Maa

A - a

a Letter representing the Maa low back unrounded vowel phoneme /a/. Phon: The phoneme /a/ is neutral for Tongue Root Harmony and occurs in words with vowels that are either Advanced Tongue Root (+ATR): enkolópa 'poisonous centepede'; or Non-Advanced (Retracted) Tongue Root (-ATR): ɔpá 'long ago'. • /a/ blocks spreading of the +ATR feature from +ATR vowels to its right, and remains /a/: ɛnyámu 'cattle theft'. However, when vowels to its left are +ATR, /a/ in suffixes is replaced by +ATR /o/; compare a-sʉj-akɨ́ [INF.SG-follow-DAT] 'to follow s.o.' versus a-bik-okí [INF.SG-wait-DAT] 'to wait for s.o.' This argues that /a/ patterns as a back vowel. In some words, /a/ in suffixes is replaced by -ATR /ɔ/ when the preceding vowel is /ɔ/; a-ɨrɔr-ɔkɨ́ [INF.SG-say-DAT] 'to greet s.o.' Also see note at -án Nominalizer for stative verbs

a- (+ replacive LH tone) inf. Singular infinitive prefix, indicative mood. Indicates that the subject of a string of verbs is singular. Káɨ́tóki alotú. I'm coming back. (lit: I will repeat to move back to the point of reference.) (S). Ɨ́gɨ́ra aló adúŋ inkírí apéj. You are going to cut meats to roast. See: áa- ‘Plural infinitive prefix’.

a-₁ nmlz. Nominalization prefix.

a-₂ Variant: e-. Nom sg: á-. pn.b. Third person singular verb prefix for relative clause; that, which, what, who. Ɛgɨ́ra ɛnkɛráí aiseyieseyíé ɛnkáɨ́ naɨrʉ́ra The child is shaking the other one who is sleeping. (Pk). Ɛgɨ́ra ɛnkɛráí aɨrrʉŋʉrʉ́ŋ náɨ́rʉra. The child who is sleeping is snoring. (Pk). See: aá- ‘Plural pronominal prefix in relative clause’; n- ‘Relativizer for feminine nouns’; l-₂ ‘Relativizer for masculine nouns’.

á-₁ pn.b. Dialect variant of third person bound pronominal prefix. Káke áɨ́tɔrrɔ̂k nɨ́ncɛ. But they are bad. (C). See: ɛ- ‘Third person bound pronominal prefix’.

á-₂ rel. Dialect or allomorphic variant of the masculine relative clause prefix ɔ-. ilkeék áádórú trees that are tall.

á-₃ inf. Singular infinitive prefix, subjunctive mood. Used following a-jó when it has sense 'to try'. Néjo áɨ́rɔ́rɔ́kɨ̄. He tried to greet him. Óre ɛnâ najo áípīdōkī ajó áɔ́ny When it tried to jump to bite. See: má- ‘Subjunctive mood prefix’; a- (+ replacive LH tone) ‘Singular infinitive prefix, non-subjunctive mood’.

á-₄ mood. Marker of politeness, preceeding the second person pronominal verb prefix ɨ-. Áɨ́dɔ̄l ajó (k)áɨm ɛntɛ́mátá. You will see that I will pass the exam. [polite] (W). Áɨ́rá ŋáí? (May I ask) who are you? [polite] (W). See: má- ‘Subjunctive mood prefix’.

á-₅ pn.b. First person singular verb prefix, indicating no object (if verb is intransitive) or a third person or plural object (if verb is transitive). Ásɨ́ŋɨ́ta. I am sneezing. (W). Áɨ́pótíto. I am calling him/her/it. (W).

-â Variant: -ô. asp. Plural perfective aspect suffix. Káyíólo ajó éídóŋô. I know that they beat it. See: -ɨtâ ‘Plural perfective aspect’.

-a₁ Variant: -o. voi. 1 • Nonperfective Middle voice suffix. Derives an intransitive verb, typically with Patient as Subject. The primary uses are:

a • Where the Agent is not conceptualized as part of the process or action. Ɛgɨ́ra taá nɨnyɛ́ ɔlcáni aunó. The tree is getting planted. Míkíntóki aurokínó amʉ̂ atanauré sií nanʉ́. Stop leaning on me because I am also tired. (Pk).

b • Reflexive action. Edúŋo. (i) It will cut itself (eg. stretch until it breaks) (ii) It was cut. (ie. in that condition). (iii) They will cut each other.

c • Reciprocal action. Usage: pl subject. áaasakino To cooperate, work together.

d • Resultant state. Néjo "Eé, kɛ́sɨ́pa taá." He said, "It is true.". Ɨ́ára táatá. You are beaten / You look beat. (W). Áára. I am beaten. (W). Eduŋó ... When it was cut ... See: -ɛ ‘Perfective Middle suffix’.

-a₂ Variant: -o. nmlz. Nominalizer, with Middle sense. ɛndáā 'food', from ɛn-dak-a [FSG-eat-NMLZ]. ɛnkiamá 'wedding', from ɛn-k-yam-a [FSG-COMP-marry-NMLZ]. entúmo 'meeting', from ɛn-tum-a [FSG-find-NMLZ].

-a₃ num. 1 • Singular or singulative suffix for certain nouns. Compare ɛm-búátá 'gap between front teeth' vs. ɨm-búát 'gaps between front teeth'.

2 • Plural suffix for certain nouns. Compare ɛ-máál 'dewlap' vs. ɨ-maalá 'dewlaps'. Note: On number suffixes in Nilo-Saharan languages, see: Dimmendaal, Gerrit. 2000. Number marking and noun categorization in Nilo-Saharan languages. Anthropological Linguistics 42:214-261.

-a₄ Variant: -o; -ɔ. In some suffixed forms: -ak, -ok. asp. 1 • Perfect/perfective aspect suffix, used with singular subject. In some contexts it yields the sense of past time, though it is not a tense affix (König 1993).

2 • Subjunctive mood suffix. Used in imperatives, after the modal prefix m- and modal auxiliaries (Hamaya 1993). Máɨ́sɨká! Let's escape/run away! Tábolo inkííyāā inónók; máíniniŋó oróréí lɛ́ nKáí. Open your ears; let's listen to the word of God. (W).

-a₅ Variant: -o. In some suffixed forms: -ar, -or. dir. Verb suffix indicating direction away; thither. Néshūkō, nélo aké, nɛ́ʉtarɨ́. He went back, he just went, and he was shown the way. See: -áa ‘Away’.

a kɨ́tɨ Plural repeated action: áá kʉ́tɨtɨ́. adv. Slowly. Shɔ́mɔ a kɨ́tɨ. Go slowly. (W). Táasa esíáai inó a kɨ́tɨ. Do your work slowly. (Pk) [The work is done just once.]. Táasa esíáai inó áá kʉ́tɨtɨ́. Repeatedly, do your work very slowly. (Pk) [The work is done multiple times, each time slowly.]. Téjo áá kʉ́tɨtɨ́. Say it slowly repeatedly. (Pk).

aá- Nom pl: áā-. Variant: aa-. pn.b. Third person plural prefix in a relative clause which modifies a feminine noun in the accusative case; Class I verbs. Ɛgɨ́ra ɛntásât ajút ɨnamʉ́ka naáata entérít. The woman is wiping shoes that have dust. Ámaâ kɛ́kʉlɛ́ naáropîl íyíéú anáa kɛ́kʉlɛ́ naáɨ́sʉkʉ̂t? Do you like fresh milk, or unfresh milk? (lit: Well, (is it) milks that are frothing you like or milks that are sour?). Ekébikóo intókitin pɔ́ɔ̄kɨ̄ náaramát ɨlɔ́ɔpɛ̂ny. All things that their owners care for last long. Nónokûâ ntamesí náapuo nkárɛ́. There are the camels that are going for water. (SN). Ɛgɨ́ra kʉ́lɛ náatií ɔlkúkúrí áaisamisu. The milk that is in the calabash is going bad. See: a-₂ ‘Singular third person relative clause pronominal prefix’; ɔɔ́- ‘Masculine third person plural in a relative clause’; n- ‘Feminine or Place relative clause prefix’.

áa- (+ replacive HL tone) inf. Plural infinitive prefix, indicating that the subject of a string of verbs is plural. Máapɛ́ aké níkipuo áaduŋuduŋ ɨlɛ́nyɔ́k lɔɔ́ ɨlkɨdɔŋɔ́ lɔɔ́ isirkôn. Let's just go to cut into pieces the donkeys' tail hair. See: a- (+ replacive LH tone) ‘Singular infinitive prefix’.

-áa Variant: -óo; -ɔ́ɔ. dir. 1 • Motion-away verb suffix; thither. Óre peê ɛakʉ́ kɛ́báɨ́kɨ̄ ɛnkáŋ, nɛ́ɨ́lanyáa ɛnkâŋ. When he was just about to reach the home, the home went (running) away (from him). See: -a₅ ‘Direction away’; -ári ‘Away plus Middle’; -óyie ‘Away’.

2 • Distributive or iterative action verb suffix. Ɛgɨ́ra ɛnkáyíóní aɔrɔɔ́ ilkuóo. The boy is feeding the lambs. Áasʉjáa. It follows me every day. (W). Ábíkóo tené i. I'll be staying around here (eg. for the holidays). (SN) ii. I'll live forever. (K Pk).

áá- pn.b. Pronominal verb prefix for first person sg. subject plus second person sg. object (inverse). Ááɨ́rɔ́rɔ́kɔ̄ ŋolé. I greeted you yesterday.

áâ₁ v.s. Be, is (imperfective form). The verb áâ is always preceded somewhere in the construction by another verb, or by the discourse connective n-. Ɛ́tɔ̂n áâ ɛnɔɔ́ lɔɔ́ɨ́bɔ̄r ɛnkɔ̂p... (When) the land was still for the Europeans... Nɛ́dʉmʉ́nyɛ áapuo ɛnadúóó áaya enáíshó najî ɛsɨrɛ́t ɛ́ nkɔ́shɔkɛ, áâ kʉnâ lɛ́ .... They rise up to go to that home to take beer that is called marker-of-the-stomach, and it is these milks [introduced earlier] .... Ɛ́táá doí apá tásat ɛldɛ̂ áyíóní imeékūrē áâ bíyoto. That boy is disabled, he is no longer healthy. (Pk). Óre oshî táatá nɛ́taá intáirí eishopí, imeékūrē áâ ɨnamʉ́ka oóloníto anáá apá. These days people wear tire sandals, not leather sandals like before. (Pk). Phon: áâ surfaces as [àà] within a phrase. It occurs in cleft constructions in the form n-áa or n-aá. See: a-rá ‘To be’; a-akʉ́ ‘To become (Inceptive)’; taá ‘Became (Perfect, Perfective)’; naá ‘Cleft particle’.

áâ₂ Variant: áa; aá; àà. inter.dem. Feminine singular interrogative determiner; which, what. Áâ kɛ́ráí? Which child? Ɛshɔmɔ́ inkíshu áre ɛmpárɛ̂t káke mayíólo ajó áâ taá nabô náshɔmɔ́ atúa olêŋ. Two cows have gone to the shamba, but I don't know which one has gone way inside [the shamba]. See: álɔ̂ ‘Which (masc sg)?’; ákúâ ‘Which (pl)?’; Pronouns-Interrogatives.

áa ŋáí Who?

áâ áɨ́nyɔ̄ peê [West]: aaínyɔ̄ peê. inter.adv. Why? Áâ áɨ́nyɔ̄ peê iyeúó ɛnkají áí? Why did you come to my house? Aaínyɔ̄ peê iyeúó ɛnkají áí? Why did you come to my house? (W). See: áɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ ‘What, Why?’; ɨnyɔ́ɔ́ ‘What?’.

áá kʉ́tɨtɨ́ adv. Slowly (of plural or repeated actions). See: a kɨ́tɨ ‘Slowly’; máákʉ́tɨ̄tɨ ‘Slowly’.

l-aá lasá [North] n. [North] Termite mound (lit: Of the termites).

See: ɔl-asâî ‘Termites’; l-cuú [North] ‘Termite mound’.

aa nyɔ́ [North] pn.inter. [North] Interrogative determiner; why? See: áɨ́nyɔɔ ‘What, who why’.

áâ taá [àà tàá] That is, in other words, "ie.". Einósūā ɔláyíóní ajó e émúóyíáa inkíshu, áâ taá emoyíán oó mbénék. The boy has reported that the cows are sick, that is, (by) the disease (caused by eating) of leaves. (W). Emúóíta olóíŋóní, áâ taá ɨ́lɔ̂ láréú sikóni tááisére. The bull is sick, that is, the one I will take to the market tomorrow. [Implies there are several bulls.] (W).

ááí Nom sg: aáí. pn.psr. My. motí ááí [mòtí ! ááí] my pot (SN). Átúmo rrarráti é motí aáí natarrárrɛ. I obtained a piece of my pot that got shattered. (SN).

ɛn-áai Mine. Ɛɨtʉ́ étûm ɛnkɛráí áí ɛndáa; ɛáta ɛnáai ɔlɔɨrɔ́bɨ My child did not get food; mine has a cold. (KS). See: áí ‘My’.

aáɨ́nyɔ̄ See: áɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ ‘Why?’.

áajo [South]: áájó. comp. Form of complementizer used after a plural-subject main verb; that. Nɨ́kɨdɔl áajo oróréí lɛ́ tɨ́pat. We saw that it is an important (valuable) word. (C). See: ajó ‘That’; a-jó ‘To say’.

áákʉ́tɨtɨ́ adv. Slowly (of plural or repeated actions). See: áá kʉ́tɨtɨ́ ‘Slowly (of plural or repeated actions)’; máákʉ́tɨtɨ́ ‘Slowly’.

l-aamáratɛ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áámáratɛ. n. [North] Wall inside the house that partitions rooms. See: ol-iaatúa ‘Wall that partitions rooms in a house’.

l-aánkamíníŋi [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áankamíniŋí ?. n. [North] Wiseman. See: ɔl-áŋéní ‘Wiseman’.

n-aápo [North] [North] Nom sg: n-áapo. [North] Acc pl: n-aaponí. [North] Nom pl: n-áaponí. n. 1 • [North] Small area in the center of l-oróra camp or any large homestead where elders rest, discuss concerns, and pray. Ideally a fire is kept burning there day and night.

2 • [North] Any place of prayer (eg. church, mosque). See: (nk-)anísa [North] ‘Church’; en-kanísa ‘Church’; bɔɔ́ ‘Area outside of the house’; l-oróra [North] ‘Village’; o-sínkírá ‘Hut for girls’.

ɔl-aárani Nom sg: ɔl-áārānī. Acc pl: ɨl-aarák. Nom pl: ɨl-aarák. [North] Acc sg: l-aaráni. Phon: The long initial [a] differs among speakers; some may shorten it.n. 1 • Beater, attacker.

2 • Murderer.

3 • [South] Defender, soldier. In A this word generally has a bad connotation, implying a pugnacious person. See: a-ár ‘To beat, kill’; ɔl-árani ‘Murderer’; ɔl-arábani [South] ‘Beater, attacker’.

aáre Variant: ɔáre; ɔááre. Nom pl: áárē. [North] Nom pl: waáre, wáare. num. Two (masculine). Ɛáta enkíne ɨláɨ́rákúj aáre. A goat has two kidneys. Óre ɛ́ɨ́rrɨ́tâ inkíshú népónú ɨlmʉ́rrân áárē. When they are looking after the cows, two warriors came. ɨlŋatunyó ɔááre two lions (W). Kɔ́ɔdɔ̂ kʉlɔ́ párrua wáare. These two palm trees are tall. (SN). Etymology: PN *aRe 'two' < Kir-Abb *àré 'two' < PNS *a 'n/adj deriv pref' + *ré or *re 'cut in two'. See: aré ‘Two (feminine)’.

ol-aásani Nom sg: ol-áásání. Acc pl: il-aasák. Nom pl: il-aasák. [North] Acc sg: l-áásani, l-aásani. [North] Nom sg: l-áasani, l-áásaní. [North] Acc pl: l-áasak, l-aasák. [North] Nom pl: l-áasak, l-áasák. n. Worker, doer, one who does. Olaásani ɔ́âs ɨnyɔ́ɔ́? Ólóyíer ɛndáa. What does this worker do? He cooks food. Ɨ́rā olaásani otíī kʉnâ kíshú, anáa ɨ́rā ɔlɔpɛ́ny? Are you a worker herding these cows, or are you their owner? This term does not necessarily imply that the worker is paid, but the worker is clearly not working for himself. See: a-ás ‘To do’; ɔ-sɨnká ‘Servant’; ɔ-rrɨ́ndɨk ‘Slave’; ɔl-áɨ́tɔ́bɨ́rani ‘One who makes’.

ɔl-aasɨ́ n.sg. Usage: slang. Job. This word originated when Maasai people began looking for paid jobs. See: ɔl-kási ‘Job’; en-kiás ‘Work, deed’; a-ás ‘To do’.

aashʉ̂ [South]: arashʉ̂. conj. 1 • Alternative conjunction: or. May join noun phrases or clauses; often follows ɔ. Tɛ́gɛlʉ́ enkishúi ɔ aashʉ̂ kɛɛ́ya. Choose between life or death. Tɛ́gɛlʉ́ enkishúi aashʉ̂ kɛɛ́ya. Choose between life or death. (W). Shɔ́mɔ áŋ ɔ aashʉ̂ ɔlɔɨnyaŋɨ́. Go home or to the market. Shɔ́mɔ áŋ aashʉ̂ ɔlɔɨnyaŋɨ́. Go home or to the market. (W). Áításhē ɔ aashʉ̂ atɔ́n. I will stand or sit down. Shɔ́mɔ ɔ aashʉ̂ ɨtɔ́n. Go or stay. See: arashʉ̂ ‘Or’.

2 • At least.

aashʉ̂ aké Unless (as in a threat). Aashʉ̂ aké teníló sukúul nɛ́mɛ́apok. Unless you go to school, I will cane you. (lit: Unless you go to school, I will not cane you.) (W). See: anáaa ‘Or else’.

aauí Variant: áuûî. interj. Exclamation for help, especially used by women and children; help!

áā- pn.b. Pronominal prefix on verbs indicating third person subject and first person object (inverse). Áatɨpɨkâ oreyíét. They put me in the river. (W). Áapɨ̂k ɛntásât ɔlcaní ɛnkɔŋʉ́. The woman will put medicine in my eye. (W).

ɔl-abáai Nom sg: ɔl-ábaái. n.sg. [North] Species of tree with bright green leaves, crimson-colored flowers, and a very bad smell; the leaves are boiled to make a tea for washing newborns, the sap is used to remove chiggers. It is common in the Samburu area, but is also known by some in Arusha.

ɔl-abáāī ɔ́ɨ́bɔ̄r compositae; microglossa pyrifolia. Ɔl-ábái that has grown in the bush with tall trees, allowing less sunlight and thus giving a lighter color.

ɔl-abáāī ɔ́rɔ́k compositae; psiadia punctulata. ɔl-ábái that has grown in the open areas, where lots of sun makes them dark.

ɔl-abáāī lɛ partulo compositae, conyzanewii, microglossa Eliotti. Subspecies of ɔl-ábái.

ɔl-abáani Nom sg: ɔl-ábáání. Acc pl: ɨl-abaák. Nom pl: ɨl-ábáák. [West] Nom pl: ɨl-abaák. [North] Acc sg: l-ábáání, l-abaáni. [North] Nom sg: l-ábaáni. [North] Acc pl: l-abaák. [North] Nom pl: l-ábaák. n. 1 • Male healer or doctor for people or animals. He may perform surgery, may pray for people to get well, and may undo witchcraft. Traditionally he works from his home, waiting for those who come for treatment. He has acquired his position by virtue of effectively doing such work, and his work is life-long. Ɛ́tábáá ɔlábáání ɛnkɛ́ráí namúéí. The doctor has treated a sick child. Ɔlabáani ŋolé láaɨshɔɔ́ lɛ́lɔ̂ keék. It is the doctor who gave me those medicines. (Pk). See: ɔl-dákɨ́tárrí ‘Doctor’; ɔl-kʉ́yántíkí ‘Self-proclaimed healer’; enk-áíkoni ‘Medicine woman’; a-bák ‘To heal’; a-ishíú ‘To recover, heal’.

2 • God, as 'the Spirit who heals my soul'. Usage: Christian. Ɛ́támáyíáná ɔlábáání iyíóók aɨshɔ́ ɛncán sápʉk tɛlɛ́ árî. God has blessed us to give us a lot of rain this year.

3 • [North] Ceremonial leader who goes first in letting people know how a ritual is done. See: ol-oibóni ‘Diviner’.

ɛnk-abáani 1 • Female healer or doctor; she may bless women in order to conceive and bear children. She works from her home, waiting for those who come for treatment. She is believed to have acquired her skills from God, and thus has a high position in society.

2 • Female nurse who helps in a hospital. See: e-sístáí ‘Nurse’; enk-aitóyioni ‘Midwife’.

3 • Unqualified doctor; "quack". Usage: contemptuous.

4 • Young doctor.

ɔl-abái Variant: ɔl-abaai. Acc pl: ɨl-aábai. Variant: ɔl-abaa. n. Type of plant with shiny green leaves and yellow flowers. Mol (1996:2) notes there are several subtypes of this plant, including:

ɔl-abái ɔɨbɔr compositae, microglossa pyrifolia.

ɔl-abái ɔrɔk compositae; psiadia punctulata.

ɔl-abái lɛ partulo compositae, conyzanewii, microglossa Eliotii. Sth. that is not enough. See: ɔl-abáai ‘Tree (sp.)’.

abakɨ́ [North] adv. 1 • [North] Even, also, too.

2 • [North] Reaching, attaining. See: a-bakɨ́ [North] ‘To reach, attain’.

abakɨ́ tɛ [North] conj. [North] Although, even though.

abárani Nom sg: ábárání. Acc pl: abarák. Nom pl: ábárák. adj. 1 • The quality of a person who does things in the correct or perfect, ordered way. Ɛ́ɨ́rɔ ɔltʉ́ŋání ábárani. [ɛ́yrɔ] The correcting person talks. (W). Ɛɨrɔ́ ɔltʉ́ŋání ábárání. The careful person talks. (W). Ɔltʉŋáni abárani ɛnarikínō néyieŋ enkérr. A very careful person should be the one who slaughters the sheep. [S.o. skilled at slaughtering is very careful in dividing the sections of meat according to the muscle and connective tissue lines.].

2 • The quality of being highly observant and noting details; able to distinguish things (particularly physically); careful, thoughtful. This implies some kind of intellectual "brightness". Kéyíólōū ɔltʉ́ŋání ábárání ɨntaré ɛnyɛ́nā. The observant person will be able to identify his sheep. Káke abárani oshî olójî Kishoyíán keyíólōū inkíshú ɛmɛ́nyɛ̄. But the one who is named Kishoyian is well-able to distinguish his father's livestock from others. (Pk).

ɔl-abárani n. 1 • A patient, careful person who does things with perfection; a highly observant person who pays attention to details.

2 • [North] A person that keeps a large group of animals perfectly, so none have escaped or been killed.

3 • Thoughtful person, thoughtful man. See: a-barakɨ́ ‘To do carefully; to do with much thought and time’; árriyíá ‘Skillful’.

ɔl-abárnoni Nom sg: ɔl-ábárnóní. Acc pl: ɨl-abarnók. Nom pl: ɨl-abarnók. [North] Acc pl: l-abarnôk. n. 1 • Barber, shaver, shearer. Usage: rare, in K. Mɛbárnɨ̄shɔ̄ ɔlábárnóní kɛwaríé. A barber does not shave at night. Among the Samburu, every wife is l-abárnoni.

2 • Professional barber. Traditionally, this is a person who performs religious rituals (though not Christian).

3 • [West] Someone who gives new names, eg. a pastor. Usage: Christian. Note: Lexicalization of this stem varies: One SN speaker uses the root, would be able to interpret the derived form, and believes it can be used; however for him it is apparently not lexicalized and he notes that "barber" is not a professional job for which one would be paid. For one W speaker the word "brings some meaning", but is not a standard name. One K speaker says this is not a usual Maasai word.

ɛnk-abárnoni Someone who decorates women for dancing.

ɔl-ɔbárnɨ̄shɔ̄ The one who shaves; barber. See: ɔl-arónyoni ‘Shaver, barber’; a-bárn ‘To shave’.

ɛn-abɛlɨ́ Nom sg: ɛn-ábɛlɨ́. Acc pl: ɨn-aábɛlɨ́. Nom pl: ɨn-áabɛlɨ́. n.r. 1 • Sth. to be broken.

2 • Sodium bicarbonate. Used with chewing tobacco. Ɛɨtʉ́shʉ̄lɨ̄ oshî ɛnabɛlɨ́ ó embolíê áaɨshɔ inkíshú. Sodium bicarbonate is mixed with salt lick to give to cows.

3 • Large salt chunk, which can be licked by animals. Big chunks of salt are always split into small pieces before use. This is a rather poetic use of the word, and might be used so children wouldn't understand. Syn: ɛn-aɨsʉ́kʉt, ɛ-makát, ɛ-mʉnyán, shímpi ‘Salt’. See: em-bolíêî ‘Salt lick’; a-bɛ́l ‘To break; rock back and forth’.

ɔl-abíkoni Nom sg: ɔl-abikoní. Acc pl: ɨl-abíkók. Nom pl: ɨl-abikók. n. 1 • Inhabitant; s.o. who has stayed for a long time in an area. Ilabikók ɔpɛ́ny enkóp óotomitó étúrrí ilcóroi. It was the inhhabitants who refused the wells to be dug. (Pk).

2 • One who remains; remnant. Óre apá peê eidʉ́rrɨ nɛ́ɨ́ŋʉarɨ́ olabikók. [nɛ́yŋʊ̀àɾɪ́] When people left, it was the remainers who were left. (Pk).

3 • [South] Temporary resident. See: a-bík ‘To stay, remain’.

n-abítírro [North] n. 1 • [North] Small clustered burr, said to be produced by a sick l-tɛ́pɛ́s tree.

2 • [North] Sickness of small stock affecting the mouth.

ɛnk-abobóki Nom sg: ɛnk-ábobóki. Acc pl: ɨnk-abobók. Nom pl: ɨnk-ábobok. n. 1 • Piece of bark from a tree. Eitáyíó ɛnkáyíóní ɛnkabobóki tɔ lcáni. The boy has removed the bark from the tree. enkabobóki ó sókêt bark of the osókêt tree (W). Enkabobóki ó lcaní ótóyíó ɛyákā Kérínâ kokoô ɛnyɛ́ méínokíé ɛnkɨ́má. It is a dry piece of bark from a tree that Kerina took to his grandmother to use for firewood. Óre tɛnɨ́ntáyu enkabobóki ti órioŋ ɔlcaní náa éísīdāī tɛnɨ́kɨnyʉ́ enkopitó. When you remove a piece of bark from a tree, it is good to remove the white inner side of it. (Pk). See: enk-opitó ‘Strap; gum on inner side of bark’; e-sipisípí ‘Gum on stripped tree’; n-kasotóki [North] ‘Bark’.

2 • Despicable emaciated person. Usage: perjorative. Ɛitáā emuoyíán ɔltʉŋáni ɛnkabobóki. The sickness has made the person emaciated.

ɔl-abobóki [South] Scar. See: en-kiporôî ‘Scar’.

ɛn-ábóóí Nom sg: ɛn-abooí. n. Sp. of wild plant which is not used for anything. Cows generally don't eat it, but it is not poisonous to them. Grows in places where water deposits silt. Plant of the potato family. The above-ground stalks of the plant have star-shaped leaves or "heads" with seven narrow points. (Mol 96.002). solanaceae; datura stramonium.

ɛn-ábóóí
Ɛbʉlʉ́ ɛnaboóí tɛ olmúuatɛ. Datura grows in a deserted home. Note: K dialect uses sg. form in both sg. and pl. situations. See: ɛm-páleki ‘Datura’; ɔl-mʉrʉ́nkʉ́i ‘Irish potato’; ol-gisóyiaî ‘Type of edible root’.

Nk-abóótoni [North] [North] Acc pl: nk-abóótok. n. Usage: plural. [North] Ndorobo people living among the Turkana.

abórī Nom sg: áborí. [North] Nom sg: ábori. n.r. 1 • Underneath. Etíī ɛnkáyíóní abórī ɔlcaní. The boy is under the tree. abórī ɛ mɨ́sa under the table. Óre oshî ɨntɔná ɔɔ́ lkeék némélio amʉ̂ abórī ɛnkɔ̂p etíī. The roots of trees are not seen because they are underground. (Pk).

2 • Below; at a lower level; lower regions. Etíī olówuarú márâ abórī ɔlásʉ́ráí. The leopard is below the snake. (W). Etíī inkíshu abórī ɔldóínyíó. The cows are at the foot of the hill. (Pk). Elóítō ɔlpáyian abórī ɔlkɛjʉ́. The man is going downstream. Ɛshɔmɔ́ enkítok abórī ídía áŋ. Doris has gone down to that home. Ɛshɔmɔ́ abórī olêŋ. He has gone too far down. (Pk). Etíī ɛnkáyíóní abórī ɛnkápʉ́nɛ́ The boy is inside the cave (at the bottom of the cave). Ant: shʉ́mátá ‘Up, above, on top of’. See: a-doyíó ‘To drop down’.

ol-abúáani Nom sg: ɔl-ábúáání. Acc pl: ɨl-abuáák. Nom pl: ɨl-ábúáák. [West] Acc sg: ol-abúani. n. 1 • Shouter (eg. seller of wares on the street; elder who rebukes loudly).

2 • Barker (eg. a dog).

3 • [West] Person specialized in removing children's front teeth; [South] Person specialized in removing children's front teeth.

enk-abúáani Female remover of teeth; shouter. See: a-búák ‘To shout, bark’.

ɔl-abʉrrâ Nom sg: ɔl-ábʉrrâ. Acc pl: ɨl-abʉ̂rr. Nom pl: ɨl-ábʉrr. [North] Acc pl: l-abʉ́rr. [North] Nom pl: l-abʉ́rr. n. 1 • Foam, froth, bubbles (from milk, soap, etc.). ɔlabʉrrâ lɛ kʉ́lɛ̄ froth of the milk. ɔlabʉrrâ lɛ nkárɛ́ foam of the water. Eitáyīō oldîâ ótookó oldíîp ɨlabʉ̂rr tɛ nkʉtʉ́k. The dog that drank acaricide has discharged froth from the mouth. Etupúkūō ɔlábʉrrâ tɛ nkʉtʉ́k é nkíné. Foam has started coming out of the goat's mouth. See: l-ámpûp [North] ‘Foam on water’.

2 • [South] Disease that causes foaming.

3 • Grass sp.

a-ác [North] v. 1 • [North] To get stuck in the throat.

2 • [North] To cause a brief delay.

3 • [North] To pinch snuff.

a-acʉ́ [North] v.dir. [North] To pinch a bit of snuff.

acê [North] interj. [North] Thank you. See: ashê ‘Thank you’.

n-acê [North] 1 • [North] Gratitude, thankfulness.

2 • [North] A gift of appreciation, usually something small like a few shillings to buy a cup of tea.

l-ácê [North] [North] Nom sg: l-acé. [North] Acc pl: l-acáú. [North] Nom pl: l-ácau. n. 1 • [North] Male calf.

2 • [North] Baby boy. See: ɔl-áshê ‘Male calf, young boy’.

nk-ácê [North] [North] Cow calf.

l-acɛpáni [North] [North] Nom sg: l-ácɛpáni. [North] Acc pl: l-acɛpák. [North] Nom pl: l-ácɛpák. n. 1 • [North] S.o. or sth. which goes along side.

2 • [North] Radius bone of the arm.

2 • [North] Alter boy. See: ɔl-ashɛ́pani ‘Follower, gully’; a-cɛ́p [North] ‘To follow alongside’; a-shɛ́p ‘To traverse’.

l-ácɛrɛ [North] Nom sg: l-ácɛ́rɛ. n. [North] Maggot. See: ɔl-áshɛ́rɨ ‘Tick’; ɔl-mársáŋua ‘Maggot’.

l-ácéyíó [North] [North] Nom sg: l-aceyíó. [North] Acc pl: l-ácé. [North] Nom pl: l-acé. n. [North] Louse. See: ɛ-láshéí ‘Louse’.

l-ácʉ́mpáɨ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-acʉmpáɨ́. [North] Acc pl: l-acʉmpá. [North] Nom pl: l-ácʉmpá. n. [North] White person, European.

ɔl-adakɨ́ta n. 1 • Food.

2 • Food dish. See: ɛn-dáa ‘Food’; a-daá ‘To eat, feed, graze’.

ɔl-adakíté Nom sg: ɔl-ádakíté. n. Food; food dish. Syn: ɛn-dáa ‘Food’. See: ɔl-dákéí ‘The eating’.

ɛnk-adaláwuo Nom sg: ɛnk-ádaláwuo. Acc pl: ɨnk-adalawuoní. Nom pl: ɨnk-ádalawuoní. n. 1 • Small piece of wood or bone worn around the wrist and fastened with a small string, meant to protect the wrist from being hit with the string of the bow when shooting an arrow. Ɛ́tɛ́ɛ́ná ɔlpáyian ɛnkadaláwuo tɛ nkaɨná. The man has tied a wrist protector on his hand.

2 • A small bracelet, perhaps of beads, for decoration. See: ɛ́n-kɨ́rɨ́nâ ‘Bracelet’.

ɔl-adalʉ́ Nom sg: ɔl-ádalʉ́. n. 1 • Heat, warmth.

2 • Hot season, when the heavy rains do not occur, ie. September to about the end of January or February.

3 • January; a month in the Maasai calendar, approximately coinciding with January-February, which are the hottest months over much of Maasailand. (However, the meaning of such specific month(s) is not uniform throughout Maasailand, because climactic conditions differ from highlands to lowlands.).

5 • [West] Sth. that gives out light very strongly (eg. sun). See: a-dál ‘To scorch’; ɔl-ári ‘Rainy season’.

l-adasikíné [North] [North] Nom sg: l-ádasikíné. n. [North] Small chattering squirrel species, similar in appearance to a gopher (lit: 'which sucks the goat', based on the sound it makes). See: a-dás ‘To milk into the mouth’; en-kíné ‘Goat’.

adé adv. 1 • Later in the day, presently. Elotú ɔlpáyian adé. The man will come later on today. Máapé tɛnákatá peê mɛ́ɨ́ŋátaa iyíóók adé. Let us go now so that he does not miss us in the evening. (Pk). Kipúó adé. We will go later.

2 • Later.

adákē Etymology: adé aké ‘later just’. 1 • Later.

2 • Later in the day. Ant: dúóó ‘Earlier today’. See: tɛnákatá ‘Immediately’; tááisére ‘Tomorrow’; kɛnyá ‘Later on in life’.

ɔl-ádítárí Nom pl: il-áditariní. n. Doctor. Ɛkɛ́púóí áaud inkɛ́ra tááisére iláditariní. Children will be vaccinated (injected) tomorrow by doctors. (Pk). Etymology: < English doctor. See: ɔl-dákɨ́tárrí ‘Doctor’.

a-adɔ́ Variant: a-ɔdɔ́ [North]. In some suffixed forms: adɔr. v.s. 1 • To be saliently extended in one dimension; be tall or high (eg. of a person, many animals, tree, mountain); be long (eg. of a snake, stick, length of tape). Ɛadɔ́. He is tall. Ɛadɔ́ ilméutîn áàlàŋɨltʉ́ŋáná. Giraffes are taller than people. (K)áaadɔ̂ enkítok. My wife is tall. (lit: 'The woman talls me.') (Pk). (K)áaadɔ̂ inkítuaak. My wives are tall. (lit: 'The women tall me.') (Pk). Ɛátā Námʉ̄nyāk ɨlpápɨ́t ɔáādɔ̄. [from ɔɔ́ adɔ] Namunyak has long hair. Kíáádɔ́ enkúmē. Your nose is long. (lit: 'The nose longs you.'). Mɛadɔ́. (Often pronounced [mɛ̀ɛ̀dɔ́].) He is not tall. ɔltʉŋáni ɔ́ádɔ́ a person who is tall. Kɔ́ɔdɔ̂ kʉlɔ́ párrua wáare. These two palm trees are tall. (SN).

2 • To be long in time. ɛnkátá náádɔ́

3 • [North] To be distant in location.

a-ɨtɔɔdɔ́r To make long; lengthen.

a-adorú To become extended in one dimension; become tall, become long.In some suffixed forms: adorun. Ɛadórū ɔlcánī. The tree will become tall. Áádóru. I will become tall. Kɛ́bʉlʉ́ olcáni aadorú. The tree will grow to be tall. Ɛgɨ́rā olkéreri aadorú. The queue is growing long. Etɔɔdɔ́rɨtâ ilóipí lɛ́ nteipa. The shadows of evening have lengthened. See: ɔl-ɔ́ɔ́dɔ́ kɨrragatá ‘Giraffe’; ɛ-náá́dɔ́ kʉtʉ́k ‘Big meat-eating bird’.

il-Adoín n. Baraguyu, Paraguyu; pastoral Maa-speaking people in Tanzania. See: ɨl-Parakúyo ‘Baraguyu tribespeople’; o-lúmpuaní ‘Ethnic group’.

ɛnk-adɔ́rɨ Nom sg: ɛnk-ádɔrɨ́. Acc pl: ɨnk-ádōr. Nom pl: ɨnk-ádôr. [West] Acc sg: ɛnk-adɔ́rɨ̄. n. Height, tallness; length, longness. Kóre peê iló ɔlcámpa íyakákɨ olmíwa lɔáta ɨ́nâ adɔ́rɨ̄. [ɨ̀nà àdɔ́rɨ̄] When you go to the garden, bring me a sugar cane of that length. (W). Nɛ́kɨ́nɔ́s ɛnkadɔ́rɨ̄. We discussed (the topic of) height/length. (W). See: nk-ádóró [North] ‘Height’. ɛnkadɔ́rɨ̄ ɔɔ́ nkɛ́ra height(s) of the children (W).

tɛ nk-ádɔrɨ́ Extended temporal period. Nékinós taá tɛ nkádɔrɨ́. We had a lengthy discussion. (lit: We discussed for a long time.) (W). Nékinós taá tɔɔ́ ɨnkádɔrɨ́. We had a lengthy discussion. (lit: We discussed for a long time.) (W). See: a-adɔ́ ‘To be long, tall’.

nk-ádóró [North] Variant: nk-adórî. [North] Nom sg: nk-ádorí. n. [North] Height. See: a-adɔ́ ‘To be tall, long’.

adúáani Nom sg: ádúáání. Acc pl: aduaák. Nom pl: áduaák; ádúáák. [West] Nom sg: adúani. adj. 1 • Keenly observant. This need not refer to a permanent characteristic.

2 • The quality of being visionary, prescient, having foresight. A blind person could be adúáani in this sense. Etódúá Kɨ́mɛlɨ ajó kégōl ɛntɛmatá. Náajokí ɨ́sʉmá ɛmátua e oŋúán. Nɛ́kɛnyʉ kíâs ɛntɛ́mátá. Nájó ádɔ́l, kóre ɨmbáa kúmok néíŋúaa ɛmátua e oŋúán. Ɛnyɔrrɨ́kɨ (ɔl)adúáani Kɨ́mɛlɨ. Kimeli felt the test would be hard. Then he told me I should read chapter four. The following morning we did the exam. When I tried to observe [during the exam], a lot of questions came from Chapter Four. I discovered Kimeli has foresight. Note: The preceding example would not make sense if kóre was left out.

ɔl-adúáani n. One who can predict the future but does so without using magic; an observant, perspicacious, or prescient person; a visionary, a seer (lit: the one who sees). Ɔladúáani aké ɔ́ɨ́dɨ̄m atodúa entóki naisudóro. It is only a keenly observant person who can see a hidden thing. See: a-dɔ́l ‘To see’; ɔl-arríponi ‘Watchman’; ol-oibóni ‘Ritual expert’.

ɔl-adúŋoni Nom sg: ɔl-ádúŋóní. Acc pl: ɨl-aduŋók. Nom pl: ɨl-ádúŋók. n. 1 • S.o. who cuts; cutter. Etuuróyie ɔládúŋōnī ɔlcaní. The cutter has felled a tree.

2 • Divider, one who divides sth. Etuduŋókitô átɛ́ ɨladuŋók ɛnkɔ́p néíŋúaa kʉlɨ́kāɨ̄ tʉŋáná. The people who demarcates land have apportioned land for themselves and left other people.

3 • S.o. who subdivides the loot, especially cows obtained from a raid among the warriors who went for them. Ɛ́́túdúŋó ɔládúŋóní inkíshú néíŋúaa kɛwán. The divider has divided the cows and left himself (without any).

3 • S.o. who harvests wheat, maize etc. that is characterised by cutting down the whole plant before getting the grain; harvester.

4 • Attacker.

ol-adúŋoni lɛ́ nkɨgúɛ́na Judge, one who decides the case (lit: cutter of the meeting). See: a-dúŋ ‘To cut’.

ɔl-adúóó Nom sg: ɔl-adúóó. Acc pl: ɨl-adúóó. Nom pl: ɨl-adúóó. n. Previously-mentioned participant or participants. Néínyotóto oladúóó mʉrraní. The previously-mentioned warrior woke up. Népuo áasai ɛnadúóó títō. They go to finish betrothing the previously-mentioned girl. Nɛ́dʉmʉnɨ́ ɛnadúóó ayíóni. This previously-mentioned young boy was picked up. Ɛshɔmɔ́ oladúóó áyíóní kɛ́rɛ́rɛ̂ arrarrʉ́ imbúkuí tɛ kábât. That slovenly boy has gone to knock all the books out of the cupboards. (W). See: Pronouns-Demonstratives; dúóó ‘Earlier’.

adúum [North] [North] Nom sg: áduum. [North] Acc pl: aduumí. [North] Nom pl: áduumí. n.f. [North] A tree species used for forage and fence building. Salsola dendroides. Borrowed word: Rendille haqduum.

ɔl-aɛ́nani Nom sg: ɔl-áɛ́nání. Acc pl: ɨl-aɛnák. Nom pl: ɨl-áɛ́nák. n. 1 • One who ties.

2 • A person who is like a "middleman" between ordinary people and the supernatural; typically his or her actions involve tying charms (which are not put on animals but are put on people). Alternatively, it could involve other actions such as spitting; sorcerer. Ɛ́tɛ́ɛ́ná ɔláɛ́nání inkíshú naɨ́mɨnâ peê mɛ́nyá ilowuarák. The sorcerer has tied the lost cows so that the beasts will not eat them.

ɛnk-aɛ́nani Female sorcerer. See: a-ɛ́n ‘To tie’; ɔl-kʉ́yántíkí ‘Sorcerer’.

l-ágarr [North] [North] Nom sg: l-ágârr. [North] Acc pl: l-ágarrí. [North] Nom pl: l-ágarrí. n. 1 • [North] Tree sp. Lepidotrichilia volkensii.

2 • [North] Giraffe. Usage: nickname.

l-ágɛ́sana [North] Nom sg: l-agɛsána. Acc pl: l-ágɛ́sanak. Nom pl: l-agɛsának. n. [North] Skin skirt, made by women. The skirt is usually red. See: yóōpe ‘Skirt’; ɔl-ákɛ́sɛ́na ‘Skirt that women put on, typically "purple" in color’.

l-agitîm [North] [North] Nom sg: l-ágitîm. n. [North] A long trip to get water for cattle.

ɔl-agúɛ́tani Nom sg: ɔl-ágúɛ́tání. Acc pl: ɨl-aguɛták. Nom pl: ɨl-ágúɛ́ták. [North] Nom sg: l-águɛtani. [North] Nom pl: l-águɛták. n. 1 • Carpenter. Eitáyíó ɔlágúɛ́tání olórīkā tɔɔ́ nkɨ́pɛ̄rāt ó lɛrai. The carpenter has made a chair from the wood of an acacia tree.

2 • S.o. who carves things out of wood or stone; carver.

3 • [North] Uninvited guest at a meal; interloper. See: a-gúɛ́t ‘To whittle, visit for food’; a-gúɛ́t ‘To whittle’.

n-agúm [North] [North] Nom sg: n-águm. [North] Acc pl: n-agumîn. [North] Nom pl: n-águmîn. n. [North] Mountain glen; hollow.

ɨnk-ái n.pl. 1 • Suppletive plural of ɛnk-áwuo, referring to a bow, or to the wooden part of a bow with ɛmpító (bow string) removed.

2 • Wooden bows without bow strings, carried as symbols of peace. See usage note on plural variants under ɛnk-áwuo.

áí₁ [moras as áy, +ATR] Nom sg: âî (moras as [ây]). Acc pl: áinéí (moras as [áìnéy]). Variant: áinêî. Nom pl: áinéí (moras as [áìnéy]). Variant: áinêî. pn.psr. First person sg. possessive pronoun; my, mine. A: Káa kɛ́ráí ɨ́gɨ́ra aɨmakɨ́? B: ɛnâ áí. A: Which child are you referring to? B: This one of mine. Ádɔ́lɨ́ta enkitók áí. I see / am seeing my wife. Káló aparán laláshɛ láí. I will go visit my brother to ask him for help. (SN). Ɛadɔ́ enkítok âî aláŋ enkitók inó. My wife is taller than your wife. Emúéíta ɛnkɨ́tɛŋ âî. My cow is sick. (W). Kɛ́ɛdɔ́ oláyíóní lâî. My son is tall. (Pk). Ádɔ́lɨ́ta inkitúaak áinéí. I see my wives. (Pk). Ádɔ́lɨ́ta inkíshú áinêî kúmok tɔ ldoinyó. I am seeing my many cows on the hill. (W). Kɛ́ɛdɔ́ iláyiok láinéí. My sons are tall. (Pk). Kɛ́ɛdɔ́ iláyiok láinêî. My sons are tall. (W). Kɛ́nyɔ́rɨ ɛnkɨ́lâ âî ayíá ánaa eninó. [ɛ̀ŋkɪ́lá ! áɪ́ àyyá] My cloth is green like yours. (Pk). Ɛnaáí. It's mine. Ɛnaáí ɛná kɨ́tɛŋ. This cow is mine. See: Pronouns-Possessive.

ɛnk-áí₂ [ɛŋkáí, two moras at end] Nom sg: ɛnk-aí. Acc pl: ɨnk-aítin. Nom pl: ɨnk-áitin. [North] Acc pl: nk-aitók. n. 1 • God, as expressed in either a religious or everyday context. God is thought of as one who gives life, creates, is kind, is a provider and is in control of all things. Traditionally, ɛnkáí is the god of the mountains and rivers. Ɛɨtáyíó ɛnkaí shʉ́mátá ɔ́ ɛ́nkɔ́p. God has created heaven and earth. Áatɨpɨká ɛnkaí ɛntábóí. God has put me into trouble. Though ɛnkáí can only take feminine grammatical gender, at least some Maasai appear to conceptualize God as masculine.

2 • Sky. The Maasaɨ refer to the sky as a dwelling place for God. Etíī ɨnkátampo ɛnkáí. The clouds are in the sky. Ɛgɨ́ra airowuajú amʉ̂ ɛ́ɨ́pɨ́rá ɛnkɔ́lɔŋ ɛnkáí. It is becoming hot because the sun is high up in the sky. (Pk) (lit: It is becoming hot because the sun is facing the sky.). See: képér ‘Sky’; shʉ́mátá ‘Above, sky’. Ant: ɛn-kɔ́p ‘The ground, earth’.

3 • [North] Air.

4 • Moderate to heavy rain. Some Maasai communities associate the rain with God in the sense that God is the provider. Kínotitô ŋolé ɛnkáí sapʉ́k. Yesterday we got a lot of rain. Eéwūō ɛnkaí. The rain has come. See: ɛn-cán ‘Rain’.

ná-aí! Commonly used in prayers and blessings.Oh God!

ɛnk-áí nárɔ́k The sky (lit: the black god/sky).

ɛnk-áí nányókíé the red god (lit: God that is red).

áî [áy] Variant: éí-. interj. 1 • Introductory particle. Néjokí apá ɔlápʉ́tání, "Áî káyīēū apá inkíshú." The father-in-law tells him, "Now I want my cows.". Ká ai etíī? Where is it? (Pk). Note: This word should not be confused with káa ái 'What else?"

2 • Interrogative particle for certain polar ("yes/no") questions. (K)áî iyíé ɔ́shɔmɔ́ ɔlkɛjʉ́ádɔ́? [(K)áy ìyyé] Is it you that has gone to Kajiado? (W). (K)áî nɨnnyɛ́ ɔ́shɔmɔ́? Is it him/her that has gone? (W).

(ɛnk-)áɨ́₂ [one mora áy, -ATR] Variant: káɨ́. Nom sg: (ɛnk-)âɨ̂. n. 1 • Another one (fem), the other one. (ɛnk-)áɨ́ Another (W). Eéwuo ɛná kɨ́tɛŋ. Néítókí alotú ɛnkâî aɨgɨ́l. This cow came. Then another one came also. (W). Ájó áípótu meéu ɛnâ shótó ó lgûɛ̂ nɛ́arári aló ɛnkáɨ́ shótó. I tried to call him to come to this side of the road; then he kept on going towards the other side. (Pk). intapʉ́ka aré sikítō sapúkī ɔ́ ɛnkáɨ́ kɨtɨ́ olêŋ [wɛ́nkáɪ́] two big yellow flowers and another very small one. Note: This means that the 'other small one' is definitely also a yellow flower. Óre ɛná titó botór nɨnyɛ́ apá nágɨrá anapɨnáp ɛnkáɨ́. This older girl was the one caring for the other. Káló ayaʉ́ ɛnkáɨ́ amʉ́kɛ amʉ̂ nɛ́ná ɛnkáɨ́. I am going to get the other shoe because one is here. Note: Ɛnkáɨ́ implies a specific one, even if indefinite. Nárɛ́ʉ́ mɛtáaratá ó loiŋóni lɛ́nda káɨ́ áŋ. I drove it to fight together with the bull of the other family. (W). A: Ílótú tááisére? B: Á'ā. Káke kálótú áɨ́ ɔlɔ́ŋ. A: Can you come tomorrow? B: No. But I'll come some other day. (W). nkáɨ́ párrî another day (SN, S). áɨ́ ɔlɔ́ŋ another day (K Pk S KS) another day. ...ɔ mɛtábâ ánaa nélōtū pápaí lɛ́nyɛ áɨ́ ɔlɔ́ŋ. ...until their father came another day.

2 • Feminine Indefinite demonstrative pronoun; another (feminine thing).

3 • Place gender indefinite pronoun; another (place). Note: When used with reference to time, áɨ́ references an indefinite future, but not indefinite past. Cf. ídîâ 'other'. See: Pronouns-Indefinite; lɨkáɨ̄ ‘Other (masc)’; kulîê ‘Others’.

ɛnk-áí pʉs-ɔ́shɔ́kɛ n.prop. God of mercy (lit: God of the blue stomach). Pʉ̂s ɔ́shɔ́kɛ cannot be used to refer to a human-being; it is strictly reserved for God.

aɨ́ashʉ̂ Note: A non-standard idiolectal variant of arashʉ̂ or aashʉ̂.conj. or.

1 • Alternative conjunction; or. Tɛ́gɛlʉ́ enkishúí aɨ́ashʉ̂ kɛɛ́ya Choose between life or death. See: arashʉ̂ ‘Or’.

2 • At least.

3 • Unless.

ɔl-áɨ́bártani Nom sg: ɔl-aɨbártani. Acc pl: ɨl-áɨ́bártak. Nom pl: ɨl-aɨbártak. [North] Nom sg: l-áɨ́bartaní, l-aɨbártani. [North] Nom pl: l-aɨbarták. n. Male initiate; one who has just been circumcised, who is not yet a warrior, or who is waiting for school to re-open. ɛlɛ̂ áɨ́bártani this initiate (W). Ɛtabarnákɨ̄ ɔláɨ́bártani mɛtáa ɔlmʉ́rráni. The (male) initiate was shaved to be a warrior. ɨnkayîôk áâ ɨláɨ́bártak boys (who) are new initiates. This term refers to the healing time after circumsion, when the initiates are still sick or dirty, and are not fit to walk openly. From the time they are circumcised until the ceremony when the intiates come out, they wear skins, do not cut their hair, or take baths. During this time, the initiates will go killing birds as part of their training. The feathers are used for decoration. Formerly this period may have lasted up to a year, in the bush, during which time certain training occurred. Modernly the period of time lasts about a month because of school terms. Also, because there is not enough "bush", the initiate may opt to stay at home. Traditionally women were not allowed around the ɨl-áɨ́bártak. Traditional male initiates will wear black dress, womens' coiled breast-rings, and isurútīā, a headress of stuffed birds. Female initiates are also dressed in black, let their hair grow, and wear ɔl-márisíán lɔɔ́ sɨkɨrá, a decorated band of cowrie-shells and beads around the head. The term can be used as an insult for s.o. who has already passed this stage, implying that the person is incompetent, childish, etc.

ɛnk-áɨ́bártani 1 • Female initiate; one who has just been circumcised and is still in seclusion but not yet married, or is waiting for school to re-open. After circumcision, there is a period of several months when the girl heals in her mother's home before she is married. The female initiate is not supposed to see, or be seen, by men, but should stay in seclusion.

2 • [North] A circumcised girl who is married but has not given birth. The difference in meaning by dialect is because the custom is different: Samburu women are married as soon as they are circumcised, before they are healed. See: a-ɨbárt [North] ‘To watch over’; e-sípólíóí ‘Initiate’; ɔl-bárnóti ‘Shaved initiage’.

3 • [North] Bride. Usage: colloquial.

4 • [North] The three stars of Orion's belt. Usage: plural.

l-aibelâî [North] Nom sg: l-áíbelâî. n. [North] One of the protruding bony structures on a humans ankle. See: ɛ-nauré kokóyo ‘Bones on sides of ankle’; e-múrt ɛ́ nkɛjʉ́; ol-ouré kokóyo; ɛ-rʉ́bátá ɛ́ nkɛjʉ́ ‘Ankle’; ol-oidólokî [South] ‘Ankle’.

ɔl-áɨ́bɛ́lɛ́kɛ́nyani Nom sg: ɔl-aɨbɛlɛkɛ́nyani. Acc pl: ɨl-aɨbɛlɛkɛnyák. Nom pl: ɨl-áɨ́bɛlɛkɛnyák. n. Interpreter; changer. ɔláɨ́bɛ́lɛ́kɛ́nyani lɛ́ nkʉ́tʉ́k Translator/ interpreter of the language. See: a-ɨbɛlɛkɛ́ny ‘To turn’.

ɛn-áíbón Nom sg: ɛn-aibón. n.sg. 1 • Magic, divination, or prophecy of ol-oibóni, which is manifested in the form of a cure, a curse, or an explanation. ɛnâ áíbón [ɛ̀ná àìbòn] this magic (W). Ɛshɔmɔ́ ɨlmʉ́rrán oloibóni áɨ́ŋɔ̄rʉ̄ ɛnáíbón peê epuo enjóré. The warriors have gone to the magician to look for advice so that they can go for raids. (ie. to find out the success of upcoming raids). See: a-ibón ‘To perform office of ritual expert’; ol-oibóni ‘Prophet’.

2 • Witchcraft. When ol-oibóni prepares ɛn-áíbón as a treatment for disease or a curse, he mixes herbs together and give them to his patient. See: e-sakutét; ɛ-sákutore; ɛ-sɛtán ‘Witchcraft’; n-gurúpore [North] ‘Witchcraft’.

ɔl-aibóni Nom sg: ɔl-áíboni. Acc pl: ɨl-áíbonok. Nom pl: ɨl-áíbonok. n. Diviner, sorcerer, witch doctor. See: ol-oibóni ‘Diviner’.

ɔl-aibóoni Nom sg: ɔl-áíbóóní. Acc pl: ɨl-aiboók. Nom pl: ɨl-áíbóók. n. S.o. or sth. that prevents, in a very general sense. ɛlɛ̂ aibóoni this protector (W). Óre ɛlɛ̂ shaní náā ɔlaibóōnī lɛ́ muoyíán. This medicine is the preventer of disease. See: a-ibók ‘To prevent’; a-ibón ‘To foretell’.

ɔl-aɨbʉ́ŋani [North] Nom sg: l-áɨ́bʉŋanî. [North] Acc pl: l-aɨbʉŋák. [North] Nom pl: l-áɨ́bʉnák. n. 1 • Catcher, holder, keeper, bearer.

2 • [North] One of two sponsors who holds an initiate at his circumcision. One holds his back, and the other his leg. See: a-ɨbʉ́ŋ ‘To catch’.

ɛnk-aɨbʉ́ŋani ɛ́ nkɛ́ráí n.phrase. Fostermother, wet nurse (ie. the holder of a child who is sucking).

l-aiburukúci [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áíburukúci. [North] Acc pl: l-aɨbʉ́rʉkʉ́c. [North] Nom pl: l-áɨ́bʉrʉkʉ́c. n. [North] Kneecap. See: a-bʉrʉkʉ́sh ‘To dislocate’.

l-aɨcɨmɨ́ [North] Variant: l-ɔɨcɨmɨ́. [North] Nom sg: l-áɨ́cɨmɨ́. n. [North] Tree sp. whose wood is used to make headrests and whose root is edible. See: ɔl-aɨshɨmɨ ‘Tree sp.’.

l-aɨcɨ́rani [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áɨ́cɨranî. [North] Acc pl: l-aɨcɨrák. [North] Nom pl: l-áɨ́cɨrák. n. [North] Mourner, bereaved person. See: ɔl-aɨshɨ́ranī ‘Survivor, mourner’; a-shɨ́r ‘To weep, cry’; a-ɨcɨ́r [North] ‘To weep, cry’.

n-áícó [North] [North] Nom sg: n-aicó. [North] Acc pl: n-áící. [North] Nom pl: n-aicí. n. [North] Alcoholic beverage, esp. local mead. See: ɛn-áíshó ‘Beer, honey’.

n-áícó ɛ lotóro [North] [North] Honey (lit: honey of bees).

ɛnk-aɨdáshɛ Nom sg: ɛnk-áɨ́dashɛ́. Acc pl: ink-aidáshen. Nom pl: ink-áídashén. n. Shoe. Usage: colloquial (K); archaic (W). Tɔrrɔ́nɔ́ ɛndá áɨ́dashɛ́. That shoe is bad. (W). Ɛtʉ́mʉ́sánɨtâ kʉndâ áídashén olêŋ. Those shoes are very old. (W). See: a-ɨdásh ‘To trample’. See: ɛn-amʉ́kɛ ‘Shoe’.

l-aidéloki [North] Variant: l-aidélokî [Mt. Kulal]; l-aidóloki. [North] Nom sg: l-áídelokí, l-áídolokí. [North] Acc pl: l-aidélok, l-aidólok. [North] Nom pl: l-áídelok, l-áídolok. n. [North] Elbow. See: ol-oidólol ‘Elbow’.

ɔl-áɨ́dɛ́tɨ́dɛ́tani Nom sg: ɔl-aɨdɛtɨdɛ́tani. Acc pl: ɨl-áɨ́dɛ́tɨ́dɛ́tak. Nom pl: ɨl-aɨdɛtɨdɛ́tak. [North] Nom sg: l-áɨ́dɛtɨdɛ́tanî. [North] Nom pl: l-áɨ́dɛtɨdɛ́tak. n. 1 • One who dreams and is able to make correct predictions from the dreams; prophet, visionary. Ɛɨdɛtɨdɛ́tūā ɔlaɨdɛtɨdɛ́tani ajó kélotú olámeyu. The dreamer has dreamt that famine will come. See: ol-oibóni ‘Magician’.

2 • One who talks about dreams, hopes, or desires without actually acting upon them. Usage: contemptuous. Ɔláɨ́dɛ́tɨ́dɛ́tani Kónené amʉ̂ eyíéú nɛakʉ̂ olbúnkéí. Konene is a dreamer because he wants to be a member of parliament. (W).

3 • One who dreams while asleep. See: a-ɨdɛtɨdɛ́t ‘To dream’.

n-áɨ́dɨk ɔ́ ltaʉ [North] Nom sg: n-áɨ́dɨ́k ɔ́ ltaʉ. Acc pl: n-áídikí ɔɔ́ ltaʉjá. Nom pl: n-áídikí ɔ́ɔ ltaʉjá. n. [North] Soft part on the front of the neck. Syn: ɛn-áɨ́ŋaŋ ɔ́ ltaʉ ‘The soft part on the front part of neck’. See: ɔl-táʉ́ ‘Heart’.

ol-aidóloki [South] [North] Acc sg: l-aidóloki. Variant: ol-oidólokî. Nom sg: ol-aidólokî. Acc pl: il-aidólok. Nom pl: il-áídolok. n. Ankle; [North] Ankle; [South] Ankle. See: ol-oidólokî [South] ‘Ankle’; e-múrt ɛ́ nkɛ́jʉ́; ol-ouré kokóyo; ɛ-rʉbatá ɛ́ nkɛ́jʉ́ ‘Ankle’; l-aibelâî [North] ‘Ankle’.

ɛn-aɨdʉ́rra Nom sg: ɛn-áɨ́dʉrra. Acc pl: ɨn-aɨdʉrrarritín. Nom pl: ɨn-áɨ́dʉrrarritín. [West] Acc pl: ɨ-naáɨ́durra. [West] Nom pl: ɨ-náaidʉrra. n. Migration, a shift from one place to another along with one's belongings. Ɛ́tápálá apá ɨlMaasáɨ́ ɛnaɨdʉ́rra peê édúŋí ɛnkɔ́p ɛnyɛ̂. The Maasais did away with migration after their land was demarcated. The Maasai traditionally shifted from one place to another, depending on the season, searching for green pastures and water for their livestock. Sidaîn ɨnáaidʉrra. Migrations are good. (W). kʉndâ naáídʉrra these migrations (W). Syn: ol-oróra ‘Big gathering of people; big migration’. See: a-ɨdʉ́rr ‘To migrate’.

en-aigára n. Diaphram. See: ɛ-rapátɛ [South] ‘Diaphram’.

ol-aigéetíâî [South] Nom sg: ɔl-áígéetíâî. Acc pl: ɨl-aigéetíá. Nom pl: ɨl-áígéetíá. n. [South] Tale. Kɛ́nyɔ̄r ɨnkɛ́râ nɛ́ɨ́nɔsakɨnɨ́ ɨlaigéetíá. Children like it when they are told stories. Syn: ɔ-lɔɔ́nkukuuní ‘Tale’. See: ɛnk-atiní ‘Tale’.

ɔl-aigéroni [North] Nom sg: l-áígeroni. [North] Acc pl: l-aigerók. [North] Nom pl: l-áígerók. n. [North] Writer, author, scribe, secretary, clerk. See: a-igér ‘To write, brand’.

ɔl-aigúánani [North] Nom sg: l-aɨ́gúánání. [North] Acc pl: l-aigwanák. [North] Nom pl: l-áɨ́gúánák. n. Leader who has been formally appointed (traditionally, or within the Kenyan system of government); spokesman. In more recent usage, this may be used with the sense of 'chief', but this is not a traditional Maa concept. See: ɔl-aigúɛ́nani ‘Leader’; ɔl-aríkoni ‘Leader’.

ɔl-aigúɛ́nani Nom sg: ɔl-áígúɛ́nání. Acc pl: ɨl-aiguɛnák. Nom pl: ɨl-áígúɛ́nák, ɨl-aiguɛnák. n. 1 • Traditional life-long leader of an age-set who advises members of his age-set, arbitrates disputes, and presides over meetings or ceremonies. Ɔlaigúɛ́nani óíguɛnákɨ olpórrôr lɛnyɛ̂. The leader of an age-set is the one who counsels his age-set. Ɛáta ɔláígúɛ́nání inkíshú. The chief has cattle. This person is articulate, eloquent, is able to make his points in a very understandable and convincing way, and can give wise advise.

2 • An official appointed by the government to keep law and order in a designated location; chief. Ɛ́ɨ́bʉ́ŋá ɔláígúɛ́nání ɨltʉ́ŋáná ɔɔ́taarátɛ. The chief has arrested the people who fought. There are two kinds of chiefs, either a Maasai "chief" or a government chief. A Maasai "chief" is the leader of his own age-set. Typical qualities of a Maasai chief are eloquence in speech, a strong character, and a sound body. A government chief is appointed by the Provincial Administration of Kenya. His role is to keep law and order at his designated location (which is a part of a larger territory administrated by the government).

3 • Judge.

4 • [North] Person who leads in a meeting, giving wise advise and leading the group to decisions. This term may be used of a person who exercises this ability in a given meeting regardless of formal cultural or governmental position. See: a-igúɛ́n ‘To take counsel’; ol-otunó ‘Age-set leader’; ɔl-áíkúmúnoni; ɔl-arɨ́shani ‘Judge’; ɔl-aríkoni ‘Leader’.

ɨnk-áɨ́k n.pl. Hands. See: ɛnk-áɨ́ná ‘Hand’.

ol-áíkámpáí Nom sg: ɔl-aikampáí. Acc pl: ɨl-aikámpa, il-aikámpān. Nom pl: ɨl-áíkampá. n.prop. Kamba tribesman, Mkamba. The Kamba are one of the larger ethnic groups of Kenya. Their homeland borders on traditional Maasailand in Kenya, covering both the Machakos and Kitui administrative districts to the north and north-east of Kajiado District, Kenya. Etymology: < Swahili? Kamba ‘Kamba’.

enk-áíkámpáí Female Kamba person. See: ɔl-Kámpáí [West] ‘Kamba tribes' person’; ol-óŋúí ‘Nickname of the Kamba people’.

nk-aɨ́kani [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-áɨkani. [North] Acc pl: nk-aíkâk. n. [North] One of two women selected from the bride's family and charged with guarding the raw meat as it hangs at a wedding. See: a-ɨ́k ‘To hang’.

áɨ́kátá [North] adv. 1 • Ever, never. Mɛyɨɛŋɨ́ áɨ́kātā ɔlkɨ́tɛ́ŋ lɛ́mɛ̂ sɨnyáti tɔɔ́ ntáleŋo. An ox which is not sacred (of one colour) could never be slaughtered for sacrifice. (Pk). Ɛɨtʉ́ áɨ́kātā áɨ́kātā nanʉ́ aló ínê. I have never ever been there. (Pk). Óre ɔltásháláí laáíjō ɛlɛ̂ némētūm áɨ́kātā inkíshú amʉ̂ ɨmɛɨŋɔ́rʉ. A lazy person like this can never get cows because he does not look for them. Ítódúa áɨ́kātā oldóínyó lɛ Kilimanjáro? Ɛadɔ́ oshî! [ɛ̀àdɔ́shɪ̀] Have you ever seen Mt. Kilimanjaro? It's tall! (W).

2 • Other time.

3 • [North] Ever again.

4 • [North] At some indefinite time in the past or future.

ɔl-áíkípiani Nom sg: ɔl-aikípiani. Acc pl: ɨl-aikípiak. Nom pl: (ɨ)L-aikípiak. [West] Nom pl: (ɨ)Láikípia. [láìkípya, with two initial moras, one final mora] Variant: ɨ-Laikipíák. n.prop. 1 • Laikipia (ɨl-Aikípia) Maasai person. Usage: Normally used in the plural to indicate a Maasai section. The singular indicates one individual of that section.. Éló ɔlAikípiani. The Laikipia person will go. (W). Épúó Laikípiak. The Laikipia people will go. (W). Kɛ́ɨ́bá apá ɨSámpʉ̂r ɨlÁíkípiak. The Samburu used to hate the Laikipia. The Il-Aikípiak were one of the original ol-oshô (major units of the Maasai). During the internecine wars around the middle of the 19th century they were terribly defeated and routed by a combination of other il-oshôn (Maasai units), notably the Il-Purko. Numbers of Il-Aikípiak Maasai are still found among the Il-Wuasinkishu Maasai and the Il-Purko Maasai. Their last home was on the Laikipia Plateau, Kenya.

2 • Place where the Laikipia Maasai live. Káló ɨlÁíkípiak. I am going to the land of the Laikipia people. Álóíto Laikípia tááisére. I am going to Laikipia tomorrow. (W). Sídáí Láikípia olêŋ. Laikipia is very beautiful. (W). See: Laikípia ‘Laikipia plateau’; ol-oshô ‘Plateau; Maa section’.

ɔl-áɨ́kɨ́tálani Nom sg: ɔl-aɨkɨtálani. Acc pl: ɨl-áíkɨ́tálak. Nom pl: ɨl-aɨkɨtálak. [Purko] Nom pl: ɨl-aikɨ́tak. n. 1 • One who spies on a community or scouts out surroundings, eg. before a raid on a village, or before deciding where to move to. ɛlɛ̂ áɨ́kɨ́tálani this spy (W). Ɛshɔmɔ́ ɨlaɨkɨtálak áaleen ɛnkɔ́p oó ɨlmaŋátī. The spies have gone to scout out the land of the enemies.

2 • [North] Child born not from his or her father; [South] Child born not from his or her father.

3 • [North] Wiseman. Syn: ɔl-áírénkésoni ‘Spy’. See: a-leén ‘To scout’.

enk-aíkoni Nom sg: ɛnk-áíkóní. Acc pl: ɨnk-aikók. Nom pl: ɨnk-aikók; ɨnk-áíkók. n. Traditional female healer. Sídáí ɛná áíkoni. This traditional female healer is good. (W). Sidaîn kʉná aikók. These traditional female healers are good. (W).

ɔl-áɨ́kɔ́paní Nom sg: ɔl-aɨkɔ́pani. Acc pl: ɨl-ɔ́ɨ́kɔ̄p. Nom pl: ɨl-ɔ́ɨ́kɔ́p. n. Murderer. Kɛ́sɨ́nyáyu ɔlɔɨkɔ́paní ɔ́talaá inkíshú ɔɔ́ nkɨrɔ́. A murderer who has paid the compensation for murder becomes blameless/holy. (Pk).

ɔl-aɨkɔ́shʉ́aani Nom sg: ɔl-aɨkɔshʉ́aani. Acc pl: ɨl-áɨ́kɔ́shʉ́aak. Nom pl: ɨl-aɨkɔshʉ́aak. [West] Acc sg: ɔl-áɨ́kɔ́shʉ́aani. n. Person who is greedy for food; glutton. ɛlɛ̂ áɨ́kɔ́shʉ́aani this glutton (W). See: a-atá ɛnkɔ́shɔkɛ ‘To be greedy’; a-ulú ‘To eat heavily’; a-ɨsɛpɛ́ ‘To be greedy, gluttonous’.

ɔl-aɨkɔ́shʉ́aani-túrúáí Acc pl: ɨl-áɨ́kɔ́shʉ́aa-túrua. n. Lazy person; lazy-bones (lit: lazy-stomached). See: a-ɨsɛpɛ́ ‘To be greedy, gluttonous’.

ɔl-áíkúmúnoni Nom sg: ɔl-aikumúnoni. Acc pl: ɨl-aikumunók. Nom pl: ɨl-áíkumunók. n. 1 • Judge.

2 • [North] Person who incites, goads, provokes. Borrowed word: Swahili hukumu 'judge'. See: a-ikumú ‘To judge’; ɔl-aigúɛ́nani; ɔl-arɨ́shani ‘Judge’.

ɛn-áíkútí n. Cut of meat eaten by a group of women together. ɛnáíkútí oelíéki entítō ɛnáíkútí with which the girl [who is being engaged] will be smeared. Kɛ́nyá oshî inkítuaak ɛnáíkútí. Women eat ɛnáíkútí.

áíkúyíé [North] [áykúyyé] adj. False (eg. of a rumour).

ailéerî [North] [North] Nom sg: áíleerî. [North] Acc pl: ailéer. adj. [North] Pure white. See: ɛnk-ailéerrî ‘Egret’.

nk-ailéérî [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-ááleerî. [North] Acc pl: nk-ailɛ́ɛ́r. [North] White egret. Egretta alba.

ɛnk-ailéerrî Nom sg: ɛnk-áíléerrî. Acc pl: ɨnk-ailéēr. Nom pl: ɨnk-áíleér. n. Egret.

l-aɨlɛ́lɛɛ̂ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áɨ́lɛlɛɛ̂. [North] Acc pl: l-aɨlɛ́lɛk. [North] Nom pl: l-áɨ́lɛlɛk. n. [North] Lower part of the leg, below the knee; foreleg, shank (of an animal). See: ɔl-ɔɨlɛ́lɛɛ̂ ‘Foreleg’.

ɔl-áɨ́lɛ́mɨ́lɛ́mani Nom sg: ɔl-aɨlɛmɨlɛ́mani. Acc pl: ɨl-aɨlɛmɨlɛmák. Nom pl: ɨl-áɨ́lɛmɨlɛmák. n. 1 • Noisy person; noise-maker; person who makes unnecessary noise by talking. Mɛáta ɔltʉŋáni oyíéú nɛ́tɔn aininíŋ ɔláɨ́lɛ́mɨ́lɛ́mani. No one would like to sit and listen to the noisy person.

2 • Insincere person who may talk and promise a lot of good things, but who is not genuine and has hidden motives; hypocrite. See: a-ɨlɛmlɛ́m ‘To make noise by talking’.

ɔl-áɨ́lɛ́pɨ́lɛ́pani Acc pl: ɨl-áɨ́lɛ́pɨ́lɛ́pak. n. A talkative person. See: a-ɨlɛpɨlɛ́p ‘To talk a lot’; ɔl-áɨ́lɛ́mɨ́lɛ́mani ‘Talkative person’.

l-aɨlɨ́láɨ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áɨ́lɨláɨ. [North] Acc pl: l-aɨlɨ́la. [North] Nom pl: l-áɨ́lɨla. n. [North] Upper back between the shoulder blades.

l-áɨ́lɨ́páɨ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-aɨlɨpáɨ́. [North] Acc pl: l-ɨ́ɨ́lɨpa. [North] Nom pl: l-áɨ́lɨ́pa. n. [North] Tree sp. Commiphora paolii. See: ol-bílí ‘Tree sp.’.

n-ailɔ́ɔ̄n [North] n.sg. [North] Dirtied water. Syn: ɛn-álɔ́ɔ́ ‘Dirtied water’. See: ɛnk-árɛ́ ‘Water’.

l-áímérrí [North] [North] Nom sg: l-aimerrí. [North] Acc pl: l-aimérr. [North] Nom pl: l-áímêrr. n. [North] Rich boaster. See: a-ɨmɛ́rr ‘To be arrogant’.

l-aimététéroni [North] [North] Acc pl: l-aimététérok. n. [North] Person who slanders others.

ɛn-áɨ́mɨn Nom sg: ɛn-áɨ́mɨ̂n. n.sg. 1 • Darkness. This may also be used in a metaphorical sense, eg. to refer to spiritual darkness. Tenédóyīō ɛnkɔ́lɔŋ nélótū ɛnáɨ́mɨ̂n. When the sun sets, darkness comes.

2 • The state of self-imposed exile, where community members have no knowledge of the person's whereabouts. Usage: Figurative. Ɛɨtʉ́ ɛ́dɔ́lɨ́ entítō najî Wambúi tɔɔ́ ɨlarín tɔmɔn, amʉ̂ ɛshɔmɔ́ arém ɛnáɨ́mɨn. A girl named Wambui was not seen for ten years, because she has gone into darkness. See: a-ɨmɨ́n ‘To be lost’; ol-misimísi ‘Darkness’; en-kwaríé ‘Darkness’.

ɔl-áímónkoni Nom sg: ɔl-aimónkoni, ɔl-áímónkóní. Acc pl: ɨl-áímónkok. Nom pl: ɨl-aimónkok. [West] Acc sg: ɔl-áímónkoní. [North] Nom pl: l-aimonkók. n. 1 • Liar, cheater. Etupurróyie ɔláímónkóní inkíshú ɛɨ́kɨ̄ŋā, néjo ɛɨtʉ́ epurróo. The cheat/liar stole the cows that are not his, and he said that he did not steal. Étúpúrróyie ɔlaimónkoni inkíshú ó lpayíán. The cheat/liar stole the man's cows. (W).

2 • [North] Purposeless lazy person; bum. Etymology: Swahili uwongo 'deceit'. See: e-mónkóí ‘A lie’.

ɔl-áɨ́mówúárani Nom sg: ɔl-aɨmowúárani. Acc pl: ɨl-áɨ́mówúárak. Nom pl: ɨl-aɨmowúárak. [North] Nom pl: l-aimowuarák. n. 1 • Deceased uncircumcised adolescent boy. This term may be used to avoid using the name of the deceased person (W). See: ɔl-kɨmáɨ́ta ‘Deceased uncircumcised boy’; ɛ-nɔɔ́sɨlân; ɛn-dɔ́rrɔ́p sésên ‘Deceased uncircumcised girl’; ɛn-taŋátaŋâ ‘Deceased old woman’.

2 • An uncircumcised adolescent. Syn: [South] ol-kúlúí ‘Young boy’.

l-aimúronyái [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áímuronyái. [North] Acc pl: l-aimúronyá. [North] Nom pl: l-áímuronyá. n. [North] A small cartilage extension to the lower part of the sternum; xiphoid (of humans or animals).

ɛn-aɨmʉ́rʉ́ai Nom sg: ɛn-áɨ́murʉ́ai. Acc pl: ɨn-aɨmʉ́rʉa. Nom pl: ɨn-áɨ́mʉrʉ́á. [West] Acc sg: ɛnk-aimúrrúai. [West] Nom sg: ɛnk-áímuruâî. [West] Acc pl: ɨnk-aimúrrúa. [West] Nom pl: ɨnk-áímurruá. n. Grass species; "Kikuyu" grass. Tɔrrɔ́nɔ̂ ɨlɔ́ shámpâ amʉ̂ ɛtʉbʉ́lākā ɛnkáímurruâî. That garden is not good because the ɛnkáímūrrūāī grass has grown on it. (W). This type of grass spreads and thickly covers the surface of the ground. It has burrs and lots of "branches". It typically grows in very fertile places, such as in old homesteads. Cows will eat it, but it is a big nuisance for agriculture as it spreads like a weed.

ɔl-áímútíáí Nom sg: ɔl-aimutiáí. Acc pl: ɨl-áímutia. Nom pl: ɨl-áímutia. n. Reed. Ɛgɨ́ra ɔlaimutiáí abʉlʉ́ tiátua ɛnkárɛ́. A reed is growing in the water. Syn: o-séyíáí ‘Reed’.

ɛnk-áɨ́ná Nom sg: ɛnk-aɨná. Acc pl: ɨnk-áɨ́k. Nom pl: ɨnk-áɨk, ɨnk-áɨ́k. [Chamus] Acc sg: káɨ́na. [South] Acc sg: káɨ́ná. n. 1 • Arm (from the shoulders to the fingers) of a person; includes the hand. An animal like a cow does not have ɛnkáɨ́ná. Ɛɨbʉŋɨ́ta enkítok ɛnkɛ́ráí tɛ nkaɨná. The woman is touching the child with her hand. Ɨncɔɔ́kɨ emboréɨ ɛ́ nkáɨ́ná ɛ́ naɨsʉ́kʉt. Give me a handful of salt. (Pk). Átárríê náakʉ́nyɛ ɛnkainá. I fell down and my hand/arm became paralyzed/stunned. (W).

2 • Trunk of an elephant. Etymology: Proto-Lotuko-Maa *-kaɨn- 'arm/hand', from Proto-Eastern-Nilotic *-kaɨn- 'arm/hand' (Vossen 1982:326). Reanalysis of the root as aɨ, with singular suffix as -na and plural as -k apparently occurred in Proto-OngamoMaa..

áinêî [North] Acc sg: áinén. pn.psr. First person possessive pronoun of plural items; of or belonging to me; my (plural possessed items). inkúény áinêî aré sapúkī my two big birds (W) (In this NP, any ordering of the last three words is grammatical as long as they follow inkúény. The possessive pronoun cannot appear before a noun.). Ɨlmɔ́ŋɨ́ láinéí kʉlɔ́. These are my bulls. Parts of the body usually do not take this possessive (though it is grammatical), but instead typically occur in the External Possession construction with 1SG as the object of the clause. Ɛ́dɔ́l ɨnkáɨ́k áinêî tááisére. He will see my hands tomorrow. (W). Sidaîn ɨnkáɨ́k áinêî olêŋ. My hands are very good. (W). Ɨnáainéí kʉná kɛ́râ. These children are mine. Ɨláanéí kʉlɔ́ kɛ́rra. These rams are mine. See: Pronouns-Possessives; áí ‘My (sg item)’.

ɛnk-ainí Nom sg: ɛnk-áínī. Acc pl: ɨnk-ainítō. Nom pl: ɨnk-áínito. [West] Acc pl: ɨnk-ainíto. [North] Nom sg: nk-áiní. [North] Acc pl: nk-ainítō. [North] Nom pl: nk-áíníto. n. Co-wife; a wife who shares her husband with one or more other wives. In traditional Maasai culture, the norm for a man, especially a wealthy man, is to have more than one wife; this tradition continues. Enkitók bótór oshî náŋāmʉ̄ ɛnkainí tenérikuní aŋ. It is the older wife who receives the co-wife when she is brought home (from her wedding).

ɔl-áíníníŋoni Nom sg: ɔl-aininíŋoni, ɔl-áíníníŋóní. Acc pl: ɨl-áíníníŋok. Nom pl: ɨl-aininíŋok. n. A listener. Etíī entúmo ɔlaininíŋoni ɔ́gɨ̄rā ɔ́ laininíŋoni ɔ́ɨ́rɔ. In a meeting there is a passive listener and an active listener (one who talks).

ɔl-áínyámoní Nom sg: ɔl-ainyámoní. Acc pl: ɨl-áínyámôk. Nom pl: ɨl-ainyamók. n. 1 • Thief or eater involved in the act of ɛ-nyámu. Stealing is considered a very serious crime; anyone declaired to be ɔláínyámoní will be obliged to pay dearly for it. Ɛɨtálākɨ̄ ɔláínyámoní inkíshú naáudó tɛnɛ́nya ɛnyámu. A thief will be fined nine cows if he is involved in stealing/eating. See: l-áínyámúnoni [North] ‘Animal thief’.

3 • Traitor, either personally or nationally.

ɛnk-áínyámoní 1 • A (small) thief. Usage: derog.

2 • A female thief. Syn: ɔl-apúrroni. See: ɛ-nyámu ‘Theft’.

l-áínyámúnoni [North] [North] Nom sg: l-ainyamunoní. [North] Acc pl: l-áínyámúnok. [North] Nom pl: l-ainyamunók. n. [North] S.o. who steals animals to eat secretly. See: ɔl-áínyámoní ‘Thief involved in ɛn-nyámu’.

áɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ [West]: aaínyɔ̄. [North]: ányɔ. pn.inter. Interrogative question word: What? Who? Why? Káɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ ɛná? What is this? Káɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ ɔlápâ? What is the moon? Áɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ esidanó ɛ́ nkishón? What is the goodness of life? Káɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ nágɨrá aasayú? What is happening? Aaínyɔ̄ ɛnná? What is this? (W -K). Káɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ ɨ́ásɨ́ta? What are you doing? Káɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ íáwūā ŋolé? What did you bring yesterday?

áɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ peê Variant: aáɨ́nyɔ̄ peê. pn.inter. Why? Áɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ peyîê ilóíto? Why are you going? Aaínyɔ̄ peê iló? Why do you go? (K -W). Néíkilíkuan ɔlpáyian ɛnkɛ́ráí ajokí: aáɨ́nyɔ̄ peê ɨntarrúóyie? The man asked the child: "Why did you make a mistake?". Note: Implication: The child is misbehaving, and may have done one or more bad acts. Áɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ peê ɨ́ncɨr? Why do you cry? Áɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ peê ɨyáʉ imodíók ɛnkají? Why do you bring mud/dung into the house?

ɛn-áɨ́ŋaŋ ɔ́ ltáʉ́ [ɔ́ltaʊ̀] Variant: ɛn-áɨ́naŋ ɔ́ ltáʉ́. Nom sg: ɛn-áɨ́ŋâŋ ɔ́ ltáʉ́. n. Soft spot on front of neck. Syn: n-áɨ́dɨk ɔ́ ltáʉ́ [North] ‘Soft spot on front of neck’. See: ɔl-táʉ́ ‘Heart’; a-ɨŋáŋ ‘To pretend to hit’.

áɨ́ŋāɨ̄ Variant: ɛ́ɨ́ŋāɨ̄. pn.inter. Who (sg.). Káɨ́ŋāɨ̄? Who (is it)? Áɨ́ŋáɨ́ ɨlɔ̂? [áɪ́ŋáɪ́ ɪ̀llɔ] Who (masc.) is it? (W). Áɨ́ŋáɨ́ ɨnâ? [áɪ́ŋáɪ́ ɪ̀nnâ] Who (fem) is it? (W). See: Pronouns-Interrogative; ŋáɨ́ ‘Who’.

ɔl-aiŋóiŋói Note: This H-L final tone is right. Confirmed by lk.[ɔ̀làìŋóìŋói] Nom sg: ɔl-áíŋóiŋói. Acc pl: ɨl-aɨŋɔ́ɨŋɔ́ɨ́. Nom pl: ɨl-áɨ́ŋɔ́ɨŋɔ́ɨ́. n. Type of worm that is only found in water. Kétíī ɔláíŋóiŋói ɛnkárɛ́. There is a worm in the water. See: a-ɨŋɔɨŋɔ́ɨ́ ‘To move slowly in a twisted motion’.

ol-áíŋókoni Nom sg: ɔl-áíŋókóní. Acc pl: ɨl-áíŋokok. Nom pl: ɨl-aiŋókok. n. Sinner. See: e-ŋókí ‘Sin’.

l-aiŋóni [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áíŋoni. [North] Acc pl: l-aiŋók. [North] Nom pl: l-áíŋok. n. 1 • [North] Bull of domestic cattle.

2 • [North] Bull of other large animals.

3 • [North] A warrior who dies without any children.

4 • [North] A brave warrior. See: ɔl-ɔɨŋɔ́nɨ ‘Bull’.

l-aɨŋɔ́nɨ lɛ́ mpɛrɛ [North] n. [North] Spear head, point. See: ɛ-sɨ́pɨ́l ‘Spear head’.

ɔl-aɨŋɔ́rani [North] Nom sg: l-aɨŋɔ́ranî. [North] Acc pl: l-aɨŋɔrák. [North] Nom pl: l-áɨ́ŋɔrák. n. [North] One who looks after; guardian, foreman, overseer, caretaker, manager. See: a-ɨŋɔ́r ‘To watch’.

nk-aɨŋɔ́rani [North] [North] Nom pl: nk-aɨŋɔ́rak. [North] Babysitter (ie. one who looks after children).

l-aɨŋʉ́dâɨ̂ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áíŋʉdâî. n. [North] A plant whose tuber is eaten raw. It is ripe in the rainy season, when its flower is open. asclepiadaceae.

n-aɨŋʉ́dʉ [North] [North] Acc pl: n-aɨŋʉdʉní. n. [North] Hyena which travels alone and attacks people or livestock. See: ɔl-ŋɔjɨ́nɛ ‘Hyena’.

ɔl-aɨŋʉ́rani Nom sg: ɔl-áɨ́ŋʉ́rání. Acc pl: ɨl-aɨŋʉrák. Nom pl: ɨl-aɨŋʉrák. n. Watchman, one who watches. See: ɔl-arríponi ‘Watchman’.

ɛn-áɨ́ŋʉ́rrɛ́ Nom sg: ɛn-aɨŋʉrrɛ́. Acc pl: ɨn-aɨŋúrrīā. Nom pl: ɨn-áɨ́ŋurriá. n. 1 • Chewing gum. Kɛ́ɨ́bʉŋ ɛnaɨŋʉrrɛ́ ɨnkɨláni. Chewing gum sticks on clothes.

2 • [North] Dark gum resin used for the tip of initiates' arrows.

nk-áɨ́pārr [North] adv. [North] A period of time two days from the present; either two days ago, or two days from now.

ɛn-aipidí Nom sg: ɛ-náípidí. n.r n.sg. Beer (lit: the one that people jump over it). See: a-ipíd ‘To jump’.

n-aipíru kɔ́p [North] n.phrase. [North] Any plant which grows straight up (lit: vertical to the ground).

enk-áípóóponí Nom sg: enk-aipoóponí. Acc pl: ɨnk-áɨ́póōpō. Nom pl: ɨnk-aɨpoópo. n. 1 • [Purko] Mushroom.

2 • Loved child. Usage: endearment. Táakʉ́ íyīē ɛnkáípóóponí, nɨ́ákʉ íyīē olúmpuaní. You become the "loved child", and you become the Olumpuani cannibal. See: ɛm-pɔ́ɔpɨât [West] ‘Mushroom’.

ɛn-aipúkôî Nom sg: ɛn-áípukôî. Acc pl: ɨn-aipúko. Nom pl: ɨn-áípuko. [Chamus] Acc sg: kaipúkói. n. 1 • Wing. Etúá ɔlɔ́jɔŋáni amʉ̂ ɛtɨgɨ́lɛ ɛnáípukôî. The fly died because its wing is broken. Ɛtɨgɨ́latɛ ɨnáípuko olêŋ. The wings are very broken. (W). Ɛáta ɛntɛ́kɛ̂ ɛnaipúkôî sápʉk. An aeroplane has a big wing. (W).

2 • Section of sth. Ɛɨmɨ́nɨ́ta ɛnáípukôî oó nkíshú. A section of cows is lost. (W). Note: In W, unless the modifier oó nkíshú is added, this word would only be interpreted as meaning 'wing', even in a context where cattle were being discussed. At least some S speakers recognize this word but would use nk-aipúpôî.

ɛn-aipúkôî ó ldóínyó Lower flank of a hill. Ɛshɔmɔ̂ inkíshu ɛnaipúkôî ó ldóínyó. [óldoynyo] The cows have gone to the section of the hill. (W). See: nk-apúpôî [North] ‘Wing’.

nk-aipúpôî [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-áípupôî. [North] Acc pl: nk-aipúpo. [North] Nom pl: nk-áípupo. n. [North] Wing (of birds, insects, airplanes, etc.). See: ɛn-aipúkôî ‘Wing’.

ɔl-áɨ́rákují Nom sg: ɔl-aɨrákují. Acc pl: ɨl-áɨ́rákúj. Nom pl: ɨl-aɨrakúj. [West] Acc sg: ɔl-áɨ́rákújī. [West] Nom sg: ɔl-aɨrakújī. [North] Acc sg: l-áírákúji. [North] Nom sg: l-airakúji. [North] Acc pl: l-áɨ́rákʉ́j. [North] Nom pl: l-aɨrakʉ́j. [Chamus] Acc sg: áírákúji. n. Kidney. Ɔláɨ́rákují oshî ɛŋasɨ́ áanya tɛnɛ́yīēŋī enkíné. It is the kidney that is eaten first when a goat is slaughtered. Ɛáta oshî ɔltúŋánɨ̄ ɨláɨ́rákúj aáre. A person normally has two kidneys. (W). Ɛáta ɨná kítok ɛnkɛɛ́ya ó láɨ́rákújī. That woman has a kidney disease. (W).

ɔl-áírénkésoni Nom sg: ɔl-airenkésoni. Acc pl: ɨl-airenkesók??. Nom pl: ɨl-airenkesók??. n. Spy. Syn: ɔl-áɨ́kɨ́tálani, ɔl-átáúnoni ‘Spy’. See: a-irenkés ‘To spy’.

nk-aɨrɛ́rɛ̂ɨ̂ [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-áɨ́rɛrɛ̂ɨ̂. [North] Acc pl: nk-aɨrɛ́rɛ́. [North] Nom pl: nk-áɨ́rɛrɛ́. n. [North] White-rumped swift (bird). Apus caffer.

ɔl-airúkoni Nom sg: ɔl-áírúkóní. Acc pl: ɨl-airukók. Nom pl: ɨl-airukók. n. Believer. Óre oshî ɔlairúkoni pɔɔkɨ́ náa kéíshíákínó náa ɔltáʉ́ Sinyáti órikóo inkiasin ɛnyɛ́na Every believer is supposed to let the Holy Spirit guide his action. (Pk). Ɛnkairúkoni Kónené ɛ Kenyátta. Konene is a believer of Kenyatta. See: a-irúk ‘To believe’.

n-áírúmpê [North] n. [North] Fog. See: n-árúmpê [North] ‘Fog’.

l-airúponi [North] n. 1 • [North] Sorcerer.

2 • [North] Person who carries n-gurúpore for killing, etc. See: ɔl-ásákútoni ‘Sorcerer’.

l-áɨ́rrácí [North] [North] Nom sg: l-aɨrrací. [North] Acc pl: l-áɨrrac. [North] Nom pl: l-áɨrrâc. n. [North] Wooden disc about 3.5 cm in diameter and 1.5 cm thick, which is strapped to the wrist of a baby and functions as a pacifier. Some people attribute this to the Ndorobo.

ɔl-aɨrrágani Nom sg: ɔl-áɨ́rrágání. Acc pl: ɨl-aɨrragák. Nom pl: ɨl-áɨ́rrágák. n. 1 • Sleeper; eg. one who comes from far away and spends the night sleeping in another's house before continuing on; one who sleeps in an area in order to do sth. Eg. A Narok resident might sleep in Nairobi for a night because he has to leave early the next morning by plane, and can't get all the way to Nairobi from Narok just before the flight. Or, one could be an ɔlaɨrrágani in her office to wait for a phone call from Australia.

2 • S.o. who sleeps in a meat eating place, perhaps to protect it. He sleeps inside or outside the enclosure; guard, watchman.

nk-aɨrráʉ́rraʉ [North] n. [North] Leather bracelet put on the wrist of a baby; decorated with cowries and a goat's hoofs, attached with string which the baby can put in its mouth as a pacifier. See: l-áɨ́rrácí [North] ‘Pacifier’.

ɔl-aɨrrɨ́tani Nom sg: ɔl-áɨ́rrɨ́tání. Acc pl: ɨl-aɨrrɨták. Nom pl: ɨl-áɨ́rrɨ́ták. [North] Nom sg: l-aɨrrɨtaní. [North] Nom pl: l-áɨ́rrɨták. n. 1 • Herdsman, shepherd. Ɛshɔmɔ́ ɔláɨ́rrɨ́tání aɨŋʉrakɨ́ inkíshú ɨnkʉ́jɨ́t naányɔrɨ́ naanyâ. The herdsman has gone to look for green grass for the cows to eat. See: ol-cekût ‘Shepherd’; l-ɔrrɨ́tɨcɔ [North] ‘Shepherd, goatherd’.

2 • Pastor, bishop. Usage: Christian. See: a-ɨrrɨtá ‘To look after’.

l-áɨs [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áɨ̂s. [North] Acc pl: l-aísí. [North] Nom pl: l-áisí. n. [North] Diviner.

Il-Aisér Nom pl: ɨl-Áísēr. n.pl. This is one of the five original clans of the Maasai, named after its founder Naiser, the second son of the second wife of Maasinta (the first Maasai). The Il-Aiser are distributed throughout various Maasai sections. Clan membership is inherited through the father, and one does not intermarry with members of one's own clan. The oloibóni usually (in some sections, must) come from the Il-Aiser clan.Name of a Maasai clan, members of whom can be found across various "sections". Kúmok il-Áísēr olêŋ. There are many ɨl-Áísēr. (W). See: ol-oshô ‘Section’; ɔl-gɨ́látá₁ ‘Clan’; a-isér ‘To rebel’.

ol-áísérrí Nom sg: ol-aiserrí. Acc pl: il-Aisér. Nom pl: il-Áísēr. n. Person of the il-Aisér clan. See: il-Aisér ‘il-Aisér clan’.

ɔl-áísíaayiani Acc pl: ɨl-aísíáyiak. n.pl. Worker, servant. See: a-ás ‘To do’; a-isiaaí ‘To serve’.

l-áɨ́sɨ́áyiani [North] [North] Nom sg: l-aɨsɨáyiani. [North] Acc pl: l-áɨ́sɨ́áyiak. [North] Nom pl: l-aɨsɨáyiak. n. [North] Worker.

l-aɨsɨ́gani [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áɨ́sɨgani. [North] Acc pl: l-aɨsɨgák. [North] Nom pl: l-áɨ́sɨgák. n. [North] Refugee (lit. one who flees). See: a-ɨsɨ́g [North] ‘To flee’; ɔl-aɨsɨ́kani ‘Refugee’.

n-áɨ́sɨ́gɔ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: n-aɨsɨgɔ́. [North] Acc pl: n-aisígôn. n. [North] Root which may be eaten raw during the dry season. Raphionaeme.

ɔl-aɨsɨkani Acc pl: ɨl-aɨsɨkák. n.pl. Refugee; escapee. See: a-ɨsɨ́k ‘To run away’; l-aɨsɨ́gani [North] ‘Refugee’.

ɔl-aɨsɨ́mani [North] Nom sg: l-áɨ́sɨmani. [North] Acc pl: l-aɨsɨmák. [North] Nom pl: l-áɨ́sɨmák. n. Robber, thief. See: a-ɨsɨ́m ‘To take by force’.

l-aisimúnoni [North] [North] Nom sg: l-aisimunoní. [North] Acc pl: l-áísímúnok. [North] Nom pl: l-aisimúnok. n. 1 • [North] One who imposes on others.

2 • [North] One who has to have the last word.

aɨsɨ́nani Nom sg: áɨ́sɨ́nání. Acc pl: aɨsɨnák. Nom pl: aɨsɨnák. adj. Poor in wealth (livestock or money). Ɨmɛ́ɨ́dɨm ɔltʉ́ŋání áɨ́sɨ́nání aɨnyɨ́áŋʉ ɨnamʉ́ka naágolí ɛnkɨ́nyaŋá. A poor person cannot buy shoes that are expensive in price. Kárá aɨsɨ́nani. I am poor. (SN). Káɨ́táa aɨsɨ́nani. I will make you poor. (SN). See: a-sɨná; a-mɛná ‘To be poor’.

ɔl-aɨsɨ́nani n. 1 • A poor man.

2 • [North] A deprived person.

áɨ́sɨ́nánɨshɔ Nom sg: aɨsɨnánɨshɔ. n.sg. The state of being materially poor, of lacking; poverty. Étómítíókō aɨsɨnánɨshɔ ɛ́lô aɨsʉmá. The state of being poor has prevented him/her from going to study. (Pk). Áɨ́bá áɨ́sɨ́nánɨshɔ olêŋ. I hate poverty. (W). áɨ́sɨ́nánɨshɔ is the cause of ɔ-sɨná.

aɨsɨ́pani Nom sg: áɨ́sɨ́pání. Acc pl: aɨsɨpák. Nom pl: aɨsɨpák. adj. 1 • Truthful, not a liar; having the quality of correcting things.

2 • Good at guessing what will happen or what will be the correct answer; good at figuring out things. Áɨ́sɨ́pani Sunkuli/Clinton tɛ ncotó éríkóre káke ɔlalɛ́jani. Sunkuli/Clinton is very smart in terms of leadership, but he is a liar. (W). Usage: With reference to intelligence, aɨsɨ́pani implies that one generally gets things right and performs well in most domains. ŋɛ̂n, by contrast, is more specific to such things as classwork. Someone who is aɨsɨ́pani must also be ŋɛ̂n. Someone who is ŋɛ̂n may or may not be aɨsɨ́pani. (One might be ŋɛ̂n but not be a good guesser about things in general [sense 2]; or, as in the example above, one may be a good guesser, but also be a liar [sense 1].).

ɔl-áɨ́sɨ́pani n. Person who is truthful. See: ŋɛ̂n ‘Clever, bright’; a-sɨ́p ‘To strip thoroughly clean’; asɨ́pani ‘Truthful’.

l-aisótoô [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áísotoô. [North] Acc pl: l-aisótok. [North] Nom pl: l-áísotok. n. 1 • [North] Fingernail, toenail.

2 • [North] Hoof.

n-áísúbúá [North] [North] Nom sg: n-aisubúá. [North] Acc pl: n-áísúbûân. n. [North] Rectum.

n-aɨsʉgɨ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: n-áɨ́sʉgɨ́. [North] Acc pl: n-aɨsʉgɨ̂n. n. [North] Snuff. See: ɛ-naɨsʉgɨ́ ‘Snuff’.

ɛn-aɨsʉɨ́ Nom sg: ɛn-áɨ́sʉɨ́. Acc pl: ɨn-aáɨ́sʉɨ. Nom pl: ɨn-áaɨsʉɨ. [West] Acc sg: ɛ-naɨsʉɨ́. n. 1 • Singed goat's head, sheep's head, or cow's head (lit: that which is singed). ɛnâ aɨsʉɨ́ this head. ɛnâ naɨsʉɨ́ this singed animal head (The hair is burnt off so that the head can be cooked.) (W).

2 • Head, typically of a cow, sheep or goat. Etíī ɨlpapɨ́t ɛnaɨsʉɨ́ ó ltʉŋáni. There is hair on the head of the person. (In W, this term would never be used for a person except in an abusive way.). Ɨlayíok oshî ɔ́anya ɛnaɨsʉɨ́. It is the boys that feed on the singed head (of a sheep, goat).

3 • Singed thing, that which is singed. See: a-ɨsʉ́ɨ́ ‘To singe, scorch’; ɛn-dʉkʉ́ya; en-kúé; ɛ-lʉ́kʉ́nyá ‘Head’.

ɔl-aɨsʉ́ɨsʉ́ɨ Nom sg: ɔl-aɨsʉ́ɨsʉ́ɨ. Acc pl: ɨl-aɨsʉ́ɨsʉ́ɨ́. [Singular: ɔ̀làysʊ́ɪsʊ́ɪ̀] Plural: [ɪ̀làɪ̀sʊ́ɪsʊ́] Nom pl: ɨl-áɨ́sʉ́ɨsʉ́ɨ́. n. Black ant (sp.), perhaps 2 to 3 mm. in length, with very painful bite. Áatɔnyɔ́ ɔlaɨsʉ́ɨsʉ́ɨ ŋolé. The ant (sp.) bit me. Pain from the bite may remain for five hours or so.

ɛnk-aisúishôî Nom sg: ɛnk-áísúishôî. Acc pl: ɨnk-aɨsʉ́ɨ́shɔ́. Nom pl: ɨnk-áɨ́súɨshɔ́. n. sesanum angolende pedalianceae. Plant sp. Sídáí ɛná áísúishôî This plant (sp.) is good. (W). Sidaín kʉná áɨ́sʉ́ɨshɔ́. These plant (sp.) are good. (W). In W ɛnk-aisúishôî refers to a plant or plant part that is sour when chewed. There are two types: (a) a small plant that grows close to the ground in clumps, with leaves arranged in groups of fours; or (b) a straight twig that shoots off a tree with paired leaves along the twig. (The whole tree is not ɛnk-aisúishôî.).

ɔl-áísúnkúí [South] n. [South] European or Asian.

nk-aisúyiasúi [North] n. [North] Tiny flying insect that lands on wet dung.

ɔl-aɨshɨmɨ́ Nom sg: ɔl-áɨ́shɨmɨ́. Acc pl: ɨl-aáɨ́shɨmɨ. Nom pl: ɨl-áaɨshɨmɨ. n. 1 • [West] Type(s) of tree with leaves or young branches that people chew and chew.

2 • [West] Sugarcane.

3 • [North] Part of the hip-bone; [West] Part of a bone (eg. hip bone) that, when cooked, is chewable.

4 • [North] Tree whose stem is used to make containers, eg. gourds for milk. See: ɔl-ɔɨshɨmɨ́ ‘Bone part’; l-aɨcɨmɨ́ [North] ‘Tree sp.’.

ɔl-aɨshɨ́rani Nom sg: ɔl-áɨ́shɨ́rání. Acc pl: ɨl-aɨshɨrák. Nom pl: ɨl-áɨ́shɨ́rák. n. 1 • Survivor after defeat; one who is left alive after a battle and goes home to seek help from others; one who does not qualify in a race, so is unable to advance to the next level. Etushukúnye ɔláɨ́shɨ́rání peê ɛɨdɨpáyu ɔlárrábal alikioó ɨlɔmɔ́n lɔɔ́ltʉ́ŋáná oótuatâ. The survivor came back when the battle was over to tell the news about the people who died.

2 • S.o. who cries due to death or physical injury; mourner. Ɛtagóre ɔláɨ́shɨ́rání tɛ nkárakɨ́ eidoŋóki. The cryer is upset because he was beaten up.

3 • S.o. who complains too much. Ɛ́ɨ́rɔ́rɔ́ ɔláɨ́shɨ́rání ɛnkɛɛ́ya oónkíshú ɛnyɛ́nā ɔmɛtáa ɨmɛniŋí énájô. The complainer has talked of the death of his cows until people do not listen to what he says. See: l-aɨcírani ‘Mourner, bereaved person’.

ɛn-aɨshɨrɨ́ dáma Nom sg: ɛn-áɨ́shɨrɨ́ dáma. Acc pl: ɨn-aáshɨrɨ dáma. Nom pl: ɨn-áashɨrɨ dáma. n. Rattle. See: l-kelekelé [North] ‘Rattle’.

ɛn-áíshó Variant: ɛn-áíshíó. Nom sg: ɛn-aishó. Acc pl: ɨn-áíshí. Nom pl: ɨn-aishí. n. 1 • Alcoholic beverage (beer, wine, hard liquor, etc.). Ɛtɛmɛ́ratɛ ɨlpáyianí amʉ̂ étóókō ɛnáíshó. The men got drunk because they took beer. ɨnáíshí ɔ kʉlɛ́ goodbye (lit: beer and milk) (W). This is said at evening time, and implies wishing another (esp. a man) good food and a good time during the evening. See: n-áícó [North] ‘Alcoholic beverage’; ɔl-marúá ‘Intoxicant’; ɛn-cɔɨ́ ‘Intoxicant’.

2 • Honey. ɛnáíshó oó ilotórok honey. In W, the central meaning of ɛn-áíshó is 'honey', and this extended expression just clarifies what kind of 'honey', as if there could be multiple types of insects that produce honey. In A, this expression is used even if the honey is not fermented. Ɨmɛɛ́ta apá iltórróbo inkíshú; ɨlŋanayíó ɔ́ ɨnáíshí oó lotórok ó ŋúési éntim ɛ́nyá. Before then the Dorobo never had cattle; they used to eat fruits, bee honey, and wild animals. In some areas, when used without modification ɛn-áíshó is most neutrally understood as referrring to a fermented beverage (sense 1) rather than to unfermented honey, as the local brew in Maasailand is made from honey.

n-aɨ́t [North] [North] Nom sg: n-áɨt. [North] Acc pl: n-aɨtɨ̂n. [North] Nom pl: n-áɨtɨ̂n. n. [North] Species of water bird. Probably the jacana or possibly the courser (Wagner p. 229).

l-aitacekínoni [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áítacekínoní. n. [North] Representative. See: ol-aitasheikinoni ‘Sponsor’; a-shé ‘To peg, put up’.

l-aitaínoni [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áítaínóní. [North] Acc pl: l-aitaínok. [North] Nom pl: l-aitaínok. n. [North] One who takes out or removes sth. See: a-ɨtáɨ́ ‘To remove’.

ɔl-aitájéúnoni Nom sg: ɔl-aɨtajéúnoni. Acc pl: ɨl-áɨ́tájéúnok. Nom pl: ɨl-aɨtajéúnok. [North] Acc sg: ɔl-áítájéúnoni. n. Savior.

l-aɨtárani [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áɨ́tarani. [North] Acc pl: l-aɨtarák. [North] Nom pl: l-áɨ́tarák. n. [North] Poor person. See: ɔl-aɨtɛ́rani ‘Beginner; poor person’.

ɔl-áɨ́tɛ́ŋɛ́nani Variant: ɔl-áɨ́tɛ́ŋɛ́nyani. Nom sg: ɔl-áɨ́tɛ́ŋɛ́nání; ɔl-aɨtɛŋɛ́nani. Acc pl: ɨl-áɨ́tɛ́ŋɛ́nak. Nom pl: ɨl-aɨtɛŋɛ́nak. [North] Acc sg: l-aɨtɛŋɛ́nani. [North] Nom sg: l-áɨ́tɛŋɛnanî. [North] Acc pl: l-aɨtɛŋɛ́nak. [North] Nom pl: l-aɨtɛŋɛ́nak. n. Teacher; one who makes others knowledgable. Éírúkó ɔláɨ́tɛ́ŋɛ́nání peê ɛɨlɛ́p ɛnkɛráí. The teacher has permitted the child to go to the next class. (Pk). This is apparently not a traditional concept, at least for W where this would compositionally mean 'a teacher'; but for that concept the Swahili borrowing ɔl-málímúí is used. Syn: ɔl-málímúí ‘Teacher’. See: a-ɨtɛŋɛ́n ‘To enlighten, teach’.

ɔl-áɨ́tɛ́ŋɛ́nyani n. Teacher, one who makes others knowledgable. See: ŋɛ̂n ‘Clever’.

ɔl-aɨtɛ́rani Nom sg: ɔl-áɨ́tɛ́rání. Acc pl: ɨl-aɨtɛrák. Nom pl: ɨl-áɨ́tɛ́rák. [North] Acc sg: l-aɨtárani. [North] Nom sg: l-áɨ́tarani. [North] Acc pl: l-aɨtarák. [North] Nom pl: l-áɨ́tarák. n. 1 • Beginner; starter; one who initiates sth.; pioneer.

2 • One who begins to have cattle by buying or being given by friends.

3 • One who lacks cattle; poor person. See: ŋásúnotó ‘Beginning, starting’; a-ɨtɛ́r ‘To begin’.

ol-aitérriani Nom sg: ɔl-áítérríání. Acc pl: ɨl-aiterríák. Nom pl: ɨl-áítérríák. [West] Acc sg: ɔl-aɨtɛ́rrani. [West] Nom sg: ɔl-áɨ́tɛ́rrání. [West] Acc pl: ɨl-aɨtɛrrák. [West] Nom pl: ɨl-aɨtɛrrák. n. Person who tends to faint. Ɛtámúíyíá ŋolé oloshî áɨ́tɛ́rrání lɛ́ sokóni nɛ́ɨ́tɛrrɛ isáaí aré. The usual market fainter (ie. person who always faints in the market) becaume sick yesterday and fainted for two hours. (W). Note: In A the word "could have this sense", but it would not be in frequent use. In W ɔlaɨtɛ́rriani apparently has the implication that s.o. is trying to reach someplace, faints, moves on further, faints again; while ɔlaɨtɛ́rrani just means 'a habitual fainter'. See: a-ɨtɛrrɛ́ ‘To faint’.

l-aɨtɨbɨ́rani [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áɨ́tɨbɨranî. [North] Acc pl: l-aɨtɨbɨ́rak. [North] Nom pl: l-aɨtɨbɨ́rak. n. [North] One who constructs or makes things; artisan, craftsman. See: a-ɨtɨbɨ́r [North] ‘To construct’; ɔl-áɨ́tɔ́bɨ́rani ‘Maker, doer’.

l-aitíbírúnoni [North] [North] Creator, fashioner.

nk-áítííconi [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-aitiíconi. [North] Acc pl: nk-aitiícok. [North] Nom pl: nk-áítiícok. n. [North] Mid-wife; often thse women are also female circumcisers.

nk-aitiíshoni [North] Nom sg: nk-aitiíshoni. Acc pl: nk-áítííshok. Nom pl: nk-aitiíshok. n. [North] Midwife. Typically 35 years old or more. See: enk-aitóyioni ‘Midwife’.

l-aɨtɨ́pái [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áɨ́tɨpái. n. [North] Plant species which has an edible fruit known as l-pʉʉsaní. Grewia tenax.

ɔl-áɨ́tɔ́bɨ́rani Nom sg: ɔl-áɨ́tɔ́bɨ́rání. Acc pl: ɨl-áɨ́tɔ́bɨ́rák. Nom pl: ɨl-aɨtɔbɨrák. n. 1 • One who makes, maker, doer.

2 • One who heals; traditional healer. Ɛɨbʉ́ŋá Jôn olóírirúá, nérīkī enetíī ɔláɨ́tɔ́bɨ́rání peê epúéí áaɨtɔbɨr. Jon became mad (crazy); then he was taken to the healer so that he could be healed. (W).

3 • Creator. Usage: Religion.

nk-áɨ́tɔ́lɛ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-aɨtɔlɛ́. [North] Acc pl: nk-aitólia. [North] Nom pl: nk-áítolia. n. [North] Crowned crane. Balearica regulorum.

ɔl-aɨtɔ́riani Nom sg: ɔl-áɨ́tɔ́ríání. Acc pl: ɨl-aɨtɔríák. Nom pl: ɨl-áɨ́tɔ́ríák. [West] Nom pl: ɨl-aɨtɔríák. [North] Nom sg: l-áítorianî. [North] Nom pl: l-áátoriák. n. 1 • One who is in charge; ruler. Ɔlaigúɛ́nani oshî ɔláɨ́tɔ́ríání lɔ́ lpɔ́rrɔ̄r lɛnyɛ́. The chief is the ruler of his age-set. See: ɔl-aríkoni ‘Leader’.

2 • The Lord. Usage: Christian, singular form only. Ɔlaɨtɔ́riani aké ɔ́ɨ́dɨ́m ataása ɨmbáa ɛ́ nkɨŋasíá. It is only the Lord who can do miracles. See: a-ɨtɔrɛ́ ‘To rule’.

enk-aitóyioni Nom sg: ɛnk-áítóyíóní. Acc pl: ɨnk-aitoyíók. Nom pl: ɨnk-áítóyíók. n. 1 • Midwife. Enkaitóyioni apá náítoiwuó ŋotó Lɛmáyian. It is the midwife who helped Lemayian's mother give birth. (Pk).

2 • Dryer; sth. or s.o. that dries sth. Elotú ɨná áítóyíóní aorishó. That (fem.) dryer will come to clean (eg. urine from the calf's pen).

ɔl-aityóyioni Male person who dries sth. up. See: nk-aitiíshoni [North] ‘Midwife’; a-itóí ‘To dry’.

n-aitú [North] [North] Nom sg: n-áítu. [North] Acc pl: n-aitûn. [North] Nom pl: n-áítun. n. [North] Short, squat wooden calabash used for milking.

n-aitúlu [North] [North] Nom sg: n-áítulu. n. [North] Large "V" of red ochre paint on a warrior's chest.

n-aituríáá payianí [North] n.sg. [North] Short downpour; storm that blows over (lit: the one that scares old men away). See: ɛn-cán ‘Rain’.

n-airrûrr [North]₁ n. 1 • [North] Thompson's Falls; Nyahururu.

2 • [North] Slip of the tongue in which unintended information is revealed; Freudian slip, blurting out. See: a-iúrr [North] ‘To stumble in speech’.

n-aiurrûrr [North]₂ [North] Nom sg: n-áíurrûrr. [North] Acc pl: n-aiurrurruní. n. [North] Paint can used for carrying honey.

ɛnk-aɨwáŋʉ Nom sg: ɛnk-áɨ́waŋʉ. Acc pl: ɨnk-aɨwaŋuní. Variant: ɨnk-aɨwáŋ. Nom pl: ink-áɨ́waŋuní. n. 1 • Type of bracelet. ɛná aɨwáŋʉ this bracelet.

2 • Small round piece of glittering metal at the end of a woman's ear-ring. See: a-wáŋ ‘To be open, bright’.

nk-aiwéli [North] [North] Nom sg: nkáíweli. [North] Acc pl: nk-aiwál. [North] Nom pl: nk-áíwal. n. 1 • [North] Necklace worn by men.

2 • [North] Small wire strung ear to ear, worn by warriors.

3 • [North] Chain worn by married women, hanging from the right ear.

ajá inter. How many? How? Énkíloí ajá ɛyáūā? How many kilograms did she bring? Ɛyáūā inkíloí ajá? He brought how many kilos? Inkíloí ajá? How many kilograms? (W). Ajá ɨltʉŋaná óotií? How many people are there? Kɛ́saa ajá íló sukúul? What time will you go to school? (W). Ɛ́nɛ̂ ajá? [ènìàjá] How much? (lit: of how much? Ie. how much money do you want to spend; the item is feminine or small). Ɨ́lɛ̂ ajá? [ìlìàjá] How much? (lit: of how much? Ie. how much money do you want to spend; the item is masculine or big). See: kájā ‘How many? How?’.

ɛnk-ají₁ Nom sg: ɛnk-áji. Acc pl: ɨnk-ájíjík. Nom pl: ɨnk-ajijík. [North] Acc pl: nk-ájíjik. [North] Nom pl: nk-a-jijík. n. 1 • House, home.

ɛndâ ají that house (W). ɛnkají sápʉk big house. The traditional Maasai house is "loaf"-shaped, and is constructed out of mud, sticks, grass, cow dung and urine. In some areas, Samburu houses tend to be thatched with sisal fiber. Parts of the ɛnkají include: ɛsʉntáɨ 'wall', ɨltulí lɛ́ nkají 'back of the house', kʉ́tʉ́k-ají 'door', ɛnkokórdē 'front side extension of house', ɔlmáírroto lɛ́ nkají 'corner of the house', shʉ́mátá 'roof', enkiperût 'eve' where roof extends over walls, elúsíé 'opening for smoke to escape'. On one side of the door is a room where baby sheep and goats stay. The other room is used for cooking and sleeping. The Maasai house is a woman's property and she does everything that has to be done to it. She builds, maintains, and repairs it. Among the Maasai, the house is used to guage the woman's ability to work hard. A shoddy or dirty house or utensils communicate the kind of woman who lives there. Most women earn their respect from others by the way they handle their houses. Esúújí is a lazy, shoddy woman who cannot maintain her house or build a good one. The rate at which a woman can build a house is also important. A quick and skilled builder is generally respected and held in high esteem by others. A slow and poor builder is called ɛntʉ́rúáí. Construction of the house proceeds as follows: Néítamanyɨ́ ɛnkají The house is designed, using side posts. Nɛ́bákɨ́ ɛnkɔ́p The ground is broken. Nétúrí ingumót Holes are dug. Néúní imbókishi Side posts are planted. Nɛ́yɛ́nɨ́ ɨlkɨrɨ́nɛn (sg. ɔlkɨ́rɨ́nɛ) Side posts are fastened, using double, long slender, freshly-cut sticks. These come in sets of three. Nɛ́pɨ̄kɨ̄ iréíta ɔ́ lɔ́ɔm Little sticks are put in to mesh and seal the spaces between the posts. Nɛmʉrɨ ɨsʉntá The walls are plastered, using cow dung or mud from soil. The cow dung is fresh or has been mixed with cow urine to keep it soft. Straps called inkopít (sg. enkopitó) fāstēn sticks, posts, or rafters together. Nɛ́shɛ̄tɨ̄ ɨlɨaatuanɨ́ (sg. ɔlɨaatúa) Thē inner walls are constructed, dividing the ɛnkají into rooms. The same construction process described above is used for the inner walls. At this point, a portion of the house can be casually roofed as a semi-permanent shelter, and is called ɔlŋɔ́bɔ́r. The casual roofing is made from a hide. Néshūkī ɛnkají The house is roofed permanently, using ɨlɔ́ɔm rafters, which are slender freshly-cut long stems from a special plant. First, néúní ɨŋápɛta (sg. ɛŋápɛ́) big poles are put into the ground. Nɛ́ɨ́rɨsharɨ́ ɛnkají Thick long sticks are put up to the house to assist the slender sticks in reinforcing the roof. Ɛmpɨ́kátá ɔ́ lkʉjɨ́tá shʉ́mátá Grass is put on the roof. Then ɛmʉ́rátá the roof is smeared using cow dung or mud. Ɛnkɨ́dɨ́pátá ɛ́ nkají The finishing of the house includes: Ɛmpɨ́kátá ɛ́ lúsíé Putting a small hole in the house to let out smoke from the fire. Ɛnáúnotó ɔ́ ɛmpɨ́kátá oó soitó lɛ́ nkɨ́má Bringing and arrangement of the permanent trio of fire stones. These are meant to guard, direct and keep all that pertains to the fire (ie. charcoal, ashes, firewood), and to support the wire mesh that holds cooking pots above the fire. Ɛncɛ́tátá ɔ́ lkɨtára Making of the cupboard for keeping cups, plates and other kitchen things. Ɛyɨ́kátá oó rúátin (sg. ɛ-rúát) The stick-meshed beds are raised about 30 to 40 centimetres from the ground, as desired. Ɛsɨ́sɨ́nɛtá The shrubs are pressed to make a flat mattress which is put on the stick-meshed bed. (Beds can have a solid bush mattress, or can be hollow underneath.) Ɛyɨ́kátá ɛ́nɛpɨkɨ́ ilkeék The firewood shelf is raised. The internal furniture and spaces of the house include: irúátin beds (sg. erúát). There are two to three beds, with at least one big (for the man) and one small (for the woman). iláléta rooms (sg. ɔlálɛ́). One room is for baby goats and lambs, and the other for calves. olgóríet corridor leading to the door. ɨlkɨtaraní cupboards (sg. ɔlkɨtára) for keeping cutlery and other utensils. inkutót little sub-sections (sg. enkútótó), mostly formed by corners in the house and used for temporarily keeping calabashes. ɨndʉkʉyaní the heads of the beds (sg. dʉ́kʉ́ya), slightly behind where the head rests during sleep. Calabashes are kept here permanently, especially at the head of the small bed. kɛjɛ́k ɛ ndápásh the feet of the bed, in the direction of the person's feet while sleeping. Most beds slope, with dʉ́kʉ́ya where the head rests being higher than kɛjɛ́k where the feet rest. orunkú (pl. irunkûn) the space between the bed and the floor, or between the lower part of the small bed and the wall. This area is used for storing honey beer for ceremonies. ɛnkʉ́tʉ́k ɛ́ruat (pl. inkʉ́tʉ́kíé orúatín) the edge (door) of the bed, which also serves as a seat. ɔltírén (pl. iltírénito) the floor of the house, especially the area around the fire place and beds. kʉ́tʉ́kají the door of the house. ɛnkʉ́tʉ́k ɔlálɛ́ the door to the kids, lambs, and calves' rooms. ɛnkʉ́tʉ́k ɔ́lɨtára the door of the cupboard. ɛnkɨ́má the three little stone walls for burining pieces of firewood and cooking food. ilkeék pieces of firewood for cooking food and warming the house. See: n-kórrímpâ [North] ‘Small house’; e-surúsurî ‘Abandoned house’; o-séêt ‘Small house for shepherds’; en-kisonó ‘Abandoned house’.

2 • Family; clan; sub-clan. Eéwuo ɛnkáji ɔ́lɛ Sempé. The family of Ole-Sempe has come. For Maasai clan names and their relationships, see Mol (1996:20-21).

3 • [North] Hole in the bao-game (n-tótoi) board. See: en-tótoi ‘Pebble’.

4 • [North] Class in school.

olk-ají, ol-kají Big, huge house. ɛldɛ̂ kají that huge house/building (W). See: ɔl-ají ‘Age set’.

ɔl-ají₂ Nom sg: ɔl-áji. Acc pl: ɨl-ájíjík. Nom pl: ɨl-ajijík. [North] Acc pl: l-ajíjík. n. Whole age set, including both "right" hand (the first, or senior) and "left" hand (the second, or junior) circumcision groups. Among the Samburu, a l-ají includes all eight phratries. Ɨlcánkéní oopír oláji láŋ. Our age group is Ilcankeni oopir (lit: the donkies that are fat). Each age set is given a distinct name, and these are important markers of the history of the Maasai. The "right" hand of an age set is composed of the first group of boys that are circumcised when a new circumcision period is opened. When this group is closed, several years may pass before the "left" hand circumcision period is opened. For a list of age sets from about 1755 up until 1996, see Mol (1996:12-19). As of 2000, the newest?? age group was named ɨlcánkéní oopír 'the donkies that are fat'. One member of this age set reported that this is because many in this age group have gone to school and are not viewed as very good by the older generations. Women do not have age-sets independently of their husbands. Indeed, a young married woman may sometimes be referred to as her husband's 'first born'. See: ol-pórrôr ‘Age-set’.

ájî Nom sg: áji. [West]: káji. pn.inter. 1 • Where, which. Káji ɨ́shɔ́mɔ ŋolé? Where did you go yesterday? Káji doí íŋúāā? Where are you coming from? / Where do you come from? Káji etíī ɨntárɛ ínonó? Where are your sheep/goats? (Pk).

2 • How. Káji ínkúnárɨ? How will you go? (eg. I know you don't have money for transport) (W). Káji áɨ́kɔ́? i) How do I do it? (eg. I don't know how to do the homework) (W -K) ii) What do I do with it? (K). Káji áíkó tɛnáās? How do I do it? (K). Káji kɨ́nkʉ́na ɛntɛmatá? i) How did you do on the test? (W -K) ii) What did the exam do to you? (ie. how did it affect you?) (K).

l-ajɨŋáni [North] [North] Nom sg: l-ájɨŋáni. [North] Acc pl: l-ajɨŋá. [North] Nom pl: l-ájɨŋá. n. [North] House fly. See: ɔl-ɔjɔŋáni ‘Housefly’.

nk-ajɨŋáni [North] [North] Mosquito.

ajó Acc pl: áajo. [South]: áájó. comp. Complementizer which introduces a complement clause. Reanalyzed from the infinitive a-jó 'to say'. Nɛ́ākʉ̄ kéjō aké áaɨnɛnɛŋ ɔlmʉrraní ɛlɛ̂ rinká, nɛ́dɔl ajó éísīdāī. When the warriors were trying this club, they say [saw?] that it was good. Keyíólo ajó kálōtū. He knows that I am coming. Ɛgɨ́ra iláyiok áatɛma áɨŋʉraa ajó kálɔ̂ ógol. The boys are trying each other to see which is strong. (Pk). Ágɨ́ra aʉ́t siî nɨnyɛ́ sukúul ajó kálo. I am intending to go to school too. (Pk). See: a-jó ‘To say’.

ɔl-ajúŋoni Nom sg: ɔl-ájúŋóní. Acc pl: ɨl-ajuŋók. Nom pl: ɨl-ájúŋók. [North] Nom sg: l-ájuŋoni. [North] Nom pl: l-ájuŋók. n. 1 • Heir, inheritor, successor. Inheritance within a family is as follows. A man is the head of the family. When he marries, he gives his wife cows, who in turn gives them to their children. Every time a child is born, the wife is given a cow. When the man has stopped marrying, he is left with some cows, goats, and sheep, called inkíshú ɛ bɔɔ́ 'Cows of the homestead;. When the man dies, all these animals are automatically inherited by his firstborn son, along with his ɔlcártʉ́lá walking stick, olkídoŋ tobacco container, and ɛsayéī narɔk blue necklace. If the firstborn son is unmarried when he dies, his properity (cloth, cattle, land, etc.) is inherited by the immediately junior brother born of his own mother. Similarly, the property of any other unmarried brother is inherited by the immediately junior brother of the same mother. A woman's cattle is inherited by her last-born son, referred to as oldúŋórét. If the lastborn son ( oldúŋórét) is married, then he gives the cattle to his firstborn son. The property of barren co-wives is inherited as follows: the first and third co-wife may inherit from each other (depending on which one is barren when she dies), and the second and third co-wife inhert from each other. See: a-júŋ ‘To inherit’.

2 • Caretaker of a family whose father has died. In KS, this man takes the responsibilities and property of an older brother who dies until the children of the deceased grow up and claim it for their own. This includes financial and moral responsibility for the actions of the children. Eg. if a child is ordered to pay a cow for an offense, but isn't old enough to sell his own cows, his ɔl-ajúŋoni will have to pay the fine for him (though he may call on others to help).

ɛnk-ajuŋóni Heiress.

-ak Variant: -ok. nmlz. Plural number suffix, which together with a prefix a-, creates a noun referring to an animate participant. ɨlaɨtɔríák rulers (from ɨl-a-ɨtɔrɨ-ák [MPL-NMLZ-rule-NMLZ.PL]). See: -ani ‘Animate nominalizer’.

ákát lɛ́ súútî [North] n.phrase. [North] Twine, traditionally made by women from sisal fibres.

aké adv. 1 • Particle which occurs after the first constituent of a sentence, indicating:

a • Again just as before. Nyáakɨ́ aké shɔ́mɔ íyakákɨ ɛnkʉrmá. Go again and get me flour again. [Implication: Last time you brought me flour and this is exactly what you should bring again.] Compare this with Nyáakɨ́ shɔ́mɔ íyakákɨ ɛnkʉrmá. 'Go again and get me flour.' [Implication: Last time you brought me sth. else, but this time you should bring flour.].

b • Degree of exclusivity or contrast (perhaps exclusive focus of contrast, or counter to expectation); expression of determination: only, just. Enkiriŋó aké ányá. I'll just/only eat meat. [when offered both meat and fruit]. Ɔladúáani aké ɔ́ɨ́dɨ̄m atodúa entóki naisudóro. It is only a keenly observant person who can see a hidden thing. Kóyíánó aké náyɨmá ɛntɛ́mátá. It is only Koyian who has passed the exam. (Pk). Káló aké I WILL go. [insisting]. Nánʉ́ aké. It's just me. [not insisting]. Máapé aké. Let's just go. Nɛ́ɨ́dɨ̄p aké nélo. He just finished and left. Ɛnkɨtɨ́ dáa aké nánʉ́ ɨncɔɔ́kɨ. Just give me a little food. (Pk). Míló aké aɨmɨ́n. Don't get lost, don't stay for long. See: siî ‘Just, also’.

aké dúóó Merely, just because. ḿmɛ taá ílótú aké dúóó amanɨmanaá pɛ́shɔ. You just don't come and merely loiter around. (Pk). Míkíntóki taá aké dúóó atɔ́n aitoŋú tɛ nkárakɨ́ mɨ́kɨ́nyɔ́r. Stop speaking ill of me just because you don't like me. (lit: You just don't keep on smearing me bad smell because you don't like me.) (Pk).

ɛnk-akɛnyá Nom sg: ɛnk-ákɛnya. Acc pl: ɨnk-akɛ̂ny. Variant: ɨnk-ákɛny. Nom pl: ɨnk-ákɛ̂ny. n. 1 • Morning, up until about mid-morning. Kɛ́jáa ɛnkákɛnyá? How is the morning? (K W). This is a way of greeting. Kɨ́tɔtɔná omeúu ɛnkákɛnya. We stayed up until morning came. Eoshí inkíshú tɛ nkákɛnya. Cows are driven to the pastures in the morning.

2 • [North] Sometime in the future; [South] Sometime in the future.

3 • Time just before the sun comes up; dawn. See: tádɛkɛnyá ‘Early morning’; rauto ‘Dusk’; ɛn-darʉ́na ‘Dawn’; ɛ-nasiríé ‘Dawn, morning’; tásɨrán ‘Morning’.

ɔl-ákɛ́sɛ́na [ɔ̀lá̪kɛ́sɛ̪́na, undermark indicates stress on vowel] Nom sg: ɔl-akɛsɛ́na. Acc pl: ɨl-ákɛ́sɛ́nak. Nom pl: ɨl-akɛsɛ́nak. n. Cloth skirt that women put on, typically moríjóí ("purple" or maroon) in color. Ɛadɔ́ ɨlɔ́ akɛsɛ́na óíshopito Múnai. That skirt that Munai is putting on is very long. (W). Ɛáta Múnai ɨlákɛ́sɛ́nak tɔ́mɔ̂n. Munai has ten skirts. (W). A man and a woman could each buy identical cloth, but only when a woman puts it on it could be called ɔlákɛ́sɛ́na. See: a-kɛsɛ́n ‘To tie on a skirt’; l-ɔ́gɛ́sána [North] ‘Skirt’.

-akɨ Variant: -ɔkɨ; -oki; -iki. In some suffixed forms: -akɨn, -okin. appl. Dative applicative suffix, indicating that the agent of the verb is not the Patient (ie. not a participant directly manipulated or affected by the action), but rather has one of the following roles:

1 • Goal: to. Tápala peê áyákɨ́ ɛnkɨlâ ínó. You do not mind I will bring your cloth. (Pk). Tápala peê áyákɨ́ ɛnkɨlâ inó. Just leave it, so I will bring you your cloth. (W). Néjokí: Óre oshî táatá néméékúré kílótú aɨrɔrɔkɨ́ ánaa apá. He said to them/He told them: "Nowadays you don't come to see me like before." (Pk).

2 • Benefactive; for. Ídúŋóki táatá. You will cut for him. (W).

3 • Directly followed in a line. Kóre ɔpá kɨ́ndʉ́rrɨ́tâ áapuo enetií ɛnkárɛ, ɔlálɛ́ loó nkíshú âŋ náaiturukito, nɛ́sʉjakɨ́ ɔlálɛ lóo nkíshú ɔɔ́ Ɛmpapá, nɛ́ɨ́sɨadákɨ ɔlálɛ lóo nkíshú oó Lemeín. When we were moving to where water is, then the group of our cows was the first one, followed by a group of Empapa's cows, then lastly the group of Lemein's cows. (W). ?Ɛ́sʉ́jákɨ ɛnkáyíóní enkíné. The boy will follow the goat. (W).

4 • Greater intensity or intention to do sth. Áasʉjakɨ́ oldóínyó. He will track me (all over the place, through whatever routes I might take) to the mountain. (W) Compare: Áasʉ́j oldóínyó. He will follow me to the mountain. (W) With -akɨ(n), the example might imply that the person following me has some bad intention and I am seeking refuge in the mountain. Also note the meanings in: Áasʉjakɨ́ ɛnkítɛ́ŋ. i) He will follow the cow for me. (eg. it is lost and I am unable to go after it). (W) ii) He will pursue me all the way to the cow (eg. I know that a dog who is pursuing me is afraid of cows, so I run to a cow seeking safety, but the dog neverless pursues me all the way there). (W).

akíni [North] adv. [North] Slowly, gently. See: akɨ́tɨ ‘Slowly’; kiní; kinyí ‘Little’.

ɔl-ákɨ́rá Nom sg: ɔl-akɨrá. Acc pl: ɨl-ákɨ́r. Nom pl: ɨl-akɨ́r. n. Star. Ɛ́ɨ́kɨtɨ́ ɛwaŋán ɔ́ lákɨ́rá aláŋ ɛnɛ́ nkɔlɔ́ŋ. The light of the star is smaller than that of the sun. Kɛ́wáŋu ánaa ɨlákɨ́r. They will shine like stars. (C).

l-ákɨ́rá dɔ́rrɔ́p [North] [North] Venus (lit: short star).

l-ákɨ́rá lɛ́ sɨrán [North] [North] The morning star.

ol-ákɨ́rá lɔ́ lkɨdɔŋɔ̂ɨ̂ Comet (lit: tailed star).

tɔ lakɨrá In the morning; during the time when the stars are still visible. See: en-kókúáí ‘The pleiades’; l-oisápa [North] ‘The pleiades’; n-kábártak [North] ‘The pleiades’.

l-ákɨ́rkɨ́r [North] [North] Nom sg: l-akɨrkɨ́r. n. [North] Ephemeral fever, a cattle disease; symptoms include a short fever, shivering, lameness and stiffness. See: a-ɨkɨrɨkɨrá ‘To shiver, tremble’.

l-akɨrr-áí [North] [North] Nom sg: l-ákɨrr-áí. n. [North] Jupiter (lit: to mark the sky). See: a-kɨ́rr ‘To mark’; áí ‘Sky’; ol-ókírráí ‘Rainbow’.

n-akɨ́rrɨcɔ̂ɨ̂ [North] [North] Nom sg: n-ákɨrrɨcɔ̂î. [North] Acc pl: n-akɨ́rricó. n. [North] Palate (of the mouth).

ɔl-ákɨ́tárrɨ́ Nom sg: ɔl-akɨtarrɨ́. Acc pl: ɨl-akɨtarriní. Nom pl: ɨl-ákɨtarriní. n. Doctor.

akɨ́tɨ Variant: áákʉ́tɨtɨ́. adv. 1 • Slowly. Shɔ́mɨshɔmɔ taá akɨ́tɨ ɔtábai. Just go slowly until you reach there. Táasa esíáai inó akɨ́tɨ. Do your work slowly. (Pk). Táasa esíáai inó áákʉ́tɨtɨ́. Repeatedly, do your work very slowly. (Pk). Téjo áákʉ́tɨtɨ́ Say it slowly. (Pk). See: akíni [North].

2 • Gently, quietly. Akɨ́tɨ taá ɨ́mbʉŋá ɨ́lɔ̂ kimojíno peê mínkóyie. [ɨ́mbʉ̀ŋá ɨ̀lɔ̀ kìmòjíno] Hold that sick finger gently so that you don't hurt him. Ɨ́rɔrɔ́ akɨ́tɨ, amʉ̂ kɛ́ɨ́rʉ́ra ɛnkɛráí. Talk quietly, because the baby is asleep.

3 • [South] I am sorry![West] I am sorry. This is what one might say if you step on someone's foot, though may also be used to let s.o. know he has stepped on you.

4 • A short bit of time. A: Maria! Ewó shái? B: Ɛɨtʉ́, káke akɨ́tɨ. A: Maria! Is tea ready? B: No, but in a little bit (it will be ready). (W). Akɨ́tɨ peê ááítáre. (Wait) a moment, so I will escort you. (W). See: áákʉ́tɨtɨ́ ‘Slowly’; kɨtɨ́ ‘Little’.

ol-akítoni Nom sg: ol-akítóní. Acc pl: il-akitók. Nom pl: il-akítók. [North] Nom sg: l-ákitoni. [North] Nom pl: l-ákitók. n. 1 • Man who scrapes hair off a hide with an axe.

2 • [North] Elder who circumcises boys; [South] Elder who circumcises boys. This expert is known throughout the whole district.

ɛnk-akítoni Woman who circumcises girls. See: ɔl-ámʉ́ratani ‘Circumciser’; ol-tórróboní ‘Circumciser’.

n-akodél [North] [North] Nom sg: n-ákodél. [North] Acc pl: n-akodélí. n. [North] White-crowned shrike. Eurocephalus ruppelli.

a-akʉ́ In some suffixed forms: akʉn. v.s. 1 • To become; enter into a new status. Ɛákʉ kitók. He shall be great. Ɛákʉ ɛná kɨ́tɛŋ ɛnaáí. This cow will become mine. Epúó ɨlmʉ́rrân eúnótó peê ɛakʉ́ ɨlpayianí. The warriors will go to the installation ceremony so that they become elders. (W). Ɨ́ákʉ íyīē ɔ́ nkɛ́ra inónō ɨsɨnkân láinéī ɨntarasí. You and your children will become my servants forever. Áákʉ ɔláɨ́tɛ́ŋɛ́nani. I will become a teacher. Táakʉ́ íyīē ɛnkáípóóponí nɨ́ákʉ íyīē olúmpuaní. You become the "loved child", and you become the Olumpuani cannibal. peê ɛakʉ́ siî nɨ́nyɛ ɛnɨ́na áŋ. so she can belong to that family. (W). Ɛakʉ́nī ɨlpayianí People become elders. (W).

2 • To turn out to be, result (in a new situation); amount to. Kɛ́ākʉ̄ nánʉ́ aké ólo Nairobi amʉ̂ nánʉ́ lɛ́mɛ́ɨ́mɨn. It will just be me who will be going to Nairobi because it is me who is not going to get lost. Kɛ́ākʉ̄ kéjóki aké, máapé! He will just be telling him, let's go! Tɛ nɨ́nkɛn ilkimojík lɔɔ́ nkáɨ́k ɔ́ lɔɔ́ nkɛjɛ́k nɛ́ākʉ̄ tikítam. If you count your fingers and toes together, they add up to twenty.

3 • To begin. Ɛákʉ ɛmanyatá ilapaitín aáre oópuonú. The manyata will take place in two months to come (ie. in two months' time). (W). Tólikíóki taá tɛnɛ́ākʉ̄ ɨ́tádámua. Tell me when you have begun to think of him.

4 • Could it be? Is it right? (requesting information, or rhetorical). Olayíóni oyamá enkitók? Ɛákʉ? A boy who married a woman? Could it be right? (W). Ɛshɔmɔ́ doí apá/ɔpá? Ɛákʉ? He has actually gone long ago. Isn't that right? [Implication: so stop bothering me about it.] (W).

a-akunyé v.mid. 1 • To become. Óre ɛnkáŋ oó motónyī nɛ́akunyé eunotó ɨ́nâ. The (ceremonial) home-of-birds becomes the installation-home-for-warriors just like that.

2 • [North] To become by means of.

nɛ́ākʉ̄ conj. Discourse conjunction; so, so therefore. Nɛ́ākʉ̄ táatá ɛtagolíkīō doí iyíóók. So now we are troubled [because traditional knowledge and customs are not being transmitted.]. Kʉlɔ̂ oójî ɨl-Kɨsákara ɔ́ɔɨdɨpâ áatook kʉlɛ̂. Nɛ́ākʉ̄ kájo nanʉ́ ɨl-Ŋɔ́rɨshɔ́ ɛ́mʉ́rátɨ́tāɨ̄ ɨ́nâ kátá. These called Il-Kisakara [an age-set] had just gone through the milk-drinking ceremony. So I think it is the Il-Ng'orisho [age-set] that were being circumcised that time. See: táa ‘Imperative form of a-kʉ́(n) 'become'’; ɛ́-táá ‘He became’; áâ ‘Be’; a-rá ‘To be’.

a-akʉ́ ɔ́lɛ̂ kɛwán [ààkʊ́ ɔ̀lɛ̀ kɛ̀wán] v.phrase v.s. To become self-centered, selfish (lit: to become the man of self). Ɛgɨ́ra aakʉ́ ɔ́lɛ̂ kɛwán. [ɛ̀ɡɪ́ɾa ààkʊ́ ! ɔ́lɛ́ kɛ̀wán] He is increasingly becoming self-centered, selfish. This person has resources, but everything is concentrated on himself. He does things for himself. He doesn't want to talk to people or socialize with people, to spend time doing things only for himself, and may isolate self from people for that purpose; he doesn't tell people what he is doing. He doesn't share water, etc. that he has. Even a poor person can be this way.

akúa interj. 1 • Congratulations.

2 • Expression used when greeting a dearly-missed individual who has been away a long time.

nk-ákua [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-ákûâ. n. [North] Pleiades. See: en-kokúáī ‘Pleiades’; n-kábártak [North] ‘Pleiades’.

ákúâ [ákúâ] with two final moras, rather than [ákwâ] [Chamus] Acc sg: líákua. inter dem. Interrogative plural determiner; which? Counterpart to sg. áâ (fem), álɔ̂ (masc) and ájî (place). Ákúâ payianí kʉlɔ́? [àkùà pàyyàní] Which men are these? (W). Kákua tʉ́ŋáná lɛlɔ̂? Which people are those? (Pk). Kákúā kɛ́rā kʉná? Which children are these? Kákua kɛ́ra kʉná? Which children are these? (ie., we don't know the identity of certain children). (W). Kákua (a)lɛ́ náoto? Which milk is fermented? (eg. out of several calabashes). Kákua lɛ́ íyíéú? Which milk do you want? (W). Íyíéú ákúâ lɛ́? [íyyéú àkùà lɛ́] Which milk do you want? (W). See: álɔ̂ ‘Which (msg)’; áâ ‘Which (fsg)’; ájî ‘What (place.sg)’.

ɔl-akúɛ́tani Nom sg: ɔl-ákúɛ́tání. Acc pl: ɨl-akuɛták. Nom pl: ɨl-akuɛták; ɨl-ákúɛ́ták. n. Runner. Einépūā ɔlákúɛ́tání ɔlɨkáɨ̄. The runner caught up with the other one. See: a-kúɛ́t ‘To run’.

ɔl-akúí₁ [ɔ̀làkwí] Nom sg: ɔl-ákûî. Acc pl: ɨl-akúí, ɨl-akúyia(k). Nom pl: ɨl-ákúí, ɨl-ákúyía(k). [West] Acc sg: ɔl-ákúí. [North] Acc sg: akúí. [North] Nom sg: ákui. [North] Acc pl: l-makúí. [North] Nom pl: l-mákui. n. 1 • Ancestry. Ɔlakúí láí taá doí ɛlɛ́ páyian. This man is from my ancestral line.

2 • Ancestor. Kɛ́pɨ́ apá ɨlákúí láŋ. Our ancestors were brave. Meipotí oshî ɨlakúí tɔɔ́ lMaasáɨ́. Ancestors are not mentioned among the Maasai. Ancestors (and those who have died generally) are not mentioned among the Maasai, either out of a sense of respect or for fear that it is a bad omen. When one does mention them, they should spit and say Kilomé 'Let nothing come to harm.'.

3 • Maternal grandfather; may be used vocatively.

4 • [South] Brother of my mother.

5 • [North] Great-grandfather.

ɛnk-akúí 1 • Grandchild, as addressed by grandparents.

2 • Grandmother; female ancestor.

ɨnk-akúí Grandparents.

ɔl-akúyiaâ Grandfather.

ɛnk-akúí₂ [ɛ̀ŋkàkúy] Nom sg: ɛnk-ákûî. Acc pl: ɨnk-akúyia(k). Nom pl: ink-ákúyía(k). [West] Acc sg: ɛnk-ákúí. n. 1 • Grandchild (by a son or daughter).

2 • Ancestor.

3 • Grandparent (male or female). See: kakúyia ‘Grandchild (male or female)’.

ol-ákúí [òlákúy] n. Dog.

l-akulí [North] [North] Nom sg: l-ákulí. [North] Acc pl: l-akulîn. [North] Nom pl: l-ákʉlɨ̂n. n. [North] Preserved meat stored in fat within a container like l-parapará or nyábʉrr. See: ɔl-pʉ́rdá ‘Preserved meat in fat’.

l-ákʉ́nyá [North] [North] Nom sg: l-akʉnyá. [North] Acc pl: l-ákʉ́ny. [North] Nom pl: l-akʉ́ny. n. 1 • [North] Brain. See: ɛ-lʉ́kʉ́nyá; ɔ-lɛ́lʉ́kʉ́nyá; ɔ-lɛ́pɨ́rnyɨ́ny ‘Brain’.

2 • [North] Spinal cord.

a-akunyé v.mid. To become. See: a-akʉ́ ‘To become’.

ɔl-akúyiaâ Nom sg: ɔl-ákúyiaâ. Acc pl: ɨl-akúyiaâ. Nom pl: ɨl-ákúyiaâ. [Purko] Acc sg: (i)nk-akúyiaâ. [Purko] Nom sg: (i)nk-ákúyiaâ. [West] Acc sg: ɔl-ákuyiaa. Note: [ɔ̀lákuyyaa] third syllable has three moras[West] Nom sg: ɔl-ákúyiaa. [West] Acc pl: ɨl-ákúí; ɨl-akuyianí. [West] Nom pl: ɨl-ákuyianí. [North] Acc sg: akúyia. [North] Nom sg: ákuyia. [North] Acc pl: akuyianí, oóakúyia. [North] Nom pl: ákuyianí. n. 1 • Very old man; grandfather. Ɔlɛ́ ntɨ́pat âŋ amʉ̂ óre nkakúyiaâ nkakúyiaâ lɛnyɛ́ nɛ́ŋar kɨ́na nkákuyiaâ nkakúyiaâ laŋ. He is of our lineage because his great great grandfather was a brother to our great great grandfather. (Pk). Epéríto ɔlákúyia lâî tɔ lóíp. My grandfather is sleeping under the shade. (W). Éló ɔlákúyia. The old man will go. (W). Épúó ɨlákuyianí. The old men will go. (W). See: kakúyiaâ ‘Grandfather’.

2 • Male grandchild. ɛldɛ́ ákuyiaa that grandson (W). The singular may be used vocatively or referentially. However, Wagner (p. 174) notes that the relationship between grandfather and grandson is more in focus than the particular person per se. A man may use this word for his grandson, but a woman would not use it for her grandson. A grandchild of either sex may use the word for his or her grandfather.

ɛnk-akúyiaâ 1 • Granddaughter.

2 • Grandchild (of either gender).

3 • [Purko] Grandfather.

4 • [West] Grandparent (of either gender). See: kakúyia ‘Grandchild (voc)’; ɔl-akúí ‘Ancestor’.

ɔl-aláani Nom sg: ɔl-áláání. Acc pl: ɨl-alaák. Nom pl: ɨl-áláák. [West] Nom pl: ɨl-alaák. n. 1 • One who unties. Usage: rare. Mayíólo ajó kálo aláani ɔtalaáyie ɨlashɔ́ mɛshɔ́mɔ áanak. I don't know who untied the calves to go and suck. (W).

2 • One who pays (eg. bills), buyer (who pays for what he/she buys); cashier (who gives out money). KS:5 says this is a man who covers the wrong of another because the guilty party is in his charge, but not yet old enough to sell his own cows. See: a-lák ‘To loosen, untie, release, pay, compensate’.

álábany adj. Complacent, not dilligent. See: ɔl-bárríkô ‘Complacent’.

l-aláce [North] [North] Nom sg: l-álace. [North] Acc pl: l-alácɛ́ra. [North] Nom pl: l-álácɛra. n. 1 • [North] Brother.

2 • [North] Male relative of same generation on father's side; esp. Father's brother's son. See: ɔl-aláshɛ ‘Brother’.

ɔl-aláí [ɔ̀làláy] pn. Mine. See: áí ‘My’.

ɔl-alâɨ̂ [ɔ̀làlây but -ATR] Nom sg: ɔl-álaɨ. Acc pl: ɨl-álá. Nom pl: ɨl-alá. n. 1 • Tooth. Ɛtɨ́gɨ́lá ɔlalâɨ̂ lâî. He broke my tooth. (W). Ɛtɨgɨ́lɛ ɔlálaɨ lâî. My tooth broke. (W). Ɛtɨgɨ́latɛ ɨlalá láinêî. My teeth broke. (W). ɨlálá lɔ́ ldîâ teeth of a dog.

2 • Tusk. ɔlalâɨ̂ lɔ́ lkáncáóí elephant tusk (Pk). Ɨlálá aáre ɔɨ́pɨkʉ bɔɔ́ ɛáta olbitírr. A warthog has two tusks that project conspicuously outside.

3 • Warthog's tooth that is chopped, smoothed, and put on children's necks as a charm. Mol (1996:23) notes that this word is also used for little polished bone-tabs tied to the necks of favourite castrated rams.

4 • [North] Fang of a snake.

5 • [South] Stone put on children's necks.

ɛnk-alâɨ̂ 1 • Little tooth.

2 • Triangular stone, shell, or tile used to adorn small children. This is worn around the neck (from birth?) until it wears out and falls off.

ɨl-álá lɛ́ kɛ́raɨshɔ Primary "milk" teeth; teeth which are lost beginning around age 6.

ɨl-álá lɛ́ kishiáá Upper front teeth (lit: teeth that are appropriate).

ɨl-álá lɛ́ mbúátá Lower front teeth (lit: teeth of the gap). See: ɨ-naapɨ̂ tɛ barɨák ‘Thin, sharp teeth’; ɔl-tagɨ́lɨgɨ́lɨ ‘Molar’.

ol-álákúnoni [North] Nom sg: l-alakúnoni. n. One who frees, releases; redeemer, ransomer, payer. See: a-lák ‘To losen, untie’.

ɛnk-alámu Variant: ɛn-kalámu; ɛnk-alamú. Nom sg: ɛnk-álamu. Acc pl: ɨnk-alamuní. Nom pl: ɨnk-álamuní. n. Pencil, pen. This cannot mean 'chalk' in at least W, S. nɛ́nâ alamuní pɔɔkí [nɛ̀nà àlàmùní] all those pencils. Ɛnkalámu ɛná. This is a pen. Kéígérīshō ɛná álamu aɨtɔbɨrakɨ́. This pen writes very well. (Pk). Borrowed word: Swahali kalamu, from Arabic qalam.

ɛnk-alámu ɛ́ ncatá

ɛnk-alámu ɛ́ nketá Pencil.

ɛnk-alámu ɔ́ ránki Biro pen.

álani Nom sg: áláni. Acc pl: álanak. Nom pl: álának. adj. 1 • Clumsy.

2 • Not smart, not skilled, unable to do things in the right way; inept, incompetent. Áajokí apá Páapa lâî árá álani amʉ̂ mayíólo aɨrrɨ́tā inkíshú. My father used to tell me that I am inept because I don't know how to look after cows. (W).

3 • Unique. peê ɛbáʉ́ ɛmʉráta ɛ́nyɛ́ álani so their [the girls'] circumcision is a little unique. Ant: árriyíá ‘Skilled’.

ɛnk-álánó Nom sg: ɛnk-alanó. n.sg. 1 • Ineptitude. Óre siî ɔ nánʉ́ nɛ́māyīēū ɨna álánó. I also do not want that ineptitude. (Pk).

2 • Clumsiness. See: álani ‘Clumsy’.

3 • Slovenlyness. Ɛáta Jois ɛnkálánó. Jois is slovenly. (W). This would not be used to describe a home but a person, or perhaps an animal that does not follow the right path even after being shown where to get salt, food, etc.

4 • [North] Haphardness. See: kɛ́rɛ́rɛ̂ ‘Slovenly’.

a-alanú v.incep. To become clumsy, inept, incompetent. See: álani ‘Clumsy’.

ɛnk-alaóni Nom sg: ɛnk-álaóni. Acc pl: ɨnk-alaó. Variant: ɨn-kalaó. Nom pl: ɨnk-álao. [West] Acc sg: ɛn-kalaóni. [North] Nom pl: nk-álaó. [South] Acc sg: ɛnk-alawóni. n. Small black ant species. Kɛ́ɔ́nyɨ̄shɔ̄ ɛnkálaóni olêŋ. An ant bites very much. ɛndá (k)alaɔ́ni that ant (W). See: o-rirí ‘Red ant’; ŋotó kɔ́shɛshɛ ‘Army ants’.

ɔl-aláshɛ Nom sg: ɔl-álashɛ. Acc pl: ɨl-aláshɛra. Nom pl: ɨl-álashɛra. [North] Nom pl: ɨl-áláshɛra. n. 1 • A male relative with the same parents; brother. Rather than use a term like this, a man will refer to his brother by the gift that was given. For some speakers, this noun can be stretched to refer to a male member of the same clan.

2 • A male member of a religious group. Usage: Christian. ɔlaláshɛ láí botor my elder brother.

ɔl-aláshɛ bótór

aláshe bótór [North]

aláce bótór [Chamus] Older male relative of the same father; elder brother. See: ɛnk-anáshɛ ‘Sister’.

ɛnk-albúáli Variant: ɛnk-arbúáli; ɛn-kalbúáli. Nom sg: ɛnk-álbuali. Acc pl: ɨnk-albúál. Nom pl: ɨnk-álbual. n. Blood clot, clotted blood. Eturukúnye ɔsárgɛ eiŋúaa ɛŋɔ́ny ɛ́ nkɨ́tɛ́ŋ nɛ́ɨ́bʉ́ŋā aakʉ́ ɛnkalbúáli. Blood flowed from the cow's vein and it clotted. Kóre ɛná kalbúáli néíŋúáa endúŋótó ɛ́ nkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. This blood clot is from the cow's cut (injury). (W). See: ɔ-sáróí ‘Curdled milk mixed with blood’; n-julóti [North] ‘Fresh milk mixed with blood’; m-porói [North] ‘Roasted clotted blood’.

alɛ́ n. Milk. Ákua alɛ́? Which milk? (Pk). Kɛ́bɛbɛ́k kʉná álɛ́ amʉ̂ ɛ́tɨ́pɨ́kákɨ ɛnkárɛ́. [kʊ̀ná ! álɛ́] This milk is diluted because it has water. (Pk). Hymn: alɛ́ ‘Calf pen (nominative)’. See: kʉlɛ́ ‘Milk’.

alɛ̂ [North] Restrict: SN. dem. Restrict: SN. [North] This, masculine singular. Alɛ̂ gíitâ ápórórīē anâ ŋɛ́rɛ́m. This rope is what I will use to creep/climb over this precipice. (SN). See: ɛlɛ̂ ‘This’.

ɔl-álɛ́ Nom sg: ɔl-alɛ́, ɔl-álɛ. Acc pl: ɨl-álɛ́ta. Nom pl: ɨl-alɛtá. [North] Nom sg: l-álɛ. [North] Acc pl: l-alɛ́ta. n. 1 • Pen for calves, or kids and lambs, inside the kraal or inside the house. alɔ álɛ́? Which calf pen? (Pk). ɔlálɛ́ lɔɔ́ lashɔ́ calf pen. See: ɛm-bɨ́rrɨsh ‘Sub-kraal’; en-dúŋórotó ‘Fence’; e-múátátá ‘Fold for goats and sheep’.

2 • Piece of land given to some people during demarcation of the land to individual owners by the Kenyan government. Usage: derog.

3 • Cattle camp away from home, used exclusively for cattle (eg. not goats), esp. during the dry season, and tended by warriors; women and children may visit but do not stay.

4 • Location within a market place for gathering livestock which are to be bought and sold; the "enclosure" is typically formed by people that surround the cattle.

5 • [West] A well-defined group of cattle that is conceptually "marked off" for a definite purpose, or which are together for a defined period of time. This term would not be used for a casual grouping of cattle that just happened to be grazing in a particular place. Kóre ɔpá kɨ́ndʉ́rrɨ́tâ áapuo enetií ɛnkárɛ, ɔlálɛ́ loó nkíshú âŋ náaiturukito, nɛ́sʉjakɨ́ ɔlálɛ lóo nkíshú ɔɔ́ Ɛmpapá, nɛ́ɨ́sɨadákɨ ɔlálɛ lóo nkíshú oó Lemeín. When we were moving to where water is, then the group of our cows was the first one, followed by a group of Empapa's cows, then lastly the group of Lemein's cows. (W).

ɛnk-álɛ́ Syn sn 4: róncó ‘Cattle camp outside home’. Little calf pen.

l-álɛ́ lɔɔ́ lacáó [North] [North] Calves' pen.

ɔl-álɛ́ loó ŋúési Game reserve.

álɛ́ interj. Expression of surprise, or of sth. unusual. Kóre kíŋórû ɨlŋanayíó tɛ ntîm eitú kítûm tɛ nkatá náadɔ kóre tɛ nkɨ́tɨ katá náníŋ ɔlcɔrɛ́ láí Kúntai peê éjô "Álɛ́! Ánótó obô!" When we were looking for fruits in the bush, we didn't find any for a long time. But in a little while, I heard my friend Kuntai saying, "Álɛ́! I got one!".

ol-álɛ́lɨ́ [South] n. [South] Enclosure set aside for calves to graze. This is outside of the enk-áŋ, and is enclosed by thornbushes. It may be 1 x 6 km or bigger.

ɛnk-álɛ́m Nom sg: ɛnk-alɛ́m. Acc pl: ɨnk-alɛmá. Nom pl: ɨnk-álɛma. [North] Nom pl: nk-álɛmá. n. Knife. Incɔɔ́kɨ ɛndâ álɛ́m matuduŋíshore. Give me that knife so that I can use it for cutting. (Pk). Tɛ́ɛna enetuduŋó ɛnkalɛ́m méítokí awó. Put a bandage on the area that the knife has cut so that it won't keep bleeding. (Pk). A Maasai knife is sharp on only one side.

ɔl-álɛ́m 1 • Sword, maybe 30 to 50 centimeters long. ashʉtʉ́ ɔlálɛ́m tɛ ncáshʉ̂rr to remove a sword from a sheath (Pk). Ɔl-álɛ́m is worn on the right, and is sharp on both sides.

2 • Large knife.

ɔl-álɛ́m lɛ́ mpɔ́lɔs Long knife used by warriors to defend themselves.

l-álɛ́m lɛ́ nkɨ́jɨ [North] [North] Acc pl: l-alɛmá lɔɔ́ nkɨ́jɨɨ. [North] Long straight knife (or small sword) sharpened on both sides, worn at the waist by males, and used by warriors to defend themselves, in construction, for eating meat, and for any other kind of cutting.

ɔl-álɛ́m lɔɔ́ ŋkírí Knife, bigger than :ɛnk-álɛ́m, used mostly by women to cut meat. It is also used to slaughter cows.

enk-álɛ́m ɔɔ́ ntaré Knife with wooden handle, sharp on both sides, used for trimming sheep's hooves. See: ɔl-mʉrrʉ́nya ‘Small knife for shaving or circumcision’; l-káncár [North] ‘Small sword’.

ɔl-álɛ́m ónyókíé [ɔ̀lálɛ́m ōɲōki͡é̄] Nom sg: ɔl-alɛ́m ɔ́nyokie. n.sg. 1 • God's sword (lit: the sword which is red). Usage: curse. This refers to the idea of God's dangerous wrath, but is normally used to curse s.o. Mɨ́kɨ́tárie ɛnkaí ɔlálɛ́m ónyókíé. May God extinguish you! (Pk). Angry curse to mean, 'May God kill you!' Not used to put a curse with effects on a person, but to express anger.

2 • Red sword.

3 • [South] Death of blood.

enk-aléponi Nom sg: ɛnk-álépóní. Acc pl: ɨnk-alepók. Nom pl: ɨnk-álépók. n. 1 • One who milks. Ɛ́mpotó dúóó ɛnkaléponi metálēpō inkíshú. Call the woman who milks so as to milk the cows.

2 • One who milks the cows excessively, to the point where the calves look sick. Ɛtálépó ɛnkálépóní ɨlashɔ́ mɛtásasɨtá. The milker milked the calves thin. (ie. The milker milked the cow so much that there was insufficient milk for the calves.).

ol-aléponi This would refer to a man from another tribe hired to do the milking, as Maasai men do not do milking. A young boy who has not yet been circumcised can, however, do milking.Man who milks cattle.

nk-álíbóŋí [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-aliboŋí. [North] Acc pl: nk-álɨbɔŋ. n. [North] Cow which is old enough to be mounted, but which hasn't been yet.

ol-álíkóroni [North] Nom sg: l-alikóroni. [North] Acc pl: l-alikórok, l-alikorók. [North] Nom pl: l-álikorók. n. 1 • One who speaks or announces, on his own or s.o. else's behalf; announcer, herald.

2 • Prophet, preacher. Usage: ecclastical. See: a-likí ‘To tell, inform’.

ɔl-álɨ́lɨ́ Nom sg: ɔl-alɨlɨ́. Acc pl: ɨl-ɔlɨlɨ̂n. n. 1 • [North] Grass that grows inside a (potentially deserted) kraal and which smells bad such that cows do not want to eat it.

2 • [North] Grazing field set apart for calves; pasturage; [South] Grazing field set apart for calves; pasturage. See: ɔl-ɔkɛrɨ́ ‘Restricted area near the homestead for calves to graze in’.

a-alíp v. 1 • To nurture a sick person by giving a specialized diet. See: a-ipók ‘To cleanse ritually’.

2 • To bless s.o. by ceremonially giving them a small amount of beer, milk, or blood to drink. Ɛtaalipóki ɔlmʉrráni tɛ kʉ́lɛ. The warrior was ritually blessed with milk. Anyone can do this, and for many occasions.

(ɛnk-)áló Nom sg: ɛnk-aló. Acc pl: ɨnk-áloli. Nom pl: ɨnk-álóli. [North] Acc pl: nk-álolî. [North] Nom pl: nk-álóli. n. 1 • Adjacent area bordering one side of an object; side. Káa áló? Which side? Káló ɛnkáló âŋ. I am going to our part (ie. where we stay). (Pk). Shɔ́mɔ íyakákɨ osóít otíí ɛnkáló ɛ́nda ají. Go get me a stone that is adjacent to that house. (Pk). Ɛitáshe ɔlpáyian tɛ nkaló ɛ́nkají. The man is standing by the side of the house. A: Káá áló ítíī? B: Átíī ɛnkáló ɔ́dɨ̄rɨ̄shā é lúsíé. A: Which side are you on? B: I'm on the side of the window. (Exchange between A who is outside a house, and cannot see B who is outside on a different side of the house.).

2 • [North] Area, region.

3 • Direction, way. Tía aló eímūā? (i) Which side did he pass him (on/from)? (ii) Coming from which direction did he pass him? (Pk). Ɛgɨ́rāɨ̄ áadam inkíshú mɛ́ɨ́nyiaari ɛnkáló naiŋúáa. The cows are being turned so they return to the direction they came from. (Pk). Káa áló ílóíto? Which way are you going? (W).

4 • Side of the body. Íjó doí káníŋíto emíón tɛná aló. I am feeling pain on this side (of my body). (Pk). Note: In W, a person does not have an ɛnkáló.

ti álo Beside, next to. Ti álo ɛndá ají apá etúá ɔlashé. Somewhere about that side of that house the calf died. (Pk). amʉ̂ étéjó ɛnkaí memíki ɛnâ síri ti álo Abraham. because God said that He will not keep this secret away from Abraham. (C). See: ɛm-bátá ‘Beside’.

álɔ̂ Before a noun: alo. pn.inter inter.dem. Masculine singular interrogative determiner; which? who? Emúóyíáa ɨlɔɨŋɔ́k, káke mayíólo ajó álɔ̂ taá ósíókí aishíú. The bulls are sick, but I don't know which one will heal first. Álɔ̂ taá ayíóni ɔ́adorú? Which of the (two or more boys) will be taller? Kálɔ payíán ɛlɛ́? Which man is this? Mayíólo ajó kálɔ aláani ɔtalaáyie ɨlashɔ́ mɛshɔ́mɔ áanak. I don't know who untied the calves to go suck. (lit: I don't know which untier (it was) that untied the calves to go suck.) (W). See: áâ₂ ‘Which? (fem)’; ákúâ ‘Which? (pl)’.

l-alómoni [North] [North] Nom sg: l-álomoni. [North] Acc pl: l-alomók. n. [North] Jealous husband. See: a-lóm ‘To be jealous’.

ɛn-álɔ́ɔ́ Nom sg: ɛn-alɔɔ́. n.sg. Dirtied water in a dam. Syn: [North] n-ailɔ́ɔ̄n ‘Dirtified water’. See: sɨ́nkɨ́l ‘Pure, clean’; ɛnk-árɛ́ ‘Water’.

ol-alótoni Nom sg: ol-álótóní. Acc pl: il-alotók. Nom pl: il-alotók. n. One who goes for a long journey, or travels a lot (even if for short journeys); pilgrim. humans only.

ɛnk-alúɛ́na Nom sg: ɛnk-áluɛna. Acc pl: ɨnk-aluɛnaní. Nom pl: ɨnk-áluɛnaní. n. Ear. Tóosho taá tiáborí ɛnkalʉ́ɛ́na. Hit him below the ear! See: en-kíook; márórōī; e-niŋét ‘Ear’.

ɛnk-alʉlʉ́ŋa Nom sg: ɛnk-álʉlʉ́ŋa. Acc pl: ɨnk-alʉlʉŋaní. Nom pl: ɨnk-álʉlʉŋaní. n. 1 • Circular metal worn by women on the lower parts of the legs; leg bangle. Typically women wear several of these at once. Sídáí ɛndá álʉlʉ́ŋa. That metal bangle is nice. (W). See: muleení ‘Circular metal worn by women on the lower parts of the legs’; n-kúpúlito [North] ‘Circular metal worn by women on the lower parts of the legs’.

2 • [North] Barricade. See: ol-tím ‘Barricade’.

n-alʉmɛ̂ [North] n.phrase. [North] Used only in the fixed expression a-nyá nalʉmɛ̂ 'To yawn'. See: a-nyá ‘To eat’.

a-ám v. 1 • To eat. Kɛ́támá. He/She ate it. (S). Ɨkɨtamâ. We ate it.' (S). Máapé amʉ̂ átáma siî nanʉ́ ɛndáa. Let's go because I have also eaten. (Pk). Ɛtarapóshe ɛtamá ɛndáa. He was satisfied after eating food. Káɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ nátamá ɛndáa natíī ɔlkɨtára? What has eaten the food on the shelf? Táma ɛndáa tɛnákatá! Eat food now! Ɛ́ntam. Eat! (pl. addressee) (S). Ɛtamíshie. He ate. (PF Antipassive). Ágɨ́ra aám ɛndáa. I am eating the food. (W). Áám ɛnâ dáa tɛnáshukúnye. I will eat this food when I return. (W). See: a-nyá ‘To eat (transitive)’; a-daá ‘To eat (intransitive)’; a-gúɛ́ny ‘To remove meat from a bone; gnaw’; a-ɨtám [North] ‘To cause or permit to devour’.

2 • To munch.

3 • To make s.o. be in an emotionally extreme state; make s.o. cry out; make s.o. be in distress. Káɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ nátamá ɛnkɛ́ráɨ́? What caused the child to be in distress? (or even possibly in an especially good mood?) (W) (lit: What that ate the child?). Kɨ́táma ɛsʉ́mâsh. You felt hungry. (W). See: a-ɨnɔ́s ‘To eat; cause pain’; a-yá ‘To take; hurt’.

4 • To have sex (with a woman). Táma! (i) Have sex with her! (W) (ii) Eat! Usage: For the sense 'have sex', the subject of the verb must be male. Men would easily use this among themselves when talking about having sex with a woman. People try to avoid this word in the presence of women unless it is very clear they are referring to food, but even then it is unusual to say táma ɛndáa in the presence of girls. In W, this may also have an implication of marriage, cf: kɨ́am (*kɨ́yam) 'You will marry me'. But see also a-yám 'to marry'. In W, "only old men" would use the Progressive form with Sense 4.. Etymology: From Proto-Baez *am 'to eat', via Southern Nilotic (speculative, based on Heine, Rottland, Vossen 1979:77).

a-ám ɛnalʉmɛ́ [North] v.phrase. [North] To sneeze (lit: to eat the yawn). See: a-nyá ɛnalʉ́mɛ [North] ‘To sneeze’; a-sɨ́ŋ ‘To sneeze’.

ámaâ [North] Acc sg: ámáa. adv. 1 • Used, especially in conversation, to draw attention to sth.; Well!, Now then. Ámaâ, káji ílóíto tɛnákatá? Well! where are you going right now?

2 • As it is; reason being; since. For this sense, ámaâ is followed by naâ, followed by the evidence or reason why the first part of the sentence has been made. Éítuani taá dúóó táatá imbáâ ámaâ naâ kinotô pɔɔkɨ́ tóki nikíyíéú. Things are beautiful today since we have gotten all that we wanted. Ɛgɨ́ra oshî táatá nɨ́nyɛ ɔltáání atumokí ámaâ naâ enotó esíáai. So-and-so is succeeding because he has gotten a job.

l-ámáát [North] [North] Nom sg: l-amaát. [North] Acc pl: l-amaatí. [North] Nom pl: l-ámaatí. n. [North] Swarm of hiveless, queenless bees. See: e-mús ‘Swarm of bees’.

ámáí [North] Acc sg: l-ámáí. [North] Nom sg: l-amáí. [North] Acc pl: l-áma. [North] Nom pl: l-ámâ. n. 1 • Tree, bramble sp. Rhamnaceae, Scutia sp..

2 • [North] A tree whose fruit and roots are edible. Ximenia caffra. The feminine plural form of this word gives rise to the Anglecized placename Ngama, ab out 5 km. east of Loitokitok on the road from Kenya to Tanzania.

ɔl-ámál Nom sg: ɔl-amál. Acc pl: ɨl-amalá. Nom pl: ɨl-ámala. [North] Nom pl: l-ámalá. n. 1 • Ceremonial group. Képuonú táatá ɨlámala pɔ́ɔ́kɨ̄ áashʉla. All the ceremonial grouping will get together today. A type of ɔl-ámál is in-torosí.

2 • [North] A group of people of the same sex meeting together (as in a small discussion group). Képuonú táatá ɔlamál pɔ́ɔ́kɨ̄ áashʉla. All the ceremonial grouping will get together today. (W -K). Epuɨ́ta ɔlamál. The ceremonial group(s) is/are going. (W).

ɔ́l-ámân kʉ́tʉ́k Nom sg: ɔl-áman kʉ́tʉ́k. Acc pl: ɨl-aamân nkútúkíé. Nom pl: ɨl-áaman nkútúkíé. [North] Acc sg: l-aman nkʉ́tʉ́k. [North] Nom sg: l-aman nkʉ́tʉ́k. [North] Acc pl: l-aamân nkútúkíé. [North] Nom pl: l-áāmān nkútúkíé. n.phrase. Moustache (lfi:it: encirclement of the mouth). Sídáí ɔláman kʉ́tʉ́k lɛ́nyɛ. His moustache is good. (W). See: ol-múnyéí ‘Beard’.

ɛnk-amanáa Variant: ɛn-amanáa. Nom sg: ɛnk-ámanáa. Acc pl: ɨn-kamanáa. Nom pl: ɨnk-ámanáa. n. 1 • Circular-shaped piece of leather cut to fit tightly over the opening of the calabash as a calabash. Eitútūmī ɛnkamanáa ó leléō áarɨp esíóte é nkúkúrí. A leather circular-shaped is woven together with a piece of gourd to make a lid for a calabash.

2 • Lid or top that is screwed on, with a rotating motion, to tightly cover a container. See: a-mán ‘To surround’.

l-amanɨ́ra [North] [North] Nom sg: l-ámanɨ́ra. n. [North] Shrub (sp.). Justicia exigua.

nk-ámáríé [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-amaríé. [North] Acc pl: nkámárɨta. [North] Nom pl: nk-amárɨta. n. [North] Cowhide used to cover inside of house wall.

l-ámárotó [North] [North] Nom sg: l-amárotó. n. [North] Ember.

l-ámárrárrani [North] [North] Nom sg: l-amarrárrani. [North] Acc pl: l-ámárrárrak, l-amarrarrák. [North] Nom pl: l-amarrárrak, l-ámarrarrák. n. [North] Scout, spy; refers to s.o. who looks out for enemies in war. In S, the term l-aɨkɨtálani would be used for s.o. scouting for the purposes of theft. See: ɔl-aɨkɨtálani ‘Scout’; a-marrárr [North] ‘To scout’. See: ɔl-áɨ́kɨ́tálani ‘Spy’; marrárr ‘To scout’.

n-ámât n-kuwúó [North] n. [North] Spotted morning warbler (lit: broth drinker). Cichladusa guttata.

n-amat-atampó [North] n.phrase. [North] Large mythical snake or dragon; lives near and may swim in water (lit: that which drinks clouds). See: a-mát ‘To drink’.

ɔl-ámayio Nom sg: ɔl-ámáyio. Acc pl: il-ámayio. Nom pl: il-ámayio. n. 1 • Lion hunt. For a lion hunt, brave warriors are gathered, and surround the lion. They all sing, and throw their spears in unison. (KS:5).

2 • Hunt (for any kind of animal).

3 • [South] Shouting.

ɔl-ámáyíó [North] Nom sg: l-amayíó. n. 1 • Lion hunt.

2 • [North] Hunting party, esp. of warriors or boys.

l-áméí [North] [North] Nom sg: l-ameí. [North] Acc pl: l-ameitín. [North] Nom pl: l-ámeitín. n. 1 • [North] Dry season.

2 • [North] Drought.

3 • [North] Famine.

ɔl-amɛ́rani [North] Nom sg: l-ámɛrani. [North] Acc pl: l-amɛrák. [North] Nom pl: l-ámɛrák. n. Drunkard. See: a-mɛrá ‘To be durnk’.

ɔl-áméyú Nom sg: ɔl-ámeyu. Acc pl: ɨl-ameyitín. Nom pl: ɨl-ámeyitin ɨl-ámeyitín. [North] Acc sg: l-áméí. [North] Nom sg: l-ameí. [North] Acc pl: l-ameitín. [North] Nom pl: l-ámeitín. [South] Acc sg: al-áméy. n. 1 • Famine. Eéwuo ɔlámeyu óyookí amʉ́t inkíshú ó sirkôn.` Famine which may finish the cows and donkeys has come. (Pk).

2 • Hunger; extreme hunger. Usage: hyperbole. Kááta ɔláméyú. I am famished. / I am feeling hunger. (This could indicate a habitual, persistent state.). Hɔ́ɔ́ dúó náɨ́nɔsá ŋolé ɛndáa káke ɛtɔ́n aáta ɔláméyú. Though I had eaten food yesterday, I am still feeling hungry. (W). Áanyɛɨta ɔlámeyu. I am feeling hunger. (W) (This could indicate sth. one feels at the moment.).

3 • Dry season, long dry season. Kɛ́ɨ́dʉr oshî olórére tɛ rɨshatá ɔ́lāmēyū. People migrate during the dry season. Ɛgɨ́ra inkíshu áaitianya tɔ lámeyu. The cows are dying during the dry season.

4 • Drought. Eéwuo ɔlámeyu ógol ɛnkɔ́p. Drought has come. (lit: The drought that is hard has come to the land.). See: l-áméí [North] ‘Drought, famine, dry season’. Ant: e-leŋón ‘Season of plenty’. See: ém-pérî ‘Famine’; ɛ-sʉ́mash ‘Hunger’; n-kɔlɔ́ŋ [North] ‘Hunger’.

ol-áméy ogól [ɔláméyúogol] Hard dry season, when the dry period continues into when the rainy season should be.

nk-amɨlák [North] [North] Nom pl: nk-ámɨlák. n. [North] Saliva. See: ɛnk-amʉlákī ‘Saliva’.

ɛnk-ámínínó n. Generosity. Ɛnkámínínó ɛsapʉ́k kʉlɔ̂ tʉ́ŋáná amʉ̂ ɔlɛ́ɛ mɛɛ́ta tóki. These people are endowed with generosity because they don't have much. (Pk). Ant: arɔ́k ɔ́shɔ́kɛ ‘Unkind, stingy’. See: amɨ́nɨ̄n ‘Generous’.

amɨ́nɨ̄n Acc pl: amɨninɨ́. adj. Generous. Ɨltʉ́ŋánák amɨ́nɨ̄n kʉlɔ́. These are generous people. (K). Ɨltʉ́ŋáná amɨnɨnɨ́ kʉlɔ́. These are generous people. (Pk). Ɛshɔmɔ́ ɨlmʉrrân áanya ɛndáa tɛ nkâŋ ɔ́lmʉ́rráni amɨ́nɨn. The warriors went to eat food in the home of the generous warrior. Kára amɨ́nɨ̄n. I am generous.

ɛnk-ámínínó n. Generosity. Ɛnkámínínó ɛsapʉ́k kʉlɔ̂ tʉ́ŋáná amʉ̂ ɔlɛ́ɛ mɛɛ́ta tóki. These people are endowed with generosity because they don't have much. Ant: arɔ́k ɔ́shɔ́kɛ ‘Unkind, stingy’. See: a-léŋ ‘To be generous’.

n-amɨrɨ́mɨrána [North] n. [North] Whirlpool.

nk-ámpít [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-ampít. [North] Acc pl: nk-ampitó. [North] Nom pl: nk-ámpitó. n. [North] Mythical man-eating monster; some have eight heads.

ol-ámpú₂ [North] Nom sg: l-ampú. n. 1 • Boaster, hard-headed stubborn person.

2 • Quarrel.

3 • [North] Haste which expends one quickly. Usage: singular.

ɛnk-ámpû₁ [North] Nom pl: nk-ámpû. n. 1 • Sweet honey-beer which is not completely fermented.

2 • [North] Sweet beverage, such as honey dissolved in water.

l-ampúp [North] [North] Nom sg: l-ámpûp. n.sg. [North] Foam on water. See: ɔl-abʉrrâ ‘Foam’.

amʉ̂ conj. Because, reason. Tɨ́gɨrayú amʉ̂ kérrinyúnyie ŋutunyí! Be quiet because mother will come back! Mayíéú ɛnâ kɨlâ amʉ̂ mmɛ̂ ɛnaáí. I don't want this cloth because it is not mine. (Pk). Ɛ́ntasotú ɨmálasin amʉ̂ ɛ́táá kɛ́ɨ́ŋʉrákɨnɨ ɛnapá kɛ́ráí inyî ɨntaléŋo. Collect beer gourds because it is about time for your child to go through initiation. Ɛrɔ́k ómom Pita amʉ̂ ɛtáláíkíne ayáma ɨ́nâ títō. Pita is unfortunate because he was not able to woo that girl. (W). Mayíéú náló inkíshú táatá amʉ̂ alo aɨsʉmásh. I don't want to go look after cows today because I will feel hungry. (W).

ɛn-amʉ́kɛ Variant: ɛnk-amʉ́kɛ. Nom sg: ɛn-ámʉkɛ. Acc pl: ɨn-amʉ́ka. Variant: ɨnk-amʉ́ka. Nom pl: ɨn-ámʉka. [South] Acc sg: amka. n. 1 • Leather sandal. Usage: traditionally. Óre oshî táatá nɛ́taá intáirí eishopí imeekúré aá ɨnamʉ́ka oóloníto anáá apá. These days people wear tire sandals, not leather sandals like before. (Pk).

2 • Shoe, of any sort (tyre shoes, rubber, plastic, leather, hide sandals, etc.). ɛndâ amʉ́kɛ that shoe. ɛnâ amʉ́kɛ this shoe. Sídáí ɛnámʉkɛ âî. My shoe is good. (W). Metíī ɨnámʉka áinéí enê némétīī endê. My shoes are neither here nor there. See: ɛnk-aɨdáshɛ ‘Shoe’; táir ‘Tyre shoe’.

ɛnk-amʉláki Nom sg: ɛnk-ámʉláki. Acc pl: ɨnk-amʉlák. Nom pl: ɨnk-ámʉlak. [North] Acc sg: gamɨlák. [Chamus] Acc sg: kamɨlák. n. 1 • Saliva. Ɛtɔnɔtáyie ɔlpáyian ɨnkamʉlák ɔ́lkumpaú. The man has spit out tobacco saliva. Ɛtʉnʉtáká olasuráí ɨnkamʉlák. The snake has spit on him. Ɛmayíán oshî ɨltásatí ɨnkɛ́ra ɛnyɛ̂ tɔɔ́ ɨnkámʉlak. Elders usually bless their children with saliva. Átódúa ɨ́nâ dáa natɛyɨɛrákɨ áatumoki nɛ́ākʉ̄ káaɨtɔ́ŋ ɨnkámʉlak. I saw that food which was well cooked, and I started salivating. (lit: ... and my saliva started to drip.) (W).

2 • A blessing. Ɛshɔmɔ̂ inkítuaak áaɨŋɔrʉ ɨnkamʉlák tɛ manyatá. The women have gone to look for blessing in the ceremonial home. (W). This type of blessing is always administered by elders to warriors, women, children, fellow elders, etc. by spitting on to the person saliva and local brew (beer) or milk, which are mixed in the mouth before spitting it out.

3 • One drop of saliva. Usage: rare. Syn: ɛ-máyianata ‘Blessing’.

l-ámúldési [North] [North] Nom sg: l-amuldési. [North] Acc pl: l-ámʉldɛs. [North] Nom pl: l-ámʉ́ldɛs. n. [North] Pimple.

n-amʉnʉ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: n-ámʉnʉ́. [North] Acc pl: n-amunûn. n. [North] Small metal cup.

nk-amʉnyáni [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-ámʉnyáni. [North] Acc pl: nk-amʉnyák. [North] Nom pl: nk-ámʉnyák. n. [North] Ringworm (of people, calves).

ɔl-ámʉ́rátani Nom sg: ɔl-amʉrátani. Acc pl: ɨl-amʉraták. Nom pl: ɨl-amʉrátak. n. An expert in circumcision.

ɛnk-ámʉ́rátani [North] Acc pl: nk-amʉrátak. Among the Samburu, she is often also a mid-wife.Woman specialized in women's initiations, who performs clitoridectomies. See: ol-tórróboní ‘Circumciser’; ol-akítoni ‘Circumciser’.

n-ámʉ́rɛ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: n-amʉrɛ́. n. [North] A disease of cattle causing swollen hooves, listlessness, and affecting the fur.

ol-amuríáki Nom sg: ol-ámuríáki. [West] Acc sg: ol-amuriáki. [W: òlàmùrìáki] [West] Nom sg: ol-ámuriaki. [West] Acc pl: ɨl-amuriâk. [West] Nom pl: ɨl-ámuriak. n. 1 • Tree species. Orŋanayíói moríjōī ɛɛ́ta olámuríáki. The Olamuriaki tree has maroon fruits. (Pk). Ɛadɔ́ kʉlɔ́ ámuriak. These amuriak trees are tall. (W). For kk (W), the term may refer either to a tree, or the fruits of this tree. It is described as a good-sized tree with small fruits and thorns. The fruit is about the size of the end of one's finger and are between green and moríjōī when unripe, and between moríjōī and black when ripe. The fruits can be eaten and have a somewhat sour taste. The leaves are about the length of half of one's finger. The roots may be used as herbs.

2 • Fruit of this plant.

nk-amúrúâî [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-ámurúâî. [North] Acc pl: nk-amúrúá. [North] Nom pl: nk-ámurúá. n. [North] Cud. See: ɛ-ŋamúrāī ‘Cud’.

l-ámʉ́rránó [North] [North] Nom sg: l-amʉrranó. n. [North] Warriorhood. See: ɔl-mʉ́rráni ‘Warrior’.

nk-amúrruakî [North] Nom sg: nk-ámúrruakî. Acc pl: nk-amúrrua. Nom pl: nk-ámurrúá. n. [North] Star grass. See: ol-pérésí ‘Type of grass that is long and thin’; ɛn-aɨmʉ́rʉ́ai ‘Star grass’; ɔl-gʉ́rmɛ́ ‘Bumper grass’; ɛn-kʉ́jɨ́tá ‘Grass’; l-áráá [North] ‘Type of grass on banks of a river’; n-dálankúáni [North] ‘Type of grass on sides of hills’; ɔl-ɔ́lɨ́lɨ́ ‘Type of grass on abandoned homes’.

l-amʉ́rrūāk [North] [lamʊ́rrwāk ~ lamʊ́rrwāg] n.pl. [North] Burrs.

ɔl-ámʉyɛ Nom sg: ɔl-ámʉ́yɛ. Acc pl: ɨl-amúyēīshī. Nom pl: ɨl-ámuyeishí. [West] Nom sg: ɔl-amʉ́yɛ. [West] Acc pl: ɨl-amúyēshī. [North] Acc sg: l-ámia, l-ámʉyɛ. [North] Acc pl: l-amééshi, l-amúyeci. [North] Nom pl: l-ámuyecí. n. 1 • Male donkey that is not castrated; stallion. Epuonú ɨlamúyēshī kʉmɔ́k. The many male donkies are coming. (W).

2 • Boy. Usage: Derogatory.

ɛnk-ámʉyɛ Small male donkey. See: o-síkiria ‘Donkey’; e-ŋirô ‘Donkey’.

-án Variant: -ɔ́n; -ón. nmlz. Suffix which creates a noun referring to a state or condition from stative verb roots.

aná₁ conj. Alternative conjunction; or. Kɛ́ntaré íyíéú aná inkíshú? Is it sheep you want, or cows? Íyíéú níásɨ̄shɔ̄ tɛ súkuul aná íyīēū nílō aigurán? Do you want to work at school, or do you want to go and play? Ílótú ɛnkají âî aná ílō sokóni. Will you come to my house, or will you go to the market? See: arashʉ̂ ‘Or’.

anâ [North]₂ Nom sg: aná. dem. [North] Feminine singular proximal demonstrative; this. Alɛ̂ gíitâ ápórórīē anâ ŋɛ́rɛ́m. This rope is what I will use to creep/climb over this precipice. (SN). Kɔ́bɔ́r aná kɨ́tɛŋ. This cow is calm. (SN). See: ɛnâ ‘This’.

áná pn. How. Áná ijó doí ɨ́mɔ́da? How is it that you are stupid? [an insult].

ánaa [South]: anáa. Variant: ɛ́naa. [North]: ána. prep. Resemble, like. Étíú oláyíóní ánaa mɛ́nyɛ́. A son looks like his father. Kóre ɛnkɛ́ráɨ́ nétiu ánaa ɔlkɨtɨ́ tʉŋáni. A child is like a small person. (W). Óre oshî táatá néméékūrē kílótú aɨrɔrɔkɨ́ ánaa apá. Nowadays you don't come to see me like before. Maitóki áɨ́kātā aikó injí mɛtáā tɔ́nyɔ̄rrā kʉnâ kíshú ánaa ɛnáányɔ́r. ([àìkónj̤í] when said quickly.) I will never do that to you again, so love these cows like how I love you.

ánaa aké Syn: áa-nyaanyʉk ‘To look alike’; a-tíú ‘To be like’; a-ikununó ánaa ‘To resemble’. Daily, always, forever.

ánaa aké Variant: ánaaké. adv. Every day, always. Ɛ́táá ɛná áji ololá aitúku ánaa aké. This house has become a burden, to clean it every day. Ɛáta ɛnkɛráí âî elubôî ánā aké tɛ́dɛkɛnyá amʉ̂ mɛ́ɨ́nɔs ɛndáa téípa. My child has a lot of gluttony (eats voraciously) every morning because she doesn't eat in the evening. (W). Ámɨ́r ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ ánaa aké. I sell a cow every day. (This implies it is a different cow each day; the emphasis is on "every day".). Álép ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ ánaa aké. I milk the cow every day. (W).

ánaa íjō pn. Usage: Insult. How/why is it that? Ánaa íjō doí ɨ́mɔ́da? How is it that you are stupid?

anáaa Variant: anáa; ánáa. [North]: anáa. Variant: aná; tanáa; taná. conj. 1 • Or else; implies some repercussion if a certain alternative is not taken. Íló sukúul anáaa ílō aɨrrɨtá inkíshú tɔ lárí. Will you go to school, or go and look after cows in the rain? (eg. said to a child to make him go to school). Shɔ́mɔ siî sipitáli anáaa imúóyu olêŋ. Go to the hospital, or else you will be very sick. Note: In W, aná cannot occur in this sentence. Ílōtū ɛnkají âî anáaa íló sokóni. You better come to my house, or else you have to go to the market. (said as a threat). See: aná; arashʉ̂ ‘Or’.

2 • Whether. Shɔ́mɔ́ ɛldɛ̂ túrrúr otíí endê̂ ɨ́ŋurááɨ́ tɛ anáaa ítʉ̄m. Go to that crowd of people and see whether you can find him. See: tɛnáa ‘If, whether’; wɛɨtʉ ‘Whether’.

ánáátá Variant: ánátá. v.aux. Contrafactual modal auxiliary; should, would, could. Does not inflect for person and is invariant in tone. Ánáátá ataasá esíái ŋolé. I would/should/could have done some work yesterday. (W). Ánátá ataasá síái ŋolé. I would have done the work yesterday. (SN). Ánáátá itaasâ esíái ŋolé. You (pl) should have done work yesterday. (W). Ánáátá etaasá esíái ŋolé. He should have done work yesterday. (W). Kóre tɛ nékítólíkíó ajó ílóíto sokóni ánáátá áɨ́rɨ́wáyie ɨyakákɨ ɔsabúni. If you told me that you are going to the market, I could have sent you to bring me soap. (W). Kóre tɛ nétolikíó nɨnyɛ́ ajó elóíto sokóni ánáátá eiriamarî. If he had told her that he was going to the market, she would/could have gone with him. (W).

(nk-)anácɛ [North] [North] Nom sg: (nk-)ánacɛ. [North] Acc pl: nk-anácɛra. [North] Nom pl: nk-ánácɛra. n. 1 • [North] Sister.

2 • [North] Aunt. See: ɛnk-anáshɛ ‘Sister’.

anáparɨ [Chamus] adv. [North] Today, this day. See: m-pârr [North] ‘Day’.

ɛnk-anasá Nom sg: ɛnk-ánasá. Acc pl: ɨnk-anasân. Nom pl: ɨnk-ánasân. n. 1 • Large village, town; large kraal. ɛnkanasá natíi oldóínyó a town/large kraal on the hill. ɛnkanasá sápʉk a city.

2 • [North] Congregation; [South] Congregation.

ɛnk-anáshɛ Nom sg: ɛnk-ánashɛ. Acc pl: ɨnk-anáshɛra. Variant: ɨnk-anáshara. Nom pl: ɨnk-ánashɛra; ɨnk-ánáshɛra. n. 1 • A female relative having the same father as "ego"; sister.

2 • [West] A daughter of "ego's" father's siblings. A man cannot marry s.o. that is called ɛnkanáshɛ. This includes female offspring from the same mother and father as ego, from ego's father's brothers and sisters, from one's own clan. Ego cannot marry his mother's brother's daughters, but does not call them ɛnkanáshɛ.

3 • A female member of a religious group. Usage: Christian. ɛnkanáshɛ tiátua Yesu a sister in the Lord.

anáCɛ bótór Elder sister. See: ɔl-aláshɛ ‘Brother’.

ánátá [North] v.aux. [North] Subordinate clause introducer indicating contrary to fact ("would have"; the clause introduced by this precedes or follows another "if" clause introduced by t ɛ. See: ánáátá ‘Counterfactual auxiliary’.

andâ [North] dem. [North] That. See: ɛndâ ‘That’.

-ani Variant: -oni. nmlz. Suffix which co-occurs with a prefix a- on a verb stem, to create a noun referring to a singular animate participant. ɔl-a-ár-ani beater, attacker, killer; from root ar 'beat, kill'. Ɛtámúíyíá ŋolé oloshî á-ɨ́tɛ́rr-ání lɛ́ sokóni nɛ́ɨ́tɛrrɛ isáaí aré. The usual market fainter (ie. person who always faints in the market) became sick yesterday and fainted for two hours. (W). See: -ak ‘Plural animate nominalizer’.

n-ánɨ́ká [North] [North] Nom sg: n-anɨká. [North] Acc pl: n-anɨ́kân. n. [North] Trench for watering cattle, lined on the bottom with goatskin.

nk-anísa [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-ánisa. [North] Acc pl: nk-anisaní. n. [North] Church. See: ɛn-kanísa ‘Church’; n-aápo [North] ‘Place of prayer’. Etymology: Swahili kanisa 'church'.

ɛn-ánká Nom sg: ɛn-anká. Acc pl: ɨn-ánkan; ɨn-ánkân. Nom pl: ɨn-ankán. n. 1 • [North] Modern cloth clothing, eg. shirt, trouser; cloth. Kɛ́áta aná anká múíán kúmo. This cloth has many colors. (SN).

2 • Skirt. In W ɛnánká could be used for a skirt with a zipper, but not for trousers.

3 • Kanga. During warrior graduation, a warrior will wear ɛnánká.

4 • Piece of cloth (from which clothing of any sort can be made). See: ɛn-kɨlâ ‘Clothing’; ɔl-káráshá ‘Clothing; sheets’; ɔl-ákɛ́sɛ́na ‘Skirt’.

l-antáráráɨ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-antararáɨ́. [North] Acc pl: l-antárara. [North] Nom pl: l-ántarara. n. [North] Seed. See: ɔl-antɛ́rɛrâî ‘Seed’.

ɔl-antɛ́rɛrâî Nom sg: ɔl-ántɛ́rɛrâî. Acc pl: ɨl-antɛ́rɛra. Nom pl: ɨl-ántɛrɛra. n. Seed. Ɛtámá enkúényî ɔlantɛ́rɛrâî. The bird ate the seed. (W). Míntóki adanyʉ́ ɨlantɛ́rɛra tɔɔ́ lŋánayio. Stop splitting out seeds from the fruit. See: l-antáráráɨ́ [North] ‘Seed’.

ɔl-ántiyia Nom sg: ɔl-ántíyia. Acc pl: ɨl-antíyian. Nom pl: ɨl-ántiyíán. n. Donkey. See: o-síkīria ‘Donkey’.

anú Variant: kánu. pn.inter. 1 • When? Anú kɨ́rɛ́wákɨ ɛnapá áshê When are you bringing me the heifer? Kánu áɨ́nɔ́sɨ́ta ɛɨ́látá? When was I eating fat? (W). A: Kánu ɨ́ndɨ́pa atɛshɛ́ta ɛnkají? B: Áɨ́dɨ́pa ídîâ ɔlɔ́ŋ. A: When did you finish building the house? B: I finished it the other day. (Speaker B is not being specific about which day, except that it is in the past.) (W).

2 • How long?

a-ány₁ PF: tanya. v.prog v.aux+subjn-infinitive. 1 • To refuse, reject an object; refuse to do or accept sth. Tánya taá ɨŋamʉ́ ɨ́nâ pálāī ɛnyɛ́. Refuse to receive that letter of his. Áány ɛngárri. I will refuse the vehicle. (*I will wait for the vehicle.) (W). Átánya ɛngárri. I have refused the car. (W). Kɛ́anyɨ́ta ndáa. She is refusing the food. (SN). Kɛ́tányá. He/she refused it. (S).

2 • To forbid an action. Tányá taá kígíróo tɛ kíshomi. Forbid him to bypass you at the gate. (Pk). Tánya taá ɛdaá inkíshu ɛ́nyɛnák tɔ lcámpâ líno. Forbid his cows from grazing in your land. (W). Ɛtányá ɛdaá inkíshu áinêî tɔ lcámpâ lɛ́nyɛ. He has forbidden my cows to graze on his land. (W). Ɛányɨ́ta ɛdaá inkíshu áinêî tɔ lchámpâ lɛ́nyɛ. He is refusing that my cows graze on his land. (W).

3 • To deny an assertion. ɛ́tányá eirúk ajó nɨnyɛ́ ɔ́ɔwá olkér láí. He has denied that he is the one who stole my castrated ram.

a-anyaá [South] [South] To refuse many people, one at a time. See: a-anyʉ́ ‘To wait for’; a-mít ‘To refuse’; a-mikí ‘To deny’.

a-ány₂ v. To hold in readiness, especially food, as you wait for an important person or group. Káshʉ́m kʉlɛ́ aány ɔlámál. I will keep milk ready because I am waiting for a ceremonial group. Ɛ́ány enkítok ɔlpayíán lɛnyɛ́ oshomóyie. A woman will keep food ready for her husband that has gone. See: e-múta ‘Food kept for s.o. special’.

n-anyáálicôî [North] [North] Nom sg: n-ányáálicôî. [North] Acc pl: n-anyáálicó. n. [North] Temple (of the head). See: n-anyaálishôî [North] ‘Temple’.

n-anyaálishôî [North] Nom sg: n-ányaálishôî. n. [North] Part of the head above the ear; temple (lit: the one to chew with). See: a-nyaál ‘To chew’.

nk-anyarági [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-ányarági. [North] Acc pl: nk-anyarág. [North] Nom pl: nk-ányarág. n. [North] Phlegm.

ɛnk-anyaráti Variant: nkanyorága. Nom sg: ɛnk-ányaráti. Acc pl: ɨnk-anyarát. Nom pl: ɨnk-ányarat. n. Phlegm, sputum. Ɛɨtáyíó ɔltásât ɛnkanyaráti náɨ́bɔ̄rr. The old man coughed off grey phlegm. (Pk). See: ɛn-kíroket ‘Cough’.

a-anyɨ́t Variant: a-yanyɨ́t. v.s. To respect. Áányɨt nanʉ́ ɨltʉ́ŋáná kitúaak. I respect elders. Áyányɨt nanʉ́ ɨltʉ́ŋáná kitúaak. I respect elders. (Pk). Káányɨt lpayianí. I respect elders. (SN). Áányɨt ɛnkanáshɛ áɨ́ amʉ̂ bótór. I respect my sister because she is older. (W). Ááyányɨt iyíé. I respect you. (W). Áayanyɨ̂t nínyɛ. He/she respects me. (W). See: ɛnk-ányɨ́t ‘Respect’; ányɨt ‘Shame’.

ɛnk-ányɨt₁ Nom sg: ɛnk-ányɨ̂t. Acc pl: ɨnk-ányɨ́tɨ́. [Purko] Acc pl: ɨnk-ányɨtɨ́. [Purko] Nom pl: ɨnk-ányɨtɨ́. [North] Acc sg: (nk-)ányɨt. [North] Nom sg: (nk-)ánɨ̂t, nk-anyɨ́t. n. 1 • Respect, honor. Ɛnkányɨt oshî erikíéki ɛnkɔ́p. By respect the world is ruled. Ɔltʉŋáni súpat ɔɔ́ta ɛnkányɨt ɛlɛ́ páyíán. This man is a good person who has respect. Oltʉŋáni lɛ́ nkányɨt A person who is respected/who has respect. Áatará ɨnkányɨtɨ́. Due to my respect (for s.o.), I suffered some loss. (lit: Respects beat me.). Leonard Kotikash writes, "... within the Maasai, respect and shyness/shame are positive and are interelated. A person who gets ashamed or shy for his bad actions will want to change for the good of himself and the community which is regarded as being respectectful. A respectful person will also get shy or ashamed or remorseful if he wrongs.". Among the Samburu, this is the most highly valued trait in interpersonal relations.

2 • [North] Discipline. See: a-anyɨ́t ‘To respect’; a-bár nkányɨt [North] ‘To show respect’.

ányɨt [North]₂ Nom sg: ányɨ̂t. n.sg. [North] Shame. Ɨ́ntamá ányɨt. Shame him/her. (SN). Syn: ɛn-kʉrrʉ́na ‘Shame’. See: a-anyɨ́t ‘To respect’; ɛnk-ányɨt ‘Respect’.

n-anyôî [North] [North] Nom sg: n-ányoi. n. Vatovaea pseudolablab. [North] Edible root (of the Vatovaea pseudolablab plant), which may be roasted and eaten during the dry season. See: n-jasí [North] ‘Plant with edible root’.

ɔl-anyɔ́rrani n. God; the one who loves. See: a-nyɔ́rr ‘To love, like’.

a-anyʉ́ PF: táányūā. v.prog v.dir. v.prog v.dir. To wait, wait for sth. Wóū aké íyīē amʉ̂ (k)áānyʉ̄. You just come because I will wait for you. Ágɨ́rā aanyʉ́ máayakɨnɨ̂ peê atúm ashɔ́mɔ. I am waiting to be given it so that I can go. (Pk). Tɛnáa taá ílōtū tááisére tólikíóki peê ááányʉ́. If you are coming tomorrow, tell me so that I can wait for you. (Pk). Míntóki doí awuapá, táanyʉ́ míkítólíkíni. Stop overreacting angrily and quickly; wait until you get informed. (Pk). Kɛ́anyʉ́ ɔlpáyian ɛnkitók ɛnyɛ́. The man will wait for his wife. (Pk). Átáányūā ɛngárri. I waited for the car. (W). Máítíéú ashɔ́mɔ tɛ mísimísī áányʉ́ mɛtáwaŋá. I fear going in the darkness; I will wait until it is bright. (W). Áányɨ́ta táatá. I am waiting for it today. Áányɨ́ta ɛngárri. I am waiting for the vehicle. (*I am refusing the vehicle.) (W). Ááyányɨ́ta táatá. I am waiting for you today. (W). Kɛ́anyɨ́ta nɨnyɛ́. He/she is waiting for him/her. (SN). Káányɨ́ta lpayíán. I am waiting for the elder. (SN). Ɛgɨ́ra áanyɨshɔ. They are waiting. (W). Ɛtaányɨshɛ. He waited (but is not waiting any more). (W). Ɛtáányɨ́shɔtɛ. They waited (and are not waiting any more). (W). Kɨ́tɛyɨɛŋâ enkíné amʉ̂ ɛ́tɔ́n dúóó aké kɨ́ányɨ́tâ ɔlaɨgúɛ́nani meéu. We have slaughtered a goat because we are still waiting for the chief to come. Note: (eg. We were waiting and waiting, got bored and hungry, so we slaughtered a goat to keep busy.) Kɨ́tɛyɨɛŋâ enkíné amʉ̂ ɛ́tɔ́n dúóó aké kɨ́ányɨ́tâ ɔlaɨgúɛ́nani meéu. We have slaughtered a goat because we are still waiting for the chief to come. Note: (eg. We were waiting and waiting, got bored and hungry, so we slaughtered a goat to keep busy.) Note: The ungrammaticality of *táánya PF 'kept back', with the long vowel form, supports classifying this sense with a-ány 'deny', rather than with the stem anyʉ́ 'wait for'. However, native speaker intuition apparently is that it is a sense of a-anyʉ́.

2 • v.prog v.dir. [North] To be emboldened toward, ie. to regain courage, esp. to fight an opponent previously feared; of children bulls etc.

a-anyaá 1 • To ambush. Anyáríé ɨmbáa. He will use the arrows to wait in ambush for him.

2 •

a-ány lgos [North] [North] To set an ambush in a narrow place.

3 • v.prog v.dir. To wait over a period of time for several people's arrivals at different times; eg. one comes, then some more come. See: a-ány ‘To deny, forbid’; a-rrɨmʉ́ [South] ‘To wait’.

a-anyicó [North] [North] To be waiting.

ányúnotó [North] [North] Nom sg: anyúnotó. n. 1 • [North] Waiting.

2 • [North] Expectation. See: a-anyʉ́ ‘To wait for’.

(ɛnk-)áŋ Nom sg: (ɛnk-)âŋ. Acc pl: ɨnk-áŋítie. Nom pl: ɨnk-aŋitíé. [North] Acc pl: nk-áŋíté, nk-áŋítíé. n. 1 • Location where ones people and cattle are established; home, homestead, settlement. Traditionally associated with a kraal, but modernly may also refer to a place in a city where one's family resides. A traditional ɛnk-áŋ is arranged in a circular fashion, enclosed by a thorn-bush fence. Small houses are constructed around the inside perimeter, while the cattle sleep in the center of the ɛnk-áŋ. Traditionally ɛnk-áŋ are shared by more than one family, such as by a father, his sons, and their wives. Káló áŋ amʉ̂ ɛ́táá képonú intáre. I am going home because the goats and sheep are just about to come. (Pk). Ɛnkáŋ ɔɔ́ lMáásâɨ̂ ɛná. This is a Maasai home. Ɛgɨ́ra ɔlpáyian ayietú ɨnkɨkʉ́ aɨkárr áŋ. The man is pulling branches (of trees) to fence the home. Máapé áaɨdɨp entúróre ɛ́nkɔ̄p peê kípúó áŋ. [kípúó ! áŋ] Let us go and finish up the cultivation so that we can go home. Wóū ɛnkáŋ âŋ tááisére peê áányʉ́. Come to our home tomorrow and so I will wait for you. (Pk). Nélōtū ɔlpáyian nɛ́manáa tɔɔ́ nkaŋitíé asotú ɨmálasin. The man comes and goes around homesteads collecting beer gourds. ti âŋ at home. See: ɛnk-ají ‘House’; bɔɔ́ ‘Kraal’; ɛ-mányátá ‘Village’; l-oróra [North] ‘Village’.

2 • Family. Ɛtáá képuonú ɛnkáŋ ɔlɛ́ Suyɨ́ánka áarik entítō. Ole Suyianka's family is about to come and take the girl for marriage. (Pk). Ɨ́mbʉŋá ɛnkáŋ. Take care of the family. (W).

ɛnk-âŋ oó nkíshú Kraal where cows stay; this may be away from the ɛnk-âŋ where one's family is.

ɛnk-âŋ ɔɔ́ ntaré Kraal where the sheep and goats stay.

âŋ Nom sg: áŋ. [North] Acc sg: âg. pn.psr. First person plural possessive pronoun. Óre ɛnâ áshê náa ɛ́ná âŋ. You see this heifer is ours. (Pk). [náa ɛ̀nà âŋ] Ɛshɔmɔ́ ɛnkɛráí áŋ sukúul. Our child has gone to school. Imetoníé oshî olporrór láŋ iloríkan. Our Age-set does not normally sit on chairs.

ɛnk-áŋ ɛ kʉ́lɛ̄ n. Milk ceremony; an initiation ceremony which follows the e-únótó ceremony by a few months (lit: home of milk). Prior to this, a warrior must eat together with other warriors and may not even drink outside of the camp if women are present. Only following the ɛnk-áŋ ɛ-kʉ́lɛ̄ ceremony may the man eat in the presence of his female lover or wife (and at first he may feel shameful doing so). This ceremony happens perhaps one week to one month before ɛnk-áŋ oó nkírír. This ceremony requires the entire age set to shave their red-ochre-stained hair. It is a mother's role to shave her own graduating son. Note: This is not commonly practiced within the Ilkeekonyokie Maasai. See: a-ók kʉlɛ́ ‘Milk drinking ceremony’; e-únótó ‘Installation home for warriors’; ɛnk-áŋ oó nkírí ‘Meat ceremoney’.

ɛnk-áŋ oó nkírí Nom sg: ɛnk-âŋ óo nkírí. n. Meat ceremony, which allows warriors to eat by themselves meat that has been prepared by women of a selected homestead near the meat-camp; the particular women (likely women who only have sons and whose homes are not marked by conflict) are selected by elders. This ceremony may happen one week to about one month after ɛnk-áŋ ɛ kʉ́lɛ̄ (lit: home of meats). Kóre inkitúaak ɔɔ́ nkáŋítie náata típat náa nɨncɛ́ egelúnī peê éyíér inkírí tɛ nkáŋ óo nkírí. Women from homes with values are the ones that are selected to cook meat at the meat-ceremony home. A specially chosen bull is slaughtered for this ceremony. Wives (from the nearby homestead) must prove to their husbands (junior elders) that they have not engaged in any illegitimate affairs with men of the younger warrior age-set. Whether this has occurred will be revealed by participating in the bull's skin ritual. Men wrestle among themselves to get near the bull's skin, to see if their wives have been unfaithful to their own (junior elder) age set. (If a woman is guilty, she will be disrespected by the whole age set. To regain respect she must obtain a cow for her husband from her relatives.) By the end of the meat ceremony, both men and women fight against one another for the specially roasted meat. See: ɛnk-áŋ ɛ kʉ́lɛ̄ ‘Milk ceremoney’; e-únótó ‘Installation home for warriors’.

aŋâ [South]: aŋaŋá. interj. Exclamation of horror or suprise at sth. unbelievable; it may be either really good, or really bad news. A: Káji kɨ́nkʉ́na ɛntɛmatá? B:Kʉ́ák aŋâ! Áɨ́ma pɔɔkɨ́! A: How did you do on the test? B: Incredible! I scored everything!

l-áŋá [North] [North] Nom sg: l-aŋá. n.pl. [North] Flying termites which appear at the rainy season.

ɔl-áŋáríé kɨ́na Nom sg: ɔl-áŋaríé kɨ́na. Acc pl: ɨl-áŋáríé kɨ́na. Nom pl: ɨl-áŋaríé kɨ́na. n. My brother, of the same biological mother (lit: the one with whom I share the breast). Kɛ́bɔ́r ɔlɔ́ŋaríé kɨ́na. My brother is gentle. Ádɔ́l ɔláŋáríé kɨ́na. I will see my brother. (lit: I will see the one with whom I share the breast.). See: ɔl-ɔŋaríé kɨ́na ‘His brother’.

ɔl-áŋat Nom sg: ɔl-áŋât. Acc pl: ɨl-áŋatí. Nom pl: ɨl-áŋātī ?. [West] Acc pl: ɨl-aŋátī. [West] Nom pl: ɨl-áŋatí. n. 1 • Hot coal fire, red hot coals.

2 • [North] Warm coals, embers.

3 • Coal-fire, blaze.

en-kɨmá naijukújūk coal fire.

(ɛnk-)áŋátá Nom sg: aŋatá. Acc pl: aŋát. Nom pl: aŋát. Variant: ɔ́ŋátá; ɔ́ŋɔ́tá. [North] Acc sg: áŋátá, ɔ́ŋáta, láŋátá. [North] Nom sg: laŋatá. n.f. 1 • Flat country; (treeless) plain, desert. ti aŋatá on the plain, in the desert. See: n-kɨ́sɨ́ácata [North] ‘Treeless plain’.

2 • Area outside of the home. Átóduaa olowuarú kerî ti ɔŋɔtá. I have seen a spotted leopard in the bush. (Pk).

3 • Opening or place where one can cross a river; fording place. See: a-láŋ ‘To cross’; ɛ-láŋátá ‘Ford’. This word is very common in place names. For a few instances (taken from Mol 1996): Áŋátá Nányókíé is the the original Maasai name for the present-day Wuasinkishu Plateau, Kenya (lit: plain which is reddish-brown); Áŋátá ó Lgúlúlūī name of place 20 km. south-east of Namanga, Kenya (lit: plain of the orange fruits); Áŋátá è Loitá large plains south-west of Narok Town, Narok District, Kenya, bordered by the Olkinyei Hills, the Pardamat Hills, the Ilkeekoorook Road, and the Narok-Ololulunga Road (lit: plain of Loita); Áŋátá Pʉ̂s name of one of the plains in the Maasai Mara game park, located between the Ilkeekoorook Lodge and the Talek Gate (lit: grey plain); Áŋátá Rɔ́nkáí name of place 15 km. south of Nairobi along the road to Magadi, Kenya (lit: narrow plain); Áŋátá Náádɔ́ name of place about 23 km. south-east of Narok Town, Kenya (lit: plain which-is-long); Áŋátá Nasɨ́nya name of one of the plains in the Maasai Mara game park (lit: plain which-is-faultless); Áŋátá é Ntérít name of place 10 km. east of Naarɔɔsura, Narok District, Kenya (lit: plain of dust); Áŋátá é Kítét Kitet or Suswa Plains, Narok District, Kenya (lit: Barren Plain). As a nominal form, áŋátá varies for case in these proper names: Ɛɨbɔ́rrā Aŋatá é Kítét. The Kitet Plain has become dry. See: e-wúâs ‘Plain’.

áŋátá Barrikói n.prop. Plain. See: Ɔ́ŋátá Barrikói ‘Place name in Trans-Mara, Kenya, 20 km. south of Lolgorien, on the border with Tanzania’.

ɔl-áŋéní Nom sg: ɔl-aŋení. Acc pl: ɨl-áŋénî. Nom pl: ɨl-áŋénî. n. Wiseman. Ɔláŋéní aké óyíóló ɛnaikoní tɛnɛ́ɨ́tɔbɨrɨ́ ɛnkáŋ natasakutóki. It is only the wiseman who knows how to undo a curse lodged at a certain home. Népūōnū ɨláŋénî. Wisemen came. This person gives you advice, and reads stars and slaughtered goats to fortell rain.

ɛnk-áŋéní Wisewoman. See: l-aánkamíníŋi [North] ‘Wiseman’.

l-áŋíé [North] Nom sg: l-aŋíé. n. 1 • [North] Bridge.

2 • [North] Dam that holds water for a long period of time.

ɔl-aŋóroni Nom sg: ɔl-áŋóróní. Acc pl: ɨl-aŋorók. Nom pl: ɨl-aŋorók. n. 1 • Hunter. Ɛ́tárá ŋolé ɔláŋóróní ɔrmɛʉ́t tiaúluo âŋ. Yesterday a hunter killed a giraffe just outside our home. (Pk). This may apply to one who kills wildlife for security, food, or fun.

2 • One who supplies the family with its necessities: provider, breadwinner. Eléléró oshî ilaŋorók lɔ́ɔ nkáŋítie ɛnyɛ̂. It is the young adults who are the breadwinners of their homes. (Pk).

3 • Supporter; advocate, lawyer. Kʉlɔ̂ tʉ́ŋáná dóí ilaŋorók lááinéí tɛná gɛlarɛ́. These people are my supporters in this election. (Pk). See: ol-tórróboní ‘Hunter’.

ɛn-aɔk katampó Mythological serpent that is so tall it drinks from the clouds. See: ɛnɛ-m-atatampó ‘Mythological serpent’.

ol-áómónóni Nom pl: aomónok. n. 1 • One who keeps on begging.

2 • [Chamus] Worshipper. Maasai people do not commonly beg, but this could be applied to Nairobi street children. See: a-omón ‘To beg’.

a-áp₁ v.s. 1 • To become pregnant or give birth before circumcision. Usage: vulgar. Ɛ́táápá entitó ɛ́ɨ́tʉ̂ ɛ́mʉ́rátɨ̂ The girl has become pregnant before circumcision. It is tragic if this occurs; the girl is in disgrace and generally despised.

2 • [North] To be pregnant. Usage: animals. Kɛ́áp nkɨ́tɛŋ. The cow is pregnant. (SN).

3 • [North] To be in early stages of pregnancy. Usage: animals only.

4 • [South] To wrestle in a friendly way, usually done by warriors as play. See: a-atá ɛ́-nátîû ‘To be pregnant’; a-ɨmalɨmál ‘To fool about’; ɛn-táápáí ‘Girl who gets pregnant before circumcision’; a-nʉtá ‘To be pregnant’; áa-naŋaro ‘To wrestle’.

a-apʉ́ [North] [North] To become pregnant, of animals.

a-áp [North]₂ v. [North] To help each other (eg. raise a heavy object). Ɛtaápatɛ. They have helped each other. (S). See: a-apʉ́ ‘To lift, raise’.

áa-apa v.mid.pl. To wrestle together as friends. Kítáápáte. We will wrestle (friendly) with each other. See: áa-naŋaro ‘To wrestle’; a-aparɛ́ ‘To wrestle with’.

apá [West]: ɔpá. adv. 1 • Previous time: long ago, before, formerly. Nétií apá, ɔlmʉrraní óbō. Long ago, there was a warrior. Óre oshî táatá néméékúré kílótú aɨrɔrɔkɨ́ ánaa apá. Nowadays you don't come to see me like before. Íkúɛ́t ɔpá? Did you used to run? (W). The first apá in the following sentence brings out the meaning that the "action was suppose to have been done before" and now it is time to do it. Képūōī taá apá áasai amʉ̂ ɔmɛsáyia apá. She is going to be betrothed because she was not betrothed before. Ɛshɔmɔ́ doí apá (~ ɔpá)? Ɛákʉ? He has actually gone long ago? Isn't that right? (W). nkapá apá Events of a long time ago. Ant: kɛnyá ‘Someday in the future’.

2 • Later, afterwards. peê iponúnu apá áarik entítō. so that [when everything is done] you can come to lead [marry] the girl.

3 • [North] Any time in the past beginning a few days ago.

ɔl-apá, ɨn-apá, ɛni-apá (fi:{etc.}) adj.quant. The root apá may take a gender prefix or a demonstrative (and then optionally precede a bare noun stem) to indicate 'the one(s) previously mentioned' or 'the one(s) of long ago': áasʉj ɨnapá kíshú ɛnyɛ̂ to follow those cows of theirs [that I had mentioned previously in the discourse]. ɛniapá iná búku a book from a long time ago (ie. that has been superceded by more recent books). Ɛlɛ̂ áshê apá ɛwalatá ɔ́ lapá kɨ́nɛ́ oteyiaŋá. This calf is what he gave for the exchange of the castrated he-goat that he slaughtered.

ɔl-ápa₁ Nom sg: ɔl-ápâ. Acc pl: ɨl-apaitín. Nom pl: ɨl-ápaitin. [North] Acc pl: l-apatín, l-apaitín. [North] Nom pl: l-ápatin, l-ápaitín. n. 1 • Moon. Ɛwákɨ ɔlápa. It is the first sighting of the new moon. (lit: The moon has been taken.).

2 • Month; one lunar cycle. In Maa, "moon" implies "month", and vice-versa. The plural specifically indicates 'months'. The Maasai month is divided into two parts of two further parts each. The two main parts correspond from the waning of the moon until full darkness; and from the new moon to the full moon. See: ɨm-paashát ‘Fortnight’.

ɔl-kádɛ́d

ol-ónyókíé

e-sopía naitúruku

e-sopía ɛ pɔ́lɔs

e-sopía nabayíé Hym: apá ‘Long ago’.

ɔl-ápa₂ Nom sg: ɔl-ápâ. Acc pl: ɨl-ápa(y)i. Nom pl: ɨl-ápái. n. Mushroom. See: ɛm-pɔ́pɨát ‘mushroom’.

n-kík ɛ́ lápa [North] [North] Mushroom (lit: faeces of the moon).

apáayîâ [North]: apááyîâ. greeting. 1 • Respectful term of address used by a man when greeting an unfamiliar man, whose age is uncertain but likely of one's own age-set and younger than the speaker's father. If the speaker imagines the addressee is the same age as his father, then he would say mpápá, mpapa áí, pápa. If the addressee is older than the speaker's father, he would say inkúyiaa.

2 • [North] Respectful term of address for greeting an older man; O elder!, O my father!

l-ápáɨ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-apáɨ́. [North] Acc pl: l-ápa. [North] Nom pl: l-ápâ. n. [North] A bit of milk which can be coaxed out of a cow with no calf. See: kʉlɛ́ ‘Milk’.

ɨl-apaitín Nom pl: ɨl-ápaitin. n.pl. Months of the Maasai calendar; season. Some Maa speakers suggest the following are names of months: Ilapaitín loó nkókua 'Season of the long rains'; oladalʉ́ 'The one that becomes scorched' (January); arát 'Green just at the bottom of the valleys' (February); ɔɛnɨ́ ɔɨŋɔk 'The ritual tying of bulls' (March); olodoyíóríê inkókúâ 'When the Pleiades set' (April); Ilapaitín lɔ́ lɔɨrʉjʉ́rʉj 'Chilly season'; ol-oilépūnyīē inkókúâ 'When the Pleiades rise' (May); kújú ɔrɔk 'Long black hair' (June); mórusásin 'Thin stones' (July); ɔl-ɔ́ɨ́bɔ́r árɛ 'White foamy water' (August); Il-apaitín ló ltúmuret 'Season of short rains'; kúshîn 'African pied wagtail' (September); ol-gísan (October); pʉshʉ́ka 'Flower buds' (November); ntʉ́ŋʉ́s 'Short rain' (December). See: ɔl-ápa ‘Moon, month’.

l-aparasíyíó [North] n. [North] Type of song sung by women at the door of the house where a girl was excised or a boy was circumcised, some hours after the operation. See: l-dikíé [North] ‘Song by boys’; l-ɛbárta [North] ‘Mockery song for almost-circumcised boys’; n-kéreyio [North] ‘Song by uninitiated girls’; l-kíshúrótó [North] ‘Raiders' song of victory’; l-kulonkói [North] ‘Song by night trekkers’; l-ɔ́dɔ [North] ‘Song by old men’; n-tírrá [North] ‘Song by warriors’; e-wóko [North] ‘Song to narrate one's achievement’.

a-aparɛ́ v.mid v.inst. 1 • To wrestle with s.o. Káaaparɛ́. He will wrestle with me. (Pk). Ɛgɨ́ra aaparɛ́ Lékumok Osinyú peê ɛdɔl tɛ náa kɛ́ɨ́dɨ́mʉ. Lekumok is wrestling with Osinyu, to see if he is able to (put him down). (W) [This necessarily implies that Osinyu is stronger than Lekumok.]. Káji eikó ɔltʉ́ŋání peê ɛaparɛ́ ɛnkÁí? How can a man wrestle with God? (W).

2 • [North] To hide; [West] To hide; [South] [West] [North] To hide.

3 • [West] To go alongside sth. extended in space. Ɛáparɛ̂ entîm peê mɛ́dɔ́l ɨlmáŋatí. They hid (on the other side of) the bush so that the enemies could not see them. (W) [This implies that the enemies were on one side of the forest, while the plural subject was moving along the other side (ie. not stationary).]. Ɛgɨ́ra aaparɛ́ oreyíét aɨŋɔrʉ́ ewúéji nɛlaŋíé. He is going alongside the river to look for a place to cross. (W).

4 • [North] To cure. See: a-ishíú ‘To recover’; a-itomwáí ‘To cure’.

5 • [North] To take care of an injured person. Káálótú aaparɛ́. I will come to take care of you. (SN).

6 • [North] To work hard; [South] [North] To work hard.

l-aparrúk [North] [North] Nom pl: l-ápurrúk. n.pl. [North] Opportunistic youth who hang around harrasing others, thieving, etc.; delinquents.

ápátéí [North] [North] Nom sg: apatéí. [North] Acc pl: apatení. [North] Nom pl: ápatení. adj. [North] Electric blue.

apáyia greeting. 1 • [North] Term for greeting a respected older man.

2 • Term for greeting s.o. your age that you don't know.

l-ápáyíánó [North] [North] Nom sg: l-apayianó. n. [North] Elderhood. See: ɔl-payíán ‘Elder’.

nk-apenîâ [North] Nom sg: nk-ápenîâ. n. [North] Milk fat found in cooled fresh milk. See: ɔl-arámpâî ‘Cream’; rapáti ‘Soup fat’.

apɛ́ny [North] [North] Nom sg: ápɛny. [North] Acc pl: aápɛ́ny. [North] Nom pl: áapɛ́ny. adj. [North] Alone. See: ɔpɛ́ny ‘Alone’.

nk-apianâ [North] Variant: nk-apenia. [North] Nom sg: nk-ápeniâ. [North] Acc pl: nk-ápian. n. [North] Cream.

nk-apɨ́lani [North] [North] Acc pl: nk-apɨ́lak. n. [North] Evil eye.

nk-apɨlɛ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-ápɨlɛ́. [North] Acc pl: nk-apɨlɛ̂n. n. [North] Small hyena species.

apiyíó [North] Nom sg: ápiyíó. Acc pl: apiyioritin. [North] Acc pl: apiyioní. [North] Nom pl: ápiyioní, apiyioní. n. 1 • Mother's brother; uncle. See: ápuyia ‘Uncle’.

2 • Brother-in-law.

nk-ápīyīō Aunt.

nk-ápiyio [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-ápíyio. n. 1 • [North] Man's sister's daughter; niece.

2 • [North] The sister of one's apiyíó (ie. uncle's sister).

l-ápóí [North] [North] Nom sg: l-apóí. [North] Acc pl: l-ápo. [North] Nom pl: l-ápô. n. [North] Empty honeycomb.

n-apɔrsaɨnɨá [Chamus] n. [Chamus] Spider. See: ol-kédi ‘Spider’; e-súrusuri ‘Spider’; ol-pipí [South] ‘Spider’.

n-apɔrsʉ́s [North] n. [North] A severe historical famine, also called nacaparpʉ́s; perhaps the most ancient remembered among the Samburu. See: n-atamɨ́kɨ kɨmɛncʉ́ [North] ‘Historical famine’; nɛkʉmɨ́lɔ [North] ‘Historical famine’; rráá l-túálán [North] ‘Historical severe famine’.

a-apʉ́ v.dir. 1 • To raise sth. up, lift; support sth.; lift sth. heavy. Ɛapʉ́ ɛnkɛráí osoít. The child is lifting up a (heavy) stone. Etaápúá ɛnkɛráí osoít ŋolé. The child lifted the stone yesterday. (W). Káápʉ́ lórīkā. Can I lift the chair? (SN).

2 • [North] To give psychological support.

a-apaá v.dir. [North] To pick sth. up, collect sth. lying down. Ɛápáa ɛnkɛráí osoít. The child is moving the stone (eg. to clear it away). (W). Káápáa nkáɨ́ná. I will lift my hand. (SN). Usage: Though both apá nkáɨ́ná and apáa nkáɨ́nā are possible, the former has more of a sense that sth. is being done to the hand..

a-apɨtá [North] v.prog. [North] To be lifting sth. up. Káápɨ́ta nkɛ́ráí. I am lifting the child. (SN). See: a-rrapʉ́ [North] ‘To pick up’.

nk-ápʉ́nɛ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-apʉnɛ́. [North] Acc pl: nk-apúnya. [North] Nom pl: nk-ápunya. n. [North] Cave.

n-apuo ntárɛ sʉ́kʉta [North] [napʉntárɛ sʉ́kʉta] n.phrase. [North] Large, fast moving, hair spider (perhaps tarantula) (lit: the bitter thing which makes the goats run).

l-apʉ̂p [North] [North] Nom sg: l-ápʉp. n. [North] Material for making mats. See: ɨláal [North] ‘Mats’.

nk-apúpôî [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-ápupôî. [North] Acc pl: nk-apúpôî. [North] Nom pl: nk-ápupôî. n. [North] Wing. See: ɛn-aipúkôî ‘Wing’.

nk-apʉ́r [North] n. [North] Healthiness.

ɔl-apúrroni Nom sg: ɔl-ápúrróní. Acc pl: ɨl-apurrók. Nom pl: ɨl-ápúrrók, ɨl-apurrók. [North] Nom sg: l-ápurroni. [North] Nom pl: l-ápurrók. n. Thief. Ɛɨbʉ́ŋá ɨsɨ́karɨnɨ́ ɔlapúrroni. The policemen have arrested the thief. (ie. he has his hands tied up and has been carried off to jail) (W). Ɛ́tɨ́gɨ́lá ɔlápúrróní ɛnkají nɛ́ya ɨmɔtíoo(k) pɔɔkɨ́. A thief broke into the house and took all the pots. Syn: ol-púrríshóí ‘Thief’. See: ɔl-áínyámoní ‘Livestock thief’.

ɛnk-apʉtáni Nom sg: ɛnk-ápʉ́tání. Acc pl: ɨnk-apʉták. Nom pl: ɨnk-ápʉtak. [North] Acc sg: nk-aʉtáni. [South] Acc sg: ɛnk-aʉtáni. n. Mother-in-law, from either husband or wife's perspective; feminine affinal relative, particularly of the same generation as the mother-in-law. A man cannot sleep under the same roof as his mother-in-law. Their interactions are cautious, respectful, and limited in scope.

ɔl-apʉtáni Acc pl: ɨl-apʉták. 1 • Father-in-law, from either husband or wife's perspective.

2 • Male relatives of the father-in-law's age, male in-laws; fathers-in-law.

3 • In-laws, including both men and women.

ɔl-aʉtáni Wife's father. See: ɛnk-apʉtɨ́ ‘Marriage negotiations’; yieyíô ‘Mother’.

ɛnk-apʉtɨ́ Nom sg: ɛnk-apʉ́tɨ. Acc pl: ɨnk-aápʉtɨ. Nom pl: ɨnk-aapʉtí. n. 1 • Marriage negotiations; the establishment of a relationship between in-laws. Ɛshɔmɔ́ ŋolé ɔlpáyian ɛnkapʉtɨ́ éntító ɛnyɛ́. The man went for the marriage negotiations of his daughter. ɛnkapʉtɨ́ includes the contact between the two people who are going to marry, between the families, and the formal instructions by parents and parents' friends to the people who are going to marry. The primary focus in the negotiations is on the man; typically women do not come to negotiation meetings until the final stages.

2 • Relative by marriage.

3 • [South] Relative (any).

in-kíshú ɛ́ nkapʉtɨ́ Cattle for marriage negotiations.

ápuyia Variant: apú. n.voc. Term of address for uncle. Ápuyia, káji íló? Uncle, where are you going?

a-ár₁ PF, SUBJN: taara. v.prog. 1 • To beat, fight. Ɛárɨ́ta ɔlŋatúny olóítíkó. The lion is attacking the zebra. (W). ɛ́táárá ɔlpáyian ɛnkɛ́ráí naɨmalɨ́mālā. The man has beaten the child who has misbehaved. Táara ɨna kɨ́tɛ́ŋ mɛshɔ́mɔ aɨŋuá kʉ́tʉ́k-ají. Beat that cow so it leaves the door of the house.

2 • To harm. Kɛ́ār doí iyíóók ɛlɛ̂ tʉ́ŋání. This person is indeed going to harm us (perhaps verbally or physically, or even kill us). (Pk). ɛ́táárá ɔlɔ́ɨ́ŋɔ́nɨ́ ɔlɨkáɨ́ agɨ́l ɛnkɛjʉ́ The bull has harmed the other one by breaking its leg. Kérícō rrárrat ɛ́ ltupá. Pieces of a broken bottle do hurt. (SN).

3 • To verbally expose someone's guilt. ɛ́táárá tɛ nkutúk aɨmakɨ́ entorrónī ɛnyɛ́. He has beaten him with the mouth to tell about his bad deeds. T ɛ nkʉtʉ́k aké ɛ́táárá ayɨmakɨ́ ɛntorróní ɛnyɛ́ pɔɔkɨ́. It is only by mouth that he beat him to expose all his wrongdoing.

4 • [North] To reach as far as (eg. as a radio transmitter capable of hitting Nairobi).

5 • [North] To be effective against an illness.

áa-ara Variant: áa-ra. v.mid.pl. To fight, fight each other. Ɛtaárate ŋolé. They fought yesterday. (Pk). Míntokíki áaara pɛ́shɔ. Stop fighting with no reason. (Pk). Ɛtaáratɛ ŋolé. They fought (physically) yesterday. (Pk). Míntikíki áara pɛ́shɔ. Stop fighting for no cause. (Pk). Ɛ́tɔ́ná ŋolé áara tɔɔ́ nkʉtʉkíé ɔmɛtádóí ɛnkɔ́lɔŋ. They kept fighting verbally until the sun went down. (Pk). Kɨ́ará. We are fighting one another. (W). See: ɛn-ára ‘Battle, fighting’.

a-ararɛ́ v.dir v.appl. To fight against sth. such as a person, idea, or policy; fight with, struggle with. Ɛtárarɛ ɔmɛ́ɨ́dimʉ́ kɛnyá. He fought against it until he won at long last. Óre tɛ nkɛ́shâ ínyí ɨararɛ́rɛ iŋók in your struggle against sin (lit: in your fighting with sin). Táararɛ ɔmɨ́kɨ́tápála. Fight with him until he stops fighting you.

a-ariár 1 • To beat and beat.

2 • To beat gently.

ɛ-ároyú To be take-away-able by force. Ɛároyú kʉnâ kíshu amʉ̂ éísidaîn olêŋ. These cows can be taken away by force because they are so good.

a-araá v.dir. To drive away. Kɛ́aráa ɛlɛ́ páyian ɛnkɛ́ráí ɛnyɛ́ to roréí This man is going to drive away his child by his compaint.

a-arʉ́ v.dir. To beat towards the speaker. Ɛarʉ́ ɛnkáyíóní inkíshú tɛ oréyiet. The boy will beat the cows from the river. Ɛarúnō inkíshu tɛ oréyiet. Cows have been beaten out of the river . Ɛarúnoyú inkíshu tɛ oréyiet. Cows can be beaten out of the river. Ɛtɔ́rɔ́pá lpáyian látíá ɛnyɛ́ aishó ntáré payîê mélíkóo áajo nɨnyɛ́ ɔ́tarúá nkíshú. The man has bribed his neighbours by giving them goats so that they may not report that he raided/stole (lit: beat toward the pt. of reference) the cows. (SN). See: a-idóŋ ‘To beat’; a-ósh ‘To hit’.

a-aryé v.apl. To beat with.

a-ár₂ [North]: árr. PF: tara. v.prog. 1 • To kill. Kɛ́ār doí iyíóók ɛlɛ̂ tʉ́ŋání. This person is indeed going to kill us. Áɨ́dɨ́ma ataárā̀ ɔlŋátúny metúá ŋolé. I was able to kill the lion yesterday. (W). Ɛ́tárá apá ɔlarinkóí ɨnjorín. Long ago Olarinkoi killed groups of warriors. Ɛtáárá oldîâ ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ metúá. The dog killed the cow. (W). Ɛtáárá ɛnkɨ́tɛŋ oldîâ metúá. The cow killed the dog. (W). Ɛtáárá ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ metúá ŋolé. She killed the cow yesterday. (W). Ɛ́tárá ɛnkaí aarié ɔlálɛ́m ónyókíé. God killed him with a red sword. (ie., in a terriably destructive way). (Pk). Ɛ́tárá olówuaru kérī enkíné. A leopard has killed a goat. Kátára. He has killed it. (S). Áárɨ́ta. I am killing it. aár metúá to kill (lit. to kill/beat so it is dead) (W). See: a-sesekúán ‘To kill’.

2 • To extinguish. Usage: fire. Ɛ́tárá enkítok ɛnkɨ́má tɛ nkárɛ. The woman has extinguished fire with water. Áár nkɨ́má. I am putting out the fire. (SN).

3 • To make sth. disfunctional. Ɛ́tárá ɔlmalimúí sukúul mɛtáa meponú ɨnkɛ́rā. The teacher has made the school dysfunction so that there are no more students coming. Ɛ́tárá olmórúo ɛngári áí. The man has made my car dysfunctional.

a-itaár, a-ɨtár To cause to be beaten, extinguished.

a-ár metua [North] [North] To kill (lit: to kill/beat until death).

a-arakɨ́ [North] [North] To kill for.

a-aricó [North] v.apass. [North] To be a killer, to kill habitually.

a-aríé [North] [North] To kill with.

a-ár ɛnkárɛ́ v.prog. 1 • To swim (lit: to beat water). Áárɨ́ta ɛnkárɛ́. I am swimming. Átááráyie ɛnkárɛ́ aɨlɛ́p. I swam up out of the water.

2 • [North] To fish. The Northern Samburu do not fish, but they know other groups who do in nearby Lake Turkana. See: a-ɨsɔmpɨrá ‘To swim’; a-sʉjarɛ́ ‘To swim’; a-pór ɛnkárɛ́ ‘To swim’; a-lɔ́p nkárɛ́ [North] ‘To swim’.

a-ár ɛn-kɨ́ma v.prog. To sweat (lit: the fire beats [s.o.]). Káarɨta ɛnkɨ́ma. (lit: Fire is beating/killing me.) (i) I'm sweating! (K) (ii) The fire is heating me (eg. I am near a fire and the fire is too hot.) (SN). Ákúɛ́ta ŋolé náaâr ɛnkɨ́ma. (lit: I ran yesterday and the fire beat(s) me.) (i) I ran yesterday and I sweated. (K) (ii) I ran yesterday and the fire burned me. (SN).

áa-ar en-kúkúó v.pl. To play a guessing-game using a single charcoal piece hidden in the hand; players guess which hand it is in.

a-ará [West]: a-araá. v.dir. 1 • To keep to one side, struggle toward one side. Ɛgɨ́ra ɔlárɛwání lɛ́ gárri aaraá encótó ɛ́ tátɛ́nɛ́ ɔ́ lgwɛ̂ peê mɛ́rʉ́s inkíshú. The driver of the car is keeping/fighting to the right side of the road so that he doesn't hit the cows. (W). Kɛ́taráítie kɨdɛ́nyɛ́. They kept to the left. (SN).

2 • To take away. Óre apá peê áâ ɔlɛ́ɨ́lɔ órere náa mɛ́nyɛ́ apá ɔ́arárō. He became of that people because his father was the one taken into captivity. (Pk).

ɛn-ára Acc pl: ɨn-araritín. Nom pl: ɨn-áraritín. n. Battle, fighting, war. See: en-jóré ‘War’.

ɛn-áráá₁ Nom sg: ɛn-araá. n. Leaves laid down to act as a table for laying meat on, after roasting the meat. Syn: [North] n-tasá ‘Leaves for laying meat on top of’. See: ɛn-kʉ́jɨ́tá ‘Grass’.

l-áráá [North]₂ Nom sg: l-araá. Acc pl: l-áráân. Nom pl: l-araán. n. [North] Type of grass that grows on the banks of a river; reeds. See: ɛn-kʉ́jɨ́tá ‘Grass’.

ɔl-arábani [South] n. [South] Beater, attacker. See: ɔl-aárani ‘Beater, attacker’.

l-arágole [North] n. [North] Sth. one throws, and it comes back to you; boomerang.

ɛnk-arakɨ́ Nom sg: ɛnk-árakɨ́. n.sg. Reason, because of. Ɛɨtʉ́ elo Renóí sukúul tɛ nkárakɨ́ emueyíán. Renoi has not gone to school because of sickness.

arakɨ́ conj. Or. Tɛ́gɛlʉ́ enkishúí arakɨ́ kɛɛ́ya. Choose between life or death. See: arashʉ̂ ‘Or, unless’.

ɔl-árámátani n. 1 • Shepherd.

2 • One who tends and cares.

3 • [North] God.

ɛnk-árámátani Female shepherd or caretaker.

nk-arámi [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-árami. [North] Acc pl: nk-arám. [North] Nom pl: nk-áram. n. [North] Young mid-sized cattle.

l-arámi [North] 1 • [North] Young mid-sized cattle.

2 • [North] Children.

ɔl-arámpâî Nom sg: ol-árampâî. Acc pl: ɨl-arámpā. Nom pl: ɨl-árampá. [North] Acc pl: l-arámpa. [North] Nom pl: l-árampa. n. 1 • Fat part of milk which rises to the top; cream.

2 • Green scum-like material that develops over water; algae. See: ɛn-kapianá ‘Milk fat’; ɛ-ŋɔrnɔ̂ ‘Ghee’.

l-aramʉ̂s [North] n. [North] Cataract of the eye.

nk-arandá [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-árandá. [North] Acc pl: nk-arandân. [North] Nom pl: nk-árandân. n. [North] Rain-hat made from calfskin; previously worn by warriors to keep their hair dress from getting ruined in the rain.

nk-arandâî [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-árandâî. [North] Acc pl: nk-arandân. [North] Nom pl: nk-árandân. n. [North] Term for a warrior, used among themselves.

ɔl-árani Nom sg: ɔl-áráni. Acc pl: ɨl-árak. Nom pl: ɨl-árak. [North] Nom sg: l-áráni. [North] Acc pl: l-árak. [North] Nom pl: l-árak. n. Murderer, killer. ltʉŋáni árani a killer (S). See: ɔl-aárani ‘Beater, attacker’.

ɔl-arányani Nom sg: ɔl-árányání. Acc pl: ɨl-aranyák. Nom pl: ɨl-árányák. [North] Nom sg: l-áranyani. n. Singer, dancer. See: a-rány ‘To sing, dance’.

ɔl-aranyɨ́ Nom sg: ɔl-áranyɨ́. n. Song. See: l-kení [North] ‘song’; o-sínkólīō ‘Song’.

ɔl-árao₁ Nom sg: ɔl-áráo. Acc pl: ɨl-aráōn. Nom pl: ɨl-áraón. n. 1 • Piece of leather, or "broom", about the size of one's palm, usually used by women for cleaning out a pen for sheep or calves. Tɔrrɔ́k kʉlɔ́ áraón. These cleaning skins are bad. (W).

2 • [North] One who brings in cows from raids.

ɛnk-árao [North] Water trough. See: e-orét ‘Broom’; l-piríyeét [Chamus] ‘Broom’.

l-árao [North]₂ [North] Nom sg: l-áráo. n. [North] Character, demeanor. See: ɛm-pɨ́kátá ‘Placing, putting; temperment’.

ɛnk-ararâî Nom sg: ɛnk-árarâî. Acc pl: ɨnk-arará. Nom pl: ɨnk-árara. [North] Nom pl: nk-árará. n. 1 • Plastic.

2 • Quill (of vulture, eagle).

árárɛ́ [North] n. [North] Wax.

a-ararí v.dir v.mid. 1 • To keep to one side. Táārārī kédíányɛ́! Keep to the left! Ɛ́mintóki áarari idia áló! (You pl.) keep to that side! Ájó áípótu meéu ɛná shótó ɔ́ lgʉ̂ɛ̂; nɛ́arári aló ɛnkáɨ́ shótó. I tried to call him to come to this side of the road; then he kept on going/struggling towards the other side. (W).

2 • [North] To be scared away. Kóre peê ɛ́dɔ́l iyioó lósowuaní nɛ́arári áaɨsɨg. When the buffalo saw us, they ran away fleeing. (SN).

3 • [South] To go astray, rebel. See: a-póŋ ‘To miss’.

ɛ-árárotó Nom sg: ɛ-arárotó. Acc pl: ɨ-ararót. Nom pl: ɨ-árarót. n. 1 • Captivity. Óre apá ɨltʉ́ŋáná pɔɔkɨ́ ɔɔ́tɨmɨrakɨ́ nɛ́yáɨ́ ɛárárotó. All the people that were defeated were taken into captivity. (Pk).

2 • Captive.

l-arásani [North] [North] Nom sg: l-árasani. [North] Acc pl: l-arasák. [North] Nom pl: l-árasák. n. [North] Assailant, attacker. See: a-rasaá ‘To raid, attack’.

ɔl-arási Nom sg: ɔl-árasi. Acc pl: ɨl-arâs. Nom pl: ɨl-áras. [North] Acc pl: l-arás. n. 1 • Rib. Ɨlpayianí oshî ɔ́ɔ̄nyā ɨlarâs lɔ́lkɨ̄tɛ̄ŋ He became of that people because his father was the one taken into captivity. (Pk) It is men who eat the bullock's ribs.

2 • [North] The two upper ribs. Usage: archaic. In S, the singular form may possibly not occur. See: l-babák; l-márai [North] ‘Rib’.

arashʉ̂ Variant: aashʉ̂. [West]: aashʉ́. [North]: o aashû. conj. 1 • Or. Shɔ́mɔ áŋ o aashʉ̂ ɔlɔɨnyaŋɨ́. Go home or to the market. Áításhē o aashʉ̂ atɔ́n. I will stand or sit down. Tɛ́gɛlʉ́ enkishúí aashʉ̂ kɛɛ́ya Choose between life or death. See: aashʉ̂; aɨashʉ̂; aná; arakɨ́ ‘Or’.

2 • So as to prevent the possibility of sth.; lest. Ísumayú arashʉ̂ ɨbatátā. Study lest you fail. (Pk). See: anáaa ‘Or else’.

3 • Unless, if. Arashʉ̂ aké teníkínyórru ínâ kátá aké árét. If you love me, that is when I will help you. (Pk).

arát₁ Nom sg: árat. Acc pl: ɨ-arát. n.sg. 1 • February; the second month in the calendar. Arát oshî euníéki ɨlpáyɛ̂k. It is in February that they usually plant maize.

2 • The quality of greenness at the bottom of a valley, just as the valley opens out to the plain, due to the greater moisture at that point.

l-arát [North]₂ Nom sg: l-árat. Acc pl: l-aratí. Nom pl: l-áratí. n. [North] Metal object inside a bell that rotates to make the bell ring; clapper. See: ɛnk-arɛ́t ‘Clapper’.

árátá [North] [North] Nom sg: aratá. [North] Acc pl: arát. [North] Nom pl: arát. n. [North] Injury.

l-aráti [North] [North] Nom sg: l-árati. [North] Acc pl: l-arát. Variant: l-aréta. [North] Nom pl: l-áreta. n. [North] Bell clapper. See: ɛnk-arɛ́t ‘Clapper’.

nk-árawo [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-áráwo. [North] Acc pl: nk-aráwôn. n. [North] Wooden watering trough, often made of l-ŋabóli wood.

ɛnk-arbúáli n. Blood clot. See: ɛnk-albúáli ‘Blood clot’.

aré Nom pl: áre. num. Two (feminine). This is also the form used in simple counting, eg. one, two, three, four, etc. Ɛ́rá ɨnkɛjɛ́k ɔ́ ltʉŋáni aré. A person has two legs. Ɛ́rá inkíyiáá ɔ́ ltʉŋáni aré. The ears of a person are two. (Pk). Népúónú inkítuaak áre. Two women came. kʉnâ búkuí aré sidaîn naárɔɔ́k these two good black books (W). See: aáre ‘Two (masc sg)’; waáre [North] ‘Two (masc sg)’.

-arɛ₁ Variant: -ore. voi appl. Suffix complex containing Middle plus Instrumental applicative. Ɛgɨ́ra ɛnkɛráí kɨ́tɨ aɛlarɛ́ ɛnkapianá. The little child is smearing herself with milk fat found in cooled fresh milk. (Pk). Ɛgɨ́ra ɛnkáyíóní adalarɛ́ intóto. The boy is playing with pebbles. (Pk). Nónokúa nkíshú náírukurukóre ntaré. There are the cows moving together with the goats. (SN). Káyā ɛnâ motí aló aɨtaás eyíárárɛ́. I am taking this cooking pot so that I can use it for cooking with. (Pk).

-arɛ₂ Variant: -ore. PL: -aritín. nmlz. Nominalizer for active verbs, creating a noun referring primarily to the action. With some verbs, -arɛ gives the idea of repeated instances of an action, in contrast to nominalizations in -ata which may refer to single instances of the action. Mayíólo ajó káɨ́nyɔ̄ɔ̄ náyawúá ɛnâ síai ɛsɨ́ŋárɛ oltiól. Kájó kʉlɔ́ keék ɔɔ́danyɨta ɨntapʉ́ka. I don't know what brought about this act/business of sneezing. Maybe it is because of these trees that are flowering. (W). See: -átá ‘Nominalizer’.

ɔl-árɛ́₁ Nom sg: ɔl-árɛ. Acc pl: ɨl-áríák. Nom pl: ɨl-aríák. [North] Nom sg: l-árɛ, l-arɛ́. [North] Acc pl: l-áríák. [North] Nom pl: l-aríák. n. 1 • Swamp; low land that is seasonally flooded.

2 • Oasis. Ɛshɔmɔ́ dúóó ilmoŋí áaok ɔlárɛ́. The oxen have gone to drink from the oasis. (Pk).

3 • [North] Well. Syn: ɔl-cɔ́rrɔ ‘Well’. See: ol-túrótó ‘Well’.

ɛnk-árɛ́₂ Nom sg: ɛnk-árɛ. Acc pl: ɨnk-áríák. Nom pl: ɨnk-aríák. [North] Nom pl: nk-áríâk. n. 1 • Water. Ɨncɔɔ́kɨ ɛndâ kilási matoókie ɛnkárɛ́. Give me that glass that I may drink water with it. (Pk). Ɛwá ɛnkají ɛnkárɛ. The house has been consumed by fire. (lit: Water carried the house away.). Míntóki abukoó inkáríák ti áji amʉ̂ kɛ́ɨ́táshal. Stop pouring out (containers of) waters because it makes the house wet. (Pk). Usage: euphonistic [euphemistic?]. See Mpaayei, Inkuti Pukunot, p.49.

2 • River. The plural inkáríák refers to rivers, streams, dams, seas, etc. collectively, and means great quantities of water.

3 • [North] Lake. Etymology: *kárɛ́ 'water' Proto-Eastern Nilotic 1559 ‘water’; < *aR Proto-Nilotic 1559 ‘to flow’.

ɔl-árɛ́ Salt water.

a-pór ɛnkárɛ́ To float on the water (lit: to creep over the water).

a-ár ɛnkárɛ́ To swim (lit: To beat the water).

ɛnk-árɛ́ dápásh n.prop. The Mara River has its source in the Mau Narok range, but acquires the name 'Mara River' at the point where the Amala River and the Nyangoris River come together near Emarti. It flows through the western parts of Kenya Maasailand into Tanzania, where it flows into Lake Victoria at Musoma. It is the largest river in Maasailand. This river is also called En-kɨ́páɨ́.Maasai name for the Mara River, Narok District, Kenya (lit: wide water).

ɛnk-árɛ́ Kɨtɨ n.prop. This has been the site of some prehistoric finds.Name of the southernmost small river flowing flowing from the Inkurman Escarpment at Pagasi, Narok District, Kenya (lit: small water).

ɛnk-árɛ́ Mára Nom sg: ɛnk-árɛ Márâ. n.prop. This river should not be confused with the Mara River, which is a major river flowing into Lake Victoria.Name of a river which flows between Isiolo and Archer's Post, Kenya (lit: water which is patchy).

ɛnk-árɛ́ Naɨrɔ́bɨ Nom sg: ɛnk-árɛ Náɨ́rɔbɨ. n.prop. Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, derives its name from this river. The Maasai originally made a distinction between the name and the place, calling the place Nakúso Intélon. Various anglicised forms of Nairobi in the past have included Neirobi and Nyrobi.Nairobi River (lit: water which-is-cold). See: Nakúso Intélon ‘Original Maasai name for Nairobi City’.

ɛnk-árɛ́ Nárɔ́k [ɛ̀ŋkáɾɛ́ ! náɾɔ́k] Nom sg: ɛnk-árɛ́ Nárok. n.prop. 1 • Name of a river in Narok district (lit: water which-is-black). This river originates in the Mau Narok range and flows southwards through the town of Enkare Narok, usually abbreviated to simply Narok. From there it continues to flow south and joins the Euaso ŋiro. Together they form the Enkare ŋiro, the Brown River, which flows into Lake Natron. This lake has no outlet.

2 • Narok town. Áló ɛnkárɛ́ Nárɔ́k tááisére tɛ́nɛ́kɛnyʉ. I will go to Narok tomorrow. (pK). See: e-wúáso ‘River’.

ɛnk-árɛ́ Ŋirô Nom sg: ɛnk-árɛ Ŋíro. n.prop. The Maasai call it Enkiporôî, 'The Scar'. Beyond this place, the river joins with the Enkárɛ́ Nárɔ́k, cascades off the Inkurmân Escarpment through some spectacular waterfalls, and then continues its southward flow as Enkárɛ́ Ŋirô into Lake Natron.Name for the southern part of a river which originates in the Mau Narok range and flows in a southernly direction through the town of Ɔlɔlʉlʉ́ŋā. From there the river continues south and gives its name to a small trading-center (lit: brown water).

ɛnk-árɛ́ Ŋʉ́sʉ́r Nom sg: ɛnk-árɛ Ŋʉsʉ́r. n.prop. Short river that flows from the Mau Hills (lit: short water).

ɛnk-árɛ́ pʉ̂s n. Milk mixed with water. This is drunk after carrying a corpse. Along with bathing, it serves to ritually cleanse the one who carried the corpse.

n-aremí [North] [North] Nom sg: n-áremí. [North] Acc pl: n-aremîn. n. [North] Boil which is usually lanced. See: a-rém ‘To spear’.

ɛn-arɛ́t₁ Nom sg: ɛn-árɛt. Acc pl: ɨn-arɛ́ta. Nom pl: ɨn-árɛta. n. Weapon. Ɨncɔɔ́kɨ ɨnarɛ́ta máapɛ́ aár olowuarú kérî ɔɨnɔsá intaré. Give the weapons so that we can go and kill the leopard which eaten the little sheep and goats. (Pk). ɨnarɛ́ta tɔrrɔ̂k lethal weapons. See: ɨ-rʉpárɛn ‘Weapons’.

ɛnk-arɛ́t₂ Nom sg: ɛnk-árɛt. Acc pl: ɨnk-arɛ́ta. Nom pl: ɨnk-árɛta. n. Metal object inside a bell that rotates to make noise; clapper. Merû oltualá lémétíī ɛnkárɛt. A bell without the clapper will not make noise. See: l-arát [North] ‘Clapper’.

ol-arétoni [North] Nom sg: l-árétóní. [North] Acc pl: l-aretók. n. Helper, assistant. See: a-rét ‘To help’.

ɛnk-arɛ́wa Nom sg: ɛnk-árɛwa. Acc pl: ɨnk-arewaní. Nom pl: ɨnk-árɛwaní. n. Wedding necklace. Eishopókokí entítō narikí ɛnkarɛ́wa. A wedding necklace has been put on the girl being married off.

ɔl-arɛ́wani [North] Nom sg: l-árɛwanî. [North] Acc pl: l-arɛwák. [North] Nom pl: l-árɛwák. n. 1 • One who drives out cattle.

2 • Driver of a car, boat, airplane, etc. See: l-térépáí [North] ‘Driver (eg. of a car)’; a-rɛ́ʉ́ ‘To drive sth. away’.

árgɨ̂ [North] [North] Nom sg: argɨ́. [North] Acc pl: árgɨ̂n. [North] Nom pl: argɨ́n. n. [North] Tree whose bark yields a perfume worn by women on their necklaces. justicia odora.

ɔl-ári Nom sg: ɔl-árî. Acc pl: ɨl-arín. Nom pl: (NOM.PL)differs from TM. n. 1 • Rainy season, monsoon; period of time during the year in which rains fall on a regular basis, usually from March to April, and even up through July. Ɛtabáúá ɔlárî peê méítōkīnī áapuo áaok incoó tɔɔ́ lkɛjɛ́k, amʉ̂ enótokí ɛnkárɛ́ narúko. The rainy season has come so the cattle herds will not be taken to wells, because flowing water has been found.

2 • First rain; single instance of rain; non-continuous rain.

3 • [North] The green of the rainy season.

4 • Year; one calendar year, from January through December. Ɛ́ɨ́dɨp ɨnkɛ́râ sukúul tɛ nkitiŋotó ɛ́lɛ ári. Children will finish school at the end of this (calendar) year. Ɛɨkɛnákɨ apá ɨltʉ́ŋánákárêî tɛldɛ́ árî. The populace was counted (ie. a census was taken) last year. ɨlarín tikítam twenty years. In Kenyan Maa, ɔl-ári refers to both what American-English speakers refer to as the "calendar year" (Jan-Dec), and to the "school year" (January-March, May-July, and September-November).

ɛnk-ári Short rainy season (typically November-December). Ɛnkári apá kínotitô tɔltúmúret nɛɨtʉ́ nɨnyɛ́ ɛɨtʉbʉ́lʉ ɨnkʉ́jɨ́t naábaɨkɨ́ intaré. We got a short rainy-season which was not enough to make grass grow that can satisfy sheep and goats. Ant: ɔl-adalʉ́ ‘Dry season’. See: ɛn-cán ‘Rain’; en-kókúáí ‘Pleiades; Long rainy season’; ol-túmuret ‘Short rainy season’.

-ári voi. Suffix complex meaning Motion Away plus Middle. Nɛ́pɨrɨrɨŋári Ɔlárinkoi Olarinkoi rolled down. See: -a₅ ‘Motion Away’; - ɛ ‘Perfect(ive) Middle’; -ʉ́nyɛ ‘Motion Towards plus Middle’.

ɔl-aríkoni Nom sg: ɔl-áríkóní. Acc pl: ɨl-arikók. Nom pl: ɨl-áríkók. [North] Nom sg: l-áríoni. n. Leader, whether political, administrative, traditional, or by influencing opinion. Kɛ́ányɨt oshî ɨltʉŋaná(k) ɔlaríkoni lɛnyɛ̂. People respect their leader. A traditional leader's responsibilities include leading meetings, arbitrating between individuals, making peace between warring communities, presiding over cultural ceremonies, and sometimes acting as a linkage between the government and people. See: a-rík ‘To lead’; ɔl-aɨtɔ́riani ‘Ruler’; ol-oibóni ‘Ritual expert’; ɔl-aigúɛ́nani ‘Leader of age-set’.

l-árínkóí [North] Nom sg: l-arinkóí. Acc pl: l-arínkon. Nom pl: l-árinkón. n.pl. [North] Group of Samburu young men who like fighting and causing mayhem. See: ol-kíríkóí ‘Vagabond’.

árip Nom sg: árîp. Acc pl: arípī. Nom pl: arípí. [North] Nom sg: áríp. [North] Acc pl: arípî. [North] Nom pl: áripí. adj. Showing much love and care towards s.o.; doting. ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ árip a cow that shows much love for its young one.

nk-árip [North] n. [North] Doting, concerned cow or parent for offspring not necessarily her own; mother hen.

ɔl-arɨ́pani Nom sg: ɔl-árɨ́pání. Acc pl: ɨl-arɨpák. Nom pl: ɨl-árɨ́pák. n. Tailor.

l-aripó [North] n. [North] Skink. See: sʉ́yɛɛ ‘Skink’.

ɔl-arɨ́shani Nom sg: ɔl-árɨ́shání. Acc pl: ɨl-arɨshák. Nom pl: ɨl-árɨ́shák. n. 1 • Judge.

2 • Arbitrator, reconciler. See: a-rɨ́sh ‘To settle a dispute’; ɔl-aigúɛ́nani; ɔl-áíkúmúnoni ‘Judge’.

l-aríshoni [North] Nom sg: l-áríshóní. Acc pl: l-arishók ??. Nom pl: l-áríshók ??. n. [North] One who kills things, especially wild animals. See: ɔl-árani ‘Murderer’.

ɛnk-áríyíánó n. Plan. ɛnkáríyíánó inó your plan.

-árīē dir voi. Suffix complex containing Motion Away plus Instrumental Applicative. Ɨ́nʉ́kárīē. I will bury him with it. Ɨ́tʉ́nʉ́karíé. I buried him with it. See: -únye ‘Motion Toward plus Instrumental Applicative’.

ɛnk-árná [ɛ̀ŋkárná] Nom sg: ɛnk-arná. Acc pl: ɨnk-árn. [North] Nom pl: nk-árn. n. Name. Kéduŋóki aké ɨnkárn ánaa iwuejitín nɛɛ́manyá. They are given names according to the places they live. (KS). Children are not named after people who died young, though it is fine to name them after s.o. who died in old age. This is especially so if the deceased was wealthy, but not if the deceased was o-sóít.

ɛnk-árná ɛ́ ncɔrío Maiden name (or middle name) (lit: name of front-leg).

ɛnk-árná é misígiyíoi First name given to a person by parents (lit: name of Misigiyioi plant).

ɛnk-árná oó nkitúaak Name given to a woman after marriage. This is a term of address to the woman by other people including her husband and other men of his age-set. (lit: name for women).

ɛnk-árná ɔɔ́ lmʉ́rran Name given to a warrior by other warriors. It can be a praise or ridicule name and should strictly be used by warriors. (lit: name of warriors).

árnáce [North] [North] Nom sg: árnáce. n. [North] Mother's sister's son; cousin. This term is less intimate than leanáce. See: laláce [North] ‘Brother; father's brother's son’; leanáce [North] ‘Mother's sister's son’.

-áro voi. Reciprocal action. Kɛ́ɨ́dɨmáro. They can face each other. See: -a ‘Middle’.

ɔl-áróí Nom sg: ɔl-aróí. Acc pl: ɨl-árôn. Nom pl: ɨl-arón. n. 1 • Stomach. Usage: contemptous. See: ɛnk-ɔ́shɔ̄kɛ ‘stomach’.

2 • Mean, unfriendly person.

3 • Stingy person.

ɛnk-aroní [North] Nom sg: nk-ároní. [North] Acc pl: nk-áron. [North] Nom pl: nk-árôn. n. n. [North] Thirst (of people and especially domestic animals).

2 • n. [North] The thirsty state of a cow on days when it isn't watered.

3 • n. Abstention from water (by cattle). See: a-rón ‘To go without water’.

a-aronú [North] v.incep. [North] To become stingy. See: áróí ‘Stingy’.

ɔl-arónyoni n. One who shaves as their primary job; barber. See: ɔl-abárnoni ‘Barber, shaver’.

a-aroyú Variant: a-raroyú. [West]: a-arayú. v.mid. 1 • To be takable by force. Ɛároyú. / Ɛarároyú. It is takable by force. It could be sth. so valuable that people would want to take it by force. Ɛyároyú ɛnâ tókî amʉ̂ ɨmɛɨshɔrʉ́nɨ̄ tɛ sidáí. This thing can be taken by force because it cannot be given out nicely. (Pk). Ɛrároyú kʉná kíshu amʉ̂ éísidaîn olêŋ. This cows are worth taking by force because they look so good.

2 • To be beatable, cane-able. Ɛárāyū ɛná kɛráí. This child is caneable. (This may imply that the child has been misbehaving.) (W). Ɛárāyū ɛná âŋ. This home is takeable/robbable by force. (This primarily implies that the home has sth. valuable, but also that it is poorly defended.) (W). See: a-ár ‘To fight, kill, beat’.

ártam num. Forty. Borrowed word: Proto-Kalenjin/Proto-Southern-Nilotic rt m. Etymology: *^rt^m, rom Proto-Baz *afartam ‘forty’.

ɔl-ártat Nom sg: ɔl-ártât. Acc pl: ɨl-ártatí. Nom pl: ɨl-ártatí. n. 1 • Walking stick.

2 • Ceremonial stick used in special ceremonies. Nɛ́dʉ̄mʉ̄ ɨlártatí ɔ́ ɨlkɨlánī ɔ áre They pick up two (ceremonial) sticks and skin robes [to go to betroth a girl]. See: sóbúá ‘Walking stick’; ɔl-cártʉ́lá ‘Walking stick’.

artɔɔ́l [North] [North] Nom sg: ártɔɔ́l. [North] Acc pl: artoolí. [North] Nom pl: ártoolí. n. [North] Large species of hyena.

a-arʉ́ In some suffixed forms: a-arʉ́n. v. To cause sth. to keep to this side, crowd to this side. Áarʉ́ ɛnâ áló. He will make me keep to this side. Áarʉnɨ́ ɛnâ áló. I will be made to keep to this side. Though the verb often co-occurs with ɛná áló 'this side', the verb itself conveys 'this side'. Thus, it cannot co-occur with idia áló 'that side'. See: a-arʉnyɛ́ ‘To keep/force one's self in this direction’.

ɔl-arʉ́kâî n. Snail. See: ɔ-sɨkɨrâî ‘Snail’.

n-árúmpê [North] Variant: n-áírúmpê. [North] Nom sg: n-árumpe. [North] Acc pl: n-arumpên. [North] Nom pl: n-árumpên. n. [North] Fog. See: kúlincú; kúlúncú [North] ‘Fog’; ɛn-kɨnʉkʉ́ ‘Fog’.

ɛ-árúnotó₁ Variant: ɛ-yárúnotó. Nom sg: ɛ-arúnotó. Acc pl: ɨ-arunót. Nom pl: ɨ-árunot. [North] Acc sg: arúnotó. n.f. Loot, spoil, booty, treasure. Ɨmɛmayíána áɨ́kátá ɛarúnotó náoruní kʉlɨ́káɨ́ tʉ́ŋáná. Loot taken away from other people is never blessed. See: a-ár ‘Fight, beat’.

ɛ-árúnotó₂ Nom sg: ɛ-arúnotó. Acc pl: ɨ-arunót. Nom pl: ɨ-árunot. n. Beating/pushing towards the point of reference. Tápala doí ɛnâ áárúnotó inó náâ ɛnâ áló aké ílótú. Stop your pushing towards me that you keep on coming this way. (Pk). This sentnce implies that the speaker is really annoyed. See: a-ár ‘Fight, beat’.

a-arunyé v.dir. To force sth. this way. Ɛshɔmɔ́ ɨlmʉ́rrán áarunye ilKokóyo inkíshú. The warriors have gone to take the cows by force from the Kikuyu. (W).

a-arʉnyɛ́ v.dir v.mid. 1 • To move with force towards the point of reference, against an apparent obstacle. In W, this verb cannot be used for remaining in a position towards a side, even if that requires force. Rather, movement is necessary. Ɛtaarʉ́nyɛ. He kept to this side. Ɛ́táárʉ́nyɛ. It forced itself to come this way. (W). Ɛ́mintóki dúóó áarʉnyɛ ɛnâ áló. (You pl.) Stop keeping to this side! (Pk). Ágɨ́ra aarʉnyɛ́. I am keeping to this side. Áshɔ́mɔ amɨ́r incereretí tɛ mparét nɛ́ɨ́rrág aké áarʉnyɛ. I went to chase the monkeys from the farm and they just kept forcing themselves (back) this way. (W).

2 • To protrude, distend; especially a sick part of the body (such as the stomach, an abnormal head, etc.). Ɛtaarʉ́nyɛ ɛnkɛ́ráí namúéí ɛnkɔ́shɔ́kɛ. The sick child has her stomach protruding. (Pk). Emuoíta Pápaáɨ́. Ɛgɨ́ra áarʉnyɛ intíkân toó lgóso. My father is sick. The lymph nodes are protruding from his neck. (W). See: a-rʉ́ ‘To crowd to the side’; a-poŋú ‘To swell (of the stomach)’; a-jeyú ‘To swell’. Ant: a-ararí ‘To keep to that side’.

arʉ̂s Nom sg: árʉs. Acc pl: arúsi. Nom pl: árusí. [North] Acc sg: arʉ́s. [North] Nom sg: árʉs. [North] Acc pl: arúsî. [North] Nom pl: árusí. adj. 1 • Spotted black and white on the sides to underside; spots typically spread from the dewlap to the teats (of cattle). Restrict: cattle.

arʉ̂s
Náa ɛ́ntɛrɛwakákɨ ɔlɔɨŋɔ́nɨ láí arʉ̂s. And please bring me my bull that is spotted black and white underneath. (Pk).

2 • Spotted on the neck.

3 • Black mixed with white (eg. the hair of an elderly ethnic black person, before it has turned completely white).

4 • Spotted, referring to the skin of a person. Usage: derog. Óre olconí lɛ Lɛriónka nɛ́taá apá arʉ̂s tɛnkárakɨ́ ɨlɛpɛ́dɔ. Lerionka's skin is spotted because of scabies. If an animal is arʉ̂s over its whole body, it may be called pʉ̂s. See: pʉ̂s ‘Blue’.

ɛnk-arʉ̂s n. Spotted one. Kéló ɛnkárʉs. The spotted one will go. (Pk).

ɨl-Arusa n.pl. Name of a Maasai section.

a-arusú [North] v.incep. [North] To become spotted. See: arʉ̂s ‘Spotted’.

ɔl-árrabal Nom sg: ɔl-árrábal. Acc pl: ɨl-arrabalí. Nom pl: ɨl-árrabalí. [South] Acc sg: ɔl-árrábâl. n. 1 • Quarrel, conflict. Mányaakɨ́ áayagie ɛlɛ̂ árrabal amʉ̂ ɛ́táá sápʉk. Let us leave this quarrelling and be calm, because it is too much. (Pk). For KS, ɔl-árrabal indicates a less-serious conflict than en-joré 'war, cattle raid.' Mol (1996:33) indicates it has a range of meaning from a 'big fight' to a 'war'.

2 • Battle.

3 • War, fighting. Mátorik ɨ́lɔ̂ mʉ́rráni ɔlárrabal amʉ̂ pádán. [ɪ̀lɔ̀ ... àmʊ̂ pàdàn] Let's take that warrior to war because he is a sharp-shooter. (W). Eibóno ɨlárrabalí. The wars have been divined. (W). See: ɛn-ára ‘War’; en-jóré ‘War’.

l-arrakʉ́lɛ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-árrakʉ́lɛ. n. [North] One of a number of non-poisonous snake species found in water. Wagner (n.d. p. 186) notes that a yellow variety is probably Keller's bark snake. Hemirhagerrhis kelleri. See: lacam kɨ́rɔrrɛt [North] ‘Snake sp.’.

n-arrarrayîôk [North] Nom sg: n-árrarrayîôk. n. [North] Chameleon. See: tánki ‘Chameleon’.

n-arrarrayîô(k) [North] [North] Nom sg: n-árrarrayîô(k). [North] Acc pl: n-arrarrayioní. n. [North] Chameleon (generic term). See: tánki ‘Chameleon’.

arrárri [North] [North] Nom sg: árrarri. [North] Acc pl: arrárrîn. [North] Nom pl: árrarrîn. adj. [North] Old (of people). Ɨ́rā arrárri. You are old. Kɛ́arrárri ɛlɛ́ páyian. This man is old. See: ank-árrárró [North] ‘Oldness’; naárrɨ ‘Long ago’. Syn: mʉsána, móruo.

nk-árrárró [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-arrarró. n. [North] Oldness (esp. of animate entities); old age. aná árrárró this oldness. See: arrárri [North] ‘Old’.

a-arrarrú [North] v.incep. [North] To become old (of people, animals, or things). Kɛ́taárrarra alɛ́ píróí. This firestick is old. (SN). Kɛ́taarrárrɨtâ kʉlɔ́ pirón. These firesticks are old. (SN). Meisúpat lpiróí ɔ́taárrarra olêŋ. The firestick which is very old is not good. (SN). Kápéjóo lpíróí ɔtaárrarra táatá. I will burn the firestick which is old now. (SN). Note: W (kk) does not commonly use this word. See: arrárri [North] ‘Old’.

arrɛ́ lápa [North] n.phrase. [North] The first day the new moon is visible.

ɨnk-árrɛr Nom pl: ɨnk-árrɛ̂r. n.pl. Milk to which water has been added; diluted milk. See: kʉlɛ́ ‘Milk’.

nk-árrɛrr [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-árrɛ̂rr. [North] Acc pl: nk-árrɛrrɨ́. n. [North] Milk and water mixed for drinking.

ɛnk-arrí Nom sg: ɛnk-árrī. n. Greed, greedyness (typically for food). Ɛáta ɛnkarrí. She is greedy.

nk-árri [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-árrî. [North] Acc pl: nk-árrîn. [North] Nom pl: nk-árrin. n. [North] Car. See: ɛn-gárri ‘Car’. Etymology: English car.

l-árríá [North] [North] Nom sg: l-arríá. [North] Acc pl: l-árríân. n. [North] Red-billed oxpecker. Buphagus erythorhynchus.

ɔl-árríákí Nom sg: ɔl-arriakí. Acc pl: ɨl-árríák. Nom pl: ɨl-arríák. [North] Acc sg: l-árríá. n. Oxpecker.

ɛnk-árríánó Nom sg: ɛnk-arrianó. n.sg. Smartness, expertise. ɛná árríaánó this expertise (W). See: árriyíá ‘Skilled’.

nk-arripô [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-árripô. [North] Acc pl: nk-arriponí. n. [North] Lizard (generic).

ɔl-arríponi Nom sg: ɔl-árrípóní. Acc pl: ɨl-arripók. Nom pl: ɨl-árrípók. [North] Nom pl: l-arripók. n. 1 • Guard, watchman, custodian. Etíí ɔlárrípóní kishómi adɔlʉ́ ɨltʉ́ŋánák ɔɔ́yɨmʉ. The guard is at the gate watching people coming through it. (Pk). ɨlarripók When guarding animals, ɔl-arríponi may sleep in the kraal. See: a-rríp ‘To guard’; ɔl-aɨŋʉ́rani ‘Watcher’; adúáani ‘Observant’.

2 • [North] A Samburu name for God.

3 • [North] An uninvited guest waiting to eat food that he/she is not welcomed to.

4 • [North] Glutton.

l-arríteni [North] Nom sg: l-árríténí. Acc pl: l-arrɨták. Nom pl: l-arrɨták. n. [North] Old grown up boy who has not yet been circumcised.

árriyíá Nom sg: árriyíá. Acc pl: árriyíâk. Nom pl: árriyíâk. [North] Acc sg: arriyíá. [North] Nom sg: árriyí. [North] Acc pl: arriyân. adj. 1 • Skilled, skillful, whether by training or naturally; precise, very good at doing sth. Árá árriyíá. I am skilled. (Pk). Káárriyíá nɨ́nyɛ ɛlɛ́ tʉ́ŋání mɛɛ́tā entóki néméyíólo aɨtɔ́bɨra. This person is skillful as he knows how to make everything. Káke árriyíá siî íyīē ɛlɛ́ mʉrraní tɔ sinkólio. But this warrior is skillful in singing. (Pk).

2 • Deft at.

ɛnk-árriyíá n. The best solution; the right thing. ɛ́máɨ́ŋɔrʉ́ ɛnkárriyíá nárɛ́ʉ iyíóók dʉkʉ́ya. Let's look for the best solution that will make us move forward (out of the stalemate).

2 • Female who is skilled. Ant: álani ‘Clumsy, not skillful’.

l-arriyíá [North] [North] A skillful person (eg. in singing, speaking).

3 • See: a-yioló ‘To know’; ŋɛ̂n ‘Clever, smart’; abárani ‘Careful’; sídáí ‘Good’.

árrɔ Nom sg: árrɔ̂. Acc pl: árroi. [árroi with two final moras] Nom pl: árróî. [Purko] Nom pl: árrói. [North] Acc sg: árro. [North] Nom sg: árrô. [North] Acc pl: árroí. [North] Nom pl: árroî. adj. 1 • With downward pointing horns. Ɛtoíshíé dúóó ɛnkɨ́tɛŋ árrɔ̂. The cow with downward pointing horns has given birth. (Pk). Syn: púrúk ‘With downward pointing horns’.

2 • [South] Dangerous, fierce.

3 • [North] Dishonest, not straight-forward.

4 • [North] Being in between two decisions in order to please s.o.

ɔl-árrɔ n. 1 • Buffalo. ɔlárrɔ kúkúó a charcoal-black buffalo. Átódúaa ɔlárrɔ ɔdáa tɛ ntîm. I have seen a buffalo grazing in the bush.

Syn: ol-ósokuan, ol-ósowuan, l-máaca [North] ‘Buffalo’.

2 • [South] Large bull, nearly the size of a buffalo.

3 • [South] Gigantic person.

4 • Nickname for a recently-circumcised boy.

ɛnk-árrónisho [North] n. [North] Conflict, commotion, chaos, friction between human beings. See: ɛnk-arruoísho ‘Conflict, commotion’.

n-árrɔ́ɔ́ncɔ̂ [North] [North] Nom sg: n-árrāāncōnī. n. [North] Pelican, stork.

l-arrʉ́gâɨ̂ [North] [North] Nom sg: l-árrʉgâɨ̂. [North] Acc pl: l-arrʉ́gá. [North] Nom pl: l-árrʉgá. n. [North] Grub (insect). See: ɔl-arrʉ́kâî ‘Snail, maggot’.

ɔl-arrʉ́kâî Nom sg: ɔl-árrʉkâî. Acc pl: ɨl-arrʉ́ka. Nom pl: ɨl-árrʉká. [North] Acc sg: l-arrʉ́gâî. n. 1 • Snail.

2 • Maggot that lives in dry dung, found especially on houses smeared with dung. See: ɔ-sɨkɨrâî ‘Snail’.

n-arrúlɛ [North] n. [North] Strong neck muscle of a bull. See: ol-kúríáí ‘Strong neck muscle of a bull’.

árruni [North] [North] Acc pl: árruok. Usage: rare or archaic. adj. [North] Bad, evil. See: tɔrrʉ́nɔ [North] ‘Bad’.

ɛnk-árrúóísho Nom sg: ɛnk-arrúóísho. n.sg. Conflict, commotion, chaos, friction between human beings. Asɨnyʉnyɛ́ naá doí esíááí nátií ɛnkarruoísho atúā. Can work grow blessedly which has conflict (chaos) in it? (Pk). See: nk-árrónisho [North] ‘Conflict, commotion’; súújisho ‘Badness’.

árruoni Acc pl: árruoyo. adj. 1 • Wicked, belligerent, liking violence; thinking and then doing bad things; plotting, scheming. ɨlŋojɨ́niaa árrʉoyo wicked hyenas (W). Káke árruoni oshî ɛlɛ̂ tʉ́ŋání ɔ́lɔɔ́larâs. But this person of Loolaras is belligerent/wicked. (Pk). Ɛ́rá árruoni. He is wicked. (W). Ɛtáá ɛnkáyíóní árruoni. The boy became wicked. (W).

2 • Dangerous. Árruoni olkínyāŋ olêŋ. The crocodile is dangerous. (W). See: árrɔ ‘Fierce’.

ɔl-árruoni n. Wicked one.

ɛnk-árrúónīshō n. Evil, gossip, slander, wrongdoing. ɛndá árrúónīshō this evil (W). See: árruoni ‘Evil’.

a-ás v.prog. To do. Ɛásɨ́ta Kónené ɨmbáa naɨ́sharɨ́ ɔpá. Konene is doing things that were over a long time ago (eg. revision of an exam). (W). Káa taá kiâs? What shall we do? Káyíéú náás ɛnâ síai pɔɔkɨ́ aɨdɨ́p táatá aké. I want to do the whole of this work and finish it today. (Pk). Éísídáí taá doí ɛntáaní amʉ̂ áítúmóki ataása intokitín kúmok tɛ nkatá nábo. Nearness is good because you can do so many things at the same time. (Pk). Nɛ́kɛnyʉ́ kɨ́âs ɛntɛ́mátá. [nɛ́kɛ̀nyʊ́ kɪ̀às ɛ̀ntɪ́mátá] The next morning we did (took) the exam. (W). mɛása to undo (W).

a-asɨshɔ́

a-asicó [North] To work, do. Ɛásɨ̄shɔ̄. He will work. Ɛgɨ́ra oshî táatá Lɛ́rionka aasɨshɔ́ tɛ ndá áŋ. Lerionka nowadays is working in that home. (Pk). Etíí Kɨ́ɨ́tamɛ́t ɛnkâŋ ɔ́lɛ Mɔsɨ́ány aasɨshɔ́. Koitamet is in Ole Mosiany's home working. (Pk).

a-asishioré To work at, work with, work together with. Káyíéú náítóki aasishoré Mɛɨpɔnyɨ́. I want to work with Meiponyi. (Pk).

a-asicieré [North] v.inst. [North] To use, work with, concretely or conceptually.

áa-asakino v.mid.pl. To work together, work for each other. Ɛgɨ́ra Kérínâ ɔ́ Kʉ́kát áaasakino esíaai. Kerina and Kukat are working for each other (or together). (Pk).

a-asayú 1 • To happen. Káɨ́nyɔ́ɔ́ doí nágɨrá aasayú tené? What is happening here? (Pk). Ɛ́táá doí kɛnyá kɛ́sɨ́páyu ajó kɛ́ɛ́sáyu esíáai ɛ́ kʉ́lɔ́ tʉ́ŋáná. The work of these people is almost effectively taking place. (Pk).

2 • To be doable.

a-ás esíáai To work (lit: to do work).

a-ás siáái [North] To work. See: ɛ-ásátá ‘Working’; in-kiaasîn ‘Deeds, works’; e-síáai ‘Work’; a-ikó; a-ɨtɔbɨ́r ‘To do’.

a-asá [North] v.mid. [North] To be done.

a-asicó [North] v.apass. To work. Kɛ́ásíciere. He works with it/uses it. (conceptually or concretely).

a-asíé [North] v.apl. [North] To do sth. in a given manner.

a-asaayá [North]: a-saayá. v. 1 • To visit a sick, weak, or suffering person. Áló tááisére asaayá olákuiyia amʉ̂ emúóíta. I will go to find out how my grandfather is because he is sick. (W). Ɛásááya olákuyia. He is finding out how the old man is. (W). Ɛshɔmɔ́ pápaaí aasaayá ɛndâ áŋ naituráyie enkiyîô. My father has gone to visit that family that has lost a child. (W).

2 • To look for. Ɛshɔmɔ́ Lérionko aasaayá inkíshú to ldóínyó. Lerionko has gone to look for cows in the mountain. (W). See: a-rʉ́m ‘To visit a sick person’; a-ɨŋɔ́r(r) ‘To look at’.

ɔl-asâî [North] Nom sg: l-ásai. [North] Acc pl: l-asá. [North] Nom pl: l-ása. n. 1 • Termite.

2 • Ant.

3 • Worm. See: l-aá lasá [North] ‘Termite mound’.

ɔl-ásákútoni Nom sg: ɔl-ásákútóní. n. Sorcerer; minor witch. See: a-sakút ‘To bewitch’; l-airúponi [North] ‘Sorcerer’.

l-asápani [North] [North] Acc pl: l-asapák. [North] Nom pl: l-ásapák. n. [North] Deceiver, liar. See: a-sáp [North] ‘To lie’.

ɔl-ásarr Nom sg: ɔl-ásârr. Acc pl: ɨl-ásarri. Variant: ɨl-ásari. Nom pl: ɨl-ásárri. [North] Nom sg: l-ásârr. [North] Acc pl: l-ásarrí. n. 1 • Sacrifice; offering to a deity. Eitáíkīā apá Abraham ɛnkáí ɔlásar. Abraham made a sacrifice for God. For a study of sacrifices in Maasai society, see Priest (19**).

2 • Sacrificial fire or flame.

3 • [North] Altar.

a-itayú ɔl-ásar To give up sth. of great value, eg. devoting oneself to doing sth. extraordinary. aitayú ɔlásar arét ɨlaɨsɨnák To devote oneself to helping the poor.

ɛ-ásátá Variant: ɨ-yasát. Nom sg: ɛ-asatá. Acc pl: ɨ-asát. Nom pl: ɨ-ásat??. [North] Acc sg: ásátá. [North] Nom sg: asatá. [North] Acc pl: asát. [North] Nom pl: asát. n. 1 • Deed.

2 • Action; process of doing sth. Óre ɛsɛ́mpɛ́rarɛ ɛ́ lɛ́ shámpa náa eyíéú ɛásátá sápʉk olêŋ. [ɛ́lɛ shámpa] The weeding of this farm will require a lot of action. (W). See: a-ás ‘To do’; en-kiás ‘Work, deed’.

ɔl-asáyiani [North] Acc pl: l-asayíák. n. 1 • Beseecher.

2 • [North] Beggar who threatens a curse or sorcery to extort gifts. See: a-sáí ‘To pray earnestly’.

asê [North] interj. [North] Gesundheit! Bless you!

ási conj. Also, then, so. Ási nɛ́bau entíto. The girl also arrives. See: bási ‘Then’.

nk-ásɨg [North] n. [North] Common house gecko. Hemidactylus mabouia. See: n-kɨ́sɨ̂g [North] ‘Gecko’.

ɛnk-ásíléí Nom sg: ɛnk-asiléí. n. 1 • Tsetse fly. Ɛ́ɨ́nɔ́sá ɛnkasiléí inkíshú ometómitikí ɛdaá. The tsetse fly have stung cows until they cannot graze anymore (ie. they are so distracted they cannot graze in peace). (Pk). See: ol-kímpáí ‘Tsetse fly’; ɔl-ɔjɔŋáni ‘Fly’.

2 • Trypanosomiasis, sleeping-sickness. See: en-tórrobo ‘Trypanosomiasis’.

nk-ásɨ́lɛ̂ɨ̂ [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-asɨlɛ́ɨ́. n. [North] Gnat.

l-ásɨ̂m [North] [North] Nom sg: l-ásɨ̂m. n. [North] A taboo imposed for a period of time by a ritual expert.

nk-ásɨ́máɨ́ [North] n. [North] Minor infections in infants: thrush, cradle-cap.

l-asɨnká [North] n. [North] Village. See: l-oróra [North] ‘Village’.

l-asɨ́pa [North] See: l-ɔsɨ́pa [North] ‘Fellow’.

asɨ́pani Acc pl: asɨpák. Nom pl: asɨpák. adj. 1 • Trustworthy.

2 • Truthful. Káasɨ́pani ɨlɔ lɛ́ɛ mmɛɛ́ta imónko. That man is truthful; he does not lie. (lit: That man is truthful; he has/there are no lies.). ɔtʉŋáni asɨ́pani person who is truthful. Kɛ́ɨ́sɨ́pa ɨnâ báɛ; káke mmɛ̂ asɨ́pani ɛmbáɛ. That fact is true; but we cannot say a fact is truthful. (Pk).

ɔl-asɨ́pani n. A person who is truthful, who says things right. See: a-sɨ́p ‘To say correctly or truthfully’; a-dedé ‘To be true’.

nk-asɨ́rrɨmî [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-ásɨrrɨmî. [North] Acc pl: nk-asɨ́rrɨm. [North] Nom pl: nk-ásɨrrɨm. n. 1 • [North] Sugar cane.

2 • [North] Maize stalk.

nk-asotóki [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-ásotóki. [North] Acc pl: nk-asotók. [North] Nom pl: nk-ásotók. n. [North] Tree bark. See: enk-abobóki ‘Piece of tree bark’.

nk-asʉ́ɨsʉɨ [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-ásʉɨsʉ́ɨ̄. n. [North] Small stingless bee species.

n-ásʉ́mɛ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: n-asʉmɛ́. n. [North] Patrol. See: márrarr [North] ‘Patrol’.

ɔl-ásʉ́ráí Nom sg: ɔl-asʉráí. Acc pl: ɨl-asúrīāā. Nom pl: ɨl-ásuriaá. [West] Acc pl: ɨl-asúriaá. [North] Acc pl: l-asúria. [North] Nom pl: l-ásuríá. n. Snake (generic). ɨlasúriaá ɔááre two snakes (W).

n-asúrki [North] [North] Nom sg: n-ásurki. n. [North] Waterfall.

ɛnk-ásʉ́ʉ́dáí Nom sg: ɛnk-asʉʉdáí. Acc pl: ɨnk-asʉʉdaní. Nom pl: ɨnk-ásʉʉdaní. n. 1 • Bottle top. Kɛ́ŋasí áaitayu ɛnkásʉ́ʉ́dáí to ltúpā ɛ́ɨ́tʉ̂ ebukuní soda. The bottle-top has to be removed from the bottle first before soda is poured out.

2 • Disrespectful person. See: n-kirikíri [North] ‘Bottle top’; em-pílílí ‘Bottle top’.

a-ásh v. To make things overlap. See: a-ɛ́sh ‘To make things overlap’.

l-asháʉ́ [North] n. [North] North Maa plural variant of l-áshê 'calf'. See: ɔl-áshê ‘Calf’.

ashê [North]: acê. interj. Thank you! Ashê olêŋ tɛ nkárakɨ́ ɔlapá áshê líkítúshúkókō. Thank you very much for the (straying) calf that you have returned to me. (Pk). Ashê olêŋ kɨ́tɛ́rɛ́wáká ɛlɛ̂ áshê otoshoróyioki. Thank you for bringing me this calf that went with other people's cows. (Pk).

ɛn-ashê Nom sg: ɛn-ashê. Acc pl: ɨn-ásheí. Nom pl: ɨn-áshéí. [Purko] Nom pl: ɨn-asheí. n. Gratitude. Ɛnashê sápʉk kíshukú tɛ nkárakɨ́ ɛrámátata nɨncɔɔ̂ iyíóók kʉnâ ɔ́lɔŋɨ pɔɔkɨ́. We are giving our great gratitude to you for having taken care of us all these days. (Pk).

ɔl-áshê Nom sg: ɔl-ashé. Acc pl: ɨl-ashɔ́. Nom pl: ɨl-áshɔ. [Purko] Acc pl: ɨl-áshɔ́. [South] Acc sg: al-áhē. [North] Acc sg: ɔl-ácê. [North] Nom pl: l-áshaʉ. n. 1 • Calf; male calf. Átɨ́pɨ́kā ɔláshê keshúróí ɔlálɛ́. I have put the calf with a white face into the calf pen. (Pk). A male calf that has just been weaned is considered equivalent in value to a castrated he-goat. Cf. a-lák 'to compensate'.

ɔl-áshê

2 • Young boy. Usage: affectionate, v. informal. Ɨ́rrɨ́tá taá táatá intaré mɛtáraposhotó ɔláshê láí. You herded the sheep and goats today, until they were satisfied, my calf.(Pk). Usage: (eg., a congratulation to a boy from his father). Ɛgɨ́ráɨ́ áacuk ɨláshɔ́ ɔlálɛ́. The calves are being returned to their fold. (Pk). Kɛ́ɨ́pirarɨ́ta láshaʉ. The calves are jumping around. (SN). See: l-ácê [North] ‘Bull calf, young boy’.

ɛnk-áshê Variant: ɛnk-óshê. Acc pl: ɨnk-ashɔ́. A heifer is considered equal in value to an ox.Female calf, heifer; belittled calf. Ɛ́ɨ́shɔ́ɔ́ apá ɔltʉ́ŋání ɔ́ya entítō ɔlapʉtáni ɛnkáshê peê erík entítō ɛnyɛ́. The bridegroom gave his in-law a heifer before marrying his daughter. See: ɛn-táwúó ‘Heifer’.

ɔl-ashɛ́pani n. 1 • One who traverses; pursuer, follower.

2 • Large ravine or gully. See: l-acɛpáni [North] ‘S.o. or sth. that goes along side’.

ɛnk-ashɛ́pani Small ravine or gulley.

ɔl-áshɛ́rɨ Acc pl: ɨl-ashɛ́r. n. Tick.

ɛ-ashɛ́t Nom sg: ɛ-áshɛt. Acc pl: ɨ-yashɛ́ta. Nom pl: ɨ-áshɛta. n. Piece of wood or stick woven into a lattice to make sth. firm, such as a wall, door, bench. Eitáyīō enkítok órí́kíe tɔɔ́ ɨáshɛta. The woman has made marks (in the dirt) with the lattice sticks. See: o-lóómí ‘Rafter’.

ɨl-ashɔ́ n.pl. Calves. See: ɔl-áshê ‘Calf’.

a-ashʉ́ In some suffixed forms: a-ashʉ́t. v.prog. To pluck sth. from above using an instrument other than one's hand; hook. Ɛlákúá lɨdɔ́ ŋánayíói káke káló aashʉ́ tɛ ná shɛ́ta. That fruit is far away but I'm going to pluck it with this stick. (W). Átááshúá ŋolé olŋanayíói. Yesterday I plucked a fruit (eg. with a stick). (W). Áshʉ́tɨ́ta ɛnkají. I am plucking sth. (eg., grass) from (the roof of) a house. (W). This implies that sth. is plucked over and over so as to leave the place devoid of it, eg. removing all the grass from a roof by plucking it. Átááshúá tɛ nkáji ŋolé. I plucked it (one item that was on top of the roof) from the house yesterday. (W).

ɔl-áshʉ́mpáí Nom sg: ɔl-ashʉmpáí. Acc pl: ɨl-ashʉmpá. Nom pl: ɨl-áshʉmpá. n. 1 • European or Asian. Áɨ́shɔ́ɔ náají ɔlashʉmpáí ɛntarubíni ɛnyɛ̂ maɨŋórie ɨltɔmíá oókito ɛnkárɛ́. The European gave me his binoculars to observe elephants drinking water. (Pk). Ɨ́ncɔɔ̄ taá peê ɛlɨmʉ́ tɛ nkʉtʉ́k ɔ́ɔ̄ lashʉmpá nɨ́ncɔ́rʉ iwalát tɛ nkʉtʉ́k ɔ́ɔ̄ lMáásâɨ̂. If he speaks in English, give the translations in Maa. (lit: If he speaks in the mouth of the Whites, give the translations in the mouth of the Maasai.) (Pk).

2 • Person who has adopted dress mode, behaviors, skills traditionally associated with white-coloured people; term used for educated people, including Maasais, to distinguish them from traditional Maasais. Usage: ɨlashʉmpá focuses on behavioral characteristics, while ɨlɔ́ɨ́bɔrr focuses on skin color..

ɨl-ashʉmpá oónyokie People whose skin is not as white as that of Europeans, but lighter than that of Blacks, eg. Asians, Indians, Brazilians, Saudi Arabians. See: ɔl-áísúnkúí [South] ‘European or Asian’.

-át [North] nmlz. [North] Nominalizer creating a noun referring to the instrument with which an action is done. larát clapper (inside a bell). See: -ɛ́t ‘Instrumental nominalizer’.

-át Nom pl: -at, -ot. nmlz. Plural nominalizer for active verbs. induŋót aré two sections (eg. of land) (lit: two cuttings). See: -ata ‘Action nominalizer’.

a-atá v.s. 1 • To own, possess, have (physical object). Ɛáta entitó ɛnkají. The girl owns a house. Ɛáta ɛldɛ́ páyian ɨntaré îp. That man has got a hundred sheep. Ɛáta Ole-Rónkēī intóyie naáadɔ. Ole-Ronkei has tall girls. Ááta ɔlcɔrɛ́ súpat olêŋ. I have a very good friend. Ɛlʉ́kʉ́nyá nabô oshî ɛáta ɔltʉ́ŋání. A human being has one head. Maáta ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ. I do not have a cow. (W). Maáta enkérr, nɛ́mááta enkíné. I have neither a sheep nor a goat. (W).

2 • To have a physical object located at. Ɛáta oltóô ɛnkárɛ́. The barrel has (contains) water.

3 • To be characterized by (quality); be composed of. Ɛáta ɛná titó ɛncipâî. This girl is happy. (W). Ɨ́áta ŋolón. You have power. (C). Nɛ́ātā ɛsʉ́mash olêŋ. And they were very hungry. Kéíshíákínō nɛ́ya intóiwúó náaata ɛnkɨ́dɨ́mátá ɨnkɛ́ra sukúul. Parents who have the ability should take their children to school.

4 • To exist. Mɛáta ɔltʉŋáni óítīēū. There is no one who dares to face him. Imeékūrē ɛatâɨ̂ ɛnkɨ́tɛ́ŋ nabô. There is no longer any cow. Káa ɨ́ásɨ́ta? Mɛáta ɛnáásɨ́ta. What are you doing? I am doing nothing. (lit: What are you doing? There is nothing that is doing.). Ɛɛ́tāɨ̄. They exist.

5 • To observe, celebrate, enact; hold (an event). Kɛ́áta ɨlkɨ́shʉrʉ ɔlŋɛshɛ́r. The Ilkishuru age-set has a ceremony (to make them senior elders). Óre oshî ɛ́tɔ̂n mɛɛ́tāɨ̄ ɛnkɨ́páátá kɛ́dār aké ɔláyíóní óbō. Now normally before the initial ceremony, one boy first shouts. See: a-tií ‘To be at’.

-ata Variant: -oto; -ɔtɔ. num. Plural verb suffix for non-perfective middle voice. Nɨ́mɨ́kɨ́ncɔ̂ aké nɨnyɛ́ méínepunotó. We don't let them meet each other. Nɛ́ɨ̄bʉ̄ŋ enkóítóí ɔmɛtɔ́ɔrɔtɔ́. He followed the path until it (lit: they) divide. See: -atɛ ‘Perfective Plural Middle suffix’.

áta [North]: kátá. interj. 1 • Even. Áta tɛ nɛ́sha náa kɨ́ngʉrán aké. Even if it rains, we will still play. (W). Kɛ́asɨshɔ́ áta kipukóo. We will work even when/while we are starving. (W).

2 • Or.

-átá Nom sg: -atá. Variant: -ótó. Acc pl: -át, -ót. nmlz. 1 • Nominalizer for active verbs, creating a nominal that refers to a single instance of an action or situation. ɛŋórótó oó nkíshú the shooting of cows (on the juglar vein).

2 • Nominalizer creating a nominal that refers to the result of an action or situation, for selected active verbs. Átóníŋo oltóíló laíjó ɛsɨ́ŋátá tiaáúluo. I have heard a sound like a sneeze outside. (W). Óre ɨsɨŋát ɔɔ́ ntarɛ́ náa ɛyáʉ olkúlup. The sneezes of the sheep+goats bring mucous. (W). See: -arɛ₂ ‘Nominalizer for active verb roots’; -án ‘Nominalizer for stative verb roots’.

a-atá ɛ-lʉ́kʉ́nyá v.s. v.phrase. 1 • To be reliable, responsible. Ɛáta ɨná kɛráí ɛlʉ́kʉnyá amʉ̂ eipírríó sokóni néshukúnye eitu elo aɨmalɨmál. That child is responsible because she ran to the market and returned without going to goof off. (W). Etuŋúáyie inkíshú ɨná kítok nɛ́mɛ́áta ɛlʉ́kʉ́nyá. That irresponsible woman has left the cows. (W).

2 • Crazy, mentally disturbed. Usage: negative form. Mɛáta ɛlʉ́kʉnyá ɨná áyíóní nábuaáya. That boy who is making noise running away is crazy. (W). This sense of the negative form does not imply mentally retarded, but sth. more like "craziness". In traditional Maasai thought, the boy has almost certainly been attacked by an evil spirit.

a-atá ɛ́-nátîû v.phrase v.s. 1 • To be expectant, pregnant. Usage: polite. Kɛ́áta ɛ́nátîû. She is pregnant. Syn: a-iroishí ‘To be heavy, pregnant’; a-nʉtá ‘To be pregnant’; a-iturukúm [North] ‘To be pregnant’.

2 • To be in a strange behavioral condition (possibly due to bewitching). Ɛáta ɛ́nátîû nɛnâ tóyîê . (i) Those girls have sth. strange about them. (ii) Those girls are pregnant. Káɨ́nyɔ́ɔ́ peê ɛŋɔjɨnári ɛldɛ́ túŋání? Kájó ɛáta ɛ́nátîû. [ɛ̀áta ! ɛ̀nàtiù, one final mora] Why is that person limping? Maybe he has a problem. (eg. an injury).

a-atá en-cótó v.phrase v.s. 1 • To be partisan; take one side. Nímíló aké entúmo ɛnyɛ́ amʉ̂ ɛáta encótó. And don't go to his meeting because he is partisan. (W).

2 • To have direction in life. Óre ɔlaríkoni náa ɔltʉŋáni ɔáta shótó A leader is somebody who has direction in life. Mɛáta encótó. He does not have direction. (ie. He is heading no-where, is confused, has lost his bearing with reference to his life in general.).

mi-kí-ata encótó To be comfortably settled in a good way, such that one doesn't have to move to a new place. Ɛ́kɨ́ntɨrrɨ́ŋā aké, mikíata shótó. We are settled, we don't intend to move to anywhere. (lit: We do not have any side).

a-atá ɛnk-ɔ́shɔkɛ v.phrase v.s. 1 • To be greedy for food, be gluttonous (lit: to have a stomach). ɔltʉŋáni ɔátā ɛnkɔ́shɔkɛ A person who is greedy.

2 • To be pregnant. Restrict: women.

3 • To have a big stomach. Ɛáta enkítok ɛnkɔ́shɔkɛ. (i) The woman is pregnant. (ii) The woman is a glutton. (iii) The woman has a big stomach.

a-atá ɛn-kʉ́tʉ́k v.phrase v.s. 1 • To be talkative (lit: to have a mouth). ɔltʉŋáni ɔáta ɛnkʉ́tʉ́k person who is talkative.

2 • To be good at speaking. Máɨ́taá Kakɛ́nya enkaróroni amʉ̂ ɛáta ɛnkʉtʉ́k. Let's make Kakenya our speaker because she is a good (eg. skillful, effective) speaker. (W).

3 • To be a gossiper. Ɛáta Náserián ɛnkʉ́tʉ́k; ɛshɔmɔ́ alikí Papaáɨ́ ajó áɨ́támá inkíshú ɛmpárɛ̂t. Naserian is a gossiper; she has gone to tell my Dad that I made the cows eat the farm. (Implication: I wanted to keep it a secret.) (W).

a-atá ol-oirírūā v.phrase v.s. To be crazy, deranged due to an evil spirit. Ɛáta oloirírūā. He's deranged. (lit: He has an evil spirit.).

a-atá omóm [North]: a-atá nkomóm. v.phrase v.s. 1 • To be a person who brings good favor and fortune to others. This is a natural gift or ability that one typically has throughout life.

2 • To be lucky, fortunate (lit: to have the face).

a-atakinoré v.dat v.mid v.inst. To have bad relations with; have a grudge against. Kɛ́atakínoré enkítok ɛnkainí amʉ̂ ɛ́táárá ɛnkáíni ɛnkɛ́ráí ɛnyɛ́. The woman has a grudge against her co-wife because her co-wife has beaten her child.

l-atálani [North] [North] Acc pl: l-atalák. [North] Nom pl: l-atalák. n. 1 • [North] Viewpoint from a mountain; overlook. See: a-tál ‘To survey, scout’.

2 • [North] Illegitimate child.

ɔl-átálúnoni n. Spy. See: a-tál ‘To survey, scout, reconnoitre’.

n-atamɨ́kɨ kɨmɛncʉ́ [North] n. [North] A historical famine. See: n-apɔrsʉ́s [North] ‘Severe historical famine’.

ɛnk-atampôî Nom sg: ɛnk-átampôî. Acc pl: ɨnk-atampó. Nom pl: ɨnk-átampo. [North] Nom pl: nk-átampó. n. Cloud. Kɛ́āta ɨnkátampo ɛncán. Clouds have rain. In S, this term is less common than n-kidís. Syn: en-kidís ‘Cloud’.

ɔl-átart n. Stick.

ɛnɛ-m-atatampó Variant: k-atatampó. Nom sg: ɛnɛ́-m-atatampó. Acc pl: ɨ-nɔɔ́ nɛ-m-atatampó. Nom pl: ɨ-nɔ́ɔ nɛ-m-atatampó. [North] Acc sg: nk-atatampó. n. Name of a mythological serpent which is so tall that it drinks from the clouds; "whale" (lit: of-the-clouds). See: ɛnk-atampôî ‘Cloud’; ɛn-aɔk katampó ‘Mythological serpent’; ɔl-ásʉ́ráí ‘Snake’.

-atɛ voi asp. Perfect(ive) Plural Middle suffix. kʉldɔ̂ tʉ́ŋáná ɔɔ́tʉmʉratátɛ those people who are already circumcised. Ɛtɛŋɛ́ratɛ ilkónsósí ŋolé. The bags tore yesterday. (W). Ɛtɨgɨ́latɛ ɨlalá láinêî. My teeth broke. (W). See: - ɛ ‘Perfect(ive) Singular Middle’; -ata ‘Non-perfective aspect Plural Middle suffix’.

átɛ́ pn. Plural reflexive and reciprocal pronoun; selves. Kɨ́nyaŋákɨ átɛ́ ɨlnyɛ́nya. We buy ourselves tomatoes. (W). Ɛgɨ́ra inkɛ́rá áaelie átɛ́ eréko. The children are painting themselves with the red ochre. (Pk). máātɛ̄ by themselves. Ɛ́ncɔɔ épúó máātɛ̄ amʉ̂ ímíkípúô iyioók. Let them go by themselves because we are not going to go. (Pk). Kɨ́ntarɛɨta átɛ́. We are escorting each other. (W). ɨntáɨ́ aaté you yourselves. See: kɛwán ‘self’.

ol-átím Acc pl: ɨ́l-átímî. [North] Acc sg: l-átîm. [North] Nom sg: l-átîm. [North] Acc pl: l-atímî. [North] Nom pl: l-atimî. n. 1 • Twigs placed at the entrance of the house where newly-initiated boys and/or girls live. Usage: plural.

2 • [North] Ceremony. Memítōyī ndáâ ɛ́ látím. Food in a ceremony cannot be denied. (SN).

3 • [North] The celebration portion of a circumcision or wedding. See: n-koperrerrí [North] ‘Twigs placed at the entrance of the house where newly-initiated boys and/or girls live’.

ɛnk-atiní Nom sg: ɛnk-átiní. Acc pl: ɨnk-atinîn. [Purko] Acc pl: ɨnk-aátini. [North] Nom pl: nk-átinîn. n. Story, folktale. Ɛ́ɨ́nɔsáká ŋolé iyíóók kókóô ɛnkatiní kííjito ɛnkɨ́má. Grandmother narrated to us a story yesterday as we warmed ourselves at the fireplace. (Pk). Náajokí yéíyioô ɛnkatiní ɔɔ́ nkuukuní. My mother told me a wild animal story. (W). Mɛɨnɔsɨ ɛnkatiní dáma Stories are not told during the day. See: ol-aigéetíâî [South] ‘Tale’.

nk-atipítipî [North] Nom sg: nk-átípítipî. n. [North] Drizzles. Syn: n-aituríáá payianí [North] ‘Drizzles’. See: enk-oirujúrujî ‘Drizzles’.

atûâ 1 • Nom sg: átua.

n.r. 1 • The inside, inside, in, into. Ɛtɨmɨ́ráká oldîâ ɛncɛrɛ́rɛ̄t atûâ entîm. The dog chased the monkey into the bush. (W). Ant: enk-oríóŋ ‘Back, outside’.

2 • Until.

3 • Among, within the central nature of. Etíī oloitikó atûâ inkíshú. The leopard is among the cows. (W). Níkitum ti átua ɨltʉ́ŋáná intokitîn naatîû néjia We got from people things like that.

tiátua Inside. Kɛ́ɛnɨ́ inkíshú ɨnkɛjɛ́k tiátua ɛnadúóó áŋ. The cow's legs are tied inside that homestead. See: ti átua ‘In, inside’.

atúā ilomón The idiomatic (as opposed to literal) meaning of one's words.

atûâ [North]₂ interj. [North] Exactly!

l-atʉkʉ́ny [North] [North] Nom sg: l-átʉkʉ́ny. n. [North] Dirt on the body or clothes.

n-aulélen [North] n. [North] Grazing around home. See: pɛ́rpɛr ‘Grazing around home’; línká ‘The driving or herding of cattle at dawn to eat the grass when it is still dewy, and then bring them back later for milking.’.

auló [North] [North] Nom sg: áulo. n.r. [North] Outside, outside the kraal.

aulúó Nom sg: áúluo. Acc pl: ɨnkáúlele. [North] Acc sg: auló. n.r. Outside; ground outside village. Ɛtárá ŋolé ɔláŋóróní ɔrmɛʉ́t ti áúluo aŋ. Yesterday a hunter killed a giraffe just outside our home. (Pk). Ɛ́tayú lɛ́lɔ́ kuóô tɛ mʉatatá ɛ́ntɛrɛʉ aulúó. Remove those kids and lambs from the sheep-fold and take them outside the village. (Pk). Ɛɨtʉ́ taá doí oshî táatá aitóki anɛtarɨ́ aulúó aké átíī. Of late, I have not been going (pulling) very far away, just within the vicinity of the kraal. (Pk).

ɛn-áuner Nom sg: ɛn-áúner. Acc pl: ɨn-aúnerri. Nom pl: ɨn-áunerrí. n. To plant. See: a-ún.

ɔl-aúnoni Nom sg: ɔl-aúnónī. Acc pl: ɨl-aunók. Nom pl: ɨl-áùnòk. n. 1 • Establisher, planter, sower. See: a-ún ‘To plant’.

2 • Warrior selected from different clans within a community to be an overall leader. Rules constrain the selection of this man: his body must be completely intact (eg. no teeth are missing), and his father and mother must be alive and in good health. This man should be given several cows.

3 • [North] Leader chosen for a given age-set in a given clan. See: ol-otunó ‘Age-set leader’.

l-aʉ́rr [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áʉrr. [North] Acc pl: l-aurrí. [North] Nom pl: l-áurrí. n. [North] Male camel, camel bull.

nk-aʉ́rr [North] Female camel, young male camel. See: ɛn-tamɨ́s ‘Camel’; nyɨ́rɨg ‘Young camel’.

ɔl-aʉtáni [North] Nom sg: l-áʉtani. [North] Acc pl: l-aʉták. [North] Nom pl: l-áʉtak. n. 1 • One who points. See: a-ʉ́t ‘To point’.

2 • [North] Brother-in-law.

3 • [North] Male in-law, esp. father-in-law. One's in-laws can exert pressure for gifts even after the bridewealth has been paid. See: pakɨ́tɛ́ŋ ‘Relationship established by giving a cow; father-in-law’.

nk-aʉtáni [North] [North] Female in-law, esp. mother-in-law. See: pakérr ‘Mother-in-law’.

nk-aʉtɨ́ [North] [North] Nom sg: nk-áʉtɨ́. n. [North] In-law (either sex).

áuuî! [North] Acc sg: láuuî. interj. Cry for help, mostly used by women when being beaten, or when sth. horrific happens such as death, being chased by a beast, etc. Áuuî! Káɨ́nyɔ́ɔ́ dúóó nátookó kʉlɛ́ ɛ́mɛ́nyɛ́ Siamánta? Oh no! Who drank Siamanta's father's milk? This implies the father, who is the most important man of the home, will not have food. See: óóí ‘Help!’.

ol-áuûî Nom sg: ol-áuûî. n. Short poisonous plant with oval red fruits approximately two to three centimeters in length. The leaves are broad with zig-zag edges and prominent veins, about five centimeters in length. Óre ɛlɛ́ áuûî náa esayíét. This plant ol-áuûî is poisonous. (Pk). Kɛ́ɨ́tɔrrɔ́nɔ̂ ɛlɛ̂ áuûî olêŋ. This ol-áuûî plant is very bad. (Pk).

nk-áwáí [North]₂ Nom sg: nk-awáí. Acc pl: nk-áwa. Nom pl: nk-áwâ. n. 1 • [North] Meat cooked so that fat is extracted from it (though the meat is still quite fatty), typically from the tail of a sheep; fried fatty meat. A few of these can quckly nauseate s.o. Áaɨtɨrɨkɨtâ nkáwâ. The fatty meats have nauseated me. (SN). Kácám aná áwáí. [kátʃám àná ! áwáí] I like this piece of fried fatty meat. (SN).

2 • [North] Dried piece of fatty meat. Syn: ɨ-rɔ́nkɛ́na, il-túnkáso ‘Defatted meat’. See: in-kiriŋô ‘Meats’.

l-áwáí [North]₁ [North] Nom sg: l-awáí. [North] Acc pl: l-áwa. [North] Nom pl: l-áwâ. n. [North] Tree sp. whose wood is made into bells for small stock. Delonix elata. See: l-ókórkór [North] ‘Wooden bell’.

ɛnk-áwuo₂ Nom sg: ɛnk-áwûô. Acc pl: ɨnk-ái. [Purko] Acc pl: ɨnk-áwuoí, ɨn-káwúóí. [Purko] Nom pl: ɨn-káwuoi. [North] Acc pl: nk-áwuoi. [North] Nom pl: nk-áwûôî. n. 1 • Bow. Ɛ́ntʉdʉmʉ́ ɨnkái ɔ́ mbáa, ɛ́máapɛ́ áaar kʉldɔ̂ meutí. Get your bows and arrows so that we can go kill a giraffe. (Pk). Ɨ́ncɔɔ́kɨ ɛnkáwuo ɔ́ ɛmbáɛ. [ɔ́ ɛ́mbáɛ] Give me a bow and an arrow. (Pk).

2 • Wooden portion of a bow (not including the string).

3 • Wooden bow(s) with ɛm-pító (bow string) removed, carried as symbols of peace. Usage: sacred. Anyone, of any gender or age, may carry ɨnk-ái with this significance, and is considered to be ɔl-ámál. Anyone doing damage to s.o. carrying ɨnk-ái is fined. See: ɛm-báɛ ‘Arrow’; em-borowai ‘Bow’; e-móotíán ‘Quiver’; em-pítō ‘Bow string’; ol-ŋorét ‘Arrow for bleeding cattle’. Etymology: Proto-Teso-Lotuko-Maa *-kauw- 'arrow, bow' (Vossen 1982:327).

l-áwuo [North]₁ [North] Nom sg: l-áwûô. n. [North] Tree sp., used in making donke pack frames, and which may be incorporated into the structure of a traditional house when not migrating. Dombeya rotundifolia.

-aya asp. Type of Imperfective asect. Óre aké peê edúaya ajó ɛ́táshálá... If she realizes that she is getting old... See: -áa ‘Away’.

ɛnk-ayá Nom sg: ɛnk-áya. Acc pl: ɨnk-áyáítíé. Nom pl: ɨnk-ayaitíé. n. 1 • Stomach.

2 • Intestines.

3 • The first chamber in the alimentary canal of ruminant animals; rumen. See: ɛnk-ɔ́shɔ́kɛ́ ‘Stomach’; ɛnk-ɔnyɔ́rɨ ‘One of the stomach's of a cow’.

Ayam n.prop. Name of a river in Laikipia District.

l-áyámáí [North] [North] Nom sg: l-ayamáí. [North] Acc pl: l-áyáma. [North] Nom pl: l-áyamâ. n. [North] Tree sp. Commiphora boiviniana.

l-ayɨ́ɛ́rani [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áyɨ́rani. [North] Acc pl: l-ayɨɛrák. [North] Nom pl: l-áyɨɛrák. n. [North] Cook. See: ɔl-ayíárani ‘Cook’; a-yɨ́ɛ́r ‘To cook’.

ɛnk-áyiam Nom sg: ɛnk-áyîâm. n. Small calabash used for beer, or for milk used in blessing ceremonies. See: en-kúkúrí ‘Calabash’; ɛnk-ɔtɨ́ ‘Small calabash’.

ɔl-ayíárani Nom sg: ɔl-áyíárání. Acc pl: ɨl-ayiarák. Nom pl: ɨl-áyíárák. n. Cook. See: l-ayɨ́ɛ́rani [North] ‘Cook’.

-áyie Variant: -óyie. dir asp. Motion away plus Perfect(ive) aspect. See: -a₅ ‘Away’; -a₄ ‘Perfect(ive) aspect’.

l-ayíéni [North] [North] Nom sg: l-áyieni. [North] Acc pl: l-ayíók, l-ayîôk. [North] Nom pl: l-áyiok. n. [North] Boy, son. See: ɔl-ayíóni ‘Boy’.

nk-ayíéni [North] [North] Small boy.

n-ayieŋí [North] n. [North] Cancerous skin tumor, treatabler only by drastic excision and application of an herb like sukurtuti. See: a-yíéŋ ‘To slaughter, do surgery’.

ɨnk-ayîôk n.pl. Boys. See: ɛnk-ayíóni ‘Boy’.

(ɛnk)-áyíókisho Nom sg: ayiókisho. Acc pl: ?. n. 1 • Boyhood; the age between about 12 and 15, when boys are typically intelligent, strong, brave. Ámaâ siî doí ɨlɛ́wa ɔɔ́mʉrata kɛ́tɔ́n apá aké ɛ́ɛ́tâ áyíókisho. Even men who are uncircumcised still have boyhood in them. (Ie. conduct unacceptable for a circumcised men, such as playing with dogs). Ɛ́táá kéyíókīshō ɛndá ayiʉni. That boy is almost to the stage of boyhood.

2 • Boyishness. See: ɛnk-ayíóni ‘Boy’.

enk-íyókore Boyhood.

a-yíéni [South] [South] A man with boyhood characteristics.

ɛnk-ayíóni Nom sg: ɛnk-áyíóní. Acc pl: ɨnk-ayîôk. Nom pl: ɨnk-áyiok. [North] Acc sg: l-ayíéni. [North] Nom sg: l-áyieni. [North] Acc pl: l-ayíók. [North] Nom pl: l-áyiok. n. 1 • Boy prior to circumcision.

Ɛ́ncɔɔ ɛnkayíóni élô aɨrrɨtá ilkuoóō tiaúluo. Let the small boy go herd the lambs and kids outside the village compound. Éló ɔláyíóní aɨrrɨtá inkíshú. The boy will go to look after the cows.

2 • Son. Ɔlayíóni láí doí dúóó ótií eneoríéki inkíshú náarɛwakɨ́ naáɨ́sʉl. It is my son who was in the place where the cows were shared out, and he brought me the best.

ɔl-ayíóni Big boy. Dúóó táatá ɛjɨŋɨ́ ɛnkáŋ 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.

ɨl-ayîôk lɔɔ́ lkɨláni Boys about to be initiated who wear black cloaks.

ɔl-arríteni Old grown up boy who is not yet circumcised.

áyíókisho Boyhood.

áyīā interj. Term of agreement; all right, okay. Áyīā. Kálótú tááisére. Okay. I will come tomorrow. (Pk). Népuo apá ɨlɛ́wâ áajo, "eé, áyīā shɔ́mɔ..." The men go and say, "Yes, all right go...".

áyīā sére! Good bye!

á'ā interj. No. Á'ā, ḿmɛ nɨnyɛ́! No, it is not him! In Arusha, á'ā is used only after ḿ́mɛ has been used several times. It is a final 'no,' and would not be polite as an initial refusal. Q: Ɨ́shɔ́mɔ dúóó Naɨrɔ́bɨ? A: Á'ā, ɛɨtʉ́ aló, átíí díóó aké áŋ. Q: Did you go to Nairobi? A: No, I did not go, I was just at home. See: ɨ́'ɨ́ ‘No’.