẹwẹrhẹ [wɛ́wɛ́řɛ́] adj.

wide and shallow.

wẹwẹwẹ [wɛ́wɛ́wɛ́] adj.

(of speech or talk) whispered;

ọta-wẹwẹwẹ ― “gossip.”

wia [wìá] vb.

to smell:

ehe hia wia ― “Everywhere is smelling.”

wie [wìé] vb.

to collapse; to fall in a heap:

Ekẹn wie rhu iran ― “The wall collapsed on them.”

wiẹn [w̃ỹɛ̃́] vb.

1. to wear out something (to use roughly);

2. to be worn (e.g. from friction, or from being rubbed against something else);

3. to be rumpled:

Ukpọn mwẹn hia wiẹnrẹn vbe ẹkpẹtin ― “All my clothes are rumpled in the box.”

wii [wìí] vb.

to get lost; to be missing:

Igho mwẹn wiiri ― “My money is missing.”

wika [wíkà] vb.

1. to struggle along; to make a great effort:

Ọ wika lele iran ― “He struggled to keep up with them.”

;

2. to be hardened; to be tough:

Ọ wika gbe ― “He is very tough.”

winhin [w̃ĩ̀hĩ́] vb.

to scent; to give off a pleasant smell (e.g. of food).

Uwọnmwẹn ne ọ le wa winhin sẹ ediran ― “The soup she is cooking has scented this far.”

winna [w̃ĩ̀nã́] vb.

to work; to labour:

Ọ winna gbe ― “He works very hard.”

wio [wìó] vb.

1. to slip out (e.g. of beads on a string); to drop from a string:

Emiegbe mwẹn wioro ― “My beads have dropped from the string.”

(also used of things tied together.)

wiolo [wyòló] vb.

pl. or iter. sense of wio:

Owẹe hia wioloo kua vbe irri ― “All the broomsticks have slipped off from the rope.”

wo [wó] vb.

1. to be strong; to be tough:

Erhan na ma wo ― “This wood is not strong”

;

2. to be difficult; to be hard:

Iwinna na ghá wo ― “This work will be hard.”

;

3. (of certain fruit, e.g. plantain, coconut) to be mature; to be ready to pick:

Ọghẹdẹ na ghá kpẹe ọ ke wo ― “This plantain will take a while to become mature.”

wogho [wòɣó] vb.

(of a crowd) to make noise ―

“Iran gha wogho yọ mwan ehọ” ― “They are making noise in one’s ears.”

wooo [wòòò] adv.

1. describes a continuous dull but intense (e.g. from pepper) pain ―

Ọ balọ wooo ― “It hurts persistently”

;

2. describes the glow of red-hot logs:

Ọ baa wooo ― “It glows warmly.”

worua [wòɽùá] vb.

to become cool; to cool down. (cf. furre).

wowowo [wòwòwò] adv.

describes

1. brightly-burning fire; or

2. the taste of a peppery-hot soup. (cf. wooo).

wọn [wɔ̃́] vb.

to drink:

Ọ wọn ukhunmwun ― “He drank medicine.”

(cf. wanmẹ).

wọnwọnwọn [w̃ɔ̃̀w̃ɔ̃̀w̃ɔ̃̀] adv.; adj.

describes a greasy look.

wọọ [wɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

to tire, to be fatigued;

Egbe wọọ mwẹn ― “Body has fatigued me: I am tired.”

wọọrọ [wɔ̀ɔ̀ɽɔ̀] adj.; vb.

long; extended; tall.

wu [wú] vb.

1. to die:

Amwẹn ọnrẹn wuru ― “His wife died.”

;

2. to break (e.g. of glass, china, mirror, bottle, etc.)

Ọgọ-amẹ wuru ― “The waterbottle broke.”

wua [wùá] vb.

to forbid; to be tabooed.

Ma wua egilẹ ― “We forbid (the eating of) snails.”

wulo [wùló] vb.

pl. and iter. sense of wu:

Iran hia wulo ― “They all died.”

wuo [wùó] vb.

to rub on:

Ọ ya ori wuo egbe ― “She rubbed her body with cream.”

ya¹ [yá] vb.

lit. = to use (occurs only in construction with other verbs, and has as its object nouns or noun phrases that semantically express a wide range of relationships with the second and main verb of the sentence) such as, instrumental:

Ọ ya erọ fian iyan ― “He used a knife for cutting the yam”

. temporal:

Ọ ya awa eha dolọ ẹre yi ― “It took him three hours to repair it.”

manner:

Ọ ya ogiogiẹ miẹ ẹre ― “She laughingly took it from him or she took it from him by laughing”

; reason:

Ọ ya ezurọ rhia ẹre rua ― “He spoilt it out of stupidity.”

etc.

ya² [yá] vb.

(occurs only in construction with another vb.): to cause:

Ọ ya evbare khian aghaghan vbe ẹvbo naa ― “He caused food to become very expensive in this town.”

ya³ [yá] vb.

to spend (time); to last (for a certain length of time):

Ọ ya uki eha ọ ke rhia ― “It lasted three months before it became spoiled.”

ya⁴ [yá] vb.

(usually followed by a prep. na or ne):

1. to present with a gift:

Ọ ya ígho ne ibiẹka eso ― “He presented some children with money.”

;

2. (with ọmọ) to betroth:

Iran ya ọmọ nẹẹ ― “They betrothed a girl to him.”

ya⁵ [yá] vb.

(occurs only in construction with a second verb which serves as the main verb of the sentence): to proceed (to do something):

Ọ ya lovbiẹ ― “He went to lie down”

;

Ọ ya gu ẹre winna ― “He went to help him to work.”

ya⁶ [yá] vb.

(with ama) to make (a mark) on:

Ọ ya ama ye emwin ẹnrẹn hia ― “He made a mark on all his property.”

ya-baa [yàbàá] vb.

1. to join with; to combine with:

Iran yabaa enikẹre ― “They joined with the rest.”

;

2. (in Xtian sense) to bless:

Osanobua yabaa ọre ― 1. God blessed him; 2. God was with him

.

ya-gba [yàg͡bá] idiom.; vb.

to become stuck; develop a stalemate:

Emwẹn nii yagba ― “A stalemate has developed over that matter.”

ya-ghae [yàɣàé] vb.

to distribute; to give away:

Ọ ya ẹfe ẹre hia ghae ― “He gave away all his wealth.”

ya-leekhue [yàlèéxwè] idiom.; vb.

(also ya-neekhue) (< ya ― ne ― ekhue) “to give to shyness”: to relent (on account of somebody, or for consideration of somebody).

Ọ ya emwin hia ne Ozo ru ẹre lekhue erhae ― “He relented on all the things Ozo had done to him on account of his father.”

ya-maa [yàmàá] idiom.; vb.

1. to forgive (someone):

Ọ ya emwin hia ne ọ ru maa rẹn ― “He forgave her all the things she had done.”

;

2. to expose (esp. the faults of a person):

Ọ ya egbe ẹre maa vbe eke ne ọ yoo ― “He exposed his bad ways where he went.”

ya-wee [yàwèé] idiom.; vb.

to bequeath to; to authorize to own:

Ọ ya ẹfe ẹre hia wee iran ― “He bequeathed all his wealth to them.”

ya-yi [yàyí] idiom.; vb.

to believe; to have faith in:

Ọ ya ẹmwẹn ne u khama rẹn yi ― “He believed what you told him.”

; 2. (in the religious sense) to be a Christian:

Ọ ma yayi ― “He is not a Christian.”

yaan¹ [ỹã̀ã́] vb.

to own; to possess:

Rẹn ọ yaaẹn owa ne ima ye ― “He is the one who owns the house in which we live.”

yaan² [ỹã̀ã́] vb.

to pledge; to promise:

Ọ yaanrẹn ighẹ ren gha sẹtin haa osa nii ― “He pledged that he will be able to pay up that debt.”

yalọ [yàlɔ́] vb.

1. (used of jelly-like substance or other soft masses) to scoop (a usually large bulk of):

Ọ yalọ obuẹ hin otọ rre ― “He scooped off the clay from the ground.”

;

2. (of a large or amophous mass) to move clumsily (e.g. of a very fat person):

Ọ yalọ khian ― “He is moving clumsily along.”

(Also: ọ yalegbe khian).

yan¹ [ỹã́] vb.

1. to tear off; to sever; to disjoin:

Abọ ẹkpo na yan fua ― “The strap of this bag has torn off”

;

2. to ply open; to open wide:

Ọ yan ẹkhu yotọ ― “He opened the door wide. (or He left the door wide open).”

yan² [ỹã́] vb.

(of the limbs) to be fatigued; to be weary after exertion; to be exhausted:

Owẹ yan mwẹn ― “My legs are fatigued.”

yan³ [ỹã́] vb.

(of fire) to be ablaze:

Erhẹn nẹ ọ hiere yan kua ― “The fire he made is in full blaze.”

yan⁴ [ỹã́] vb.

(e.g. of a child) to make a lot of fuss; to demand a lot of attention by crying frequently and behaving hard-to-please:

Ọvbokhan na gha yan ma iyẹe ― “This child is making a lot of fuss to his mother.”

yangbe [ỹã̀gbé] vb.

to ignore; to discountenance:

Ọ yangbe emwin dan hia ne ọ ru ― “She ignored all the bad things that he does.”

yanghan [ỹã̀ɣã́] vb.

to tear to pieces; to mangle; to tear roughly so as to disfigure:

Uwaya yanghan mwẹn ukpọn rua ― “The wire has torn my cloth to pieces.”

yanghananghan [ỹã̀ɣã̀ỹã̀ɣã̀] adj.; adv.

describes something that is disfigured or ragged.

yankan [ỹã̀kã́] vb.

to walk abnormally (usually with legs spread apart):

Ọ yankan dee vbe egui ― “He is approaching with an abnomal walk like that of a tortoise.”

yanrre [ỹã̀ré] vb.

to be left over; to remain:

Emwin ne ọ khiẹn gbae, ọ yanrre ― “The things she is selling are complete and with some left over.”

yanyan [ỹã̀ỹã́] vb.

1. to yawn;

2. (of lightning) to flash.

ye¹ [yé] vb.

to be like; to seem: (Does not take clausal complements):

Ọ ye mosemose ― “It has the quality of being beautiful: It is beautiful.”

ye² [yé] vb.

(as in yerhẹn) to make or set (a fire):

Akhuẹ ẹre iran khian yerhẹn ye iku na ― “It is tomorrow that they will set fire to this rubbish heap.”

yè [yè] prep.

expresses location: on, at, in (depending on the noun that occurs with it):

yè owa ― “at home”

;

yè aga ― “on the chair”

;

yè uvun ― “in the hole”

; etc. (when it occurs at the end of a sentence, or after its complement, its form is yi): Owa ẹre o rhie ẹre yi. Vs. Ọ rhie yè owa; 2. when it occurs before the object pron: mwẹn or mwan, it becomes yọ:

Ọ tota yọ mwẹn owa ― “He resides at my house.”

yee¹ [yèé] vb.

to recall; to remember:

Ọ yee ẹmwẹn ne i khama ọnrẹn ― “He recalled the words that I told him.”

yee² [yèé] adv.

expresses the adverbial meaning of “still”:

Ọ yee mose ― “She is still beautiful.”

yee-rre [yèré] vb.

1. same as yee¹;

2. to remind:

Ọ yee mwẹn ẹmwẹn ọnrẹn rre ― “He reminded me of her.”

yegbe [yègbé] vb.

to be cautious; to be mindful of self:

U ghu yegbe vbe ehe ne u rrie na ― “You should be cautious where you are going.”

yenhọ [ỹẽ̀hɔ́] vb.

(< yin ― ehọ)

1. to be deaf; to be hard of hearing;

2. to be stubborn; to be disobedient. (cf. yin).

yẹẹ [yɛ̀ɛ́] vb.

to please; to appeal to; to delight:

Ẹmwẹn ọnrẹn yẹẹ mwẹn ― “Her matter appeals to me”: “I like her.”

yevbe [yéʋe] vb.

to be like; to seem:

Ọ yẹvbe ne ọ vbiẹ ― “He seems to be sleeping.”

(cf. ye).

yẹẹn [ỹɛ̃̀ɛ̃́] vb.

to press upon (usually with something heavy):

Ọ ya olọ yẹn ọnrẹn ― “He pressed it by means of a grinding-stone.”

yẹẹn muotọ ― “to press down.”

yẹẹn-egbe [ỹɛ̃̀ɛ̃̀gbé] vb.

to exert the physiological pressure necessary to eject something from the body through any of the posterior openings, e.g. in childbirth; or during defecation.

yẹnkẹn [ỹɛ̃̀kɛ̃́] vb.

same as yankan.

yẹnkẹn [ỹɛ̃̀kɛ̃̀] adj.

very big (e.g. a large-sized human head).

yi¹ [yí] vb.

1. to create:

A ma yi ẹre ẹse ― “He was not created right”

;

2. (with uhi) to make ( a law) to institute (a decree):

Ariọba yi uhi yọ ― “The government has instituted a law about it.”

yi² [yí] prep.

cf. ye.

yi³ [yí] adv.

expresses the adverbial meaning of before (in the temporal sense):

Ọ ma ka miọẹ yi ― “He had never seen it before.”

(The clause usually has the aux ka (previously) as well).

yi⁴ [yí] vb.

(as in yi-ẹro): to take note of; to be aware of:

Ọ yi emwin ẹro gbe ― “She is very observant of things.”

yighẹ [yìɣɛ́] vb.

to be weak; to be frail:

Ona yighẹ gbe ― “This is too weak.”

yiin [ỹĩ̀ĩ́] vb.

1. to behave:

Ei yiin ẹse ― “He does not behave well”

;

2. to inhabit; to dwell in:

Idunmwun ọkpa ma kagha yiin ma ke kpaọ gha di ediran ― “We inhabited the same street before we left to come this way”

.

yiin ke ― “to live next to; to be neighbours with.”

yilo [yìló] vb.

1. (usually of flowing liquid or drawing substance): to collect together and drain off; to mop up:

Ọ yilo uwọnmwẹn hin ọkpan rre ― “She drained off the soup from the plate.”

;

2. (with kua) to drip off; to slide off.

yin¹ [ỹĩ́] vb.

1. to be blocked;

Ehọ ọre yiin ― “His ears are blocked: He cannot hear (well).”

;

2. to be dense; to be tightly packed (e.g. of weed).

yin² [ỹĩ́] vb.

(as in yin-ehiẹn) to pinch. (with the finger nails).

yo¹ [yó] vb.

1. to go;

I yo owa ọre nodẹ ― “I went to his house yesterday.”

;

2. to attend:

Ọ yo esọsi ima ― “He attends our church.”

(In the progressive aspect, rrie is used instead of yo):

Ọ rrie esọsi ― 1. He is going to the church

.

yo² [yó] vb.

1. to be high (e.g. of a wall):

Ekẹn na yo ― “This wall is high.”

;

2. esteemed; high (e.g. of a position or post).

Ukpo ẹre yo vbe ehe ne ọ na winna ― “His post is high or senior in his place of work.”

yọ [yɔ́] vb.

to wear (a garment):

Ọ yọ ẹwu nọmose ― “She is wearing a lovely dress.”

yọọ [yɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

1. to arrange one after the other (usually in a tile or row):

Ọ yọọ iran ye uviẹn ― “He arranged them in a line.”

;

2. (of a crowd): to move uniformly; to troop:

Iran yọọ dee ― “They are trooping in this direction.”

yunmwun [ỹũ̀ɱṹ] vb.

1. to shine (of the sun):

Ovẹn ma yunmwun ẹrẹ ― “The sun did not shine today.”

;

2. (of aro) to frown; to wear an unhappy or unpleasant countenance:

Ọ yunmwun aro rua ye uhunmwun ― “He is wearing a frown.”

yunnu [ỹũ̀nṹ] vb.

(< yan ― unu) “to open mouth”; to surprise; to amaze:

Ọ yan mwẹn unu ― “It amazed me.”

yuo [yùó] vb.

same as wio.

zaan [zã̀ã́] vb.

1. to criticize; to find fault with; to condemn:

Iran zaan rẹn ye emwin nẹ ọ ruu ― “They criticized him for what he did.”

zabọ [zàbɔ́] vb.

expresses the adv. meaning of “quickly”:

Ọ zabọ kpaọ ― “He quickly left.”

zaro [záɽò] vb.

to reprimand; to scold:

Ọ zaro mu ẹnrẹn vbe ọ viẹ ― “He reprimanded her when she was crying.”

zagadabu [zàgàdàbú] vb.; idiom.

to have fun; to play around.

zagha [zàɣá] vb.

to scatter; to fall out of place in various directions; to be in disarray:

Ẹhoho zagha ebe mwẹn hia kue otọ ― “The wind has scattered all my books to the floor.”

zaghazagha [zàɣàzàɣà] adv.; adj.

describes things that are disorderly and unkempt.

zaizai [zàizài] adv.

1. quickly; briskly:

Ọ ruẹe zaizai ― “He did it quickly.”

zama [zàmá] vb.

to show deference to; to show courteous regard to:

Ọ zama ọmwan gbe ― “She always treats her elders with deference.”

ze [zé] vb.

to be stiff or hard:

Ekẹn na zee nẹ ― “This wall has hardened.”

ze-vbe-udu ― “to be hard-hearted”: “stubborn.”

zedu [zèdú] vb.

(< zẹ⁴ ― edu) to interpret; to translate:

Ọ ma miẹ ene ọ gha zedu nẹẹn ― “He did not find anyone to interpret for him.”

zenunu [zènúnù] idiom.

(< zẹ⁴ ― ene ― unu) “speak that of the mouth”: to state one’s case (in a dispute):

Iran we ne ọ zenunu ẹnrẹn ― “They asked her to state her case.”

zẹ¹ [zɛ́] vb.

1. to select; to choose:

Ọ zẹ ẹwu ne ọ yẹ ọre ― “She chose the dress that she liked.”

;

2. to delegate (a person):

Ozo ẹre iran zẹe gha khian ― “Ozo was the person they delegated to go.”

;

3. (of solid mass nouns) to take a portion of:

Ọ zẹ izẹ mu gie iran ― “She took some rice to carry to them.”

zẹ hin ― “to remove some portion of”

;

zẹ baa ― “to add a portion to”

;

zẹ kua ― “to pour a portion away etc.”

zẹ² [zɛ́] vb.

to be responsible for (an action); to cause a situation:

Iran ẹre ọ zẹe ighẹ ma miẹ odẹ la ― “They were responsible for our being able to find a way to pass.”

zẹ³ [zɛ́] vb.

to rank; to occupy a certain position relative to:

Rẹn ọ zẹ lele mwẹn ― “He is the one who ranks after me.”

ze⁴ [zɛ́] vb.

to speak a language:

Ọ gua zẹ Ebo ― “He can speak English.”

zẹ⁵ [zɛ́] vb.

to spend (money); to pay a levy or fine:

Ọ zẹ ígho-emitin ― “He contributed his society levy.”

zẹ⁶ [zɛ́] vb.

to be arrogant; to behave overbearingly ―

Ọ zẹ vbe ọmwan esi ― “He is behaving overbearingly as though he were a better person.”

zẹ⁷ [zɛ́] adv.

indicates that the action in the main verb has been going on for a length of time ―

Ọ ghi zẹ totaa, ọ na kpaegbe ― “After sitting for a while, he stood up.”

zẹ-baa [zɛ̀bàá] idiom.

to tell lies against:

Ọ zẹbaa re ― “It was a lie that he told against her.”

zẹ-ta [zɛ̀tá] idiom.

to fabricate; to make up something:

Ọ zẹ ẹmwẹn nii ta ― “He made that information up.”

zẹ-yi [zɛ̀yí] idiom.

to mind; to pay attention to:

Ọ ma zẹ-yọ mwẹn ẹmwẹn ― “He did not mind my words.”

zẹbi [zɛ̀bí] vb.

to be guilty:

Ozo ọ zẹbi vbe ẹzo na ― “Ozo is the guilty party in this case.”

zẹdẹ [zɛ̀dɛ́] adv.

1. expresses the adverbial meaning of “at all” when it occurs in a negative clause:

Ei zẹdẹ ma ― “It is not good at all”

;

2. in non-negative clauses, it may be translated as “at least”:

Ona zẹdẹ ma; nọkẹre i zẹdẹ gi a ghe ― “This one is at least good; the other one can’t be tolerated at all.”

zẹdia [zɛ́dyá] adv.

expresses the adverbial meaning, of “occasionally”; “sometimes”:

Ọ zẹdia rhie igho rre ― “He occasionally brings money.”

zẹẹ [zɛ́ɛ́] adv.

cf. zẹrẹ.

zẹgiẹgiẹ [zɛ̀gyɛ́gyɛ̀] adv.

expresses the adv. meaning of “quickly”; “hurriedly”:

Ọ zẹgiẹgiẹ bu erhae ― “He hastily went to his father.”

zẹgbẹle [zɛ̀gbɛ̀lé] idiom.

to commit suicide by hanging (also

“rhie ukọ rrọọ” ― “hang up the calabash”

).

zẹtin [zɛ̀tĩ́] vb.

(< zẹ ― ẹtin) to be rebellious; to be defiant; to contradict:

Ne ọ gha ya ru vbene a gie ẹre, ọ gha zẹtin obọ ọre ― “Instead of doing as he was commissioned, he is being defiant.”

zidase [zìdásé] idiom.

to play pranks; to behave naughtily.

ziẹn [zyɛ̃́] vb.

1. to plant (something thin or pointed); to insert:

Ọ ziẹn erhan yotọ ― “He stuck a piece of stick into the ground.”

;

2. (with aro) to fix (eyes) on; to scrutinize:

Ọ ziẹn aro mu ẹnrẹn ― “He fixed his gaze on it.”

;

3. to get stuck; (e.g. of a vehicle’s wheels in a muddy terrain):

Imọto ẹre ziẹn ye uwu ọrho ― “His vehicle got stuck in the mud.”

ziẹnziẹn [zyɛ̀zyɛ̃́] vb.

to squeeze into; to force into; to penetrate by force:

Ọ ziẹnziẹn egbe la owa ― “He squeezed to get into the house.”

ziga [zìgá] vb.

to struggle; to cope; to make an effort;

O fẹko ziga vbe iwinna ne iran mu nẹẹn ― “He is trying to cope gradually with the work they gave him.”

zighi [zìɣí] vb.

1. to become confused; to be disorderly:

Ughugha ẹre hia zighi ne ukpọn ― “His entire room is disorderly with clothes.”

;

2. to make disorderly; to disrupt:

Ọ zighi iran iko rua ― “He disrupted their meeting.”

zighó¹ [zíɣó] vb.

(< zẹ ― ígho) to cut milk-teeth.

zighó² [zíɣó] vb.

(< zẹ⁵ ― ígho)

1. to spend money;

2. to pay a fine.

zighò [zíɣò] vb.

(< zọọ ― ìgho) to grow horns.

zihin [zìhĩ́] vb.

(< zẹ ― ihiin) to blow the nose.

ziin [zĩ̀ĩ́] vb.

1. to endure; to bear:

Ọ ziin oya nọbun ― “He endured a lot of insults”

;

2. ziengbe (< ziin egbe): “endure self”; to be patient; to persevere.

zobọ [zòbɔ́] idiom.; vb.

1. to cease from doing; to stop (doing) to give up on.:

Ọ zobọ vbe iwinna ne ọ ka gha ru ― “He has stopped doing his previous work.”

;

2. to come to an end; to close:

Ma zobọ nẹ vbe esuku ― “We have closed at school.”

;

3. to leave; to release:

Ọ zẹ iran obọ ― “He released them.”

zogiẹ [zògyɛ́] vb.

(< zẹ-ogiẹ) “to cause laughter”; to be funny.:

Ẹmwẹn ọnrẹn zogie gbe ― “His words are very funny.”

zokeke [zòkékè] idiom.

(< zẹ ― okeke) to pretend; to make false pretences.

zowẹ [zówɛ̀] vb.

(< zẹ ― owẹ) to take a step; to move:

Ghẹ zowẹ kpaọ vbe evba ― “Don’t step away from there.”

zozo [zòzó] vb.

to wander; to perambulate:

Ọ zozo gbe ― “He wanders too much.”

zọkan [zc̀kã́] vb.

to shout angrily; to speak harshly:

Ọ zọkan mu ẹnrẹn ― “He shouted angrily at him.”

zọlọ [zɔ̀lɔ́] vb.

the pl. or reit. sense of zọọ²:

Iran zọlọ iyan foo vbe akhe ― “They picked out all the yam pieces from the pot.”

zọọ¹ [zɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

1. to germinate; to sprout:

Ọka ne ọ kọe zọọ nẹ ― “The corn that she planted has sprouted.”

zọọ² [zɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

1. to extract; to pick out:

Ọ zọọ igban hin ẹre owẹ rre ― “He extracted a thorn from his foot.”

zọọ³ [zɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

(with ẹse) 1. to perform a sacrifice (usually determined by the oracle as a means of atoning for some previous wrongdoing, or of ensuring the goodwill of some powerful forces, etc.).

zọọ⁴ [zɔ̀ɔ́] vb.

(of ọmọ) to perform the naming ceremony of a new-born infant (usually on the seventh day of birth).

zuan [zũ̀ã́] vb.

to indicate or express undisguised desire for somebody’s food (e.g. by hovering around them with a yearning gaze at the food, etc. ).

zughu [zùɣú] vb.

1. to roll around on the ground in grief or distress.;

2. to struggle against efforts to restrain one (e.g. in a fight).

zunu [zùnṹ] vb.

(< zẹ ― unu) “to choose mouth” to be choosy about food; to be fastidious about what one eats.

zurọ [zùɽɔ́] vb.

to be stupid; to be foolish:

Ọ zurọ gbe ― “He is very foolish.”

zuwu [zùwú] vb.

to commit suicide.