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M - m
m Letter representing the Maa voiced bilabial nasal sound /m/.
m- [North] gen. [North] Variant of the feminine gender prefix n- which occurs before bilabial sounds. See: ɛn- ‘Feminine singular gender prefix’; n- [North] ‘Feminine gender prefix’.
m-1 Variant: ém-; im-; mm-. neg. Negative verb prefix. This imposes a Low tone on the beginning of the verb, evident on Class I verbs. (The Negative Low tone is overridden on Class II verbs by a High stem-initial tone.). Ɨmagóro. I will not be angry. Magóro. [Class I verb] I am not angry. (W). Máípírri. [Class II verb] I am not running. (W). Maáta enkérr, nɛ́mááta enkíné. [Class I verb] I have neither a sheep nor a goat. (W). Mɛáta ɔltʉŋáni óítīēū. There is no one who dares (to do sth.). olkúkúrí ɔsɨ́nya lɛ́mɛ́dánya a perfect calabash that is not broken. Émiyiolólo doí iyíóók? You do not know us? Manyɔ́rr ɛlɛ̂ áɨ́dɛ́tɨ́dɛ́tani. I don't like this dreamer. (W). aɨtamán ɨnkɨkʉ́ ɛnkáŋ peê mépúkú inkíshu to surround the kraal with thorny branches so the cows won't come out (Pk). Amʉ̂ mmiyíólo Because you do not know. Meyíéú ɨlMaasáɨ́ ɔlayíóni lɛ́ mɛ̂ ɔlɛ̂ nkáŋ ɛ tɨ́pat nɛ́ākʉ̄ ɔlaigúɛ́nani. Maasai's do not want a son who is not of a popular home to be the age-set-leader. (KS).
m-2 mood. SUBJN.
1 • Subjunctive mood verb prefix, used in the following grammatical contexts:
a) • With first person plural in suggestions or commands. (The first plural subjunctive bound pronoun itself is High tone á-.). Mátɨpɨk intóyie sukúul. Let's put girls in school. Máítoríóí áaiko injí. Let's do it like this. Máapɛ́ aké níkipuo áaduŋuduŋ ɨlkɨdɔŋɔ́. Let's just go and cut the tails into pieces. Máapeití! Let's go! [Said to many people.].
b) • Following a-jó when it has the sense of 'to try'. Néjî mátiakɨ́, "ámaâ kɛ́kʉlɛ́ naáropîl íyíéú anáa kɛ́kʉlɛ́ naáɨ́sʉkʉ̂t?" They tried to tell him, "Do you like fresh or unfresh milk?". Néjî mátaar nɛ́ɨ́sɨ̄k. They tried to kill him but he escaped. See: a-jó ‘To say, try’.
c) • Complements of causative verbs. Káɨ́kʉ́nɨ́ta mɛtɔ́lɔpɨshɔ táatá. I am causing him to vomit (directly or indirectly). (SN).
d) • Adverbial clauses following the prefix ɔ- 'until'. Nɛ́manáa tɔɔ́ aŋitíé asotú ɨmálasin ɔmɛ́ɨ́dɨpá. He goes around the homes to collect (beer) gourds until he finishes. See: á-3 ‘Singular infinitive prefix, subjunctive mood’; ɛ́-2 ‘Imperative plural prefix’.
a-má v. To eat. See: a-nyá ‘To eat’.
má [North] adv. [North] By.
ɔl-Maâ n. Language of the ɨlMaasai, ɨlSampur, ɨlChamus and several other ethnic groups. Ɛgɨ́ra olmeekí aít tɛ nɛ́ɨ́rɔ Maâ. The Kikuyu is speaking with an accent when he speaks Maa. (Pk).
maâ v. It is. Note: Where did the preceding statement come from? Is it from Leonard? See: áâ ‘Be’.
l-máaca [North] [North] Nom sg: l-mááca. [North] Acc pl: l-maacaní. n. 1 • [North] Man who dies as a bachelor beyond a marriageable age.
2 • [North] Lone bull buffalo. Syn: ol-ósowuan ‘Buffalo’. See: árrɔ ‘With downward pointing horns’.
maadʉ́p [North] n. [North] Bustard. See: n-kúbú [North] ‘Bustard’.
a-maaɨ́ [moras as amaay] v. 1 • To be docile, going along with what others say even to the point of foolishness, out of inability to reason. See: a-bɔ́r2 ‘To be calm, quiet, humble’.
2 • To be sluggish. ɔltʉŋáni ɔmááɨ̄ (i) A soft-spoken, docile person; (ii) A sluggish person. Ant: a-isosíón ‘To be fast, dilligent, efficent’.
máákʉ́tɨtɨ́ adv. 1 • Slowly. Shɔ́mɔ (m)áákʉ́tɨtɨ́. Go slowly. Kɨlâk ɨsayíɛ́ta máákʉ́tɨtɨ́. We will pay the dowry in installments. (lit: We will pay the dowry slowly.) (W). In W, máákʉ́tɨtɨ́ may indicate doing sth. slowly with care (eg. so that sth. negative does not happen), while áákʉ́tɨtɨ́ just means 'slowly'. See: áá kʉ́tɨtɨ́ ‘Slowly (of plural or repeated actions)’; a kɨ́tɨ ‘Slowly, gently’; kɨtɨ́ ‘Small’.
2 • [South] Dowry installment. Dowries may be paid in installments to ensure that a relationship is prolonged.
ɛ-máál Nom sg: ɛ-maál. Acc pl: ɨ-maalá. Nom pl: ɨ-máalá. n. Dewlap. Etymology: Cf. Borana maala. See: ol-telélīāī; ɔl-gɔ́lgɔl ‘Dewlap’.
ɛ-máalo Nom sg: ɛ-máálo. [North] Acc sg: l-máálo. [North] Nom sg: l-máalo. [North] Acc pl: l-maaloní. [North] Nom pl: l-máaloní. n. Greater kudu. Tragelaphus, Tragelaphus strepsiceros.
máapé v.imp. 1 • First person plural imperative 'Let's go', covering strong to mild imperative. Ɛtiákā enkítok ɛnkɛ́ráí ɛnyɛ́: Máapé áŋ! The woman told her child: Let's go home! Máapé áaɨdɨp entúrórē ɛ́ nkɔ́p peê kípûô áŋ. [ɛ́ŋkɔ̄̄p] [kípúó ! āŋ] Let us go and finish up the cultivation so that we can go home. (Pk). Máapé aulúó áadɔlʉ inkíshú. Let us go outside the kraal to see the cows coming. (Pk). Ɛ́máapé! Let's go! (to more than one person). See: m-1 ‘Subjunctive prefix’.
2 • [North] First person dual imperative of a-ló; Let's both go!
máapeití First person plural imperative of a-ló 'to go'; Let's all go!
máapetín [North] [North] Let's all go! See: a-ló ‘To go’; shɔ́mɔ ‘Go!’.
ɨl-Máásâɨ̂ Variant: ɨl-máásāɨ̄. Nom pl: ɨl-Maasáɨ́. n.pl. 1 • Two or more Maasai individuals; may include both men and women. Ɛkáyíólo ɛnkʉ́tʉ́k ɔɔ́ lMáásâɨ̂. I know (can speak) the language of the Maasai. (Pk). Eewá ɔltíkáná inkíshú kúmok ɔɔ́ lMáásâɨ̂. East Coast Fever has killed so many cows of the Maasai. (Pk). Ɛ́ɛ́lâ apá ɨlMaasáɨ́ ilorérēn ɔɔ́tɨmɨrâ The Maasai assimilated the people they defeated in war.
2 • [North] Type of disease that is treatable locally. See: ɔl-Máásaní ‘Maasai person; traditional name for a member of the Maasai nation’.
Máásâɨ̂ Mára n.prop. Name of a National Park in the south of Kenya (lit: spotted park).
ɔl-máásaní Nom sg: ɔl-maásaní. Acc pl: ɨl-máásâɨ̂. Variant: ɨl-máásāɨ̄. Nom pl: ɨl-maasáɨ́. n. 1 • Maasai person. Usage: singular.
2 • Maasai, traditional name of a member of the Maasai nation (either male or female if gender is not known); a Maasai man. Usage: plural.
ɛ-máásaní A Maasai woman.
l-máásháí [North] Nom sg: l-maasháí. Acc pl: l-maashaní. Nom pl: l-máashaní. n. [North] Vagabond, vagrant. See: ɔl-cánkílí ‘Wanderer’; ol-kíríkóí; ol-wúshúwúshí ‘Vagabond’; l-óyíópó [North] ‘Vagabond’.
ɔl-máatî Nom sg: ɔl-máatî. Acc pl: ɨl-máāt. Nom pl: ɨl-maát???. n. 1 • Locust.
2 • Grasshopper. Ɛgɨ́ra ɔlmáatî aitíám. The grasshopper is hopping. (Pk).
3 • [North] Crowd of people.
ɛ-máatî "Hopper". Syn: ɛn-targéetî ‘Grasshopper’.
máātɛ̄ pn. By selves. Mayíólo ajó káji ɛmánya máātɛ̄. I do not know where they themselves stay. (C). áɨ́ kɔ́p nɨ́kɨnyaakɨtâ iyioók áara máātɛ̄ tiátua another land that we fought over among ourselves (C). See: átɛ́ ‘Self’.
e-mabáti Nom sg: e-mábáti. Acc pl: i-mabatiní. Nom pl: i-mábatiní. n. 1 • Sheet of metal. Ɛbɛbɛ́k ɛná mábáti. This iron (roofing) sheet is light. (W).
2 • Metal cooking pot. See: e-motí ‘Metal cooking pot’.
a-mád v. To make a fool. See: a-madá ‘To be insane; foolish’.
a-madá v.mid. To be insane, stupid, foolish. Ɛgɨ́ra ɔltʉ́ŋání ɔ́mádá abatát enkitók. The insane person is raping a woman. (Pk). Ɛgɨ́ra ɔltʉ́ŋání ɔ́mádá abuaayá. The mad man is shouting loudly. (Pk). Kɛ́máda kʉlɔ́ tʉŋaná. These people are stupid. Ɛ́támádɛ. He has become insane. (S). See: a-mɔdá ‘To be foolish, stupid’.
a-madakɨnɔ́ [North] [North] To be smitten with; become inseparable because of fondness for s.o. or sth.
l-mádáɨ́ [North]2 [North] Acc pl: l-máda. [North] Nom pl: l-mádâ. n. [North] Fool, crazy person, idiot. See: a-madá ‘To be insane’.
mádâɨ̂ [North]1 [North] Nom sg: mádaɨ. n. [North] Folly, stupidity, ignorance, insanity. See: a-madá ‘To be insane, stupid, foolish’.
mágɨ́láni Nom sg: magɨlaní. Acc pl: magɨlák. Nom pl: mágɨlák. [West] Acc sg: magɨ́lani. [North] Nom sg: magɨláni. [North] Acc pl: mágɨ́lak. [North] Nom pl: magɨlák. adj. 1 • Almighty, victorious, dominant, able. In W, the major sense of this word is 'almighty', and is best applied to God or perhaps a very powerful oloiboni. It cannot really be applied to normal humans, nor to warriors.
2 • [North] Clever.
3 • [North] Brave and tactful in war. See: a-pɨ́ ‘To be brave’.
4 • [North] Expert (of people at a craft).
5 • [North] Vicious (of animals or insects).
a-magɨlanú [North] v.incep. [North] To become able, expert, etc. See: magɨláni ‘Mighty, dominant, able’.
l-mágɨ́rɔ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-magɨrɔ́. [North] Acc pl: l-matɨrɔ̂n. n. [North] Eagle.
l-maɨ́m [North] [North] Nom sg: l-máɨm. n. [North] Tree sp. Commiphora.
máɨ́má Nom sg: maɨmá. Acc pl: máɨ́mân. Nom pl: maɨmán. adj. Crippled.
ɔl-máɨ́má n. 1 • Cripple.
2 • Monitor lizard. varanus niloticus.
l-máímó [North] [North] Nom sg: l-maimó. [North] Acc pl: l-maimôn. n. [North] Monitor lizard. See: ɔl-máɨ́má ‘Monitor lizard’.
ɨl-máɨ̄n n.pl. Type of bees. See: ol-otóroi ‘Bees’.
máír [North] n. [North] Weaver bird.
ɛ-máɨ́rɨ́náí Nom sg: ɛ-maɨrɨnáí. Acc pl: ɨ-maɨrɨnaní. Nom pl: ɨ-máɨ́rɨnaní. n. Traditional beaded bracelet, about 2 cm wide.
See: ɛ́n-kɨ́rɨ́nâ ‘Bracelet’; márnâɨ̂ [North] ‘Bracelet’; a-ɨrɨ́n ‘To twist’.
ɔl-máɨ́rɔ́ Nom sg: ɔl-maɨrɔ́. Acc pl: ɨl-máɨ́rɔ̂n. Variant: ɨl-mairoshin. Nom pl: ɨl-maɨrɔ́n. [North] Acc sg: l-máíró. [North] Nom sg: l-mairó. n. 1 • Medicine, in general; remedy. This can be anything to make s.o. feel better, including for example a cup of tea.
2 • [North] Meat broth and herbs administred with a blessing for healing; medicine. See: ɔl-caní ‘Medicine’; en-dásím [South] ‘Medicine’.
máɨ́rr [North] [North] Nom sg: maɨ́rr. [North] Acc pl: máírrí. [North] Nom pl: mairrî. n. [North] Weaver bird (sp.).
ol-máírroto Nom sg: ol-máíroto. Acc pl: il-mairrót. Nom pl: il-mairrót. n. Rounded bend of the house, which extends into the en-kokórde. The ol-máírroto end of the house would be thought of as the "front". The opposite end is il-tulí 'backs'. These are the narrow portions of enk-ají, as opposed to the broader sides. See: en-cúkótó ‘Corner’.
ɔl-maisurí Nom sg: ɔl-máísurí. Acc pl: ɨl-maisurîn. Nom pl: ɨl-máísurîn. [Chamus] Acc sg: masurí. n. Banana. See: ɔ́l-máríkô ‘Banana’; ndísi [North] ‘Banana’.
ɛ-máɨ́táí Nom sg: ɛ-maɨtaí. Acc pl: ɨ-máɨ́ta. Nom pl: ɨ-máɨ́tâ. [North] Acc sg: máítáí. [North] Nom sg: maitáí. [North] Acc pl: máɨ́ta. [North] Nom pl: máɨ́tâ. n. Braided leather bell collar for livestock.
makaát [North] [North] Nom sg: mákaát. [North] Acc pl: makaatí. [North] Nom pl: mákaatí. n. [North] Soda ash. See: píríás [North] ‘Soda ash’.
L-mákálélít [North] [North] Nom pl: L-makalelít. n.prop. [North] Clan in the Lorokichu phratry.
mákár [North] [North] To pretend. See: a-isunkúr ‘To pretend’.
ɛ-makát Nom sg: ɛ-mákat. Acc pl: ɨ-makatí. Nom pl: ɨ-mákatí. Variant: makaát. n. 1 • Trona; natron. Sodium bicarbonate, Sodium carbonate. This salt is obtained from Lake Magadi (< ɛnkarɛ ɛ makaát).
2 • [West] Salt; [South] Salt. Sodium chloride. Syn: ɛ-mʉnyán, ɛn-aɨsʉ́kʉt ‘Salt’. See: ɛn-abɛlɨ́; en-cúmpi; shímpi ‘Salt’; Magadi ‘Lake Magadi’; em-bolíêî ‘Salt lick’.
ɔl-makáʉ Nom sg: ɔl-mákaʉ. Acc pl: ɨl-makaûn. Nom pl: ɨl-mákaûn. n. Hippo. See: ɔl-tʉrʉ́ka ‘Hippo’.
mákɛwan [North] Acc sg: mákoon. By oneself.
Makindu n.prop. Place name in Kajiado District, Kenya.
mákoon [North] [North] By oneself. See: mákɛwan ‘By oneself’.
makórrukór [North] [North] Nom sg: mákorrukór. n. [North] A kind of leaf which is edible uncooked.
a-makúá [North]: a-mokúá. v. To be odd, awkward, strange, unexpected, improper, non-traditional. Often, though not always, used in connection with clothing.
makúárr [North] [North] Nom pl: mákuarr. n.pl. [North] Trash, waste, crust on a pot.
l-makúí [North] [North] Nom pl: l-mákui. n.pl. 1 • [North] Ancestors.
2 • [North] Antiquity. See: akúí ‘Ancestor’.
l-mákútíkúti [North] n. [North] Type of tree used as a herb to treat stomach upsets and also for fertility. It is believed this is useful for treating very serious illnesses.
ɛ-mála Nom sg: ɛ-málâ. Acc pl: ɨ-málasin. Nom pl: ɨ-málásin. n. 1 • The largest of all calabashes, used for fermenting beer or storing milk (eg. for warriors at a meat-eating camp). Ɛ́ntasotú ɨmálasin amʉ̂ ɛ́táá kɛ́ɨ́ŋʉrákɨnɨ ɛnapá kɛ́ráí inyî ɨntaléŋo. Collect beer gourds because it is about time for your child to go through initiation. See: l-kútúmpê [North] ‘Big gourd for brewing beer’; ol-mosorî2 ‘Calabash for brewing beer’; ɛn-dʉ́kʉ́ny ‘Calabash for drinking beer’.
2 • Large calabash used for fermenting milk.
3 • Short circular gourd for brewing beer.
4 • [North] Milk container (of any sort).
5 • [North] "Calabash" (generic term, including but not limited to containers made from gourds). In at least some parts of Samburu territory, mála are carved from wood, in the shape of a gourd. See: n-kɨrráú [North] ‘Gourd’; ɔl-bɔlbɔ́li; en-kúkúrí ‘Calabash, gourd’.
l-mála [North] [North] Very large milk container, with an onion-shaped cap.
a-malaá v.dir. To be round and open.
ɔl-malaɨ́ka Nom sg: ɨl-málaɨ́ka. Acc pl: ɨl-malaɨ́ka. Nom pl: ɨl-málaɨká. [North] Nom sg: l-málaɨka. [North] Acc pl: l-malaɨkaní. [North] Nom pl: l-málaɨkaní. n. Usage: eccl. Angel. Etymology: < Swahili malaika.
malálua [North] [North] Nom sg: malálua, Málalua. [North] Acc pl: malaluaní. [North] Nom pl: málaluaní. n. 1 • [North] Salty water.
2 • [North] Small lake near Kisima.
L-malatánya [North] [North] Acc pl: L-málatány. n.prop. [North] Ancient age-set predating the L-meicópo.
máldáány [North] Nom sg: maldaány. n. [North] Waste of a new born lamb or kid, usually yellowish in color. Syn: e-sonkík ‘Waste of a young calf, lamb or kid’. See: máldányá ‘Meconium’; e-modíêî ‘Dung’.
máldányá [North] [North] Nom sg: maldanyá. [North] Acc pl: máldany. [North] Nom pl: máldâny. n. [North] Meconium. See: máldáány [North] ‘Early excrement of lamb or kid’; e-sonkík ‘Early excrement of lamb or kid’.
máléés Nom sg: maleés. adj. Extremely humble. ɔltʉŋáni máléés an extremely humble person.
ɔl-malenké Nom sg: ɔl-málenké. Acc pl: il-malenkên. Nom pl: il-málenkên. n. Squash.
malɨmálīcō [North] [North] Nom sg: malɨmálīcō. n.sg. [North] Tardiness. See: a-ɨmalɨmál ‘To fool about’.
ɔl-málímúí Nom sg: ɔl-malimuí. Acc pl: ɨl-malimuní. Nom pl: ɨl-malímuní. n. Teacher. Ɛɨbʉ́ŋá olmalimúí ɛnkɛ́ráɨ́ épúrrítô ɛntɛ́mátá. [ èpùrrìtò with low fallinɡ or stress on final mora] The teacher has caught a child cheating in the exam. (W). Borrowed word: Swahili. Syn: ɔl-áɨ́tɛ́ŋɛ́nani ‘Teacher’.
málmal [North] [North] Nom sg: málmâl. n. [North] A sweet smelling tree.
malmáli Nom sg: málmali. Acc pl: malmálīn. Nom pl: málmalín. adj. 1 • Provocative (of fights; as a general characteristic of a person). Kárá malmáli. I provoke fights. Áɨ́malmáli. He provokes fights. (Pk).
2 • Negligent (eg. a boy who neglects the animals he is supposed to herd and goes off to look for bees, etc.); wayward. Ɛ́ɨ́malmálī. He is wayward.
ɔl-malmáli n. [Purko] Acc sg: ɔl-mármali. Wayward person. See: a-ɨmalɨmál ‘To fool around’.
ɛ-málmálisho Variant: ɛ-mármálisho. n. 1 • The characteristic of provoking fights. Ɨ́wa ɛmálmálisho inó tené amʉ̂ mmeyíéúní ɛnára. Take away your provocativeness because fighting is not wanted.
2 • The characteristic of fooling around, goofing off.
3 • Carelessness. See: a-ɨmalɨmál ‘To fool around’.
mámpáɨ́ [North] Nom sg: mampáɨ́. [North] Acc pl: mámpa. [North] Nom pl: mámpâ. n. 1 • Young woman, young lady.
2 • [North] Young married woman.
ɔl-mampúli Nom sg: ɔl-mámpuli. Acc pl: ɨl-mampuliní. Nom pl: ɨl-mámpuliní. n. Umbrella. Borrowed word: Swahili. See: ɛn-cʉrɛ́t ‘Rain cover’.
l-mampúrr [North] [North] Nom sg: l-mámpurr. [North] Acc pl: l-mampurrî. [North] Nom pl: l-mampurrî. n. [North] Short-necked skink. Mabuya brevicollis.
mámʉ́rra Nom sg: mámʉ́rra. [North] Acc sg: l-mamʉrrâ, l-mámʉ́rrá. [North] Nom sg: l-mamʉrrá. [North] Acc pl: l-mamʉrrací. n. Secretary bird. Sagittarius serpentarius. See: lɛ́ mbáɛ (nabô) ‘Secretary bird’; l-mómúnjú [North] ‘Secretary bird’.
a-mán v.prog. v.prog. To go around, surround sth. Ámánɨ́ta olórika. I am going around (circling) the chair. See: a-ló ‘To walk’; a-lilitá ‘To walk’.
2 • v.prog. To encircle. Ɛmanɨ́ta ɔlpáashie ɛnkáŋ The fence surrounds the home.
a-manaá v.dir. 1 • To go around, following the perimeter.
2 • To go around from one place to another. Nɛ́manáa dúóó ɔlmʉrranɨ́ aiguɛná tɔ lcáni. The warrior went around (the place where the warriors are seated) advising under the tree. Nélōtū ɔlpáyian nɛ́manáa tɔɔ́ aŋitíé asotú ɨmálasin. The man comes and goes around homesteads collecting beer gourds.
3 • To evolve.
4 • To spread around.
a-manɨkɨ́ v.dat. 1 • To surround onto or for.
2 • To make a tour to see sth. or s.o.
a-manaá v. 1 • To revolve. Etúa ɛsáa amʉ̂ mɛgɨ́ra amanaá. The clock is dead (ie. doesn't work) because it (ie. it's hands) doesn't revolve.
2 • To go to the other side of the home, i.e from one house to another within the same homestead.
3 • To go around from one place to another. Ɛgɨ́ra amanaá aiŋorú inkíshú naɨ́mɨnâ. He is going around looking for cows that are lost.
4 • To spread around.
5 • To dawn. Ɛmanáa ɛnányokie. It is dawning. (lit: The red one is going around.). Ɛmanáa e sírûâ. It is dawning. (lit: The light gray-white is going around.).
a-ɨtamanaá 1 • To turn, rotate sth. Áɨ́tamanaá esíote. I am turning the lid.
2 • To encircle, enclose.
3 • [North] To take a guest to a neighbour to host.
manɨrá Round. See: laman kʉ́tʉ́k ‘Moustache’; a-ɨbɛlɛkɛ́ny ‘To turn’; a-pʉrʉpʉraná; a-lɔlɔŋá ‘To be round’.
manáíco [North] [North] Nom sg: manáíco. n. [North] Immorality. See: e-lólóíto ‘Adultery’; a-mán ‘To go around’. Etymology: From Antipassive form of a-mán 'to go around'..
a-manáŋ v. 1 • To drink down all at once; chug down. Támanaŋa! Drink it down! (eg. as when you are very thirsty).
2 • To be serious.
mánaŋ [North] [North] Nom sg: mánâŋ. n. [North] Colostrum.
l-mancéri [North] Variant: l-máncéri. [North] Nom sg: l-mancerí. [North] Acc pl: l-máncɛ́r. n. [North] Tick.
l-mancɛ́ʉ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-máncɛʉ. [North] Acc pl: l-mancewîn, l-manceûn. [North] Nom pl: l-máncewîn, l-mánceûn. n. [North] Tuft of unshaven hair left on a boy's head ready for circumcision. See: ɔl-pápɨ́tá ‘Hair’.
ɔl-manɛ́t [North] Nom sg: l-mánɛt. [North] Acc pl: l-manɛ́ta. n. 1 • Charm hung around one's person or an object.
2 • [North] Stick about 50 cm. or longer given by the loibóni to his clan for protection. See: a-mán ‘To surround, go around’.
ol-manga n. Cassava. See: ol-m(w)óogo ‘Cassava’.
ɔl-máníé [North] Acc sg: l-mánɨ́ɛ́. [North] Nom sg: l-manɨ́ɛ́. n. 1 • Surroundings.
2 • [North] Perimeter; of a dam, river, mountains (ie. foot of mountains). Kɛ́shám naá oltulélēī atʉbʉ́lʉ tiátua naâ dúóó ɔlmáníé. Oltulelei loves to grow on the banks (of the rivers). (C).
a-manɨkɨ́ v. 1 • To see sth. immediately; glimpse; glance.
2 • To vist s.o. on the other side of the homestead.
a-manɨ́r [North] v. [North] To twist sth. (eg. rope, clothes, paper). See: a-mɔnɨ́r ‘To twist sth.’.
ɔl-mánkáí [máŋkáy] Nom sg: ol-mankáí. [màŋkáy] Acc pl: ɨl-mánkai. [[máŋkai] -- two morae in final syllable] Nom pl: ɨl-mánkái. [[máŋkái] -- two morae in final syllable] n. Short round spherical bead. See: ɔ-saêî ‘Bead’.
mánkálioní Nom sg: mankálioní ?. Acc pl: mánkáliok. Nom pl: mankalíok ?. adj. 1 • Shiftless.
2 • Foolish about property.
mankálīcō [North] [North] Nom sg: mankálīcō. n. [North] Laziness.
ɨ-mánkek Nom sg: ɛ-mankekí. Sg: ɛ-mánkékí. Nom pl: ɨ-mankék. n. Maasai bride's dress.
e-mánkékí n. Necklace. Míncop ɛnâ mánkékí amʉ̂ ɛtadányatɛ intúntaí. Don't wear that necklace because the oval beads (used to finish the edge) are broken. (Pk).
ɛ-mánóó Nom sg: ɛ-manoó. Acc pl: ɨ-mánók. Nom pl: ɨ-manók. [North] Acc sg: ɛ-mánɔ́ɔ́. [North] Nom sg: ɛ-manɔɔ́. [North] Acc pl: ɨ-mánɔ́k. [North] Nom pl: ɨ-manɔ́k. n. 1 • Condensed sap.
2 • [North] Gum of the ldérkésí (Acacia senegal), ítí (Acacia mellifera) etc. trees, used for chewing.
a-mantó v. To tinker about.
a-mány v. To go to live, settle in a place.
a-ɨtamány v.cause. To make s.o. live somewhere.
a-manyá v.mid. To be settled, live, dwell in a place; be a resident of a place. Ámánya Laikípia. I live in Laikipia. (W). Ɛmánya mɛnyɛ́ Naɨrɔ́bɨ. His/her father lives in Nairobi. (W).
a-manyaá v.dir. 1 • To shift, move from place to place.
2 • [North] To suffer for a long time from sickness.
a-manyɨshɔ́ To live. Bási nɛ́manyɨshɔ́ nɛ́ákʉ̄ intóiwúó. Then they will live together and become parents. (W). See: ɛ-manyɨ́shɔ ‘Dwelling’.
ɔl-manyaálishôî Nom sg: ɔl-mányaálishôî. Acc pl: ɨl-manyaálishó. Nom pl: ɨl-mányaálishó. n. Upper or lower back jaw with the molars and premolars; the portion of the jaw that crushes food (lit: the chewing part). See: a-nyaál ‘To chew’; ɔl-tagɨ́lɨgɨ́lɨ ‘Jaw’.
ɔl-manyára [North] Acc pl: l-mányari. n. 1 • Inhabitants of one settlement. See: a-mány ‘To dwell’.
2 • [North] Small settlement.
3 • Possessions of a person.
ɛ-mányátá Nom sg: ɛ-manyatá. Acc pl: ɨ-manyát. Nom pl: ɨ-mányát ?. n. 1 • Ceremonial home, intended to keep men of the same age set together, who serve as a military force. This camp may contain 20 to 40 houses, as well as a large ceremonial home. An ɛmányátá is made on three occasions during the life of an age set. The first ɛmányátá is made when a group of boys is about to be circumcised. The boys move here, and request permission from their fathers to take their mothers along, who will build an ɛnkají. (The husbands of the women may not always want their wives to relocate to the camp, especially as some of the women may be closer in age to some of the soon-to-be-warriors and their former lovers.) The boys stay at the ɛmányátá for at least several months until the ɛmányátá é mowuo ɔ́ lkɨtɛŋ ceremony is completed and they become ɨlmʉ́rran, or warriors. For some groups, the ɨlmʉ́rran may stay in the ɛ-mányátā for up to ten years prior to the e-únótó ceremony, when they become elders. For others, the ɨlmʉ́rran relocate to an ɛmányátá, again with certain of their mothers, for the eúnótó ceremony. After the eúnótó ceremony there are two minor ceremonies, shaving of the head, and aók kʉlɛ́ 'to drink milk'. At that point the men are ɨlkaɨrɨ́sh, and are free to marry as adults. At marriage, men become ɔlpayíán (thus, the ɨlkaɨrɨ́sh stage is very short). Third, the ɨlpayianí relocate to an ɛmányátá for the ɔlŋɛshɛ́r ceremony, when they become senior elders.
2 • Village, settlement.
3 • Potential or former place or area in which to live. See: a-mán ‘To surround’; a-mány ‘To dwell’; ɛ-manyɨ́shɔ ‘Dwelling’; (ɛnk-)áŋ ‘Kraal’; l-oróra [North] ‘Village’. Syn: l-oróra [North] ‘Warrior village’.
ɛ-manyɨ́shɔ Nom sg: ɛ-mányɨshɔ. n. Settlement. See: a-mány ‘To dwell’; a-mán ‘To surround’.
manyícō [North] [North] Nom sg: mányicó. n. Homesite, homestead, settlement-area.
ɨ-mányɨ́t n.pl. Intestines. See: ɛnk-ɔ́shɔkɛ ‘Stomach, intestines’.
mányɨ́tá [North] [North] Nom sg: manyɨtá. [North] Acc pl: mányɨ̂t. [North] Nom pl: manyɨ́t. n. [North] Small intestine.
l-máŋántitá [North] [North] Nom sg: l-maŋántitá. [North] Acc pl: l-maŋáti. [North] Nom pl: l-máŋati. n. [North] Enemy. See: ɔl-máŋátintá ‘Enemy’.
ɔl-máŋátintá Nom sg: ɔl-maŋátintá. Acc pl: ɨl-maŋátī. Nom pl: ɨl-máŋatintá. n. Enemy, foe. Ɛshɔmɔ́ ɨlmʉ́rrân áasotu ɨmbáa te wúéjî nɛ́taararɛ̂ ɔ́ lmaŋátī ŋolé. The warriors have gone to collect arrows from where they fought with the enemies yesterday. (W). See: ɔl-ŋámátintá ‘Enemy’; l-máŋántitá [North] ‘Enemy’.
Il-máo n.prop. This place is also known as Noolmao.Name of two hills in the Kiboko Ranch, Kajiado District (lit: twins). See: ɔl-máóí ‘One of a twin’.
ɔl-máóí Nom sg: ɔl-maoí. Acc pl: ɨl-máo. Nom pl: ɨl-máô. [North] Nom sg: l-maóí. n. 1 • One of a twin (human or animal). Usage: sg.
2 • Twins. Usage: plural. In S, this may include multiple births of sheep beyond just two. Óre eishôi e uní néíú ɨlmáɔ̄ náā ɨlayíôk. In the third birth she bore twins who were boys.
3 • Close friend.
4 • [North] A set of two identical light spears, used only by warriors. Usage: plural.
Trans-Mara7 n.prop. Name of a District in Kenya.
ɔl-mára [Purko] Acc sg: ɔr-mára. n. 1 • Cheetah. Usage: rare.
2 • Leopard.
3 • The spotted one. See: mára ‘Patchy’.
e-mára Giraffe. See: ol-kerî ‘Leopard’.
mára1 Nom sg: márâ. Acc pl: máraí. Nom pl: máráî. adj. 1 • Dotted, spotted, patchy, checkered, involving at least the color red, black, or brown, and with spots at least those the size belonging to a cheetah. The design has a camouflaging effect. Olmeút mára dúóó kítoduâ. It is a spotted giraffe we saw. Éímara ŋolé olashé ótoiwuokí. The calf that was given birth yesterday is spotted. (Pk).
2 • Mixture of any types of colors. In W, this could be applied to a striped blue and white shirt, a red napkin with blue flowers, a basket with straw and dark brown pattern woven in, etc. See: ɔl-mára ‘Cheetah’.
e-mára4 Acc pl: i-marai. n. Giraffe (lit: patchy-one). giraffidae, giraffa camelopardalis.
l-mára [North] [North] Nom sg: l-márâ. [North] Giraffe (nickname because of its spots). See: ɔl-carkúk; ɔl-mɛʉ́t ‘Giraffe’.
márâ [North] adv. 1 • [North] No, not.
2 • [North] Except. Etymology: 1SG negative of a-rá 'to be'.
Mara ɛnkárɛ́5 Variant: Marankárɛ́. n.prop. Name of a river. See: ɛnk-árɛ́ Mara ‘Name of a river between Isiolo and Archer's Post, Kenya’; ɛnk-árɛ́ dápásh ‘Maasai name for the Mara River, Narok District, Kenya’.
il-marágwɛ Nom pl: il-máragwɛ (?). [Chamus] Acc sg: máráágwáí. n. Beans. Borrowed word: Swahili maharagwe 'beans'. See: em-póóshóí ‘Beans’; e-sikɔ́rīɔ̄ [South] ‘Beans’.
máráí [North] [North] Nom sg: maráí. [North] Acc pl: mára. [North] Nom pl: márâ. n. [North] Fungal infection of the skin afflicting humans.
l-máráí [North] [North] Type of sickness where spots appear all over the body.
l-márâɨ̂ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-maraɨ́. [North] Acc pl: l-marâɨ̂n. [North] Nom pl: l-máraɨn. n. [North] Rib, side. See: ɔl-arási ‘Rib’; l-babák; n-tɔ́ɔ́p [North] ‘Rib’.
L-marakorí [North] [North] Acc pl: L-marakóri. [North] Nom pl: L-márakóri. n.prop. [North] A Kalenjin tribe.
e-maralʉ́kʉ́nyá n. Common bulbul bird (lit: spotted-head). pycnonotus barbatus.
l-márámbá [North] Nom sg: l-marambá. n. [North] Crested hoopoe.
márámpá [North] [North] Nom sg: marampá. [North] Acc pl: márámpân. [North] Nom pl: márampán. n. 1 • [North] Small yellow bird.
2 • [North] Mongoose.
márároi [North] [North] Nom sg: marároi. [North] Acc pl: máráro. [North] Nom pl: mararó. n. [North] Ear. See: en-kíook ‘Ear’; n-kɨ́yɔk [North] ‘Ear’.
ɔl-máréí Nom sg: ɔl-mareí. Acc pl: ɨl-máreí. Nom pl: ɨl-máreí. Variant: ɨl-máréíta; ɨl-mareitá. [North] Acc sg: l-márɛ̂ɨ̂. [North] Nom sg: l-marɛ́ɨ́. [North] Acc pl: l-márɛ́ɨ́ta. [North] Nom pl: l-marɛɨtá. n. 1 • Family. Entómónísho doí námitikí kʉlɨ́káɨ́ máréíta ɛ́pâl inkíshú mɛ́mɨ́ra. It is because of the many children that some families cannot avoid selling cows. (lit: It is having many children that prevents other families from stopping to sell cows.) (Pk). Ɛgɨ́ra eŋtásât aɨtɔbɨ́r ɛndáa ɔlmárêî. The woman is preparing food for the family. (Pk).
2 • [North] Phratry (loosely, clan, section). There are eight Samburu phratries (Spencer 1973:72, 120). The hierarchy of the segmentary descent system is roughly: ethnic group (Lɔ́kɔp), moiety (nkɨ́tɛ́ŋ nárɔ́k, nkɨ́tɛ́ŋ náɨ́bɔ̄rr), phratry (lmárêî; eg. Lmásʉla), clan (ntɨ́pat, eg. Lmɔsɨaát), lineage (ntalóci), house (nkají), gate (ltɨ̂m) (Wagner n.d., p. 202).
3 • Association, company (of s.o.). ɔlmárêî lɛ Jois the company of Jois.
ɔl-marenké Nom sg: ɔl-márenké. Acc pl: ɨl-maárenke. Nom pl: ɨl-máárenke. n. 1 • Gossip, idle talk. Eitádóyíó olmárenké ɛnkɔlɔ́ŋ. Gossip will make the sun set. (W). Note: Proverb meaning that one can spend the whole day in mere talk and gossip. This may include lies as well as idle discussion of true things. See: metetél ‘Gossip’.
2 • Lie. Ɛáta nɛná kɛ́râ ilmaárenke kúmok. Those children have a lot of lies. (W).
márgéroi n. Finch. See: n-cɨ̂c [North] ‘Finch’.
márgɨ́rɔ́ɨ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: margɨrɔ́ɨ́. [North] Acc pl: márgɨrɔ. [North] Nom pl: márgɨ́rɔ. n. [North] One of several species of waxbill, including the African firefinch and the red-cheeked cordon-bleu. Lagonosticta rubricata, Uraeginthus bengalus.
l-marí [North] [North] Nom sg: l-mári. [North] Acc pl: l-marîn. [North] Nom pl: l-márin. n. [North] Slope of a hill.
ɔl-marikíti Nom sg: ɔl-márikíti. Acc pl: ɨl-marikitiní. Nom pl: ɨl-márikitiní. n. Can about the size of a paint can. Etymology: < Swahili ? marigedi ‘large cooking pot of copper’. See: l-tóo lɛ́ naiurrúūr [North] ‘Paint can’.
l-máríkó [North] Nom sg: l-marikó. n. [North] Tobacco. See: ol-kumpaú ‘tobacco’.
ɔ́l-máríkô [Purko] Acc sg: ol-marikói. [North] Acc sg: l-máríkó. Variant: máríkóí. [North] Nom sg: l-marikó. n. 1 • Banana.
2 • [North] Snuff wrapped in a sheet of banana stalk. Etymology: < Kikuyu mariɡũ 'banana'. See: ɔl-maisurí ‘Banana’.
L-maríkóí [North] [North] Acc pl: L-maríkón. [North] Nom pl: L-márikón. n.prop. Spencer (1965).[North] Age-set initiated around 1879.
márɨ́sá [North] [North] Nom sg: marɨsá. [North] Acc pl: marɨ́sân. [North] Nom pl: márɨsán. n. [North] Clavicle. See: n-tálátá [North] ‘Clavicle’.
e-márisíán n. emárisíán lɔɔ́ sɨkɨrá decorated band of cowrie-shells and beads, worn by female initiates around the head.
marlêî [North] [North] Nom sg: márlei. n. [North] Strip of leather from a sacrificed or slaughtered animal, worn by brides over both shoulders.
marlɛ̂n Nom sg: márlɛn. n. Beads worn by young initiates on their heads.
márlóó [North] [North] Nom sg: marloó. [North] Acc pl: marlóóci. [North] Nom pl: marloocí. n. [North] Large tendon. See: em-pítō ‘Tendon’.
márnâɨ̂ [North] Variant: márnáɨ́. [North] Nom sg: marɨnáɨ́. [North] Acc pl: márná. [North] Nom pl: márɨ́na. n. 1 • [North] Traditional beaded bracelet, about 2 cm wide. Samburu word for the same thing as en-kɨ́rɨ́nâ. See: ɛ́n-kɨ́rɨ́nâ ‘Bracelet’.
2 • [North] One of a number of beadwork ornaments with beads strung around a rubber core.
ɛ-márórōī Nom sg: ɛ-maróroi. Acc pl: ɨ-márōro. Nom pl: ɨ-maroró. n. Ear. See: en-kíook; e-niŋét; en-kulalé ‘Ear’.
ɔl-mársámūā Nom sg: ???. Acc pl: ɨl-mársámua. Nom pl: ɨl-marsamuá. [North] Acc sg: l-mársómua. n. Maggot in the nose of an animal.
marsantɛ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: mársantɛ́. n. [North] Lizard that is small, grey, likes cool areas.
ɔl-mársáŋua Nom sg: ɔl-marsáŋua. Acc pl: ɨl-mársámua. Nom pl: ɨl-marsámua. n. Maggot. See: l-ácɛrɛ [North] ‘Maggot’.
ɛ-márti Nom sg: mártî. Acc pl: ɨ-mártīn. Nom pl: ɨ-martín. n. 1 • Upwards sloping land.
2 • Slight spur (as in, a ridge of land laterally projecting off of a mountain side); cliff. Tóduaa taá mɨ́sʉlári amʉ̂ kéúróri ɨna mártî. Take care so that you don't fall, because that cliff is weak. (Pk).
3 • [North] Volcanic mesa bordered by escarpments which are often covered with loose pumice. See: m-pɛɛ́ [North] ‘Pumice’.
4 • Name of a place along the Mara River in Trans-Mara.
ɔl-marúá Nom sg: ɔl-márūā. Acc pl: ɨl-maruaîn ?. Nom pl: ɨl-máruaîn ?. n. Alcoholic beverage (beer, wine, hard liquor, etc). Ɛtɛmɛ́ratɛ ɨlpáyianí amʉ̂ étóókō ɔlmarúá. The men got drunk because they took beer. See: ɛn-cɔɨ́; ɛn-áíshó ‘Intoxicant’.
marúátɛ [North] adj. 1 • [North] Giving milk only to its owner (of an animal).
2 • [North] Which won't mate a bull (of a cow).
L-márrááto [North] [North] Nom pl: L-marraató. n.pl. [North] A clan within the Lmásʉla phratry.
márragɨ́t [North] [North] Nom sg: márrágɨt. [North] Acc pl: marragɨtí. [North] Nom pl: márragɨtí. n. [North] Top of the shoulder.
a-marrárr [North] v. [North] To keep surveillance over an area suspected of harbouring enemies in war; spy, reconnoitre scout, survey, patrol. Syn: a-leén ‘To survey; spy; reconnoitre’. See: ɔl-áɨ́kɨ́tálani ‘Spy’.
márrarr [North] [North] Nom sg: márrârr. n. [North] Patrol. See: n-ásʉ́mɛ́ [North] ‘Patrol’.
l-marrôî [North] [North] Nom sg: l-márroi. [North] Acc pl: l-marrɔ̂n. [North] Nom pl: l-márrɔn. n. [North] Frame sticks which are normally carried when moving to a new homestead. See: sainiâî ‘Pack-saddle’.
l-marrôn [North] Nom sg: l-márron. n.pl. [North] Long thick sticks placed on the neck and back of a donkey for holding pack-saddles on the back. See: sainiâî [North] ‘Pack-saddles’.
ɨ-masáa Nom sg: ɛ-másaá-í. Acc pl: ɨ-masáa. Nom pl: ɨ-másaa. n. 1 • All the beaded ornaments of a person. Ɛtɨpɨ́kɛ entitó ɨmasáa ɛnyɛ́ná, nélo osirua. The girl has put on her ornaments, then she went to a party (celebration).
2 • Wealth, riches, possessions, property, abundance, plenty, assets. Kɛ́āta ɛlɛ́ páyian ɨmasáa kúmok. This man has many possessions.
3 • Weapons. Etudúmutúaā ɨlmʉ́rrân ɨmasáa áapuo ɔlárrabal. The warriors have picked up the weapons to go to war.
ɛ-masáitâî [Purko] Nom sg: ɛ-másaaɨtâ. Acc pl: ɨ-masáa. Nom pl: ɨ-másaa. n. 1 • Treasure, sth. precious.
2 • Personal ornament.
3 • Wealth.
L-maságarâɨ̂ [North] [North] Nom sg: L-másagarâɨ̂. [North] Acc pl: L-maságará. [North] Nom pl: L-másagará. n. Usage: plural. [North] Mixed Rendille-Samburu population found in the northern strip of Samburu territory; known in the anthropological literature by the Rendille term Ariaal.
másáɨ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: masáɨ́. n. Potamogeton. [North] Water plant which cattle may eat.
ɛ-masáɨtá [Purko] Nom sg: ɛ-másáɨtâ. Acc pl: ɨ-masáɨtá. Nom pl: ɨ-másáɨtá. [North] Nom sg: másaɨtâ. [North] Acc pl: masáa. [North] Nom pl: másaa. n. 1 • Deceased man in the prime of life, from the age of a warrior to about middle-aged. This word especially connotes s.o. who died at the age of a courageous warrior; he was ɔltʉŋáni ɔtɨ́ ɔdʉ́pa (a young very competent man) and the society treasured him. He is still very important in his family and society. See: ɛn-dɔ́rrɔ́p sésên ‘Deceased woman’; ɔl-kɨmáɨ́ta ‘Elderly deceased man’.
2 • [North] Outfit, equipment, furnishing for a particular use. See: ɛ-masáaɨtâ ‘Treasure’.
3 • [North] Polite term for male genitals. Usage: plural.
ol-masí Nom sg: ɔl-mási. Acc pl: ɨl-masîn. Nom pl: ɨl-másin. [North] Nom pl: ɨl-másîn. n. 1 • Hair that the mother allows to grow after delivery of a child.
2 • [North] Long hair kept by women or children in order to avoid misfortune by being different in makeup. See: a-tarʉ́ ‘To prevent death by means of talisman’.
3 • [North] The coiffure of warriors.
4 • Mane (eg. of lion); crest. See: kúb ‘Long hair’; ol-kújú ‘Long hair’.
masiantêt Mixture of white and gray or brown, usually applied to livestock.
masilig Acc pl: i-masilig. n.pl. Type of soft leaves; used in medical treatments??
máso [North] [North] Nom sg: másô. [North] Acc pl: masoyíó. [North] Nom pl: másoyíó. adj. [North] Bratty.
l-máso [North] [North] Overprotected child who becomes a bully; brat.
a-masón [North] v. [North] To be proud. See: máso [North] ‘Bratty’; a-ŋɨd; a-pashɨpásh ‘To be proud’.
a-masonú [North] v.incep. [North] To become bratty.
L-másʉ́laní [North] [North] Nom sg: L-masʉ́lani. [North] Acc pl: L-másʉ́lá. [North] Nom pl: L-masʉlá. n. Usage: plural. [North] Phratry in the black cattle moiety; largest clan or phratry among the Samburu. Il-Tórrobo are from this clan. They are the clan who do the first things which were supposed to be done among the Samburu tribe. See: tórróboní ‘hunters and gatherers’.
ɔl-máshérī Nom sg: ɔl-masherí. Acc pl: ɨl-máshér. Nom pl: ɨl-mashér. [North] Acc sg: l-máncéri. n. Tick.
máshini Nom sg: e-máshini. n. Machine. Eéwuo dúó emáshini akesú enkáno. The machine has come to harvest the wheat. (W). Borrowed word: English 'machine'.
ɛ́-máshô Nom sg: ɛ-masho. Acc pl: ɨ-máshōn. Nom pl: ɨ-mashón. n. 1 • Feast, party. Aáta ɛ́mâshô ɛnkɔlɔ́ŋ naɨshárɨ. [àáta ɛ̀màshò ɛ̀ŋkɔ̀lɔ́ŋ] I had a party the other day. (W). Ɛgɨ́ra ɔlpayíáni aitarruó esíái ɛ́ masho aarɨshɔ́. The man is ruining the ceremony by fighting people. (Pk).
2 • Ceremony.
ɛ-mashúa Nom sg: ɛ-máshua. Acc pl: ɨ-mashuaní. Nom pl: ɨ-máshuaní. n. Boat. Usage: This is not familiar to some speakers outside the context of the Bible..
a-mát v.prog. 1 • To drink. Átámátá kʉlɛ́. I drank milk. See: a-ók ‘To drink’.
2 • [North] To smoke (cigarette, etc.). Kɛ́matɨ́ta lpáyian sikára. The man is smoking cigarette(s). (SN). See: a-purú ‘To smoke’. Etymology: Proto-Teso-Lotuko-Maa *-mat- 'drink (v.)' (Vossen 1982:356).
l-mátácá [North] [North] Nom sg: l-matacá. n. [North] Forest lizard (sp.).
ɨl-Matapató n.pl. Name of a Maasai section.
matɨ́cō [North] [North] Nom sg: mátɨ̄cɔ̄. n. [North] The alternate day on which livestock are watered; drinking. See: a-mát ‘To drink’.
matɔ́rɔgɨ̂ [North] [North] Nom sg: mátɔrɔgî. [North] Acc pl: matɔ́rɔg. [North] Nom pl: mátɔrɔg. n. [North] Flamingo.
ɛ-mátua Nom sg: ɛ-mátûâ. Acc pl: ɨ-mátuan. Nom pl: ɨ-matúán. n. 1 • Piece, part. Nájó ádɔ́l kóre ɨmbáa kúmōk néíŋúaa ɛmátua e oŋúán. I saw that a lot of items [questions on an exam] came from chapter four.
2 • Side; rib. See: ol-iaatúa ‘Internal wall of a house’.
ɨ-mátūān ɛ́ n-kɔp n.pl. Compass directions (lit: the sides of the earth). The following direcitonal terms come from a book by Stephen Ole-Sankan. However, they do not appear to be widely agreed-upon as directional terms: Oloóntolúó 'East' (lit: The one of the axes); Oloósaên 'West' (lit: The one of the beads); Kɔ́pɨkɔp 'North'; Móikúápe 'South'.
maúa n. Boquet, bunch of flowers. Borrowed word: Swahili maua 'boquet'.
l-máʉ́cɔ́ɨ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-maʉcɔ́ɨ́. [North] Acc pl: l-maʉcɔnɨ́. [North] Nom pl: l-máʉcɔ́nɨ́. n. [North] Madman ?
ɨ́-máútî n.pl. Rubbish.
ɨl-Máʉ̄wānɨ̄ n.prop. Name of an ageset.
l-máwúá [North] [North] Nom sg: l-mawúá. n. 1 • [North] Local Samburu fermented brew made from honey and possibly cereal.
2 • [North] Beer brewed from grain.
l-máwúɛ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-mawúɛ́. [North] Acc pl: l-máwúɛ̂n. [North] Nom pl: l-mawúɛ́n. n. [North] Upper lateral corner ( of anything: head, chair, house, etc.).
a-mayíán v. 1 • To bless. Ɛmayíán oshî ɨltásatí ɨnkɛ́ra enyê tɔɔ́ ɨnkámʉlak. Elders bless their children with saliva. Nɛ́mayianɨ ɛnadúóó áŋ amʉ̂ ɛ́táláá esíle. They bless the previously-mentioned home because they have cleared the debt [for a woman after she has given birth].
2 • To pray.
a-mayianakɨ́ 1 • To bless on behalf of.
2 • To bless in children, etc.
a-mayianɨshɔ́ [North] To say blessings; pronounce a blessing.
ɔl-máyian [North] Acc sg: máyian. [North] Nom sg: máyîân. n. [North] Blessing.
ɛ-máyian Blessing.
ɛ-máyianata Nom sg: ɛ-mayíánata. Acc pl: ɨ-mayianát. Nom pl: ɨ-máyianat. [North] Acc sg: mayíánata. [North] Nom sg: mayíánata. [North] Acc pl: mayianát. [North] Nom pl: mayianát. [Chamus] Nom sg: ɛ-máyíánata. n. Blessing. Ɛshɔmɔ̂ inkítuaak áaŋɔrʉ ɛmáyianata tɛ manyatá. The women have gone to look for blessing in the ceremonial home. Kɨ́ŋamáa ɛmáyíánata. We receive a blessing. This is believed to be only received where there is divine intervention. Elders are primarily the executors of a blessing because they are believed to be the intermediaries between God and man. Ɛmányátá is a special home where a ceremony to administer a blessing is carried out. See: a-mayíán ‘To bless’; ɨnk-amʉlák ‘Blessing’.
ɔl-(ma)nyaalíshooi n. Jaw. See: ɔl-tagɨ́lɨgɨlɨ; ɛ-sɛ́dɛr; ɔl-bɔɔ́ny ‘Jaw’.
í-mboó v.imp. Imperative of hinder, bar, prevent. Ímboó ɨna árɛ́. Stop that water from flowing! See: a-ibók ‘To hinder’.
a-mé [North]: a-mɛ́. v. 1 • To feel pain. Kémē ɔltʉ́ŋání ɔ́tɔɔnyɔ́ ɔlŋatúny. A person who has been bitten by a lion is feeling a lot of pain. Kɛ́tɛ́mɨ̂ɔ̂. It has hurt. (S).
2 • To be causing pain or aching. Káamé ɛnkainá My arm is painful. (lit: The arm pains me.). Káamê encóni ɛ́ nkʉ́tʉ́k. [ɛ́ŋkʊ̀tʊ̀k] I feel pain in the lips. (lit: The lips pain me.). Note: This is an external possession construction, and hence by itself does not provide evidence of a general transitive argument frame of the verb (Payne 19xx). See: a-yá ‘To ache; to take away’; a-tɛ́j ‘To swell’.
3 • To pain s.o. (eg. as a child might do to a parent by disregarding advice and help, and all the good the parent has done towards the child, such that the parent reacts psychologically and emotionally).
4 • To punish (eg. cane, fine, banish from the house, etc.). Note: Ex 1: EP Note: Ex 2
a-ɨtɛmɛ́ [North] [North] To hurt sth. or s.o.; inflict pain. Kéítémyíō. It has hurt it. (S).
l-mɛ́dɛ́kɛ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-mɛdɛkɛ́. [North] Acc pl: l-mɛ́dɛ̄kɛta. [North] Nom pl: l-mɛdɛkɛtá. n. [North] Stick reinforcing the inside wall of a traditional house.
ol-méékí Nom sg: ol-meekí. Acc pl: il-meék. Nom pl: il-meék. n.pl. 1 • One who is not a Maasai; foreigner. Usage: pejorative. If s.o. of this status kills another, he is not obligated to compensate for it (as a Maasai would be). These people are called on to do unpalatable jobs which no Maasai would be asked to do, including digging graves, carrying a dead body, digging dams for collecting water, (traditionally) growing food. The term is derogatively used to refer to Kikuyus. ilmeékúré kishukokíno those that we are not going to return to; from a legend / historical account of the origin of the Maasai; elgeyio escarpment. associated with the climbing of endíkírr e kérīō. ilmeékúré kɨ́ra tɛ nébó those that we are not together any more. See: ɛ-ɨ́kɨŋa ‘Foreignness’.
2 • Kikuyu person. Ɛgɨ́ra olmeekí aít tɛ nɛ́ɨ́rɔ Maâ. The Kikuyu is speaking with an accent when he speaks Maa. (Pk).
l-meéko [North] n. [North] Thick piece of wood for making ugali (corn mash). See: ɔl-kɨ́pɨrɛ ‘Tool for stirring liquid’; ol-kurtét ‘Wooden spoon’.
meékūrē adv. Variant of (i)meékūrē, no longer.
L-meicópo [North] [North] Nom pl: L-méícopo. n.prop. [North] The oldest age-set which can be placed into sequential order and whose date of initiation has been roughly calculated as 1781 (lit: the unclad). Older age-sets are known, but their order is undetermined (cf. Spencer, Paul. 1965. The Samburu: a study of gerontocracy in a nomadic tribe. London: Routlidge and Kegan Paul).
meisíólo [Chamus] n. 1 • [Chamus] Loiterer.
2 • [Chamus] Wanderer.
meisóro [North] n. [North] Cylindrical club. See: ɔl-cʉrtɛ́t ‘Cylindrical club’.
méíush Good behavior ? Éísídáí oshî encólíek ɔ́ɔ ltʉ́ŋáná léméíush amʉ̂ imɛɨtapoŋóó ilkʉlɨ́kāɨ̄. Companionship of well-behaved people is good because it does not mislead others. (Pk).
a-méj v.prog. To lick. Eméjíto ɔlŋatúny ɛnkɛ́ráí. The lion is licking its cub. (W). Ɛyákakɨ́ dúóó inkíshú embolíêî námɛ́j. The cows were brought to the salt-lick (for licking). (Pk). Óre peê eishó enkítok nɛ́ɨ́shɔrɨ ɨnkɛ́ra pɔɔkɨ́n ɛsʉkárɨ áapɨkakɨ ɨnkáɨ́k peê émêj. When a woman gives birth, all children are given sugar to put in their hands so that they lick it.
ɔl-mɛ́kɛ́kɛ̂ n. Wall made of pieces of sticks, meant to reinforce other walls of a house. See: ɛ-sʉntâî; ol-iaatúa ‘Wall’.
mekití [North] [North] Nom sg: mékití. [North] Acc pl: mekitîn. [North] Nom pl: mékitîn. n. 1 • [North] An oldtime skin worn by elders on the shoulders.
2 • [North] Child's goatskin body cover. See: n-cɔrgɨ́ta [North] ‘Calfskin garment’.
l-mekûâ [North] Variant: l-mékûâ. [North] Acc pl: l-mékuaîn. n. [North] Agama lizard. Agama agama. See: ol-mokûâ ‘Lizard’; ladaákany ‘Agama’.
mɛkʉ́rɛ [North] adv. [North] No longer. See: meékūrē; moókīrē ‘No longer’.
L-mékúrí [North] [North] Nom sg: L-mekurí. [North] Acc pl: L-mekurí. [North] Nom pl: l-mékurí. n.prop. [North] Age-set initiated in 1936.
l-mɛ́lɛ́pɨ́cɔɨ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-mɛ́lɛpɨ́cɔɨ. n. [North] Dance open to all.
a-mɛlɛ́t [North] v. [North] To reconcile, make peace, make up. Ɛ́tɛ́mɛ́lɛ́tâ. They have reconciled. (S).
mɛ́lɛt [North] [North] Nom sg: mɛ́lɛ̂t. n. [North] Reconciliation.
e-méli [North] Nom sg: mélî. [North] Acc pl: lélîn. [North] Nom pl: melín. n. [North] Boat, ship. Etymology: Swahili meli 'boat'.
ol-melíl Nom sg: ol-mélíl. Acc pl: il-melilí. Nom pl: il-mélilí. n. n. Small spur or range of hills.
2 • n. Ridge.
3 • n. Back of an animal's neck; nape. Kɨbarnʉ́ ɨlpápɨ́t lo lmelíl. We will shave hair from the back of the neck. See: e-múrt ‘Neck’.
a-melók [West]: a-mɛlɔ́k. [North]: a-mɛlɔ́k. PL: áa-melook. v.s. 1 • To be sweet-tasting (as of honey, sugar, fruit, or chai). Kémelók ɔlŋánayíôî lɛ́ ldɛ shaní. The fruit of that tree is sweet. mpóróí námélók aná. This is sweet clotted blood. (SN). Kémelôôk ɨlŋánayio lɛ́ kʉ́ldɔ̄ keék. The fruits of those trees are very juicy.
2 • To be delicious. Ɛmɛ́lɔ́k kʉná pɔ́ɔpɨatí. These mushrooms are delicious. (W).
3 • To be precious, sth. paid dearly for such as a child or a cow). ɔltʉŋáni ómélók person who is precious.
a-itemelók To sweeten.
a-melokú To become sweet.
a-melonú v.incep. 1 • To become delicious. Ɛgɨ́ra ɔláyíárání aitók ɛndáa peê emelonú. The cook is cooking the food until it is ready so that it can be delicious. (Pk).
2 • To become sweet. See: a-melók ‘To be sweet’.
a-mɛ́n v. 1 • To despise, disregard, underrate. Ɛ́mɛ́n ɔlmʉrraní olayíóni. A warrior underrates a boy.
2 • To mock, belittle, scorn.
a-mɛná v.mid. 1 • To be despised.
2 • To be neglected; languish.
3 • To be weak, feeble, thin. ɛnkɛ́ráí naɨtɛ́mɛ́ná emuoyíán A child weakened by sickness.
4 • To be poor. ɛnkáŋ namɛ́na a poor family. See: aɨsɨ́nani ‘Poor’.
5 • To be with child; pregnant.
6 • To be wrong. ɔltʉŋáni ɔmɛ́na a person who is wrong (or poor, feeble, weak).
7 • To be sad, unfortunate, bad. entóki namɛ́na a bad thing/sad news.
a-mɛnaá v.dir. To scoff, spurn.
a-mɛnɨshɔ́ v.apass. To be contemptuous; mock, despise, scorn, disregard, neglect.
a-mɛnú v.dir. To despise, scorn, mock, disregard, neglect.
ɔl-mɛná [North] Nom sg: l-mɛ́na. n. 1 • Contempt, scorn.
2 • [North] Despised scorned thing. See: a-mɛ́n ‘To despise, scorn’.
ɛ-mɛnái Syn: áɨ́sɨ́nanisho ‘Poverty’. Poverty.
mɛnáti Nom sg: mɛ́náti ?. Acc pl: mɛnát. Nom pl: mɛ́nát ?. adj. 1 • Feeble (of an animate entity).
2 • Poor.
a-mɛnayú v. 1 • To be weak.
2 • To be thin.
a-mɛnɛŋá v.mid. To be dead.
l-mɛ́nɛ́ŋáí n.prop. 1 • Menengai crater, north of Nakuru.
2 • [North] Corpse.
ɔl-mɛ́nɛ́ŋaní Acc pl: ɨl-mɛ́nɛ́ŋa. [North] Acc sg: mɛ́náŋáí. [Chamus] Acc sg: mɛ́nɛ́ŋani. n. 1 • Corpse.
2 • The spirit-part of a person who has died. The ɔl-mɛ́nɛ́ŋaní of one who has died may haunt or disturb those who mistreated him/her when alive. Simultaneously, there is no strong (?) belief that some aspect of an individual continues to exist after death. Traditionally, no one would attempt to contact or communicate with a deceased person.
ɛl-mɛ́nɛ́ŋaní Spirit of a deceased woman. See: ɔl-ɔɨrírūā ‘Evil spirit’; mɨlɨ́ka ‘Ghost’; ɛ-nɛ́mɛ́nɛ́ŋa ‘Where the dead go’.
l-menóŋ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-ménoŋ. n. [North] Avoidance of eating in the presence of women, practiced by warriors.
menût [North] Variant: menút. [North] Nom sg: ménut. [North] Acc pl: menúti. [North] Nom pl: ménuti. adj. 1 • [North] Small as a result of being born prematurely. See: kíbírótó ‘Prematurely born’.
2 • [North] Feeble, sickly, weak. See: a-mɛ́n ‘To despise’; mɛnáti ‘Feeble’.
a-menutú [North] v.incep. [North] To become weak, sickly, feeble.
mɛ́nyɛ́ Nom sg: mɛnyɛ́. Acc pl: ɨlɔɔ́ mɛ́nyɛ́. [West] Acc pl: lɔɔ́ mɛ́nyɛ. [West] Nom pl: lɔ́ɔ mɛ́nyɛ. Variant: mɛ́nyɛ. [North] Nom sg: mɛnyɛ́. [North] Acc pl: ɔɔ́mɛ́nyɛ. [North] Nom pl: ɔ́ɔmɛ́nyɛ. n. Father of; his father, her father. Eyéwuo ɛnkɛráí náyama aɨrɔrɔkɨ́ mɛ́nyɛ́. A married child (woman) has come to greet her father. (Pk). Ɛmánya mɛnyɛ́ ɛnkayíóni Naɨrɔ́bɨ. The boy's father lives in Nairobi. (W). ɨnkamʉlák ɛ mɛ́nyɛ saliva (ie. blessings) from his father (KS). Nélo mɛnyɛ́ alikí intóiwúó é ntítō. And her father will go and tell the girl's parents. (W). Ádɔ́lɨ́ta lɔɔ́ mɛ́nyɛ táatá. I see their fathers today. (W). Epuonú lɔ́ɔ mɛ́nyɛ. Their fathers will come. (W). Ɛmánya lɔ́ɔ mɛ́nyɛ Naɨrɔ́bɨ. Their fathers live in Nairobi. (W). This is always understood as a possessed noun, ie. X's father.
L-méólí [North] [North] Nom sg: L-meolí. [North] Acc pl: L-mɛɔlɨ́. [North] Nom pl: L-mɛ́ɔlɨ́. n.prop. Usage: plural. [North] Age-set whose initiation started in 1990.
a-mɛrá v. To be drunk; get drunk. ɔltʉŋáni ɔmɛ́ra person who is drunk.
a-mɛrɛgɛ́l [North] v. [North] To turn sth. around.
ol-méregesh Nom sg: ol-mérégesh. Acc pl: il-merégēshī. Nom pl: il-méregeshí. Variant: mɛ́rɛkɛcn (C). [North] Acc sg: l-mérɛgɛc. Variant: l-mérɛkɛc. [North] Nom sg: l-mérɛ́gɛc. [North] Acc pl: l-mɛrɛ́gɛci. [North] Nom pl: l-mɛ́rɛgɛcí. n. Ram. Eishopokíní oshî ilmerégēshī olconí peê mɛ́ɨ́tɨ́ámákɨ́ ɨntarɛ́. The rams are dressed with skin aprons so they don't mate with the sheep. See: l-mɛ́rɛkɛc [North] ‘Ram’.
l-mɛ́rɛkɛc [North] Variant: l-mɛ́rɛgɛc. [North] Nom sg: l-mɛ́rɛ́gɛc. [North] Acc pl: l-mɛrɛ́kɛci. [North] Nom pl: l-mɛ́rɛgɛcí. n. [North] Ram. See: ol-méregesh ‘Ram’.
mɛrɛ́kʉ́rɛ [North] adv. [North] No longer. See: mɛkʉ́rɛ [North] ‘No longer’; meékūrē; moókīrē ‘No longer’.
mɛ́rɨmerua [North] [North] Acc pl: mɛrɨmɛrwuaní. adj. [North] Fat (of a cow); the cow becomes fat because it refuses to mate a bull.
l-mérísé [North] Nom sg: l-merisé. n. [North] Wooden stirring stick for ugali. See: ol-kurtét ‘Wooden stirring stick for ugali’.
l-mérísíé [North] Variant: l-méris. [North] Nom sg: l-merisíé. [North] Acc pl: l-merísien. [North] Nom pl: l-mérisíén. n. 1 • [North] Large wooden spoon, which is the traditional eating utensil.
2 • [North] Paddle of a boat.
ɔl-Mɛ́rʉ Acc pl: il-meru. [North] Nom sg: L-mɛ́rʉní. [North] Acc pl: L-mɛ́rʉ. [North] Nom pl: L-mɛ́rʉ̂. n.prop. Usage: plural. Meru tribe. Mol (1996:253) notes there are two separate tribes called the Meru; one lives on the eastern slope of Mt. Kenya, Kenya; and the other lives on the slopes of Mt. Meru near Arusha, Tanzania.
a-mɛrrɛgɛ́l v. 1 • To change direction of sth. Ɛ́tɛ́mɛ́rrɛ́gɛ́lâ ilpúrrishó ɛngárri. The thieves have changed the direction of the car.
2 • To twist sth. amɛrrɛgɛ́l ɛnkáɨ́ná to twist the arm.
3 • To intentionally change the course of an action or issue. Ɛ́tɛ́mɛ́rrɛ́gɛ́lá ɔlpáyian ɨlɔmɔ́n. The man has changed the news.
4 • To deflect sth. See: a-mɛrɛgɛ́l [North] ‘To turn sth. around’.
a-mɛrrɛgɛlá v.mid. Syn: a-ɨbɛlɨbɛlɛkɛnyá, a-bɔɨ́n ‘To change direction’. To change direction or mind.
l-mɛ́rrɨmɛr [North] [North] Nom sg: l-mɛrmɛ́r. n. [North] Tick-borne disease of small stock.
mésíáí [North] adj. [North] To be playful. See: dalût ‘playful’.
a-mesút v. To clean or wipe olóíríén charcoal off the gourd after cleaning. See: ol-mésútíé ‘Tail’.
ol-mésútíé Acc pl: il-mesútiaa. Nom sg: ol-mesutíé. Nom pl: il-mésutiá. n. 1 • Tail.
2 • Tail piece used to clean calabashes; wiper. See: músútí ‘Rag used to clean calabashes’; a-mesút ‘To clean’.
mɛtáa v. Subjunctive form of 'be'; so that sth. will come about; "thus it happens". ɔlcʉ́ma taá ɛnyaálɨ mɛtáa íjīō ɛnkɨkɛ́. It is the ironbar to be chewed to make a brush. See: táa ‘Become’; m-2 ‘Subjunctive’.
mɛtábaɨkɨ́ Nom sg: mɛ́tábaɨkɨ́. [Chamus] Acc sg: mɛtábakɨ́. adv. 1 • Tomorrow. Népōnū ɛnâ dúóó áŋ áaɨrrag páa kɛ́ɛnɨ́ mɛtábaɨkɨ́ inkíshú ɨnkɛjɛ́k. They come to that home to sleep and tomorrow the cow's legs are tied.
2 • all.being.well.
mɛtábaɨkɨ́ ɔ́kʉ́tʉ́k Tomorrow. See: a-baɨkɨ́; tááisére ‘Tomorrow’.
ɔl-mɛ́tɛ́ráí n. Bush. ... olóíkusíto ɨntáwua ɔlmɛ́tɛ́ráí ... whose heifers are walking on the bush. See: en-tîm ‘Forest’.
metetél [North] n. [North] Gossip. See: ɔl-marenké ‘Gossip, lies’.
Meto n.prop. Place name on the border with Tanzania, Kajiado District, Kenya.
ɛ-mɛ́ʉ [North] Nom sg: mɛ́ʉ̂. n. 1 • Python. See: ɛn-tárâ ‘Python’.
2 • Puff-adder.
ɔl-mɛʉ́t Nom sg: ɔl-mɛ́ʉ̄t. Acc pl: ɨl-meutí. Nom pl: ɨl-méutí. n. Giraffe. giraffa camelopardalis, giraffa reticulata. See: ɔl-carkúk ‘Giraffe’.
mííntóí [North] [North] Nom sg: miintóí. [North] Acc pl: miintoní. [North] Nom pl: míintoní. n. [North] Small bell-shaped aluminium earring worn by elders in the pierce in the earlobe.
míjóni [North] [North] Nom sg: mijoní. [North] Acc pl: míjónito. [North] Nom pl: mijonitó. n. [North] Abandoned homestead where there are still some structures standing.
míjóóni Nom sg: mijooní. Acc pl: míjóōnto. [North] Acc pl: míjóōnīto. Nom pl: mijoontó. adj. Abandoned, desolate, collapsed, devastated. Usage: house. ɛnkají míjóóni An empty house. A community builds their compound with branches of trees, and does not destroy them when they migrate to another place. See: ol-muaáte ‘Abandoned home’.
a-mijoón v. To collapse, fall into ruins.
a-mijoonó v.mid. To be desolate, broken, collapsed, devastated.
a-mijoonú v. To become desolate, deserted.
a-mikí [North]: a-mɨkɨ́. v. 1 • To deny, refuse to admit verbally. See: a-ány ‘To deny’.
2 • To conceal information. amʉ̂ étéjó ɛnkaí memíki ɛnâ síri tiálo Abraham because God said He will not keep this secret away from Abraham.
3 • To betray.
4 • To disown. Note: DATIVE?
a-míl v.prog. To confuse, perplex, puzzle. Ɛ́ɨ́tɔrrɔ́nɔ̂ embuaakínotó naáíjō ɛnâ amʉ̂ kémílīshō. Such shouting is bad because it causes confusion.
a-miló v.mid. To be confused; not know what to do.
mɨlɨ́ka [North] Nom sg: mɨ́lɨka. [North] Acc pl: mɨlɨkaní. [North] Nom pl: mɨ́lɨkaní. n. [North] Ghost; sounds one might hear at night, but no one is visible. See: ɔl-mɛ́nɛ́ŋaní ‘Ghost’; ɔl-ɔɨrírūā ‘Evil spirit’; ɨn-kɔmá ‘Evil spirit ??’.
Il-milili n.prop. Place-name, on the Mau, Narok District, Kenya.
l-mílímíloi [North] [North] Nom sg: l-milimíloi. [North] Acc pl: l-mílimilo ?. [North] Nom pl: l-milimiló. n. [North] Spark of fire. See: a-imilimíl [North] ‘To glow’.
ol-míló Nom sg: ol-miló. Acc pl: il-mílóíshi. Nom pl: il-miloishí. n. 1 • Confusion. Mɨ́yáʉ olmíló atûâ esíáai Don't bring confusion into the work.
2 • Craziness. abúák ánaa ɔlɔáta olmíló To shout like a crazy person (lit: to shout like one with craziness).
3 • Type of fatal sickness, common in livestock, that damages the brain and causes the animal to move around in circles. olmíló ɔ́ɔwá inkíshú naátuatâ It is the olmilo sickness that has killed the cows that died. See: a-mil ‘To confuse’; e-milôî ‘Confusion’.
e-milôî Nom sg: e-míloi. n. Confusion. Mɨ́yáʉ emilôî atûâ esíáai Don't bring confusion into the work. See: a-míl ‘To confuse’.
e-míncí Nom sg: e-mincí. Acc pl: í-míncî. Nom pl: í-míncî. n. Snowpeas.
a-mɨncɨ́r [North] v. 1 • [North] To brand.
2 • [North] To conquer, vanquish an enemy.
mɨncɨ́rarɛ [North] [North] Nom sg: mɨncɨ́rarɛ̂. n. [North] Branding of cattle.
l-mɨ́ncɨ́rɛ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-mɨncɨrɛ́. [North] Acc pl: l-mincíria. [North] Nom pl: l-mínciria. n. 1 • [North] Cattle brand.
2 • [North] Branding iron.
mɨ́nɨ́s Nom sg: mɨnɨ́s. Acc pl: mínísí. Nom pl: minisí. adj. 1 • Having small or no ears (of sheep); having abnormally small ears (of people).
2 • Having unpierced ears. Usage: rare. See: n-kórís [North] ‘To have small ear’.
mínkí [North] [North] Nom sg: minkí. [North] Acc pl: mínkîn. [North] Nom pl: minkín. n. [North] Bead string worn horizontally across the lower forehead by warriors or girls.
ɔl-mɨnɔ́ŋ Nom sg: ɔl-mɨ́nɔŋ. Acc pl: ɨl-minoŋîn. Nom pl: ɨl-mínoŋîn. n. 1 • Extreme taboo; prohibition. Ɔl-mɨnɔ́ŋ refers to sth. that is extremely taboo. It shouldn't be talked about or done, and is punishable by God. See: ɛn-tʉ́rʉ́j ‘Prohibition’.
2 • Abstinance.
ɔ́l-mɨ́ntɨ̂r Nom sg: ɔ́l-mɨ́ntɨ̂r. Acc pl: íl-míntírrî. Nom pl: íl-míntírrî. n. Barrel for stiring soup. Ɛgɨ́ra ɔlpáyian aɨpɨ́r imotorí tɔ́lmɨ́ntîr. The man is stiring soup in the barrel.
ɔ́l-mɨ́ntɨ̂rr Nom sg: ɔ́l-mɨ́ntîrr. Acc pl: ɨ́l-míntírrî. Nom pl: ɨ́l-míntírrî. n. Cylindrical container for making meat soup. See: parméyian ‘Watering can used for making meat soup’.
mínyí Nom sg: minyí. [North] Acc pl: oómínyi. [North] Nom pl: óomínyi. n. Usage: vulgar; taboo. "Your father". This is extremely abusive, especially when used for s.o. outside one's peer group. It will provoke a fight because not only is the user abusing the addressee, but is also abusing the addressee's father. Mol (1996:255) writes: "The use of this word is frowned upon in some areas of Maasailand; it is used as an insult indicating that you may be one who has sexual cotact with your father.". See: mɛ́nyɛ́ ‘Father of’.
e-mínyíárít Nom sg: e-minyiarít. n. Sap.
ɛ-mɨ́nyɔrr Nom sg: ɛ-mɨ́nyɔ̂rr. Acc pl: i-mínyorrí. Nom pl: i-mínyorrí. [North] Nom pl: mínyorrî. n. 1 • Part of animal's intestine.
2 • [North] Abomasum (fourth compartment of stomach) in ruminants; "rennet bag".
3 • [North] Duodenum in humans.
mɨ́ŋáni Nom sg: mɨŋaní. Acc pl: mɨ́ŋánta. Nom pl: mɨŋantá. [North] Acc pl: mɨ́ŋának. [North] Nom pl: mɨŋanák. adj. 1 • Blunt.
2 • Deaf.
3 • Dumb.
4 • [North] Stubborn. Etymology: Proto-Ongamo-Maa *mɪŋanɪ 'blunt' (Vossen 1989:195).. Note: Possibly related to Proto-Southern Nilotic *minaŋ 'small'. Southern Nilotic form taken from Ehret 2001:285
a-itimiŋán v.cause. To make blunt; deafen.
a-itimiŋanúó v.cause v.mid. To remain adamant, deaf; disobedient.
a-mɨŋanú v.incep. To become blunt, deaf. Kɛ́mɨŋánu. He will become deaf. (S). Kɛ́tɨ́mɨ́ŋana. He became deaf. (S).
a-mɨŋanú v. 1 • To become blunt.
2 • To become deaf.
3 • To become dumb. See: mɨ́ŋáni ‘Blunt, deaf, dumb’.
e-mión [North] Acc sg: mɨ̂̂ɔ̂n, míón. [North] Nom sg: mɨ́ɔ́n. n. 1 • Pain. See: a-mé ‘To feel pain’.
2 • [North] The contractions of childbirth. See: a-saɨsáɨ́ [North] ‘To be in labour’.
a-mɨ́r1 v.prog. 1 • To chase. Áátɨ́mɨ́ra iyíé. I (have) chased you (sg). Átɨ́mɨ́ra nɨnyɛ́. I (have) chased him. Átɨ́mɨ́ra ɨntáɨ́. I (have) chased y'all. Átɨ́mɨ́ra nɨncɛ́. I (have) chased them. Ɨ́tɨ́mɨ́ra iyíóók. You (sg. have) chased us. Ɨ́tɨ́mɨ́ra nɨncɛ́. You (sg. have) chased them. Áatɨmɨrá. He (has) chased me. Káatɨmɨrá ltɔ́mɛ. An elephant (has) chased me. (S). Kɨ́tɨ́mɨ́ra. (1) He (has) chased you (sg). (2) You (sg) chased me. Ɛtɨ́mɨ́rá nɨnyɛ́. He (has) chased him. (W). Ɛtɨ́mɨ́rá íyíóók. He (has) chased us. (W). Ɛtɨ́mɨ́rá ɨntáɨ́. He (has) chased y'all. (W). Ɛtɨ́mɨ́rá nɨncɛ́. He (has) chased them. (W). Kɨ́tɨmɨrâ iyíé. We (have) chased you (sg). Kɨ́tɨmɨrâ nɨnyɛ́. We (have) chased him. Kɨ́tɨmɨrâ ɨntáɨ́. We (have) chased y'all. Kɨ́tɨmɨrâ nɨncɛ́. We (have) chased them. Kɨ́tɨ́mɨ́râ nánʉ́. Y'all (have) chased me. Ɨ́tɨ́mɨ́râ nɨnyɛ́. Y'all (have) chased him. Ɨ́tɨ́mɨ́râ iyíóók. Y'all (have) chased us. Ɨ́tɨ́mɨ́râ nɨncɛ́. Y'all (have) chased them. Áatɨmɨrâ. They (have) chased me. Kɨ́tɨ́mɨ́râ. They (have) chased you (sg.). Ɛtɨ́mɨ́râ nɨnyɛ́. They (have) chased him. (W). Ɛtɨ́mɨ́râ íyíóók. They (have) chased us. (W). Ɛtɨ́mɨ́râ ɨntáɨ́. They (have) chased y'all. (W). Ɛtɨ́mɨ́râ nɨncɛ́. They (have) chased them. (W). Ɛmɨ́rɨ́ta ɨlŋátunyo olóítíkó. The lions are chasing the zebra. (W). Áámɨ́rɨ́ta iyíé. I am chasing you (sg). Ámɨ́rɨ́ta nɨnyɛ́. I am chasing him. Ámɨ́rɨ́ta ɨntáɨ́. I am chasing y'all. Ámɨ́rɨ́ta nɨncɛ́. I am chasing them. Kɨ́mɨ́rɨ́ta nánʉ́. You (sg.) are chasing me. Ɨ́mɨ́rɨ́ta nɨnyɛ́. You (sg.) are chasing him. Ɨ́mɨ́rɨ́ta iyíóók. You (sg.) are chasing us. Ɨ́mɨ́rɨ́ta nɨncɛ́. You (sg.) are chasing them. Áɑ̀mɨrɨta. He is chasing me. Kɨ́mɨ́rɨ́ta. He is chasing you (sg.). Ɛmɨrɨ́ta. He is chasing s.o. Ɛmɨ́rɨ́ta iyíóók. He is chasing us. (W). Ɛmɨ́rɨ́ta ɨntáɨ́. He is chasing y'all. (W). Ɛmɨ́rɨ́ta nɨncɛ́. He is chasing them. (W). Áamɨrɨta nánʉ́. They are chasing me. Ɛmɨ́rɨ́ta iyíóók. They are chasing us. (W). Kɨ́mɨ́rɨ́ta iyíé. They are chasing you (sg.). Ɛmɨ́rɨ́ta nɨnyɛ́́. They are chasing him. (W). Ɛmɨ́rɨ́ta ɨntáɨ́. They are chasing y'all. (W). Ɛmɨ́rɨ́ta nɨncɛ́. They are chasing them. (W). Kɨ́mɨrɨta iyíé. We are chasing you (sg.). Kɨ́mɨrɨta nɨnyɛ́. We are chasing him. Kɨ́mɨrɨta ɨntáɨ́. We are chasing y'all. Kɨ́mɨrɨta nɨncɛ́. We are chasing them. Kɨ́mɨ́rɨ́táta nánʉ́. Y'all are chasing me. Ɨ́mɨ́rɨ́táta nɨnyɛ́. Y'all are chasing him. Ɨ́mɨ́rɨ́táta iyíóók. Y'all are chasing us. Ɨ́mɨ́rɨ́táta nɨncɛ́. Y'all are chasing them. Káatɨmɨrá ltɔ́mɛ. An elephant chased me. (S). Nɛ́mɨr ɔlmʉrraní ɔltásat. And the warrior ran after the old man. Ámɨ́rɨ́ta ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ nakuɛtɨ́ta. I am chasing a cow which is running. Ɛtɨmɨ́rákā oldîâ ɛncɛrɛ́rɛ̄t atûâ entîm. The dog chased the monkey into the bush. (W). amɨrarɛ́ esíáai To chase after a job (lead). amɨrarɛ́ induáát To chase after visions. amɨrarɛ́ iyieunót To chase after wishes.
2 • To defeat, rout. Ɛ́ɛ́lâ apá ɨlMaasáɨ́ ilorérēn ɔɔ́tɨmɨrâ. The Maasai assimilated the people they defeated in war. See: a-ɨtɨmɨrrɨmɨ́rr ‘To act as if you want to give but don't’.
a-mɨraá To chase away, chase off.
a-mɨ́r2 v.prog. To sell. Ámɨ́r ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. I will sell a cow. Átɨ́mɨ́ra ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. I sold the cow. Áatɨmɨrá ɛnkɨ́tɛŋ. The cow sold me. Ɨ́tɨ́mɨ́ra ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. You (sg.) sold the cow. Ɨ́tɨ́mɨ́râ ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. Y'all sold the cow. Kɨ́tɨ́mɨ́ra ɛnkɨ́tɛŋ. The cow sold you (sg.). Kɨ́tɨ́mɨ́rákā ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. You sold me the cow. Áatɨmɨraká nɨ́nyɛ ɨlnyɛ́nya. He sold me tomatoes. (W). Áatɨmɨrakɨtâ nɨ́ncɛ ɨlnyɛ́nya. They sold me tomatoes. (W). Kɨ́tɨmɨrakɨtâ átɛ́ ɨlnyɛ́nya. We sold ourselves tomatoes. (W). Áátɨ́mɨ́ráká iyíé ɨlnyɛ́nya. I sold you (sg) tomatoes. (W). Átɨ́mɨ́rákā ɨntáɨ́ ɨlnyɛ́nya. I sold y'all tomatoes. (W). Ɛɨtʉ́ amɨ́r ɨlnyɛ́nya ŋolé. I did not sell tomatoes yesterday. (W). Ɛɨtʉ́ ɨmɨ́r ɨlnyɛ́nya ŋolé. You (sg) did not sell tomatoes yesterday. (W). Ɛɨtʉ́ ɛ́mɨ̂r ɨlnyɛ́nya ŋolé. He/They did not sell tomatoes yesterday. (W). Ɛɨtʉ́ kɨ́mɨ̂r ɨlnyɛ́nya ŋolé. We did not sell tomatoes yesterday. (W). Ɛɨtʉ́ ɨmɨrɨmɨ́rɨ ɨlnyɛ́nya ŋolé. Y'all did not sell tomatoes yesterday. (W). Átɨ́mɨ́rákā nɨnyɛ́ ɨlnyɛ́nya. I sold him tomatoes. (W). Ɛtɨ́mɨ́rá ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. He sold the cow. (W). Ɛtɨ́mɨ́râ ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. They sold the cow. (W). Ámɨ́rɨ́ta ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ to sókoni toó ropiyianí kumók. I am selling a cow in the market for a lot of money. Ámɨ́rɨ́ta ɛnkɨlâ sídáí. I am selling a beautiful cloth. Ámɨ́rɨ́ta ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. I am selling the cow. Ɨ́mɨ́rɨ́ta ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. You are selling the cow. Kɨ́mɨ́rákɨ ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. You are selling the cow to me. Ɛmɨ́rɨ́ta ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. He is selling the cow. (W). Áamɨrakɨ́ ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. He is selling the cow to me. Ɨ́mɨ́rákɨ ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ nɨnyɛ́. You are selling the cow to him. Kɨ́mɨrɨta ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. We are selling the cow. Kɨ́mɨrɨta ɨlnyɛ́nya ŋolé. We were selling tomatoes. (W). Ɨ́mɨ́rɨ́táta ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. Y'all are selling the cow. Ámɨ́r ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. I will sell a cow. Ɨ́mɨ́r ɨlnyɛ́nya oshî aké. You sell tomatoes everyday. (W). Ɨ́mɨ́rɨ́mɨ́rɨ ɨlnyɛ́nya oshî aké. Y'all sell tomatoes everyday. (W). Kɨmɨ́r ɨlnyɛ́nya oshî aké. We sell tomatoes everyday. (W). Áámɨ́rákɨ ɨlnyɛ́nya. I sell you (sg) tomatoes. (W). Ámɨ́rákɨ ɨntáɨ́ ɨlnyɛ́nya. I sell y'all tomatoes. (W). Ámɨ́rákɨ nɨnyɛ́ ɨlnyɛ́nya. I sell him tomatoes. (W). Kɨ́mɨ́rákɨ íyīē ɨlnyɛ́nya. You sell me tomatoes. (W). Ɨ́mɨ́rákɨ Malakai ɨlnyɛ́nya. You sell/sold Malakai tomatoes. (W). Kɨ́mɨ́rákɨ́kɨ ɨ́ntāɨ̄ ɨlnyɛ́nya. Y'all sell me tomatoes. (W). Áamɨrakɨ́ ɨlnyɛ́nya. They/he sells me tomatoes. (W). Kɨ́mɨrakɨ́ átɛ́ ɨlnyɛ́nya. We sell ourselves the tomatoes. (W). Ɛtɨ́mɨ́rá ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. He sold the cow. (W). Ɛtɨ́mɨ́râ ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. They sold the cow. (W). Kéírímo apá ɔlapá ashê ɔ́tɨmɨrá mpapá. The calf that Dad sold was spotted. Ɨ́mɨ́rɨ́ta ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. You (sg.) are selling the cow. Kɨ́mɨ́rákɨ́ ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. You are selling the cow to me. Ɛmɨ́rɨ́ta ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. He is selling the cow. (W). Áamɨrakɨ́ ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. He is selling the cow to me. Ɨ́mɨ́rákɨ ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ nɨnyɛ́. You (sg.) are selling the cow to him. Kɨ́mɨrɨta ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. We are selling the cow. Ɨ́mɨ́rɨ́táta ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. Y'all are selling the cow. Entómónísho doí námitikí kʉlɨ́kāɨ̄ máréíta ɛ́pâl inkíshú mɛ́mɨ́ra. It is because of the many children that some families cannot avoid selling cows. (lit: It is having many children that prevents other families from stopping to sell cows.) (Pk). Áyíéú námɨ̄r ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. I want to sell a cow.
ɛ-mɨ́rátá1 [North] Nom sg: mɨratá. n. Rout, chase. See: a-mɨ́r ‘To chase’.
ɛ-mɨ́rátá2 [North] Nom sg: mɨratá. n. Sale, sales, selling. See: a-mɨ́r ‘To sell’.
L-mírícóí [North] [North] Nom sg: L-miricóí. [North] Acc pl: L-mɨ́rɨcɔ́. [North] Nom pl: L-mɨ́rɨcɔ́. n. [North] Age-set which was initiated in 1912.
ɛ-mɨ́rɨ́ká Nom sg: ɛ-mɨrɨká. n. Syphillis.
ɛ-mɨ́sa Nom sg: ɛ-mɨ́sâ. Acc pl: ɨ-mɨ́saí. Nom pl: ɨ-mɨ́saí. n. 1 • Table.
2 • Shelf for keeping utensils. Borrowed word: Swahili meza, mesa 'table', from Portuguese mesa. See: l-tʉ́kʉtán [North] ‘room, shelf’.
misigîn [North] Acc pl: misiginó. n. [North] Poor person. Borrowed word: Swahili maskini.
mísígínísho [North] n. [North] Poverty.
ol-misígiyíôî Acc pl: il-misígiyio. n. Tree, associated with sacred or ritual purposes; associated with giving a child its first proper name. The leaves of this tree can also be used for washing calabashes; the fruits are small (red lentil-like?) and edible.
a-misimís v.s. To be dark without light. This does not refer to a color. Ɨ́nuáá ɔltáa amʉ̂ kímísímís doí áji. Light the lamp because it is dark here in the house. (Pk). Eyéwuo taá nɨnyɛ́ ɛwaŋán amʉ̂ kímísímís náají. Lightness has come because it was dark awhile ago. (Pk).
a-misimisú v.incep. To become dark.
ol-misimísi Nom sg: mísimísī. n. Darkness. Eéuo olákúyia tɛ mísimísī ŋolé. The old man came in the darkness (ie. at night) yesterday. (W). See: ɛn-áɨ́mɨn ‘Darkness’.
e-misimísī Darkness. Áúré emisimísī olêŋ. I really fear the darkness. (W). See: ɛn-áɨ́mɨn ‘Darkness’; n-kwaríé [North] ‘Darkness’.
e-míso [West] n.sg. [West] Night. Atáŋéyio emíso pɔɔkɨ́. I itched all night. (W).
a-mɨshɨ́r v. To burn a symbol onto an animal to show ownership; brand. See: ɛ-mɨ́shɨ́rarɛ ‘Branding’; ɔl-mɨ́shɨ́rɛ́ ‘Brand mark, branding iron’.
ɛ-mɨ́shɨ́rarɛ n. Branding. See: ɔl-mɨ́shɨ́rɛ́ ‘Brand mark, branding iron’; a-mɨshɨ́r ‘To brand’.
ɔl-mɨ́shɨ́rɛ́ Nom sg: ɔl-mɨshɨrɛ́. Acc pl: ɨl-mɨshɨ́rɛ̄n. Nom pl: ɨl-mɨ́shɨrɛ́n. [North] Acc sg: l-mɨ́ncɨ́rɛ́. [North] Acc pl: l-mɨncɨ́rɛn. n. 1 • Brand mark.
2 • Branding iron. See: a-mɨshɨ́r ‘To brand’; ɛ-mɨ́shɨ́rarɛ ‘Branding’.
a-mít v. 1 • To prevent. Ɛgɨ́ra ɔlɔ́ɨ́rrâg lɛ́ nkárɛ́ amitikí ɨltʉ́ŋáná ɛɨ́m enkuséro. The floods are preventing people from passing the plains. (Pk).
2 • To refuse, deny, forbid. Memítōyī ndáâ ɛ́ látím. Food in a ceremony cannot be denied. (SN). See: a-ány ‘To refuse, forbid’.
a-mitikí To refuse to give s.o. sth.; forbid; prevent. Entómónísho doí námitikí kʉlɨ́káɨ́ máréíta ɛpal inkíshú mɛ́mɨ́ra. It is because of the many children that some families cannot avoid selling cows. (lit: It is having many children that prevents some families from stopping to sell cows.) (Pk). Átímítíka. I have refused to give it to him. (SN). Átómítíkīō. I have refused to give it to him. (K, PK).
a-mɨ́t1 v.prog. To drink all of sth. Ámɨ́tɨ́ta oloshoró tɛ nkɨ́kɔmpɛ peê áɨ́sʉj. I am drinking all the porridge from the cup so that I can wash it.
a-mɨ́t2 v. To go against s.o.'s wish or directive; disobey, deny, forbid. Ɛ́ɨ́tɔrrɔ́nɔ̂ tɛnɛ́mɨt ɛnkɛráí entóíwúóí ɛnyɛ́. It is bad when a child go against his/her parent's wish or directive. lk.
a-mɨ́t [North]3 v. 1 • [North] To go dry, dry up (of a pond or well).
2 • [North] To boil dry.
a-mɨtá [North] v.mid. [North] To be dried up, shrunk (as a pond).
mɨ́tɨl Nom sg: mɨ́tɨ̂l. adj. A place that is separated from or unfrequented by people; remote, secluded, lonely. ɛnkɔ́p mɨ́tɨl A secluded/remote/lonely land. See: ol-púrkél ‘A dry place’.
a-mitoó v.dir. To apologise, make peace. Mol (1996:256) writes: "When a child has done wrong to its parents, or a wife to her husband, it or she will go to an influential friend of the aggrieved party. This friend usually is a member of the same age-set as the aggrievod [sic.] party Together they will go and make peace with the one or ones offended. This action is called a-mit-oo: to apologise, to make amends, to make peace. Men amongst each other will not follow this procedure. They settle their differences, disputes and grievances in the meeting of the elders: en-kiguena oo lpayiani kituaak.". See: a-mít ‘To deny’.
a-mitú v tr. To defend, protect, assist, help. Káamitû. They will protect me (eg. by defeating the animal). (Pk). Etimítua peê mɛ́árɨ́. He has defended him so that he could not be killed. (SN). See: a-mít ‘To deny’; a-ŋád ‘To protect’.
ol-míwa [West] Nom sg: ol-míwâ. n.sg. [West] Sugar cane. Borrowed word: Swahili miwa 'sugar cane'. See: ol-kikúá ‘Sugar cane’.
l-miyúgo [North] [North] Nom sg: l-míyugo. n. [North] Spoon. See: ol-kutét ‘Spoon’; l-mérísíé [North] ‘Traditional spoon’. Etymology: < Swahili.
ḿmɛ neg. Negative, not. ḿmɛ olêŋ not very much (W). Áɨ́táá ɔlɑigúɛ́nani, káke nálotú ayiolóú ajó ḿmɛ nɨnyɛ́. I assumed he was the "chief"; and then I came to know he was not the one. (W). Meyíéú ɨlMaasáɨ́ ɔlayíóni lɛ́ ḿmɛ ɔlɛ̂ nkáŋ ɛ tɨ́pat nɛ́ākʉ̄ ɔlaigúɛ́nani. Maasai's do not want a son who is not of a popular home to be the age-set-leader. (KS). Ḿmɛ ɛɨ́látá áɨ́nɔ́sɨ́ta dúó. It is not fat that I was eating. (W). Enkíné ɛná, ḿmɛ enkérr. This is a goat, not a sheep. Ŋáɨ́ óyīēū kʉlɛ́? Ḿmɛ nánʉ́, ḿmɛ iyíé, ḿmɛ iyíóók. Who wants milk? Not me, not you, not us. (W). See: m- ‘Negative verb prefix’.
a-mɔ́d [North]: a-mád. v. 1 • To make s.o. behave in a stupid way; fool.
2 • To get little pieces of sth. with idea of making sth. big out of them. See: a-mɔdá ‘To be stupid’; ɨl-mɔdɛ́ta ‘Little pieces of meat’; a-kíl ‘Make s.o. stupid’; ol-kílóí ‘Stupid person’.
a-mɔdá v.mid. 1 • To be dull-witted.
2 • To be foolish. Ɛmɔ́da. i) He is stupid/dull-witted (doesn't understand things). ii) He is foolish.
3 • To loose memory, have dementia. Ant: ŋɛ̂n ‘Clever’. See: a-madá ‘To be insane’; ɛ-mɔdâî ‘Foolishness, ignorace’; ɔl-mɔ́dáí ‘Fool’.
ɛ-mɔdâî Nom sg: ɛ-mɔ́dai. n.sg. 1 • Foolishness.
2 • Ignorance.
3 • Stupidity. Ɛ́ɨ́tɔrrɔ́nɔ̂ ɛmɔ́dai. Stupidity is bad. See: a-mɔdá ‘To be foolish, dull-witted’; ɔl-mɔ́dáí ‘Fool’.
ɔl-mɔ́dáí Nom sg: ɔl-mɔdáí. Acc pl: ɨl-mɔ́da. Nom pl: ɨl-mɔ́dâ. n. Fool, idiot, stupid person. See: ɛ-mɔdâî ‘Foolishness, ignorance’; a-mɔdá ‘To be foolish, dull-witted’.
ɛ-mɔdɛ́t Nom sg: ɛ-mɔ́dɛt. Acc pl: ɨ-mɔdɛ́ta. Nom pl: ɨ-mɔ́dɛta. n. 1 • Prophecy conditions.
2 • Dividing point, marking point. ... ɛ́táá inewúéji ɛ́ mɔ́dɛ́t dúóó nɛ́rɨsh ɨlpórórî ... that is the marking point to divide age groups.
ɔl-mɔdɛ́t Nom sg: ɔl-mɔ́dɛt. Acc pl: ɨl-mɔdɛ́ta. Nom pl: ɨl-mɔ́dɛta. n. Usage: plural. Small pieces of meat. See: a-mɔ́d ‘To get small pieces of sth.’.
ɨ-mɔdɛ́ta n.pl. Charms, fetish.
e-modíêî Variant: e-modíôî. Nom sg: e-módíei. Acc pl: ɨ-modíók. Nom pl: ɨ-módiok. [North] Acc pl: modíó. [North] Nom pl: módio. n. Dung from a grazing animal whose droppings are not well-formed and which shows pieces of grass, often with fluid (eg. elephant, cow, buffalo, eland).
See: in-kíík ‘Faeces’.
mɔdɔkɔ́ [North] Nom sg: mɔ́dɔkɔ́. Acc pl: mɔdɔkɔ̂n. Nom pl: mɔ́dɔkɔ̂n. n. [North] Boiled goats' or sheep's colostrum milk for children to eat when thick. See: kʉlɛ́ sikítok ‘Colostrum’.
a-modokú v. To become blind. Kɛ́modóku. He will become blind. (S). Kɛ́tomódoo. He became blind. (S).
l-modokúé [North] [North] Nom sg: l-módokúé. n. [North] Agama lizard. Child's name for ll-mekûâ. See: l-mekûâ [North] ‘Lizard’.
e-módóó n. Blindness. See: módóóni ‘Blind’.
ol-modoóni [North] Acc sg: l-mɔdɔ́ɔ́ni. [North] Nom sg: l-mɔdɔɔní. [North] Acc pl: l-mɔ́dɔ̄ɔ̄k, l-mɔ́dɔ́ɔ́k. [North] Nom pl: l-mɔdɔɔ́k. n. 1 • [North] Blind man.
2 • [North] Mouse bird. Colius striatus.
modoóni Blind person (female).
módóóni Nom sg: modooní. Acc pl: módóók. Nom pl: modoók. [North] Acc sg: mɔ́dɔ́ɔ́ni. [North] Nom sg: mɔdɔɔní. [North] Acc pl: mɔ́dɔ́ɔ́k. [North] Nom pl: mɔdɔɔ́k. adj. 1 • Blind.
2 • Unable to understand the truth; ignorant.
3 • Unable to forsee or predict what is going to befall oneself. See: e-módóó ‘Blindness’.
e-mogílōī [North] Acc sg: mogílôî. [North] Nom sg: mógilôî. [North] Acc pl: mogóo. [North] Nom pl: mógilo. n. Burned part of a meal stuck to the bottom of the cooking pot. See: en-kókonyî ‘Burned food suck on pot’.
l-mogírô [North] Nom sg: l-mógirô. Acc pl: l-mogíron. Nom pl: l-mógirón. n. [North] Curse. See: ɔl-dɛkɛ́t ‘Curse’; l-ŋóncóí [North] ‘Curse’.
l-mógíró [North] [North] Nom sg: l-mogiró. n. [North] Eagle.
ol-mógirra Nom sg: ol-mógîrra ?. Acc pl: il-mogirraní. Nom pl: il-mógirraní. n. Thumb, big toe.
l-móíla [North] [North] Nom sg: l-móílâ. [North] Acc pl: l-móílan. [North] Nom pl: l-móílân. n. 1 • [North] Lilac-breasted roller (bird). Coracias caudata.
2 • [North] Beetle sp.
moilaa Nom sg: ɔl-móílaâ. n. Beetle. Ɛgɨ́ra ɔlmóílaâ aiwuatiwúát peê étûm ashɔ́mɔ. The beetle is moving back and forth so thatit may move. (Pk).
e-móínkêt n. Dug out log for holding salt, for animals to lick.
e-móínyúá Nom sg: e-moinyúá. Acc pl: i-móínyúáíshi. Nom pl: i-moinyuaishí. [North] Acc sg: mónyúá. n. Liver. See: e-mónyúá ‘Liver’.
móítíé Nom sg: moitíé. n. 1 • Long ago, ancient times.
2 • Forever. Nɨ́nya inkík ɨntarasɨ́ móítíé. And you will eat faeces forever. (KS). Kélotú ɔltʉ́ŋání ójé aɨtajéú apá tɛ moitíé. A certain person is coming to save them forever. (KS).
a-mók v.s. To be accustomed to, be used to. Kotomóó alɛ́ díá elotú ayiayá ndáa tené. This dog has gotten used to coming here for food. (SN). Ńtomoó. Familiarize him/her with it. (SN). This implies more than just verbal explanation, though it could involve talking. Kétómóo. He has gotten used to it. (S).
a-mokú v.incep. 1 • To become accustomed to, familiarized with. Kóótuo áamoku síáai. They have come to get used to the work. (SN).
2 • To get practice.
a-ɨtamók 1 • To acquaint with. Káítómok Leonard aná tóki. I will cause Leonard to get used to this thing. (eg. a new machine). (SN).
2 • To teach.
3 • To give more practice.
ol-mókómpét n. Hoe. See: ɔl-cɛ́mpɛ; en-turét ‘Hoe’.
l-mókónkó [North] n. [North] Luck.
a-ár l-mókónkó [North] [North] To try one's luck.
ol-mókó(y)êt Nom sg: ol-moko(y)ét. Acc pl: il-moko(y)etí. Nom pl: il-móko(y)etí. n. 1 • Rations.
2 • Ox kept for emergency or future needs.
ol-mokûâ [North] Acc sg: l-mekúa. n. Lizard. See: ɛm-pʉ̂rr; ol-oirrírri ‘Lizard’; l-karripô [North] ‘Lizard’; l-mɛlɛlɛ [Chamus] ‘Lizard’.
l-mɔlɛ́ca [North] [North] Nom sg: l-mɔ́lɛca. n. [North] Mandibular joint.
ɛ-mɔ́lɨ́nká [North] Nom sg: mɔlɨnká. [North] Acc pl: mɔ́lɨ́nkân. [North] Nom pl: mɔ́lɨnkán. n. 1 • Lintel, doorpost.
2 • [North] Roofbeam in a traditional house separating the entryway (l-túrén) from the sleeping area (l-ŋɔ́bɔ́rr). Wagner (p. 223) writes: "The mɔ́lɨ́nká and the lmarrɔ̂n intersect at right angles and are supported by the main pillar (l-ŋɔ́pɛ́). Both mɔ́lɨ́nká and lmarrɔ̂n are brought along when migrating, usually loaded on donkeys.". See: l-marrôî [North] ‘Frame sticks for house’.
ol-mólógí [North] Nom sg: l-mologí. [North] Acc pl: l-mólog. n. Leech.
ol-momôî [North] Nom sg: l-mómoi. [North] Acc pl: l-momó. [North] Nom pl: l-mómo. n. 1 • Tiny juicy tomato-like fruit, orangy-red in color that grows on a shrub; has a taste rather like a ripe orange.
2 • [North] A tree whose fruit ldárpóí is used in making beer. Kigelia aethiopica. See: ol-dárpóí ‘Fruit (sp.)’; ɔl-ŋanayíóî ‘Fruit’.
l-mómúnjú [North] n. [North] Secretary bird. See: lɛ́ mbáɛ ‘Secretary bird’.
a-món [North] v. [North] To request. See: a-omón ‘To request’.
e-monâî Acc pl: ɨ-mʉná. n. Long earring(s), worn by male elders, or by women of any age.
a-mɔnɨ́r [North]: manɨ́r. v. 1 • To twist. Ɛmɔnɨ́r. He will twist it.
2 • To wring out sth. to remove water.
3 • To grab by the ear. Kátámánɨ́ra nkíyōōk. I grabbed the child by the ear. (S).
4 • To refuse s.o. after having promised sth. for a long time. Kátámánɨ́rɛ. I have finally refused you. (S). See: a-manɨ́r [North] ‘To twist sth.’; a-ɨrɨn; a-nunúk; a-pɨyáɨ ‘To twist’; a-ɨbɛlɛkɛ́ny ‘To turn around’.
e-mónkóí Nom sg: e-monkóí. Acc pl: i-mónko. Nom pl: i-mónkô. n. 1 • Lie, lying, deception, exaggeration, trickery, treachery. Emónkóí tenéjo ɔltʉ́ŋání ɛmbáɛ nɛ́mɛ́sɨ́pa. It is a lie if s.o. says sth. untrue.
2 • [North] Tumor found on cattle; usually surgically removable. See: ɔl-áímónkoni ‘Liar’; ɛ-lɛ́járɛ́ ‘Lying, cheating’; e-sápáré ‘Lie’.
l-mónkôî [North] [North] Nom sg: monkóí. [North] Acc pl: mónko. [North] Nom pl: mónkô. n. 1 • [North] A tumor found on catte; usually surgically removable.
2 • [North] Lying, trickery, treachery. See: e-mónkóí ‘Lying; cattle tumor’. [North] Nom sg: l-mónkoi. [North] Acc pl: l-mónko. [North] Nom pl: l-mónkô.
1 • [North] Antisocial person (eg. liar, thief, adulterer). Usage: pejorative.
2 • [North] A cattle disease. See: e-mónkóí ‘Lying; cattle tumor’.
ɛ-mɔ́nyɨ́tá Nom sg: ɛ-mɔnyɨtá. Acc pl: ɨ-mɔ́nyɨ́t. Nom pl: ɨ-mɔnyɨ́t. n. Intestine (large or small); entrails. Kɛ́ɨ́sapʉ́kɨ́n ɨmonyɨ́t ɛ́nyɛ. Its intestines are large.
e-mónyórít Nom sg: e-monyorít. Acc pl: i-monyorití ??. Nom pl: i-mónyorití. n. 1 • Earring for newly circumcised girls; "marriage chain" ?
2 • [North] Sap. See: úrráúr ‘Earring for newly circumcised girls’.
e-mónyúá [North] Nom sg: monyúá. [North] Acc pl: mónyúááci. [North] Nom pl: monyuaací. n. Liver (of humans or animals). See: e-móínyúá ‘Liver’.
ɨl-mɔ́ŋɨ́ Nom pl: ɨl-mɔŋɨ́. n. Castrated bulls, usually kept for beef or for sale; oxen. Áló amɨ́r ɨlmɔ́ŋɨ́ tááisére. I am going to sell the bulls tomorrow. Etymology: Proto-OngamoMaa *-mɔŋ-i (plural form), from Proto-TesoLotukoMaa *-mɔŋ-ɔ (Vossen 1989:196).. Usage: rare.
mɔ́ŋɔ́ Cow. See: ɔl-ɔɨŋɔ́ni ‘Bull’.
ɔl-mɔ́ŋɔ́1 Nom sg: ɔl-mɔŋɔ́. Acc pl: ɨl-móŋí. Nom pl: ɨl-moŋí. [North] Acc sg: l-móŋó. [North] Nom sg: l-moŋó. [North] Acc pl: l-móŋí. [North] Nom pl: l-moŋí. n. Bull which has been castrated as a calf; ox. See: ɔ-sátima ‘Ox castrated later in life’.
ɔl-mɔ́ŋɔ́ lɛ́ nkɔlɔ́ŋ an ox taken to the father-in-law as part of dowry, usually for selling. See: l-bʉŋáɨ́kɔ ‘Ox’; ɔl-kɨ́tɛ́ŋ ‘Ox’; ɔl-ɔɨŋɔ́nɨ ‘Uncastrated bull’.
ɔl-mɔ́ŋɔ́2 Nom sg: ɔl-mɔŋɔ́. Acc pl: ɨl-móŋóíshi. Nom pl: ɨl-moŋoishí. n. The bit of milk that is politely left remaining in the gourd, rather than drink the gourd empty. Etuŋúátie ɨlmʉ́rrân ɨlmóŋóíshi peê ɛɨdɨ́p áatook kʉlɛ́. The warriors left bits of milk after drinking the milk.
moókīrē adv. No longer. Nélo nɨ́nyɛ atɔ́n tɔlpʉ́ra ɛtaá moókīrē ɛɨdɨ́m aɨtáshō nɛ́mɛ́ókīrē ɛɨdɨ́m aɨrrága. He went to sit on the bare ground when he was no longer able to stand and when he was not able to lie down. Syn: (i)meékūrē ‘No longer’.
L-móoló [North] n.m n.pl. [North] The Elmolo tribe. See: L-dɛ̂s [North]; The Elmolo tribe.
ɛ-mɔɔndɔ̂ n. Basket. See: ɛn-kɨɔndɔ̂ ‘Basket’.
móor [North] Nom sg: moór. Acc pl: móorrí. Nom pl: moorrí. n. [North] Lamb slaughtered for cleansing a house after a woman gives birth. See: ol-kípókét ‘Lamb slaughtered for cleansing’.
ɛ-mɔ́ɔtíán Nom sg: ɛ-mɔ́ɔtíán. Acc pl: ɨ-mɔɔtianí. Nom pl: ɨ-mɔ́ɔtianí. n. Quiver. Ɨ́ncɔɔ́kɨ ɛmbáɛ natíí ɛndâ mɔ́ɔtíán. Give me an arrow that is in that quiver. (Pk). See: n-kírímpáí [North] ‘Quiver’.
a-mór v. 1 • To abuse. This is a very strong form of abuse, usually involving sex and relatives, eg. 'You made your sister entáápátá.'.
2 • To insult, verbally abuse (eg. by defaming s.o.'s female relative), blaspheme. See: a-dɛ́k ‘To curse, insult’.
a-morishó To be crude, vulgar. ɔltʉŋáni omórīshō A person who is crude, vulgar.
Moríjō Nom sg: Mórijo. n.prop. Old names for this place are Shímélók and Meirrúgōī.Place name behind the hills north of Lemek, Narok District, Kenya.
ol-móríjóí Nom sg: ol-morijóí. Acc pl: ɨl-moríjo. Nom pl: ɨl-mórijo. [North] Acc sg: l-móríjôî. [North] Acc pl: l-moríjo. [North] Nom pl: l-mórijo. n.m. 1 • Male human who is older than some comparison group, typically a senior warrior and more rarely a senior boy. Eétuo ɨláyiok erikito olmorijóí. The boys came led by the oldest boy.
2 • [North] Senior warrior. See: ol-ŋéétíáí ‘Older warrior’; moríjōī1 ‘Scarlet, marroon, deep-red’.
moríjōī1 Nom sg: mórijóí. Acc pl: moríjo. Nom pl: mórijo. adj. Scarlet, maroon, deep red, purple. Orŋanayíói moríjōī ɛɛ́ta olámuríáki. The Olamuriaki tree has maroon fruits. (Pk).
ol-moríjōī2 Nom sg: ol-mórijóí. Acc pl: il-moríjo. Nom pl: il-mórijo. [North] Acc sg: l-moríjôî. [North] Nom sg: l-mórijóí. [North] Acc pl: l-moríjo. [North] Nom pl: l-mórijo. n. Poison arrow tree. apocynaceae, Acocanthera. The fruits of this tree are edible and are called ilmoríjo oó otô. The leaves are extremely poisonous and are boiled to make a poison for arrows.
e-mórlóó Acc pl: i-mórlóíshi. n. Tendon, ligament. See: ɛn-kírnyanyî ‘Tendon, muscle’.
l-mórogô [North] [North] Acc pl: l-morogoní. n. [North] Cord used to tie up kids, lambs, etc.
l-mɔrɔ́gʉrɔ́gi [North] [North] Nom sg: l-márɔbʉrɔ́gi. [North] Acc pl: l-mɔrɔ́gʉrɔ́g. n. [North] Adam's apple.
ol-moroí [South] n. [South] Large calabash for brewing beer. Syn: ɛ-mála ‘Brewing calabash’.
e-móróré n. Crude, vulgar, speaking about sexual matters. This word itself is not bad. See: a-mór ‘To abuse’.
e-mórótó [North] Nom sg: morotó. [North] Acc pl: morót. [North] Nom pl: morót. n. 1 • Insult, abuse. In S this this may especially indicate an insult with sexual connotations about a female relative.
2 • Blasphemy. See: a-mór ‘To insult’.
ol-morú n. Hard stone, hard rock. See: o-sóít ‘Stone’.
moruankɛ́ Nom sg: móruankɛ́. n. Old one. Kélotú móruankɛ́. The old one will come (person, car, etc.).
mórúáó n. Elderhood. ilosekîn lɛ́ mórúáó the wangles of elderhood.
a-morúáʉ́ v. To grow old. See: móruo; ol-móruo ‘Old, old man’.
móruo Nom sg: ol-mórûô. Acc pl: il-móruak. Nom pl: il-mórûâk. [West] Nom sg: mórūō. adj. Restrict: living things. adj. Old (in age). Ɛshɔmɔ́ ɔlpáyian mórûô. The old man left. (W). Ɛshɔ́mɔ olóiboni aɨtɔbɨ́r olmóruo omúéí. The medicine-man has gone to divine and fix (the problem of) the old sick man. (Pk). Etúúróri ɛldɛ́ shɛ́tá tɛ nkárakɛ́ ɛtamórua. That tree has fallen because it has become old. (W). See: bótór ‘Old’; a-morúáʉ́ ‘To grow old’; arrárrɨ; mʉsána ‘Old’.
ol-móruo n.
2 • adj. Old man, married elder. See: l-cɨ́râî [North] ‘Unmarried elder’.
3 • adj. Husband.
4 • adj. Man. osúkí lóó móruo callous man (Pk). See: ɔl-payíán ‘Elder, husband’.
mórusásin n.pl. 1 • Thin stones.
2 • July. During July the rain drops are purportedly thin. See: ol-morú ‘Stone’; sâs ‘Emaciated’; ɨl-apaitín ‘Months’.
a-mórr v. To insult. See: a-dɛ́k; a-inyál ‘To insult’.
a-morroój v. To have a rough rash, marked by lumps or bumps. Némorroóju, néílubulúbu, nɛ́dānyā aɨɔtɨɔtá, nétīū ánaa ɨlpɛpɛ́dɔ. It becomes rough/lumpy, it becomes blistery, it (they) bursts and it (they) becomes like scabies. (Pk). Kémōrrōōj ɔlmʉrraní. The warrior has a rash (on his skin). See: a-rrɨrrɨ́ ‘To have rough skin’.
e-morroójī n. Rash, that looks like "rushes".
L-mɔsɨaát [North] n.pl n.prop. [North] A clan in the L-másʉla phratry.
L-mɔsɨát [North] n.prop. [North] Clan in the Lmásʉ́lá phratry.
ol-mosorî1 Variant: ol-mósorî. Nom sg: ol-mósorî. Acc pl: il-mósor. Nom pl: il-mósôr. n. 1 • Egg.
Etoíwúó emótonyî ɨlmósōr. The bird has laid eggs.
2 • Zero. Enótō ɛnkáyíóní olmosorî tɛ ntɛmatá. The boy got a zero on his exam. Note: Mol says that this noun is used to indicate zero, but it seems that it is used this way based on the shape of the Roman numeral zero, not the concept of the number zero; dn confirms this.
e-mosorî Egg; small egg. See: ɛn-kɨ́páí ‘Contents of egg’; m-bolibóli [North] ‘Egg’.
ol-mosorî2 Nom sg: ol-mosorî. Acc pl: il-mosorîn. Nom pl: il-mósorîn. n. 1 • Big gourd. See: ɛn-dʉ́kʉ̄ny ‘Calabash for storing milk’.
2 • [North] Enlargment or swelling of the testicles, due to sexually transmitted disease.
e-motí Nom sg: e-móti. Acc pl: i-motíoo(k). Nom pl: i-mótioo(k). [North] Acc pl: motío. [North] Nom pl: mótio. n. 1 • Cooking pot. Kéúdó nɨnyɛ́ ɛná móti. This cooking pan has a hole. (Pk). See: subúria ‘Cooking pot’; en-téreét ‘Pot’; e-mabáti ‘Metal cooking pot’.
2 • [North] Clay or earthen pot, traditionally used especially for cooking meat.
ol-motí [North] Acc pl: l-motíō. [North] Nom pl: l-mótīō. 1 • Pipe for smoking tobacco. This pike is made from a small en-kúkúrí, and was traditionally only used by women, especially when they had just given birth. aók olmotí To smoke a pipe.
2 • Pot-hole in river.
3 • Deep pit.
4 • Well.
5 • Container.
e-motí oó nkulupúók Nom sg: e-mótī óō nkulupúók. Acc pl: i-motíóōk oó nkulupúók. Nom pl: i-mótiook óō nkulupúók. n. Clay pot. See: l-kʉ́natɛ [North] ‘Small clay pot’.
e-motokáā Nom sg: e-mótokáā. Acc pl: i-motokaaní. Nom pl: i-mótokaaní. [West] Nom sg: e-mútukáa. n. Motor-car, automobile. Áló sukúul tááisére tɔɔ́ ɨnkɛjɛ́k amʉ̂ tɔrɔ́nɔ̂ emútukáa áî. I will go to school tomorrow walking because my car is bad (ie. not mechanically functioning well). (W). Etymology: < English motor-car ‘motor-car’.
e-mótonyî Nom sg: e-mótonyî. Acc pl: i-motónyī. Nom pl: i-mótonyí. [North] Nom pl: mótony, motónyī. n. 1 • Bird. Kéló oshî emótonyí tɛ aí. The bird flies.
2 • [North] Big bird (general); bird of prey. For S, mótonyî is about the size of a vulture or stork, and is bigger than e-kúenyî. Subtypes include (among others): See: lúgut; márgɨ́rɔ́ɨ́; sákérí; nányâ nkík; [North] l-kílérua; matɔ́rɔgɨ̂; n-árrɔ́ɔ́ncɔ̂ ‘Bird (of prey; various subtypes)’; ɔl-kʉ́rrʉk ‘Crow’.
ol-mótonyî 1 • Large bird.
2 • Sheet lightning.
3 • Eagle shoulder cape.
4 • Headdress of bird's feathers worn by warriors. See: en-kúenyî ‘Bird’.
i-motorí Nom pl: i-motóri. n.pl. Soup. Ɨ́ntalamáɨ́ ɛnâ kɛ́ráɨ́ dalût amʉ̂ kéíbukóó kʉnâ motorí. Keep off this mischevious child, because he will pour out this soup. (Pk).
e-motórokî Nom sg: e-mótórokî. Acc pl: ɨ-mɔtɔ́rɔk. Nom pl: ɨ-mɔ́rɔrɔk??. n. Duck.
e-mówúó Nom sg: e-mowúó. Acc pl: ɨ-mówúárák. Nom pl: ɨ-mowuarák. n. Horn (of any animal). Cow's horns were formerly used as elders' drinking vessels. See: e-sékekua ‘Horn’.
il-moyekîn n.pl. Calves.
i-móyog n.pl. Partly-digested stomach contents; stomach dirt.
móyógí [North] [North] Nom sg: moyogí. [North] Acc pl: móyog. [North] Nom pl: móyôg. n. [North] The partially digested and somewhat liquid mass of food that is forced into the small intestine; chyme.
e-moyíán Acc pl: i-moyianti. [North] Acc sg: mɔyíán. [North] Nom sg: mɔ́yîân. [North] Acc pl: moyiaritín. [North] Nom pl: móyiaritín. n. Disease, sickness. Ɛtámúyíá ɨlɔ́ páyian nélauní ɨ́nâ moyíán ɛnyɛ́, kájó kétíí ɔltʉ́ŋání ɔ́shɔmɔ́ asakút. That old man became sick and the disease was not established, maybe somebody bewitched him. (W). Einósúáá oláyíóní ajó emúóyíáa inkíshu aa taá emoyíán oó mbɛ́nɛ́k. The boy has reported that the cows are sick; that is, (by) the disease caused by (eating of) leaves. (W). See: a-múóí ‘To be sick’; a-múáí [North] ‘To be sick’.
mpápá n.voc. Term of address used by wife for her father-in-law.
e-múá [mwá] Nom sg: e-múa. Acc pl: i-múain. Nom pl: i-múâîn. [North] Nom sg: múá. [North] Acc pl: múáin. [North] Nom pl: múáîn. n. 1 • Colour, pigment, shade of colour. Kɛ́dɔ emúa ɔ́ sárgɛ́. The colour of bood is red. (Pk). Kɛ́áta aná anká múáin kúmōk. This cloth has many colours. Kɛ́áta ɛndá kɨ́tɛŋ emúá nayíáā? Which color does that cow have?
2 • Sort, kind. Káa múá ɔɔ́ nkɨlánī esidáí tó sírûâ lɛ́ nkɨamá? What (i) colour/(ii) sort of clothes are good for the wedding celebration? Emúá sidáí ɛná óo nikíshú. This is a good (i) breed/(ii) color of cows. Éísīdāī ɛná múá ɛ́ ná búku amʉ̂ ɛ́ɨ́dɔ̄rrɔ̄p. This sort of book is good because it is short. Emúá tɔrrɔ́nɔ̂ ɔ́ lcaní oleléshūā te néítobiríéki iloríkān. Oleleshua is a bad type of tree from which to make chairs. ɨltʉ́ŋáná lɔɔ́ múain pɔɔkɨ́ (i) People of all (skin) colours (ii) People of all characters/habits/types. ɨltʉ́ŋáná lɔɔ́ múain pɔɔkɨ́: ilkírikó, ilpúrishó, ɔ́ lárámátak people of all types: vagabonds, thieves, and farmers (lit: people of all colors: vagabonds, theieves, and farmers). i-múâîn 'colors' can also metaphorically refer to different human character or personality types: Kétíī ɨltʉŋaná lɔ́ɔ̄ múain kúmōk ɨlMáásâɨ̂. There are people of many different characters among the Maasai. (lit: There are people of many colors (among the) Maasai.).
3 • [North] Appearance. See: Parmúain ‘The one of many colors; God’.
ol-muaáte Nom sg: ol-múáate. Acc pl: il-muaatení. Nom pl: il-múaatení. n. Deserted or abandoned settlement; ruin. See: míjóóni ‘Abandoned’.
e-muaáte Deserted or abandoned settlement; ruin.
ɔl-múáátɛ́ Acc pl: il-muaatení. n. 1 • [North] Calf pen, either a temporary shelter or in the homestead. See: ɔl-álɛ́ ‘Calf pen’; a-múát ‘To enfold’.
2 • [North] Deserted kraal. Usage: singular.
3 • Ruins. Usage: pl.
a-múáí [North] [àmwáí] v. [North] To be sick. See: a-múéí ‘To be sick’.
a-itomúáí [North] 1 • [North] To make sick.
2 • [North] To make well; treat, heal.
a-muayí [North] v.incep. [North] To become sick.
a-múát [àmwát] v. 1 • To fold.
2 • To surround, embrace, enfold. Támuata! Surround it!
2 • [North] To fasten a bracelet on the forearm. Tómuata! Fasten it! (S).
e-múátátá Nom sg: e-muatatá. Acc pl: i-muatát. Nom pl: i-muatát. n. Sheep and goat pen; fold. Átóduaa olkileléŋi lé nkérr tɛ muatatá. I have seen a spherical dung ball of a sheep in the fold. (Pk). See: ɔl-álɛ́ ‘Pen for young animals’.
muatɛ́t [North] [North] Nom sg: múátɛt. [North] Acc pl: muatɛ́ta. [North] Nom pl: múátɛta. n. [North] Metal tool used for attaching metal anklets (formerly made of bone). See: a-múát ‘To fold’.
múda Nom sg: mudá. n. Time. Káke ḿmɛ siî mudá nalákua. But it is not a long time ago.
e-mudóŋ Nom sg: e-múdoŋ. Acc pl: i-mudóŋo. Nom pl: i-múdoŋo. [North] Acc sg: mʉdɔ́ŋ. [North] Nom sg: mʉ́dɔŋ. [North] Acc pl: mudóŋo. [North] Nom pl: múdoŋo. n. 1 • Placenta, afterbirth. This may stay with the mother cow for a long time. However, the mother could die if it stays too long.
2 • Kinship.
a-múéí Variant: a-múóí. [North]: a-múáí. PF: a-tamuyíá, a-tamuoyíá. v. 1 • To be sick with any kind of illness; not feel well. Emúéí ɛnkɨ́tɛŋ. The cow is sick. Ámúéíta. I am sick. Ímúéíta. You are sick. Emúéíta. He is sick. (W). Emúéíta ɛnkɨ́tɛŋ. The cow is sick. Kímueita. We are sick. Ímúéítáta. Y'all are sick. Átámúóyia. I was sick. Ítámúóyia. You (sg) were sick. Ɛtámúóyíá. He was sick. (W). Kítamuoyîâ. We were sick. Ítámúóyîâ. Y'all were sick. Étéyíáŋá ɔlkɨtarrí ɛnkɛ́ráɨ́ namúéí. The doctor has performed surgery on the sick child. Ɛtámúóyîâ. They became sick. (W). Ɛtámúóyíá ɨlɔ̂ páyian nɛ́launí ɨ́nâ mueyíán ɛnyɛ́, kájō kétíī ɔltʉ́ŋání ɔ́shɔmɔ́ asakút. That old man became sick and the disease was not established, maybe somebody bewitched him. (W). ɔltʉŋáni omúéí person who is sick, not feeling well. Ɛgɨ́ra ɔltásât ómuei aɨrrɔ́k. The old man who is sick is coughing. Usage: a-múéí indicates a more serious illness than a-ibisií́ŋ..
2 • To have ill-motives; harbor bad attitudes and intentions.
a-itamúéí v.cause. To slaughter an animal for s.o. who is sick to get meat and soup; nurse a sick person.
a-mueyú [North]: mʉɛ́í. [Chamus]: moí. v.incep. To sicken, become sick. See: a-ibisíóŋ ‘To be sick’; ɔl-támúéyíáí ‘Sick person’. Syn: a-nyaalá ‘To be ill’; a-ilísh ‘To be ill’.
e-mueyíán Variant: e-muyíán; e-moyíán. Nom sg: e-múéyian. Acc pl: i-mueyiaritín. Variant: i-moyiaritín; i-mueyiantín. Nom pl: i-múéyiaritín. n. Illness, sickness of any sort.
e-muyíán ɛ́ nkitók Menstrual period; woman's (normal) "illness" (lit: woman's sickness). emuyíán ɛ́ nkitók tɛ múshō ɔ́lápa The (normal) sickness of the woman at the end of the month.
a-mʉ́g [North] v. 1 • [North] To brew.
2 • [North] To store in a damp place. See: a-mʉ́k ‘To brew; store in mouth’.
mʉ́g [North] Variant: múg. [North] Nom sg: mʉ́g, mûg. [North] Acc pl: múgi. [North] Nom pl: múgî. n. 1 • [North] One side of the body.
2 • [North] Side (of anything).
3 • [North] In the corner of, to the side of. See: l-kipíei ‘One side of the body’.
mʉ́gárɛ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: mʉgarɛ́. n. [North] Brewing. See: a-mʉ́g [North] ‘To brew’.
l-mʉ́gɛt [North] [North] Nom sg: l-mʉ́gɛ̂t. [North] Acc pl: l-múgeti. n. [North] One of several important ceremonies involving the promotion of warriors through grades of warriorhood.
l-mʉ́gɛt lɔɔ́ lbáa [North] [North] Nom sg: l-mʉ́gɛt lɔ́ɔ lbáa. [North] Acc pl: l-múgetí lɔɔ́ lbáa. [North] Nom pl: l-múgetí lɔ́ɔ lbáa. [North] Ceremony of the arrows, which takes place about a month after a circumcision ceremony (lit: ox for injuries).
múgíé Nom sg: mugíé. Acc pl: múgíéîn. [North] Acc sg: mʉ́gɨ́ɛ́. [North] Nom sg: mʉgɨ́ɛ́. [North] Acc pl: mugieîn. [North] Nom pl: [anyone] [women] [anyone] [anyone]. adj. 1 • Warm-brown, described as dark-brown, chocolate-brown, light-brown, the color of termite diggings. orŋɛncɛ́rɨ múgíé a brown cockroach (Pk). This term is typically applied to women and cows and has positive connotations. A cow is said to have the múgíé color when its backbone skin-color is clearly brown and forms a brown stream along the back. The skin of a man with the same color as what múgíé describes for a woman would instead be described as sɔpía. The following scale describes varying degrees of skin color, from light to dark: In W, múgíé is used primarily for animals and only with some difficulty would be applied to other items. When the noun form emúgíé is used for women, it is a "pet name" more than a way of describing skin color. It would never be used for men. See: sɔpía ‘Dark; chocolate-brown’.
2 • [North] Purple.
e-múgíé n. 1 • Dark-brown one. Tápala ɨ́nâ áshê káldes tɛ́rɛʉ́ emúgíé. Leave that warm-brown heifer, bring the dark-brown one.
2 • Woman. Usage: colloq, metaphorical. Tápāāshārē emúgíé míkíósh aké. Avoid that woman lest she hit you. (Pk). Ɛshɔmɔ́ emugíé. The woman left.
e-múgíé2 Nom sg: e-mugíé. Acc pl: múgíéîn. n. Usage: colloq. Woman. Tápāāshārē emúgíé míkíósh aké. Avoid that woman lest she hit you. (Pk). Ɛshɔmɔ́ emugíé. The woman left.
mʉ́gɨ́ɛ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: mʉgɨ́ɛ́. [North] Acc pl: mʉgɨɛîn. [North] Nom pl: mʉ́gɨɛîn. n. [North] Sequence of four days in the middle of the waning moon preceding the narɔk kʉtʉk sequence. See: i-mugieîn ‘Days just before moon disappears’.
i-mugieîn n.pl. Those days during the month just before the moon completely disappears. See: múgíé ‘Chocolate-brown’.
a-mugienú [North] v.incep. [North] To become purple.
l-múgiet [North] n. [North] Ceremony; celebration.
l-múgiet lɔɔ́ nkueny Graduation ceremony from boyhood to warriorhood.
l-múgiet lɛ́ nkarna Ceremony when warriors elect a leader, laúnoni and they were all given a name as an age-set.
l-múgiet lɔ́ lɔɨŋɔ́nɨ Graduation ceremony from warriorhood to adulthood.
l-múgiet lɔɔ́ kʉlɛ́ Ceremony for milk.
a-mʉgʉ́l [North] v. [North] To skin, remove outer skin. See: a-kɨ́ny ‘To peel, skin’.
e-múgúr Nom sg: e-mugúr. Acc pl: i-múgúrrí. Nom pl: i-mugurrí. n. Waterhole.
ɛ-mʉ́gʉ̂rr [North] Nom sg: mʉgʉ́rr. [North] Acc pl: múgúrrí. [North] Nom pl: mugurrí. n. 1 • Pool in a river, water-hole (eg. used for swimming).
2 • Small gully.
3 • [North] Puddle. See: ol-túrótó ‘Puddle’.
a-mʉgʉtá v.mid. 1 • To wither, shrivel, wrinkle. See: a-mʉgʉyán [North] ‘To wither’.
2 • [North] To be startled.
ɛ-mʉ́gʉtán Nom sg: ɛ-mʉ́gʉtán. Acc pl: ɨ-mʉgʉtaní. Nom pl: ɨ-mʉ́mʉtaní. n. Bitter juice used medicinally, from xxxx root? tree? used as a purgative to induce vomiting for treating worms.
a-mʉgʉyán [North] v.s. [North] To wither (of trees). See: a-mʉgʉtá ‘To wither’.
a-muguyanú [North] [North] To wither (of trees).
mʉharátɛ Trough. See: mʉkarátɛ [North] ‘Trough’.
a-mʉ́k v. 1 • To brew. Nɛ́mʉ̄kɨ̄ ɨnapá áíshó. Those previously-mentioned beers are brewed.
2 • To hold in mouth. amʉ́k olkumpaú To hold tobacco in mouth. See: a-mʉ́g [North] ‘To brew; store in damp place’.
a-mʉká v.mid. 1 • To be brewed.
2 • To remain inside the house. amʉká ti áji To remain in the house.
mʉkarátɛ [North] Nom sg: mʉ́karátɛ. n. [North] Cattle dip. See: mʉharátɛ ‘trough’.
e-mʉ́kárɛ́ Variant: ɛ-mʉ́kárɛ. Nom sg: e-mʉkarɛ́. Acc pl: ɛ-mʉ́kátá. Nom pl: ɛ-mʉkatá. n. Brewing.
mukaréte n. Cattle dip; Deep pit filled with water for washing cows by forcing them to swim through it. This is generally between two kraals, the first where cows are kept as they go into the dip one at a time, and the second where they dry off, so the water can drip back into the dip.
ɛ-mʉkátɛ Nom sg: ɛ-mʉ́katɛ. Acc pl: ɨ-mʉkatɛnɨ́. Nom pl: ɨ-mʉ́katɛnɨ́. n. Bread. Ɛtáá mʉsána ɛná mʉ́katɛ. This bread has become old. (W). Einyálatɛ ɨmʉ́katɛnɨ́. These breakds are bad. (W). Etymology: > Swahili mukate ‘bread’.
ɔl-mʉkɔ́nyɔ Nom sg: ɔl-mʉ́kɔnyɔ. Acc pl: ɨl-mʉkɔnyoní. Nom pl: ɨl-mʉ́kɔnyoní. n. Swollen navel. See: ol-dundúla ‘Swollen navel’; súrúm ‘Abnormally large navel’.
a-mʉ́l1 v. To wrap.
a-mʉlá v.mid. To be wrapped.
a-mʉ́l [North]2 v. 1 • [North] To be ubiquitous.
2 • [North] To be uniform, homogenous.
3 • [North] To be all of one colour.
mʉlá [North] [North] Nom sg: mʉ́la. n. [North] Treeless plain, esp. where there is salt up to several centimetres deep on the ground.
a-mʉláŋ v. To grow cold.
mʉlaŋâî adj. Not sociable, not welcoming.
mʉ́láŋisho The state of being not sociable.
mʉ́lɛ̂ [North] [North] Nom sg: mʉ́lɛ̂. [North] Acc pl: mulení. [North] Nom pl: múlení. n. [North] Iron ankle rings worn by girls at dances.
muleení [North] Nom sg: múleení. n. [North] Circular metal worn by women on the lower parts of the legs. See: ɨnk-alʉlʉŋaní ‘Circular metal worn by women on the lower parts of the legs’; n-kúpúlito ‘Circular metal worn by women on the lower parts of the legs’.
mʉ́lɨ́áát [North] [North] Nom sg: mʉlɨaát. n. [North] Female long-tailed lizard. Latastia longicaudata. See: l-ɛ́lɛ́ʉ́ [North] ‘Male lizard’.
a-mʉlɨ́sh v.prog. To forcefully twist sth. into a crooked position. amʉlɨ́sh ɛlʉ́kʉ́nyá To forcefully twist the head. Syn: a-mɛrrɛgɛ́l ‘To twist’.
e-múlúg Nom sg: e-mulúg. Acc pl: i-múlúgí. Nom pl: i-mulugí. [North] Acc pl: mulugó. [North] Nom pl: múlugó. n. Hole on ground, tree, or in rock in which bees stay; bee-hive. See: en-kídoŋ ‘Bee-hive’.
mʉ́lʉl [North] [North] Nom sg: mʉ́lʉ̂l. [North] Acc pl: mululó. [North] Nom pl: múluló. adj. [North] Fecund.
a-mululú [North] v.incep. [North] To become fecund. See: mʉ́lʉl ‘Fecund’.
ɔl-mʉmâî Nom sg: ɔl-mʉ́mai. Acc pl: ɨl-mʉmá. Nom pl: ɨl-mʉ́ma. [North] Acc sg: l-mʉmâɨ̂. [North] Nom sg: l-mʉ́maɨ. [North] Acc pl: l-mʉmá. [North] Nom pl: l-mʉ́ma. n. Oath. Oaths may be made in the marriage negotiation process, to make peace, to swear to do sth., or to guarantee s.o. that he will not receive punishment for an offence when the individual has come begging for forgiveness. ɔl-mʉmáî is a very strong act. ɛsayíɛ́t (eg. a cow or a girl) could be given as physical evidence of the oath. The stages in the process of making an oath are as follows: 1. a-ɨshɔ́ ɔlmʉmáî 'To give an oath' (done, eg., by one who has offended or one making a marriage request) 2. a-nyá ɔlmʉmáî 'To take (lit: eat) an oath' 3. a-ŋamʉ́ ɔlmʉmáî 'To receive an oath'. To break or not honor an oath is expected to bring bad results. aɨnɔ́s ɔlmʉmâî To take an oath (lit: to eat an oath). anyá ɔlmʉmâî To take an oath (lit: to eat an oath). See: a-ɨnɔ́s ɔlmʉmáî ‘To take an oath’.
a-mún v. 1 • To pinch. Étúmúnó ɔlaáɨ́tɛ́ŋɛ̄nānī ɛnkɛ́ráí ɛsɛ́dɛr. The teacher has pinched the child on the cheek. (Pk).
2 • To scratch. See: a-ój ‘To scratch’.
3 • To do sth. to pain another.
e-munâî Acc pl: muná. [North] Acc sg: mʉnâɨ̂. Variant: munâî. [North] Nom sg: mʉ́naɨ. [North] Acc pl: mʉná. [North] Nom pl: mʉ́na. n. 1 • Long wire earring that "hangs" (not extends) from the top of the ear, typically worn by Maasai girls and women.
2 • Beaded ear-ring worn by men.
3 • [North] Pair of wire earrings (2.5 cm) worn by warriors and junior elders, attached at a pierce in the upper helix of the ear.
4 • [North] Beadwork circlets strung on wire (8 cm), worn by middleaged women, attached at a pierce in the upper helix of the ear.
ɔl-mʉnánda Nom sg: ɔl-mʉ́nanda. [North] Acc sg: l-mʉndánda. n. 1 • Marketplace which also includes an auction place.
2 • Place where cattle are vaccinated. Borrowed word: Swahili mundanda 'auction place'. See: ɔl-ɔɨnyaŋɨ́ ‘Market’.
l-mʉnɛ́ɛ́rɨ [North] n. [North] Colon, rectum? See: ɛm-búlátí ‘Rectum’.
múnicôî [North] [North] Nom sg: múnicôî. [North] Acc pl: múnicó. [North] Nom pl: múnicó. n. [North] Small hooked thorn (generic term). See: a-mún ‘To pinch’.
ɛ-mʉ́nkɛ́ [North] Nom sg: mʉnkɛ́. [North] Acc pl: mʉ́nkɛ̂n. [North] Nom pl: mʉnkɛ́n. n. 1 • Anklet.
2 • [North] Lionskin garter worn by boys after circumcision, and by the groom and best man at a wedding.
munkuk v. [South] Ground hornbill.
a-munó v.mid. 1 • To have been pinched.
2 • To not be straightforward; unpredictable; unreasonable, non-cooperative; not understandable or explainable; weird. This does not refer to a condition from birth (eg. some types of mental disabilities), but to an acquired set of negative habits. Kémúno inâ ará ɛ́nyɛ, ɨ́mayíólo ajó ɨŋáɨ́ ɔlmármali. That fight of theirs is unexplainable; I do not know who is in the wrong. (Pk). ɔltʉŋáni omúnō person who is not straightforward.
3 • To be funny but foolishly so; cheeky. See: a-mún ‘To pinch’.
e-munôî n. 1 • Unpredictable behavior but likely to be negative; weird social behavior; having unpredictable feelings.
2 • Stupidness, foolishness. Etomitúókó ɔltʉŋáni emúnoi élô aɨrʉrá. Foolishness/stupidity has prevented the person from going to sleep (eg. when sleep would be beneficial). See: a-mún ‘To pinch’. The connection to a-mún may be due to pinching behavior characteristic of children, and the difficulty of understanding what has transpired in a children's squabble.
ɨ-mʉnɔnɔ́ Mixture of fried meat and blood. See: l-páut ‘Meat mixed with blood and fat’.
muntus Acc pl: il-muntusi. n. Ground hornbill.
ol-múntút Nom sg: ol-muntút. Acc pl: il-múntútí. Nom pl: il-muntutí. n. 1 • Vulture.
2 • Ground hornbill. bucorvus cafer.
mʉ́nʉ́nâ [North] [North] Nom pl: mʉ́nʉ́nâ. n. [North] Dry cubed meat and fat, stored for long periods in certain calabashes.
ɛ-mʉ̂ny Nom sg: ɛ-mʉ̂ny. Acc pl: i-múnyi. Nom pl: i-múnyî. n. Black rhinoceros. diceros bicornis.
a-mʉnyák v.s. 1 • To be lucky, blessed, favoured. Usage: humans.
2 • To be perfect, not missing any body parts, and having good coloring. Usage: animals. ɔltʉŋáni ɔ́mʉ́nyák (i) person who is perfect; (ii) person who is lucky.
a-mʉnyán v. To be lucky, fortunate. Kɛ́tʉ́mʉ́nyana. He has become fortunate. (S).
a-mʉnyanú v.incep. To become fortunate, lucky, acquire. See: a-mʉnyák ‘To be lucky’.
ɛ-mʉnyán Nom sg: ɛ-mʉ́nyan. n. 1 • Fine salt, as used at the table. Syn: shímpi, ɛn-abɛlɨ́, ɛn-aɨsʉ́kʉt, ɛ-makát ‘Salt’.
2 • Salt found on the soil. Cattle like to lick soil that contains this kind of salt and are usually driven to spots where it is found. Syn: em-bolíêî ‘Salt lick’. Borrowed word: Bantu? cf. Kifuliiru munyu 'salt'.
ɛ-mʉnyánī Nom sg: ɛ-mʉ́nyaní. [South] Acc sg: mʉnyánî. n. 1 • Good fortune, luck, serendipity.
2 • Grace, blessing, attributed to the action of God.
3 • Forehead. See: enk-omóm; en-kirribó; ɛn-kɨ́dɨ́mátá ‘Forehead’; a-mʉnyán ‘To be fortunate’.
ol-múnyéí Nom sg: ol-munyeí. Acc pl: il-múnyo. Nom pl: il-múnyô. [Purko] Acc pl: ir-múnyuo. [North] Acc sg: l-múnyéí, l-múnyóí. [North] Nom sg: l-munyóí. [North] Acc pl: l-múnyo. [North] Nom pl: l-múnyô. n. 1 • Beard, goatee. Ɛgɨ́rá áabarnɔ ɨrmúnyuo. They are shaving each other's beards. (Pk).
2 • Moustache and beard together; face hair.
3 • [South] Chin. See: ɔl-bɔɔ́ny ‘Chin’.
a-munyiará v. 1 • [North] To refuse to run when being beaten.
2 • [North] To be not easily breakable, but can bend.
mʉnyɔrɔ́rɔ Nom sg: mʉ́nyɔrɔ́rɔ. Acc pl: mʉnyɔrɔrɔní. Nom pl: mʉ́nyɔrɔrɔní. n. Road. Borrowed word: Swahili munyororo 'chain'. Mol (1996:264) says that when roads were firs made, they were measured out with the help of a large chain. See: ɔl-barɨbára; enk-óítóí ‘Road’.
a-múóí v. To be sick. Ámúóí, káke maló adɔ́l ɔlabáani. I am sick, but I'm not going to see the doctor. (W). Emuoíta Páapa lâî néjo olekitarrí ɛtɛɛkʉ́nyɛ encotó nábō. My father is sick and the doctor said that one of his sides is paralyzed. Emuoíta ɛnkɛráí aɨtɛrʉ́ ŋolé. The child is sick starting from yesterday. Átámúóyia ŋolé. I became sick yesterday. See: a-múéí ‘To be sick’; e-moyíán ‘Sickness, disease’.
a-mʉ́r v. 1 • To plaster. Tʉ́mʉra shʉ́mátá ɛ́ nkají amʉ̂ ɛ́táá kɛ́shā. Plaster the roof of the house because it is about to rain. (Pk).
2 • [North] To conceal important information. See: a-nʉ́k ‘To conceal’.
a-murishoré To use to plaster a hut.
a-mʉ́r ol-gós To talk with a deep voice (lit: to plaster the throats).
ɔl-mʉrankéti n. Blanket. See: l-pʉrankéti [North] ‘Blanket’. Borrowed word: English blanket.
ol-murása Nom sg: ol-múrasa. Acc pl: il-murasaní ??. Nom pl: il-múrasaní ??. n. Boundary. See: ol-kírríé; ɛm-páka; ol-pólósíé; o-sáriko ‘Boundary’.
a-mʉrát v. To circumcise (boy); clitoridectomise (girl). Ɛmʉrátɨ ɔlayíóni tááisére. The boy will be circumcised tomorrow. (Pk). Dúóó táatá ɛjɨŋɨ́ ɛnkâŋ ɔ́lɛ Parmuát peê ɛ́mʉ́rátɨ̂ ɔlayíóni tááisére. Today is the day the distinguished guests go to Ole Parmuat's home, because tomorrow is when a boy will be circumcised. (Pk). Nɛ́bʉ́lʉ́ kʉlɔ̂ áyīōk pókírā oóŋūān o mɛtʉ́mʉ̄rātɨ̄, nɛ́bārnɨ̄, nɨ́ákʉ́ ɨlmʉ́rrān. These four boys grew up until they were circumcised, then they were shaved, then they became warriors. Nɛ́mʉ̄kɨ̄ ɨnapá áíshíó, nɛ́mʉratɨ entítō. Those beers are brewed, and the girl is clitoridectomised. Éíshópíto ɔltásât encóríbá ɛnyɛ́ amʉ̂ ɛ́tʉ́mʉ́rátá ɔlayíóni. The old man has worn his ceremonial skin because his son has been circumcised. (Pk). Kɛ́jɔ́n ɛlɛ̂ áyíóní ɛ́tɔ́n mɛ́mʉ́rátayú. This boy is still immature he cannot be circumcised. (Pk).
ɛ-mʉ́ráta Nom sg: ɛ-mʉratâ ?, ɛ-mʉratá ?. Variant: ɛ-mʉráta. Acc pl: ɛ-mʉ́rátarɛ. Nom pl: ɛ-mʉratárɛ. [North] Acc sg: mʉratá. [North] Nom sg: mʉrátâ. [North] Acc pl: mʉratát. [North] Nom pl: mʉ́ratát. n. 1 • Circumcision; excision. This initiation is performed at the time of puberty, and elevates the individual from childhood to adulthood. Kɛ́átáɨ́ intaléŋo tɛndá âŋ ɛmʉ́rátarɛ ɔɔ́ nkɛ́ra. There are solemn ceremonies in that home for the circumcisions of children. (Pk). Boys will prove to the community that they are ready to be initiated by exhibiting signs of grown men, such as carrying heavy spears, herding large herds of livestock, bringing cattle home at dusk, and travelling alone at night to visit friends. A boy must herd cattle for seven full days prior to ɛmʉ́ráta, and is circumcised on the eighth day. Both boys and girls receive a cold shower to cleanse themselves of past sins, and then are initiated early in the dawn before sunrise by a qualified individual (a woman in the case of girls, and a man in the case of boys). Boys are respected for bravery during the operation, demonstrated by not flinching in the least. Following this ceremony and a healing period of three to four months, newly initiated men receive the status of a warrior, and women are ready for marriage.
2 • [North] Age-mate.
3 • [North] Age-sets. Usage: plural.
4 • [Chamus] Age set, age group. ɨltʉŋaná lɛ́ mʉ́ráta âŋ people of our age group.
ɛ-mʉ́rátá n. Smearing.
ɛ-mʉ́rátarɛ [North] Nom pl: mʉrátarɛ. n. Circumcision, circumcising. See: ɛ-mʉ́rátá ‘Circumcision’.
mʉrdá [North] [North] Nom sg: mʉ́rda. n. [North] Loving wife, good housekeeper.
l-mʉrɛnkɛ̂ɨ̂ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-mʉ́rɛnkɛ̂ɨ̂. [North] Acc pl: l-mʉrɛnkɛ̂n. [North] Nom pl: l-mʉ́rɛnkɛ̂n. n. [North] Pumpkin.
mʉrgʉ́t Gulping sound. Áítéjō sháai mʉrgʉ́t. I made the tea make the gulping sound (ie. I gulped the tea down). See: a-ɨmʉrgʉtaá ‘To gulp’.
e-múró1 Nom sg: e-muró. Acc pl: i-múríóshi. Nom pl: i-murioshí. [North] Acc pl: múróci. Variant: múróshi. [North] Nom pl: múrocí. n. 1 • Hind leg of a four-legged animal.
2 • [North] Part of meat given to neighbors after slaughtering a sheep or goat.
múró2 Cry for mercy.
l-murotâî [North] [North] Nom sg: l-múrotâî. [North] Acc pl: l-murotá. [North] Nom pl: l-múrotá. n. [North] Unripe acacia bean. See: ɔ-sagárarámi ‘Seed pod of Acacia tortilis’.
l-múrsánɛ́t [North] Nom sg: l-mursanɛ́t. Acc pl: l-mursanetí. Nom pl: l-múrsanetí. n. [North] Illegitimate male child born before the mother is circumcised and finally married. Syn: ol-turpá, ɛn-kɛ́ráí é títóísho ‘Illegitimate child’.
e-múrt Nom sg: e-mûrt. Acc pl: i-murtó. Nom pl: i-múrto. [Purko] Acc pl: ir-murotó. n. 1 • Neck. Ɛkɛ́pɨ́kɨ́ apá ɨlbɨ́kɨ́tɔ ɨrmurotó ɔɔ́nkɛ́ra. Long ago shells of snails used to be put on children's necks. (Pk).
2 • Chief's advisors.
e-múrt ɛ́ nkáɨ́ná n. Wrist (lit: neck of the arm).
e-múrt ɛ́ nkɛjʉ́ n. Ankle (lit: neck of the leg). See: ol-ouré kokóyō ‘Ankle bone’; ɛ-rʉ́bátá ‘Joint’; ol-aidóloki [South] ‘Ankle’; l-aibelái [North] ‘Ankle’.
ɛ-mʉrtɛ̂ Nom sg: ɛ-mʉ́rtɛ̂. Acc pl: ɨ-mʉrtɛ̂(n). Nom pl: ɨ-mʉ́rtɛ(n). [North] Nom sg: mʉ́rtɛ. [North] Acc pl: mʉrtɛ̂n. [North] Nom pl: mʉ́rtɛn. n. 1 • Side (of human body, herd, group of moving people, building, etc.).
2 • Strong muscle on the side of the human body between the ribs and hip bone. Káayâ ɛmʉ́rtɛ̂. My side hurts me.
3 • Muscle just in front of the back hind quarter of a cow; groin area of cattle. See: a-mʉrtɛná ‘To be on the side’.
a-mʉrtɛná [Purko]: a-mʉrtaná. v.mid. 1 • To not have proper habits or character, in violation of social norms. Ɛmʉrtɛ́na olkúâk lɛ́na kitók. The habits of this woman are not good (proper). This typically does not refer to just a one-time event, but rather repeated habits or character; the person violating the norms does not have to intentionally be doing sth. bad (eg. a man wearing a kilt in Kenya).
2 • To be poorly positioned in order to hold sth., or do sth.
3 • To use the left hand to do sth. (whether the individual is left- or right-handed).
a-mʉrtɛnarí To walk one-sided, eg. like a person who suffered a stroke. See: ɛ-mʉrtɛ̂ ‘Side’.
e-murûâ Nom sg: e-múrûâ. Acc pl: i-murúá. Nom pl: i-múrua. n. 1 • Locality.
2 • Type of grass, mostly ɛn-aimúrrâî, that grow in abandoned homesteads.
e-murûâ Nom sg: tone shouldn't be e-múrûâ - ie., one, versus two moras on end?. Acc pl: i-murúá. Nom pl: i-múrua. [North] Acc sg: murûâ. [North] Nom sg: múrua. [North] Acc pl: muruaí. Variant: múruáí. [North] Nom pl: múruaí. n. 1 • Star grass. Óre emurúa nanɔ́rɨ náa sídáí. Green grass is good. (W).
2 • Settlement area; continuously inhabited settlement.
3 • Inhabitants of a settlement area. Ɛ́gɨ́ra ɔláígúɛ́nání ashukú ɨ́nâ báɛ peê epuo emúrúá áíguanarɛ. The chief has referred (returned) that issue so that it can be dealt with by the people of the area. (Pk).
4 • Flourishing field which has re-grown over an abandoned settlement area; the manure which has been left provides fertilizer.
5 • Manyatta that is destroyed when it is left; abandoned homesite where no structures are left standing. See: míjóōni ‘Abandoned manyatta’.
ol-múrúnkúí [South] Nom sg: ol-murunkúí. Acc pl: il-murúnku. Nom pl: il-múrunku. n. [South] Potato. See: il-gisóyia; in-kuashên ‘Potatoes’.
ɔl-mʉrʉ́nkʉ́i Acc pl: il-murunkuní. n. Potato, Irish? See: ɛn-kwashé ‘Potato’; l-biásɨ [North] ‘Potato’.
ɔl-mʉrʉ́nya Nom sg: ɔl-mʉ́rʉnya. Acc pl: ɨl-mʉrʉnyaní. Nom pl: ɨl-mʉ́rʉnyaní. n. 1 • Razor, traditionally made; used for circumcision or shaving. You could not buy one of these in a modern Nairobi market like Uchumi. See: ɛnk-álɛ́m ‘Knife’.
2 • [North] Handleless blade used for clitoridectomising girls.
a-murút v.prog. To go in front of s.o. travelling in the same direction; move into a position ahead of s.o. who is striving for the same thing; overtake, pass. Émúrútítō. He is getting ahead of him. See: a-giroó ‘To pass’.
l-murúti [North] [North] Nom sg: l-múruti. n. [North] Tonsillitis.
l-mʉrrá [North]1 Variant: l-mʉ́rrá. [North] Nom sg: l-mʉrrá. [North] Acc pl: l-múrráci. Variant: l-mʉrráshin; l-mʉrrashín. n. [North] Penis.
ɔl-mʉ́rráni Nom sg: ɔl-mʉrraní. Acc pl: ɨl-mʉ́rran. Nom pl: ɨl-mʉ́rrân. n. 1 • Warrior. A youth is a member of a warrior age-set from the time he completes his initiation until his age-set is promoted to junior-elderhood. Past historic events are dated by citing the age-set which were warriors at the time of the event.
Óre ɛlɛ̂ mʉ́rrāni, náa kɛ́pɨ̄ apá olêŋ. Now this warrior, he was very brave. Népuo ɨlmʉ́rrân. The warriors went. A man becomes a warrior after ɛ-mʉ́rátá 'circumcision'. He is first a junior warrior, during which time he lives and eats with other ɨl-mʉ́rran of the same age set in an ɛ-mányátá 'warrior village'. He remains a warrior for some ten years. He does not marry until after the e-únótó ceremony at which time he is initiated into senior warrior-hood.
2 • [North] Affectionate term for a small boy.
mʉ́rránó Nom sg: mʉrranó. n.sg. Warriorhood. peê ɛ́árɨ́ mʉ́rránó when warriorhood was abolished.
ɔl-mʉ́rrát Nom sg: ɔl-mʉrrát. Acc pl: ɨl-mʉ́rratí. Nom pl: ɨl-mʉ́rratí. n. Spear butt. See: l-ŋʉ́rrásh ‘Spear butt’; sɨ́pɨ́l ‘Spear head’.
mʉ́rrā2 greeting. 1 • Term for greeting another warrior. Sʉ́pa mʉ́rra lây. Hello. (lit: Hello, my warrior.) (S).
2 • Term used for greeting a younger person.
ol-múrri Nom sg: ɔlmurrí. Acc pl: ɨl-mɨrr. Nom pl: ɨl-mɨrr. n. Dung of an animal (eg. donkey, zebra) whose droppings are flat and roughly oval-shaped.
The plural form is normal. The singular would refer to one piece of (donkey, zebra) dung. See: e-modíêî ‘Dung’.
a-mʉrrʉ́ v. To be good; enjoyable.
a-ɨtʉmʉrrʉ́ 1 • To enjoy, feel good, thrive.
2 • To make oneself settle down to sth.
3 • To eat well, graze well, enjoy food.
4 • To cherish.
5 • [North] To bring to completion.
l-múrrúí [North] [North] Nom sg: l-murrúí. [North] Acc pl: l-mʉ̂rr. [North] Nom pl: l-mʉ̂rr. n. [North] Donkey dung. See: ol-múrri ‘Dung of donkey or zebra’.
a-mús v. v. To guess, assess, think, consider, presume, ponder.
2 • v. [Chamus] To be able to forsee; have feeling for what is yet to occur, especially danger.
a-musokí [North] [North] To guess, venture.
a-musoó v.dir. To guess, take a stab at.
a-musú v.dir. To guess, consider, ponder, think over.
e-mús Nom sg: e-mûs. Acc pl: i-músi. Nom pl: i-músî. [North] Nom sg: mús. n. Swarm of bees. Míséyie aké ɛndâ mús oóltórok amʉ̂ eŋórisho. Don't disturb/touch that swarm of bees because they sting. (W).
mʉsána Nom sg: mʉ́sana. Acc pl: mʉ́san. Nom pl: mʉ́sân. [North] Nom sg: mʉ́sanâ. adj. Usage: inanimate things. Old, potentially worn out. Restrict: inanimate things. Ɛtáá mʉsána ɛná múkatɛ. This bread has become old. (W). Mʉsána ɛndá áɨ́dashɛ. That shoe is old. (W). See: móruo ‘Old’; arrárrɨ ‘Old’.
ɔl-mʉ́sáníkí Nom sg: ɔl-mʉsanikí. Acc pl: ɨl-mʉ́sánɨ̄k. Nom pl: ɨl-mʉsanɨ́k. n. Elderly man who did go through warriorhood but just graduated to adulthood when his age-set did. He is said to lack a lot of military training and so is a coward who cannot defend himself.
ɛ-mʉ́sáníkí Usage: contemptous. 1 • Small man who did not undergo warrior.
2 • Woman (who did not undergo warriorhood). Usage: derogatory. See: mʉsána ‘Old’; ɔl-mʉ́rrani ‘Warrior’.
a-mʉsanú v.incep. To become old; develop into non-tip-top condition. Usage: generally inanimate. Kɛ́mʉsánu. It will become old. (S). Ɛtʉmʉ́sana ɛná mʉ́katɛ. This bread is old. (W). Ɛtʉmʉ́sana ɛndá áɨ́dashen. That shoe is/has become old. (W).
l-musó [North] [North] Nom sg: l-múso. n. [North] A guess. See: a-mús ‘To guess, forsee’.
ol-Músúnkúí Nom sg: ol-Musunkuí. Acc pl: il-Musúnku. Nom pl: il-Músunku. n. European. Etymology: < Swahili msungu.
a-musút [North] v. [North] To wipe (esp. the inside of a calabash).
a-musuticieré [North] v.apas v.inst. [North] To use for wiping.
músútí [North] [North] Nom sg: musutí. [North] Acc pl: músút. [North] Nom pl: musút. n. [North] Cloth or figre rag used to clean calabashes and sprinkle milk at ceremonies. See: a-musút [North] ‘To wipe’; ol-mésútíé ‘Tail piece used to clean a calabash’.
ɔl-mʉshaára Nom sg: ɔl-mʉ́shaára. Acc pl: ɨl-mʉshaaraní. Nom pl: ɨl-mʉ́shaaraní. n. Wage.
ɛ-mʉshashúri Nom sg: ɛ-mʉ́shashúri. Acc pl: ɨ-mʉshashuriní. Nom pl: ɨ-mʉ́shashuriní. n. Tin can of one liter or smaller. See: ɛn-kɨkɔ́mpɛ ‘Cup’; en-kéreni ‘Large tin can’.
ɔl-mushéle [North] Acc sg: mʉshɛ́lɛ. [Chamus] Acc sg: mucéle. n. Rice. Borrowed word: Swahili muchele 'rice'.
é-múshî [South] [South] Stick used to pound in a mortar. See: en-kiúri ‘Mortar’.
ɔl-mʉshʉmáa Nom sg: ɔl-mʉ́shʉmáa. Acc pl: ɨl-mʉshʉmaaní. Nom pl: ɨl-mʉ́shʉmaaní. n. Nail. Ɨncɔɔ́kɨ enyúntu náóshóríé ɛlɛ̂ mʉshʉmáa. Give me a hammer that I can use to drive this nail. (Pk). Etymology: < Swahili.
a-mʉ́t v. 1 • To finish completely; consume. Nɛ́nyā aké, nɛ́nyā aké, nɛ́mʉt. He just ate and ate, and consumed everything.
2 • To destroy. Nɛ́mʉt, nɛ́yá inkíshú ɛnyɛ̂ ó isirkôn. He destroyed them, he took their cows and donkies. Eéwuo ɔlámeyu óyookí amʉ́t inkíshú ó sirkon. Famine which may finish the cows and donkies has come. (Pk). Toó jorín apá ɛtʉ́mʉ́tâ ɨlMaasáɨ́ ɨlkʉlɨ́kāɨ̄. It is in wars that the Maasai killed other sectors. (Pk). Óre dúóó nɨnyɛ́ ɔlbáɛ lɛnyɛ́ náa kɛ́mʉ́tāɨ̄ amʉ̂ ɨmɛnyɔkɨ́tāɨ̄. According to his opinion, people will die (of hunger) because they are not working hard. (Pk). Ɛmʉ́ta inkíshu áinêî. My cattle will die.
a-mutíé 1 • To finish in a given manner.
2 • To be late.
e-múta Nom sg: e-mútâ. Acc pl: i-mutaitín. Nom pl: i-mútaitin. n. Food kept by a woman for her husband while away. Késhúm oshî enkítok emúta aitaány ɔlpayíán lɛnyɛ́. A woman will keep special food in readiness for her husband while he is away. See: a-ány ‘To keep food in readiness for s.o.’.
ɛ-mʉtâɨ̂ [North] Nom sg: mʉ́taɨ. n. 1 • Disaster, destruction, ruin (eg. drought, epidemic.
2 • [North] A period of cattle plague and smallpox which occurred when the L-maríkón were warriors, approximately the 1880's. See: L-maríkóí [North] ‘Age-set initiated around 1879’.
áa-mʉtakino v.mid.pl. 1 • To go for each other.
2 • To go the whole hog.
ɛ-mʉ́tátá n. Destruction, destroying. ɛmʉ́tátá oó Láíkípiak raids of the Laikipiak (ie. in which the Laikipia people were destroyed).
a-mʉ́t To finish, consume, destroy. See: en-jóré ‘Raid’.
ol-mutégo Nom sg: ol-mútego. Acc pl: il-mutegoní. Nom pl: il-mútegoní. n. Trap. Ɛɨbʉ́ŋá enkúényi tɔ lmútego. He has caught the bird with a trap. (W). The Maasai do not traditionally build traps to catch animals. Etymology: < Swahili.
a-mutikí v. To be late especially towards evening.
a-itumutikí To delay. See: a-idamíé ‘To be late after sunrise’.
a-mutú v.incep. To get dusk (late in the afternoon just before sunset); to become evening.
a-itumutikí v.cause v.dat. To make s.o. be late for sth.; delay. Émintóki áaitumutiki ɨnkɛ́ra ɛ́ɨ́tʉ̂ épûô sukúul. Stop delaying children from getting to school.
a-mutikí v.dat. To be too late for s.o. to do sth. because it has become dusk. Áamutikíó ɛ́ɨ́tʉ̂ áɨ́dɨp esíáai áí It has become too late for me when I have not finished my work.
mutûî [North] [North] Nom sg: mútui. n. 1 • [North] Late afternoon, sundown. See: a-mutú ‘To get dark’.
2 • [North] Mid-afternoon, from about 14:00 to 16:00.
l-mútuncú [North] Acc pl: l-mutuncuní. Nom pl: l-mútuncuní. n. [North] Meat offered to elders by the bridegroom after they have given him a daughter to marry. This is special meat prepared by the bridegroom himself and given to old men to eat (usually after the bride has left the home). The soup is also prepared from this meat and mixed with sugar, blood and curdled milk and drank by these old men.
a-muyiokí v. Usage: colloquial. To eat. See: a-ɨnɔ́s; a-nyá; a-rrutishó ‘To eat’.
e-muyioóo n. Red ants. See: sʉ́rɛɛ́.
ol-m(w)óogo [North] Acc sg: mɔɔ́gɔ. [Chamus] Acc sg: moógo. n. Cassava. See: ol-manga ‘Cassava’.