Nupe Dictionary

NUPE DICTIONARY
[DRAFT -PREPARED FOR COMMENT ONLY]
Roger Blench
Kay Williamson Educational Foundation
8, Guest Road
Cambridge CB1 2AL
United Kingdom
Voice/ Fax. 0044-(0)1223-560687
Mobile worldwide (00-44)-(0)7967-696804
E-mail R.Blench@odi.org.uk
http://www.rogerblench.info/RBOP.htm
This printout: August 5, 2009
R.M. Blench
Draft Nupe Dictionary: Introductory Material
Nupe phonology
The transcriptions used here are intended to represent Nupe as fully as possible, in terms of both tone and
vowel length, and may therefore differ from locally published materials. The vowels, consonants and tones
are first described and then the orthography used is indicated below.
Vowels
Nupe has five vowels;
Front
Close
Close-Mid
Central
i
e
Back
u
o
Open
In Banfields original orthography he gives two additional symbols, and for vowels, which seem
sometimes to conflate nasalisation and a mishearing of vowel quality.
Long vowels in Nupe?
Smith (1967a) argues that in words such baagi the /aa/ is a phonemically distinct long vowel, although it is
difficult to find minimal pairs to support this hypothesis. Madugu (in various references) transcribes long
vowels, such as dgi small, few although he does not comment on this. The relatively few words that
appear to have a surface long vowel will be marked.
There are three nasalised vowels;
Front
Close
Central
Back
u
a
Open
Nupe can close a syllable with a nasal and can occasionally contrast CVN and CN. For example;
The representation of nasalisation is one of the most problematic aspects of the orthography. It is always
represented by a following n and this can lead to confusion with a syllabic /n/. In this document
nasalisation follows an IPA-like system. However, this is often counterintuitive to speakers.
Representation of these three vowels was not entirely consistent in Banfield, since the close vowels were
represented as V + n and the central vowel as 1. Nupe pronunciation of the nasalised central vowel is
definitely not entirely consistent. The word /sarayi/ beautiful seems to be realised as;
/sryi/
/saryi/
/sarayi/
probably suggesting that over time the nasalisation may simply be lost.
Although Banfield (1914:xx) describes this sound as

i
R.M. Blench
Draft Nupe Dictionary: Introductory Material
Consonants
Nupe consonants are as follows;
Bilabial
Plosive
Fricative
Affricates
Nasal
Lateral
Tap/trill
Approximant
Labiodental
Alveolar
pb
td
sz
ts dz
n
l
fv
m
Alveopa
latal
t d
Palatal
Velar
kp gb
kg
h
r
w
Syllable-final nasals are homorganic with the following consonant. Nupe has extensive labialisation and
palatalisation and combinations of both prosodies.
Tones
Nupe has three level tones and falling and rising tones, marked as follows;
Unmarked
High
Mid
Low
Rising
Falling
All tones are marked, where possible, but in the present version where botanists transcriptions have not
been rechecked in the field, some words are not tone-marked.
Nupe orthography
Orthography of conventions
t
= c
d = j
The order of letters is; a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, r, s, t, u, v, w, y, z.
There are also the digraphs; ts, dz, gb, kp which are written with two or more letters in English but are in
fact only one sound. Technically speaking, affricates such as ts etc. are distinct sounds. However, for those
familiar with the principles of English alphabetisation, it is probably safer to treat them as composed of two
separate letters. So gb will be found as part of the letter g rather than as a separate heading.
Missing words: winnowing tray, guest
ii
R.M. Blench
Draft Nupe Dictionary: Main text
Nupe-English
Key to codes used in column 3.
a
ad
architecture
animal disease
ai
am
an
ap
agricultural implement
amphibian
ant
animal part
b
bd
bf
bm
bp
bird
bead
bodily fluid
body mark, sore etc.
body part
bs
c
ca
cc
ch
co
cr
d
da
dc
basket
crop
canoe terms
chicken colour
charm, amulet
colour
crustacean
disease, sickness
domestic animal
dance
dk
dr
drink
item of dress
e
et
f
emotions
ethnonym
fish
fa
fo
fr
g
ga
go
gr
h
hb
hc
hg
hu
i
is
k
la
ma
me
mi
farming
food
fruit
grass
game
gourd
grasshopper
herb
horse breed
horse colour
horse gear
hunting equipment
insect
Islam
kinship
landscape
mammal
medicine
musical instrument
mn
mo
mineral
money
mt
p
mat
person
pd
personal decoration
pl
po
r
s
sa
sh
so
plant
pot
reptile, amphibian
snake
salutation
shrub
song
tree
ti
tm
to
tp
tr
tx
v
vc
w
wf
wp
wv
wt
z
title
temporal (adverbs)
tool
tree part
traditional religion
textile
vine
vendors call
water (river etc.)
warfare
weapon
weaving
weather
zoological term
R.M. Blench
Nupe
A.
PoS
English
Additional information
pron.
They; them;
adv.
No;
Following combinations are

made which express the
emphatic:- ats, a b 't a nyi,
a b 'ti tac a nyi, ats b
egwa a nyi.
the reduplicated form is
frequently used, especially in
expressing disapproval;
aux.
adv.
Present Perfect Tense marker

Negative marker
'
aux.
excl.
excl.
excl.
ba
bd
bke... n
excl.
n.
adv.
pron.
phr.
conj.
Shall; will; should; would;

Exclamation of surprise.
Exclamation expressing the
opposite of surprise.
Exclamation expressing
doubt.
Of course; just so;
Eternal; everlasting;.
forever
They themselves;
abg
a boza
acigr
excl.
?
n.
conj.
d m gi
ad n brgi
n.
n.
Trade flint-lock gun;

Nickname for a k n
monkey
Adidya
dko
n.
n.
dm
adnkoro
dni
a.
n.
n.
a.
n.
a.
v.
n.
Salutation for the rank Gar.

Handkerchief tied at each
corner and hung on the
shoulder.
Compulsory;
Swamp grass,
Religion
religious
Prayer.
prayerful
to pray
Desert date
a b 't a nyi
dwa
dwaci
If; suppose, or supposing

that;
wp
dr
g
is
Salutation given to a twin;

it is the fault of
Iron-shafted flat-bladed spear
used by the Hausa
Thus; so; a word of assent;
always placed at the end of a

sentence
a contraction of g.
cf. ka.
cf. a.
Following combinations are
also used:- kbke...n, w
yke...n, w bke...n.
cf. b.
Also used in the following

combinations:- cg, cg,
m, cg ts, cg ts m,
c ts, c ts m.
cf. t ki, bindga.
also nd 'd brg, or nd
ad n brg. Br is the Hausa
for monkey.
used for horse feed.
The fruit is edible and gum is

obtained from it. Balanites
aegyptiaca. < Hausa
R.M. Blench
Nupe
dwni
dzn
dzn nyika
f
fce
ft
PoS
num.
n.
n.
p.n.
conj.
prep.
n.
f
agb
conj.
n.
gb
n.
agna
agdwuci
g rm
n.
n.
ad
dr
gb
gbt
n.
n.
wp
gbydya
gbyja
gbr
gyk
ag ak i
n.
n.
n.
n.
m
b
agyk
n.
sa
gd
p.n.
agm
n.
ah h
ajem
j
excl.
a.
v.a.
ka
kngu
excl.
n.
kka
kka
kk
adv.
a.
p.n.
et
akowoji
n.
fg
kpr
a kpe
n.
adv.p.
ti
fr
sa
cr
English
Seventy
Coming out
Protruding teeth
Islamic teacher,
Except
unless
Cola nut type with many
segments.
Except; unless;
Salutation for certain village
chiefs;
Salutation for the rank
Tswany .
Horse disease
European style of trousers
field gun or cannon.
Lgm.
Cucumber,
See gbidia.
See ngbr.
Large house rat.
Bird like a woodthrush,
whose chirp is imitated to
from its name, which means,
"they eat and leave and lay
aside."
Salutation for the rank Lile;
French traders of the early
period
Salutation for the ruler of
Bs.
Exclamation of satisfaction.
Foreign.
Do
Of course; just so; cf. ba.
Spiny mussel
Truly; verily; indeed
true
Akoko people in Northern
Ondo
Drift-net operated from a
riverside platform
European rifle; cartridge;
There is no telling; no one
knows;
2
saluted as gba.
cf. fce.
signifies lion. See zk.
See ng rm which is more

commonly used.
also gbija and gbija.

See ets.
= they eat and shake

themselves
< Hausa
used in interrogative
sentences;
Etheria elliptica. Frequently
used to scrape out the inside of
pots.
cf. g kiya.
cf. g kiya.
Illustrated in Reed et al. (p.
151)
lit. no one knows beforehand.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
k
k nk
k nk
ktigi
PoS
n.
a.
n.
n.
C
b
kww
n.
English
African grey parrot
Perfectly true;
English checked matting.
Small trade flint-lock gun;
also pistol or revolver.
Local clerk;
al-
aff.
Arabic article.
lda
n.
lad
algo
alahj
n.
n.
n.
ljbi
a.
ll
lal
n.
a.
lmni
lm
lmu
ls ngi
l
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
lbrka
lbr also lbr
leki
n.
n.
n.
wp
lw
n.
fo
ali
lfnt
lg
lgrw
n.
n.
a.
n.
tx
co
fo
Custom; observance; manner;

form; habit;
Sunday.
Heavy white Croydon cloth.
One who has performed the
pilgrimage to Mecca
Wonderful; astonishing;
marvellous;
Local silk dyed red;
Rightful: lawful; applied to
possessions both of customs
and property:
Way; trait; characteristic;
Thursday.
Idea; suspicion;
Swamp grass.
One who has performed the
pilgrimage to Mecca, and on
that account dresses in white;
Blessing;
Gunpowder.
Sin; fault; offence; that which
is wrong;
Sweet made from melted
sugar
Habit; character;
English drill cloth.
Green.
Sweet
lgta
n.
mi
lher lher
lijn
ljnu
n.
n.
n.
is
wp
tx
tx
Shawm used to lead the

ensemble of trumpeters
which play for the Etsu
Nupe.
Kindness; goodness;
The Muslim heaven.
Spirit or demon;
3
< Hausa?
cf. c, kka, g kiya.
also applied to Africans

dressed in European attire.
Some words follow al- with an
epenthetic vowel, a, i, or u, to
prevent a sequence of two
consonants. Thus aliher;
alhj becomes alahj; and
albasa lbsa.
cf. .
< Hausa
cf. l.
cf. yka.
cf. tsami
< Hausa
whence applied as an a. white,
to white animals; dk l;
cf. alahj.
cf. lbrka. < Arabic
cf. lefi.
<Arabic via Hausa
cf. eli.
Originally made from honey
and the fruit of the ggor
tree, but now usually from
packaged sugar.
<Arabic via Hausa
cf. cto.
<Arabic via Hausa
cf. also under bt .
R.M. Blench
Nupe
lkfa lkifa
PoS
n.
C
hg
lkali
n.
alikarra
lkwli
a.
n.
hc
alikawli
lk l mi
a.
n.
hc
lkiangi
lkmba
lkinla
lkiyim
lmn gorozo
n.
n.
n.
a.
n.
g
dr
tx
is
sa
lm saki
ls
n.
n.
p
wp
lswli
li
alyra
n.
a.
n.
hg
hc
sa
lba
lbrka
lbsa
lbta
lf
algb
n.
n.
n.
n.
p.n.
excl.
lgs
lgs
lhm
lkm
lkran
lknd
lmfki
lmj ri, lmz ri
lmk i
lmuwzin
n.
v.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
lwai
alw alw matw
lzwlmi
m
ml
n.
n.
n.
conj.
n.
ml
a.
c
tx
ti
sa
is
sa
English
Stirrup; used idiomatically
means prosperity;
Judge;
Dappled grey (horse).

Agreement; promise;
contract; covenant;
Jet black (horse);
Pen; pencil; quill or reed;
anything used for writing.
Field grass,
Hooded cloak or cape.
Blue and white striped cloth.
The Last Day.
Kpt.
Pauper; destitute person;
Bullet; cartridge;
ammunition; shot.
Halter rope.
Cream coloured (horse).
Sokira.
Plague
Blessings; thanks
Onion
Trade cloth.
Islamic teacher,
Salutation for the ranks
Ndktsu and Nn ktsu.
Deceit
to deceive.
Disciple; follower;
Wheat
The Koran;
Medicine said to bring riches.
Hypocrite;
Disciple; devotee;
Scissors; shears
Salutation for Ldn, the
mosque crier.
Boasting; bragging;
Salutation for the rank Sg.
Fraud; v. to defraud;
But.
N@dej, Tsdk,
Tswnkw, Dkdz:
big, as applied to male
4
the salutations for this office
are, Kly, Guruz,
Zhik tra, Blhak,
M g wl; cf. ebgci.
<Arabic via Hausa
cf. l eg i.
cf. tsa.
cf. pmvgi.
cf. salbrk.
<Arabic via Hausa
See f.
Also argb
cf. lmj ri.

<Arabic via Hausa
cf. kran. <Arabic via Hausa
cf. m nfki.
cf. lhm, ez z m .
<Arabic
cf. fri, b.
cf. zwlmi.
<Hausa
dk ml, a big horse.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
mn
n.
mwl
n.
dr
m dgi
n.
m
mnci
mla
ams
excl.
n.
n.
a.
wp
is
n
n b
n sara
n wa n wa
a.
n.
n.
n.
nem
n.
nfni
n.
ngl
n.
mi
ng rm
n.
hb
ngbr ngr
an
n.
adv.
nng
nini
adv.
n.
Thus; so;
Old coin representing a tenth
of a penny.
ny
n.
nkak
nk
ntel
nri
n.
bd
n.
n.
tx
nyci
anzri
rr
arad
rm
n.
n.
n.
rta
ri
num.
a.
Intention; desire; mind;

purpose; diligence; zeal;
Long tubular beads.
See k.
Silk or satin cloth.
Vision; insight;
enlightenment;
Slander; defamation;
Keenness;
Large Borno ram.
See rdi, skgb.
That which is unlawful; that
which is unjust;
Fifty.
Bay (horse).
is
da
n.
hc
English
animals
Forced levy; an unlawful
exaction;
Veil
Caterpillar covered with
poisonous hairs.
Amen.
Friendship; confidence;
Sword belt.
Forbidden; meat not killed in
accordance with Moslem
law.
This;
Prophet.
Christian
Play; amusement; sport; v. j
n wa, to play; a. playful;
merry; senseless;
Salutation for the office
N ymi.
Profit; advantage; use;
benefit;
Drum ensemble originally
deriving from Lokoja.
Breed of very tall horses; war
horse.
Small clasp knife.
Already;
part of the turban worn over

the mouth and hanging down
over the chest.
cf. d 'y.
cf. nn.
cf. rh.
<Hausa
The leader plays a set of four
cylindrical gl drums
arranged on the ground in a
semi-circle.
when used after a verb it forms

the perfect tense;
cf. c.
Disappeared from use in the
1960s but still symbolising a
small sum of money.
cf. ida.
cf. ywn.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
arwa
rd
PoS
n.
n.
rgi
aro
n.
n.
rdi
rla
n.
n.
is
rgb
n.
dc
rk
rk
rk
rui
n.
n.
n.
excl.
rwdi
arwatw
s
sbr
sd
slat
sra
asli
s m
n.
a.
excl.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n,
n.
as ng
s
sb
asike
n.
excl.
n.
n.
siri iri
n.
sr
sb
i
ida
a.
n.
excl.
excl.
n.
ia#m
n.
tm tm
n.
tr
tarb
n.
n.
taura
n.
atz ri
n.
sa
b
wp
is
sa
English
North.
Tree whose fruit is used for
medicine.
Hunger;
Loan; used with the verb j it
signifies to borrow or to lend;
Bottled perfume;
Muslim ceremonial ablutions
which precede prayer.
Rhythm played on a drum to
praise the enyamaci
magicians.
Medicine generally;
Hulk;
Sneak.
Salutation to a man
undergoing marriage
ceremonies
Bottled perfume;
Fat
Parrot
Extra long-barrelled gun;
Repetition of the rosary.
Loss; misfortune; adversity.
Origin: beginning;
Poison administered
internally.
Salutation for the rank Sg.
Saturday.
Light; brightness; reflection;
v. jin asike, shine, glitter;
reflect;
Secret; adv. secretly; a.
secret;
Wonderful; astonishing;
Dawn;
Slander; v. jin ida, to
slander;
Powerful solvent which
destroys the teeth.
Hope; expectation; v. jin
tm, to hope; to expect;
Cola nut type
Large chili pepper, less hot
than the small type.
The Mosaic low; ordinance;
the Pentateuch.
Very wealthy person;
6
or yd
a word rarely used; cf. md.
cf. rwdi, trre, tin.
(rare) cf. cigb.

cf. eyat kol.
cf. rdi.
< Hausa
cf. bindiga.
cf. mfari.
See s.
or b
cf. bytin.
cf. ljbi, yka.

See s.
See s.
cf. nyci.
cf. ty.
< Hausa
cf. ewdeci.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
t ...
t ki
tni
ti
ats
t
tin
w
PoS
conj.
n.
n.
n.
pron.
n.
n.
adv.
wka
ya
y
yb
a.
n.
excl.
n.
yd
n.
yla
n.
yio
zba
excl.
n.
z f r
n.
z rfa
zki
zb
n.
n.
n.
z zmi
zwlmi
n.
n.
excl.
adv.
C
wp
tr
d
mt
is
English
Not even;
Trade flint-lock gun;
Monday.
Divination in the sand;
Themselves;
Dysentery;
Bottled perfume;
No;
Mad; raving mad;

Verse in prose.
Well!
False charge or accusation; v.
i yb, to accuse falsely, to
bring a false charge against;
Tree whose fruit is used for
medicine.
Menstrual flow: v. jin yla,
to menstruate;
Exclamation of delight.
Pain; suffering; torment; v.
jin zba, to suffer;
First Muslim prayer after
noon.
Silver.
Prosperity;
Palm leaf mat woven in fancy
designs.
Ramadan fasting
Fraud; double-dealing: v. jin
zwlm, to defraud;
What!
Yes
cf. d m gi, bindiga.
cf. s.
cf. a.
cf. rdi, trre.
strong negative most
commonly used equivocally
signifying a strong assent, as
wont I?
cf. dzuyl.
cf. dbot.
or rd
cf. k .
cf. wla.
cf. lzwlmi, zwlnci.
B.
b
b
v.
v.
ba
ba
ba gy
bawn taza
ba
ba
v.
v.
v.p.
v.p.
v.
v.
ba
ba
ba
v.
v.
v.
To be sour; to be acid.
To be diligent; industrious;
zealous;
To swing; sway; wag;
To cut; to hack;
To weep
To tell a lie about someone
To please;
To stir, while adding flour to
soup;
To stalk; walk slowly;
To cause; to make;
To press against;
7
cf. d.
cf. k, s.
lit. to cut a lie on a man
cf. m fi.
cf. in.
cf. bad.
lit. pressed against one
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
English
another.
b
b
b n gai re
v.
v.
v.p.
'b
n.
n.
adv.
bzb
bba
n.
n.
hb
w
bb
bbg
bbmm
n.
n.
n.
k
sa
babarankai
n.
sa
bbr
bbo
bbo
bb
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
go
babrci
bci
bci
bd
bad
n.
n.
num.
n.
v.
t
t
bd
bdabday
bdd
bddky
n.
la
a.
adv.
Bdek
n.
ti
Rank conferred by the Etsu
bdf
n.
ch
Occult medicine,
bad
baduwa
bf
bf
bag
n.
n.
v.
v.
adv.
bp
is
Prepuce.
Type of prayer
To be cold
Tree species very fibrous.
There; yonder;
To beg;
To count; to number;
Bowl with a concave or
hollow bottom;
Place; position; room; way;
lit. has room;.
Defamation:
Indeed; used only to

emphasise a negative
sentence;
Asben horse.
River bank eroded by water
that may fall at any time
Father;
Dependent;
Salutation for the chief of
Mli.
N koj.
Lump or block indigo.
Her; sometimes contracted to
Where; whence;
Bottle-gourd
Tree species.
Tree species.
Second
Formal visit of condolence;
To stalk; to walk slowly; to
move stealthily;
Bog; morass; quicksand;
See bgabgay.
Large;
Exceedingly; very (large);
lit. help me entertain my

guest.
cf. eb
v. jin b, to defame; cf.
ida.
cf. nyi.
<Hausa
cf. nd.
Lagenaria siceraria. Used for

carrying liquids; also the name
of bottle-gourd rattles, both
those with external networks
of beads and those filled with
stones and plugged at the
mouth.
Isoberlinia doka.
cf. db.
cf. m d .
cf. bdd, w ncink.
also; badaky or badak
badaky.
The salutation is Jin ny n
ba 'o n, lit. do as you please.
e.g. rendering a person
invisible; cf. cigb bk,
tsmp.
cf. df, fuyk, lf.
lit. that place.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
bgabgayi
Bgb
PoS
adv.
p.n.
bagi
bagi
Bagd
bg
bgbg
bagwa
n.
v.
excl.
n.
n.
v.
bagwa
v.
bagwa
v.
bje
bje
bji
bk
n.
n.
n.
n.
ti
baka
bak
bak
n.
n.
wp
ap
bk
baknta
bke
a.
n.
n.
bkisr
n.
bakiwya
bkmbgi
bl
bmb
bmbny
bmbny
bmbar
n.
n.
v.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
bamb...nyi
prep.
bmby
bamvg
banabanagi
bn
bn
bngun
banci
bandak
bandaky
band
band
bandorogi
adv.
a.
n.
a.
a.
n.
n.
a.
adv.
n.
pron.
n.
C
ti
sa
bp
t
yc
ti
fo
dr
f
English
Everywhere;
Rank held by the chief
woodcarver
Man.
To ear; to be in cob;
Salutation given to the Etsu
Equal;
Member of the body; a joint;
To be close-fisted; to be
stingy;
To carry for; to relieve; lit. to
relieve the hand;
To entrust to; to place in
charge of;
Tree species
Yam cultivar.
Wrestle:
Rank among the dancers
See baraka.
Loop-handled dagger;
Single long feather of the
standard-wing night-jar.
Sour;
Prostitute; pimp;
Meeting or gathering
together;
Rank among women,
Large thatching needle.
Twins;
To reproach; to taunt; to twit;
Thud.
Heavily;
Well filled;
Fried cake containing
Bambara nut flour
Apart from; without; besides;
moreover;
Well filled;
Sharp (as a knife);
Fish species
Destruction; mischief; evil;
Senseless: ridiculous;
Heat; smallpox;
Stirring stick for porridge.
Large;,
very; exceedingly (large);
Sandal with a heel strap;
Whether;
Fish species
9
cf. ptaptayi, dz gdz gy.
the salutation is Dmbi.
used only of maize;
lit. a man above others.
cf. yz .
cf. kpankr.
cf. t nyb.
cf. d.
of very tough wood.

as in t bji, to wrestle.
of a dance, the salutation for
which is, Engb n or
Ngb n.
cf. b.
cf. bmvogi.
cf. keb.
the salutation for which is
Giwamata.
cf. b.
cf. lami.
cf. bny, tntny.
cf. d ny, blny.
cf. bmbny.
v. jin bn, to be destructive.
cf. flanla; brra.
See jbanci.
cf. d.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
banfy gi
banga
PoS
n.
n.
C
c
dk
bngbng
bangi
bangi
adv.
n.
n.
bp
g
bnkr
bnky
bankuru laci
bnt
bnt
bantra
bnt
bany
n.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
v.
bny
bny bci
v.
excl.
bny
bny
bny
bny
banza
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
a.
bapg
br(y)
a.
a.
bra
n.
bra
br
a.
a.
brbry
baraka
baraka
brm
brnd
brngi
brra
adv.
n.
brsa
brw
n.
a.
bre
b...re
bri
n.
v.
n.
n.
n.
n.
a.
fr
b
mi
f
sa
tx
tx
tx
English
Yam cultivar.
Drink made from guinea-corn
flour;
Well filled;
Rib.
Tall grass found in the bush.
Fruit of the bamboo palm.

Well filled;
Bird species
Triplets.
Yoruba drum.
Fish species.
Very (large);
To like; to be fond of (nice)
things;
To sway;
Somag ni.
Very much,
Hard; heavily
Quickly;
Well filled; completely;
Vain; useless; worthless; adv.
free, in the sense of for
nothing; gratuitously;
Thin; lean fleshed;
Straight;
Begging; a retainer; a
follower;
Boundless; of great size;
Great quantity; used only in
connection with cooked food;
Loudly; fiercely;
Waterbuck.
See lknla.
Dodging; skulking;
Trader; a middleman;
Strong white European cloth.
Senseless; nonsensical; cf.
bn.
Trade gin or rum; whiskey;
Smooth faced;
Red and white striped cloth.
To help; to aid;
Measurement of cloth,
10
the hawkers' call for which is
??
cf. bmbny.
Used for roofing and its chaff
is mixed with mud for
building. It has yellow flowers
in October/ November
cf. bmbny.
< Yoruba bata
cf. gbgb.
cf. b, d.
qualifying the verb to dribble;
cf. bmbny.
cf. vny.
cf. bmbny, rbny.
used to describe European

style of trousers, also used to
describe a woman with very
small breasts; adv. brnyi.
v. jin bra, to beg.
cf. m br.
cf. dll.
only used of human beings and

calabashes;
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
brk
brm
br
n.
excl.
br
n.
bs
a.
go
bs
bsk
bss
bsnta
n.
n.
excl.
n.
fo
bta
n.
bt
btak
n.
n.
btrm
bat
bt
bttgi
a.
v.
n.
n.
bt
ba...ts
btso
bat
v.
adv.
v.
ba...t
buta
bav
bwnbwgi
bwgi
bay
bydz
v.
n.
v.
n.
a.
v.
n.
byk
bykgi
byle
by
byt
bydz
byw
bz
bk
b
n.
n.
n.
v.
n.
n.
n.
v.
n.
n.
v.
v.
sa
fo
la
pd
yc
k
English
roughly two yards.
See lbrka.
Accident; misfortune;
Lft, Bka.
Pretence; simulation: v. to
pretend; to feign;
Small calabash from Bs
country.
Kind of sauce.
Empty threat;
Exclamation of delight.
Roasted meat on skewers
sold in the market.
Originally a small skin box
used for perfume or tobacco,
Swamp; marsh;
Agate and cornelian stones
used in a woman's necklace;
Nonsensical; absurd;
To forget.
Sickness; disease; illness.
Stick or a piece of grass
shaken by the current.
See ebt.
To amuse.
Yonder; over there;
To cause to cease for the
present; to cut short;.
To exceed;
Trouble;
To be fond of flesh;
Yellow wagtail;
Wide;
To wink; to blink the eyes.
Bullying; a scaring; a
frightening; a browbeating;
Dampness.
Small grey parasite; louse.
Mirror; glass; gunsight;
To think, i.e. to expect;
Light; daylight; dawn.
Yam cultivar.
Woman's parents-in-law;
To converse; to chat;
Darkness; blackness.
Swearing; a pledging; a
boasting;
To shine; to reflect; always
compounded with
To hoe;
11
cf. sra.
cf. ck.
cf. n bsk .
but now applied to small tins,

chip or paper boxes; cf.
kpn.
cf. ebggi, ny sunsun.
cf. brra.
cf. gnci.
See ba
cf. kp gkni
cf. ba.
cf. wla.
cf. tswntswgi.
cf. bz by, by.
cf. kpay.
cf. gg .
cf. lwai.
applied to the second hoeing
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
v.
v.
b
b
b b
b bk
b d byici
bki
v.
v.
n.
n.
prep.
v.
b l ga
n.
b mb f
n.
b mpaci
bmvogi
n.
n.
b n
b ngi
bngo
b rewagi
n.
n.
brije
a.
b rmi
b re
n.
b t
bt
b tre
n.
v.
n.
byici
b
n.
b ini
b ini
b
be
be
b
b
a.
n.
v.
v.
adv.
v.
v.
b
b
b
beci
bci
v.
v.
v.
n.
w
la
ti
tx
da
English
To wag; to wave; to cast (the
eyes) around; to wriggle;
To be indented; to be
crumpled; to be broken; to
sag;
To sprain; to rick;
To hang; suspend;
Steep bank of a river or pit.
Cliff;
After (this time);
Letter of the alphabet, or a
word;
Growth; maturing; filling out;
puberty;
Swarm; a mob; a noisy
crowd; a hive;
Town gate-keeper.
Lover of finery; further, an
immoral person; hence a
prostitute; but applied to
either sex;
See b .
See eb .
Skeleton; book cover;
Thomson's and Senegalese
Gazelle;
Saddleless; barebacked;
further, alert; punctual;
See lkmba.
Rank among warriors,
Verse in poetry.
To exceed; to be over;
European wool or yarn, all
colours.
See b d byici.
Changing; a conversion; an
alteration; hence repentance;
Great; mighty; powerful;
Mature bull
To come; to result;
To add to;
Again;
To stare;
To blow; to play; to sound a
wind instrument.
To resemble;
To fart.
To spread or stretch apart;
See byici.
Tree species.
12
after the crops are up.
cf. y.
cf. cnl.
cf. har fi.
v. jin b l ga, to mature.
cf. ny cidci.
the salutation for which is,

Kasuwan kura.
cf. b .
cf. w ncink.
< Hausa bijimi ?
cf. l, by.
cf. g.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
bdibo
PoS
n.
C
fr
bdz
bk
bke...n
bk
num.
v.
adv.
n.
bkgi
bl
n.
v.
bl
conj.
bl
bl
a.
n.
ti
blny
bmblgi
adv.
n.
bni
bnte
Bnu
bn
adv.
n.
p.n.
p.n.
bnyi b...nyi
b...re
prep.
v.
b...r
aux.
br
brbr
brnyi
n.
adv.
excl.
n.
b
beya
by
adv.
v.
v.
bygi
n.
b
bi
v.
bi
biabi
biabiandundungi
biabiandurugi
bindi
v.
n.
n.
da
With; from; by;

To do (a thing) in addition to
(something else);
Only used with a negative
and in an ironical sense. It
implies the opposite of the
statement made;
Throat; voice;
Distinctly; plainly; clearly.
Welcome! used elliptically:
adv. gently; carefully;
Squash or pumpkin quartered
and cooked;
Really;
To overflow;
To terrify; to brow beat; to
bully;
White, straight headed
guinea-corn cultivar classed
under ky.
To crumble; to crush;
Reduplicating prefix for
verbs with initial ba, b, be,
bi, bo.
Ugly;
Albino.
Ram;
n.
sa
Salutation for N gi.
bp
fr
dr
et
ti
fo
English
Pineapple
First.
To smell sweet;
Possibly;
Swelling breasts of a young
girl.
Small stubby banana.
To yield; to submit to; to
stretch as rubber
Particle implying comparison
as,
Only; alone;
Rank among the upper
Kyadya
Very much; tremendously;
Promiscuous man or woman,
worse than bmvogi;
Some time ago;
Apron; loincloth.
Nupe sub-tribe
Rank among native princes,
13
< Yoruba. cf. didig,
kpacigb, tro nukp.
cf. k .
cf. klo.
Salutation is Gbk bci.
cf. liiny.
cf. inkrgi.
cf. m gi.
<Hausa
Dawud , or Kgud.
adv. b cg nyi, moreover.
lit. a thorn in the throat;

cf. m rba, karay.
cf. b.
cf. kp.
cf. dz by.
cf. bili, biy.

cf. bsuru.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
biwky
bbgi kr
PoS
adv.
n.
bbgi nmfa
bbgi
n.
n.
mi
bbny
bbr
bbo
biblugwa
bbrw
bici
bc
bicici
bc en
bcta
n.
n.
n.
n.
v.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
bda
n.
wv
Bd
p.n.
ti
bdi
n.
hc
bdd
bidinga
bdzobdzo
bifo
big
bki
bki
adv.
n.
v.
n.
n.
n.
bik
p.n.
bik
bkungi
blhk
bll bll
bili
n.
n.
n.
n.
v.
bimbiri
bnk
a.
n.
bin k
bnd
n.
n.
bindiga
n.
Black and white dappled

(horse).
Very (large); also bddk;
See bidinga
bp Brain
To be weak;
bp Rectum.
Desire;
tr
Traditional funeral feast for
the dead;
Name given to the child of a
woman who is unable to rear
children - all die;
bm Nupe tribal mark.
da Female goat;
sa Salutation for a judge;
Whip;
To be of a bad or ugly
character;
Raw.
mi Transverse clarinet made of a
guinea-corn internode,
Base, mean act; a dirty trick;
mi Drum made from a very large
gourd (kond).
wp Fire-arm of any description;
bindigak
n.
an
s
bp
bp
English
Very (large), denoting area;
Valuable stone worn in a
necklace.
Local bagpipes (Banfield)
Toy windmill made by
children from a stick and
folded leaf
Beat or throb of the heart;
Grass ash.
See bbo.
Saving;
Amphisbaenid snake
To run; flee; abscond.
Foot; leg;
Stumbling
At once; immediately;
Foot; prep. before; at the foot
of;
Iron spike used as a locking
lever by weavers.
Chief of the Bni tribe;
Very large, black, evil

smelling ant.
14
cf. bwny.
Not confirmed
cf. b.
cf. gb.
cf. z n, gbgian.
the salutations are Cagb,

Dmb, L kr d '.
cf. w cnk, bdd.
cf. d.
cf. ny.
cf. wlm.
cf. wrigi.
cf. lkali.
cf. bi.
played by young men after the
harvest
cf. d m gi, kpr,

ktigi, t ki, sd,
ckfr.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
bngi
bingi
bn
PoS
n.
n.
n.
C
i
go
i
bin
bin
bni
bini
n.
n.
n.
n.
bp
bp
et
bipa
brbr
brbr
brk
bs
a.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
mi
bs
n.
bs
bsb
bis gi
bie
bie 'b Sk
biegi nuw
biegi gnta
biegi lat
biegi ny nd dm
biegi pt
b
b
bta
adv.
n.
n.
n.
v.
bita
bt
biy
biy
n.
n.
v.
n.
wp
wp
biygi
biyk
biy lk
b
n.
n.
n.
v.
tp
bp
bp
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
bo
bo
v.
bo
v.
g
f
da
b
b
b
b
b
bp
English
Sandfly.
Small bottle-gourd.
Sweat-fly. Tiny wild bee and
the honey it makes.
Eyelash.
Loose joint - elbow or knee;
Nupe sub-tribe.
Child presented feet first at
birth.
Hot, applied to liquids;
Giddily; dizzily;
Dimly;
Brake (cycle or car)
Raft-zither made a grass with
the epidermis lifted to make
the strings. Described in
Nadel (1936a)
Coarse swamp grass,
formerly sold and used as
tapers. Used to make zana
mats. Cymbopogon
giganteus.
Truly;
Forest grass
Fish species.
Fowl.
See ldn.
Black moorhen.
Prairie hen;
See biegi gnta.
See biegi nuw.
See biegi gnta.
Salutation for the rank N gi.
See b.
To ruminate; to chew the
cud.
Notched end of an arrow;
Sharp pointed dagger;
To be ugly (in features);
Buttocks; stock; base;
bottom; substance; root
meaning; cf. gbk.
Stalk (of a leaf or fruit).
Bare buttocks.
Anus.
To graze (the skin); to pick (a
bone);
Place;
To be tired; weary;
exhausted; fatigued;
To be under-cooked; under15
cf. yipa.
< English via Hausa
cf. kka.
cf. ekpbitagi.
cf. bi.
used with the following verbs ci, d, g, fi, , ta, i.

cf. gb n.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
v.
v.
b
b
v.
v.
b
bobo
bobogi
bbgi
bbngi
v.
n.
a.
a.
bbny
bbny
bci
adv.
n.
n.
bda
n.
bodabodanyi
bd
adv.
a.
bd
n.
bdbgi
n.
sh
bodongi
bdz
a.
n.
fo
bdzwgi
b...fo
bg
n.
bogangi
bgi
a.
v.
b g n lele n ci
b 'j n g
bok
n.
a.
bko
bokoci
bkpy
bk
bk
bk
bl
bl
bl
boli
n.
n.
adv.
n.
a.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
t
co
bp
co
f
bf
English
done;
To save;
but always compounded with
either fo, ya, lugwa, or i;
To kneed; to make, as
porridge;
To become pulped;
To seize by force; to
always used with eny a thing;
confiscate;
Interrogative particle, placed
at the end of a question;
Bother; worry; trouble;
cf. gs.
Fish species
Wide (as a leaf);
Tender (as opposed to
tough);
Very (white);
cf. bny.
Smacking sound;
Doctor; a medicine man;
cf. bny.
Salutation for all mallams.
Charge; complaint;
cf. eb, dab.
accusation;
Very (large);
cf. gbgb.
Cryptic; hidden; reverse
(side); inside out;
Tree species found in the
forest.
Small shrub used for
medicinal purposes.
Tender (immature);
Porridge cooked before the
sauce is made.
Tree with very large leaves.
See b.
Verdict; the judgement;
cf. eb, gb.
decision; sentence;
Small;
cf. wwgi.
To pluck maize before
cf. b.
maturity;
Lazy person;
lit. eat and sleep; cf. kafnci.
See ebo.
Under-cooked; dull;
unintelligent; clumsy;
Gossip;
cf. kob.
Tree species.
Very (white);
cf. bbny.
Heel.
White;
Salutation given to Wnk.
Silver catfish.
Bagrus bayad
Sin; fault; offence;
cf. leki, lb, lefi.
Weakness; feebleness;
cf. lb.
Urine;
cf. vidn.
16
R.M. Blench
Nupe
bl
bl
bl
blbl
blblyi
b lugwa
b 'l le 'b
PoS
a.
a.
n.
n.
adv.
bm
bm f
bm j
n.
n.
excl.
bombo
adv.
bmbny
bm
bmi
bonda
bondabondayi
bondo
adv.
v.
v.
a.
adv.
n.
co
bondzrgi
bondzwagi
n.
n.
yc
g
bngi
bongi
bongo
bn
bn
bny
bny
bny
bny
bri
a.
n.
br
boro
brfo
n.
a.
n.
brgo
brggi
Brro
brw
n.
n.
p.n.
n.
g
et
d
Boruwa
n.
ti
boruwa
n.
v.
n.
n.
n.
v.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
co
fo
dc
i
English
Smooth;,
Beautiful; nice; fine; pretty.
Beauty; prettiness;
Imaginary sickness;
very (smooth).
See b.
Salutation for a woodcarver;
Grass corn sack or bag.
Enamel pudding dish.
No wonder! It is not
surprising.
Describes something viscous
like the admixture of water to
porridge
Very (white);
To degrade; to depose;
To curse.
Reddish like animal fur
Very (large).
Food prepared from crushed
corn.
Yam cultivar.
Grass
Tender; cf. bodongi.
Loofah.
See bngo.
Trouble;
Vine species.
To seize.
Very (white);
Very (white);
Smacking sound;
Ecstatic cult dance of the
Hausa.
Locust.
Empty;
Any knife with a single
cutting edge.
Blanket.
Field grass
Nomadic Fulani
Disease marked by extreme
swelling of the abdomen.
Rank among the Etsu's
personal attendants, the
salutations for which are
dko, dkondaw.
Hard grain of rice that will
not soften in cooking.
To cook; to keep house;
17
cf. s.
lit. seize the birds sleeping

place.
cf. bny.
whose fibre is used to make

kpetia trays
cf. wla.
See b.
See b.
cf. bmbny.
cf. bbny.
cf. bbny.
Nowadays uncommon in
Nupeland
R.M. Blench
Nupe
b
b i
bota
PoS
n.
n.
btebteny
btd
a.
v.
bts
bwkp
n.
n.
b ya
boy
v.
by
by
boydn
n.
n.
n.
boyf
boyka
n.
a.
b
bu-
v.
aff.
bbny
adv.
bubwrw
bubwrw
n.
n.
bc
bdabdany
bdny
bd
n.
bdgi
n.
buduyi
bg
bg (n )
adv.
a.
n.
bgyi
Bka
adv.
n.
ti
English
Cheating; unlawful gain;
See b.
Grass used to make
contraceptive medicine
Nonsensical; foolish (talk);
To hold in subjection; to rule
despotically;
Owner;
Hawkers' cry for lbw,
cooked porridge.
See b.
To be dull; heavy; slow;
sleepy eyed;
Love;
To be too much for;
Meanness; closeness;
miserliness;
Covetousness;
Marvellous; wonderful;
astonishing;
To invoke evil upon;
Initial reduplication prefix
used with the verbs bo, bu,
bw.
Bubbling sound caused by
water entering a bottle held
under water.
Earthworm;
Straight iron rod used by
weavers;
Private work; business or job;
See bgabgany.
See btebteny.
Name given to mallams of
very little learning.
Field grass, used for horse
feed.
Very (big);
Wide;
Grass used to make zana
mats
Quickly; hurriedly;
Rank among the Kyadya,
bkta
buki
n.
n.
bkt
bl
bll
buli
bmbm
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
mi
Business; work;
Hunchback; tumour on the
back.
To invoke evil upon
Cheap gown unembroidered.
Whip;
Grey chalky clay.
Drumming by women on an
vc
i
wv
n.
18
cf. btrm.
cf. nynts.
the opposite to wny.

cf. cincin.
cf. z , gg.
cf. dnboy, t nyb.
cf. fboy, kd r.
cf. yka, ljbi.
cf. bkt.
cf. knlgi.
as distinct from fk,
cf. tsr.
cf. pry.
the salutations for which are,
Br, Faty.
cf. sg li.
cf. bll.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
bmbunuk bmburuk
bun
bn
a.
n.
n.
tp
tx
bny
adv.
brd
bur
br
n.
n.
n.
buru
a.
burug
n.
burugam
bry
buruzgi
bsa
n.
adv.
n.
n.
dk
mi
bus
bs
n.
n.
fo
tp
busnci
bsuru
Bwadwa
n.
n.
p.n.
t
da
tr
bw
v.
bw dw
bw gnbw gny
bw k
bw kw
bw lw w
bwny
bwrw
bwtw
adv.
a.
a.
a.
adv.
a.
a.
fo
f
po
hg
English
upturned calabash at
weddings.
Solid; sealed; compact;
Tree sap.
Dark blue cloth worn by
women.
Quickly;
Bread
Fish species;
Water pot with a very wide
mouth and short neck.
Round; spherical.
Stick with crossed blades

used for twirling in milk to
turn it into yoghurt
Nose bag for animals.
Very long (as a garment);
Local spiced beer.
Transverse horn made from
antelope horn;
Sauce made from beans;
Yellow powder inside the
locust fruit.
Fruit tree.
He-goat.
Tall masquerade said to have
been adopted from the Ebira
in the nineteenth century.
To be rotten, as over ripe
fruit or meat; also applied to
meat boiled to shreds;
Very (soft as over ripe fruit);
See bw dw .
Careless;
Weak;
Smooth;
Very (large);
Smooth;
Stout; portly;
19
as a fire springing up when

fanned;
< English via Hausa
cf. g.
Following are some of the
combinations:- buruburug,
burug, burugi burug: adv.
buruburuy, buruy.
cf. k fo. < Hausa

cf. zow.
Used to make a sweet drink
< Hausa
Also kuti swara.
cf. sw kw .
cf. bifo.
cf. brw, blblyi.
also bwmbwny.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
C.
PoS
ccny
ccny
cfy
cg ni
ckfr
cky
adv.
adv.
v.
cakyacakyay
ckickiyi
ck
cami
campug
cancany
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
a.
adv.
cancri
n.
Quickly; hurriedly;
Clean;
To despise;
See tig ni .
Flint-lock gun;
Gravel; ballast; used to floor
houses and courtyards.
Sound made by a rattle;
All over; everywhere;
Bad luck; misfortune;
Blessing;
Swollen; puffed;
Describes the jingling sound
made by money, etc.;
Indigo dye,
cri
cta
n.
n.
Large iron spike or nail.

n.
c gic gi
n.
c ky
c ny g, c ry g
c
a.
a.
v.
v.
v.
c
c
c
c
v.
v.
v.
v.
c
c
v.
v.
cc
cck
n.
ti
cecengi
cedia
cdz
n.
n.
v.
n.
n.
wp
ti
English
One omitted; forgotten;

overlooked;
Method of cooking in thick
sauce;
Sodden; muddy; dirty;
Small; tiny;
To throw; cast; fling; toss;
swing; kick; shoot; to fire;
also idiomatically used to
describe the appearance of
the new moon;
To come around (as another
year)
To bear, as vines;
To make up into a bag;
To fight
To tie up; to truss, as grass;
To be beyond; too big for;
too much for;
To continue;
To pass on; to forward in
relays; as a load or letter;
See cck.
Prickly heat; cf. cincingi.
Tree species.
To get ahead of (by a short
cut);
20
cf. tstsy.
cf. gby.
cf. bindiga.
as a rash on the body;

cf. lbrka.
cf. smpug.
cf. cakiacakiayi.
from which the block indigo
bb r is made.
Cgin s .
cf. d nd ny.
eya ace another year comes

around
but only refers to the
appearance of the fruit; cf.
sun.
cf. z .
cf. f.
cf. c yats .
Daniy , D kn and Gbo.
<Fulfulde
R.M. Blench
Nupe
cegra
cgin s
PoS
n.
n.
c g n 'fo
ck
n.
v.
ck
v.
cki
n.
cekr cekr
ckpa
v.
n.
ti
ckpa g b
n.
sa
ckpr
ckper
ckpt
c kpt
adv.
n.
n.
v.
cndz
cndz cnk
cnj
cnkafa
cnkafa doko
n.
tp
n.
n.
n.
c
g
cr
Cr
ct
n.
v.
p.n.
cto
cets
ct
n.
n.
v.
cw
v.
cw b Allah nyi
n.
cew
Cyagi
v.
p.n.
cy
v.
cy
ci
n.
c
ci
-ci
ci
v.
conj.
aff.
prep.
sa
ti
sa
English
Back-biting; double-dealing;
Salutation for the rank of
Cta.
Design in embroidery.
To avoid by turning out of
the way;
To go about; to wander; to
stroll about;
Sediment; grounds;
precipitate.
To do several things at once;
Gdgi.
Quickly;
Poison, any deadly poison.
Bush grass.
To be marked with weals; to
be gnarled, as a tree, or the
hand and foot joints;
Unripe nut of the oil palm.
See cdz .
Change (monetary)
Rice.
Grass sp.
Poison;
Dare;
Etsu's executioner in former
times
Kindness;
Seat;
To swell up; to raise in a
swelling by fracture of the
bone;
To trade; barter; bargain; to
price a thing;
N gn.
To assist; help; aid; defend.
Name given to a child whose
mother dies at its birth.
To be neglected; to be
overlooked.
Flax; used for weaving nets.
verbs with initial ca and ce.
Under-cooked;
And;
Noun particle;
(To lie) down;
21
cf. c't, skt.

Sk, Ddndw.
cf. bgy.
cf. ct.
< English
<Hausa
Thelopogon elegans. lit. horse
rice
cf. ckper.
cf. kr.
cf. dg ri.
cf. lker.
cf. biy.
cf. c kpt.
also sy
R.M. Blench
Nupe
cici
ccccy
cig m
cigb
PoS
adv.
excl.
n.
sa
cigb
n.
cg
n.
ck ckc
cikara
cikr
cik
adv.
n.
n.
n.
ck
a.
ckickiyi
adv.
cko
cikpuy
n.
adv.
la
cin
cin
v.
cin
v.
cin
v.
cin
cin
cin...bo
cincr
v.
v.
v.
n.
cincrba
n.
cincr yiwo
cincin
cncn
cncn
cincingi
cndz n
n.
n.
v.
v.
n.
n.
cndz wn
cnga
n.
n.
fg
fr
cingini
cng
cnk
cnk
n.
n.
n.
n.
fo
d
d
tr
hd
English
See ci.
Very (many);
Salutation for the rank Sabo.
Anything of wood; tree; post;
stick; block;
Medicine; a remedy; a drug;
a charm;
Rank among the warriors,
cf. ddddy, tstststsy.
cf. bci.
the salutations for which are
Wrgbci, Snka, Daniy .
Purposely; intentionally;
Shavings; chips;
Embers; cinders.
Wilderness; desert; bush;
uncultivated forest land.
Dense; close; adv. closely;
densely;
In confusion; in a tangle; in a cf. dz gdz gy.
muddle;
Value; equivalent; worth;
Large; bulky; gross; swollen;
bloated;
Initial reduplication prefix for
verbs with initial syllable cin.
To descend; to drop; to lover;
to fail (in flesh); to alight; to
wean (a child).
To propound; put forth (a
riddle);
To love; also when used with
nyimi wife, means adultery;
To clarify.
To fry as certain foods;
To miss; to lose;
Grass found in vacant
compounds.
Comb-fringe grass
Dactyloctenium aegyptium.
husband of cincere.
Grass
wife of cincere.
Love;
cf. by.
To propound a riddle;
cf. cn.
To sneeze;
cf. ec .
Prickly heat;
cf. cecengi.
Small chain used only in
cf. gbnk tsod.
traditional ceremonies, and as
an oath
Fish net.
Cluster (of bananas) but not a cf. et.
whole stock;
Pounded yam;
Cold; fever;
cf. eb.
Britannia metal.
Disease among horses.
22
R.M. Blench
Nupe
cnl
cinl
cin m 'bo a g
PoS
n.
v.
n.
C
sa
cin n l de
n.
sa
cni
cni gbk
cnta
n.
n.
v.
i
em
cintr
cintr doko
cintr gbara
cintr giama
cnwn
cnwnci
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
ap
pl
pl
pl
cin...y
cin ykdangi
cin ykndn
cr crg
crg
v.
v.
v.
a.
a.
cy
cyancya
v.
n.
English
Precipice;
Behold; look; examine; taste;
Tswnk;
Somasun;
Large cricket.
To rest; to be still; to be
quiet; to subside;
Tail;
Plant
Plant
Fern
Greatness; respect; glory;
Great, honourable or
respectable person.
To quiz.
To stare.
To eye; to watch;
Small; minute;
Large; immense; tremendous;
huge;
To begin; commence;
Beginning
cf. gd.
lit. when I am not present they
speak.
lit. love me (enough) to (assist)
me get it.
crickets stomach
cf. f.
lit. horsetail
lit. lizard tail
lit. chamleon tail
cf. w ncnk.
cf. y.
D.
d
d
d
d
d
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
d
d
d
v.
v.
v.
d
d
da
v.
v.
v.
da
v.
da
v.
v.
d
d
d
v.
conj.
v.
To be soft;
To set; to fix; to specify;
To measure (salt).
To carry for; to relieve of;
Verb used with gar,
robbery;
To sway; to swing;
To mix; prepare (dye).
To make; to become
(friends);
To commit (adultery);
To lower; to press down;
To go; proceed; depart;
advance;
To be damp; wet; to brew; to
soak;
To make (as two and two
make four);
To measure (as material for a
loom);
To be poor; weak;
If;
To go; proceed;
23
cf. dgar.
cf. b, c.
cf. dny ci.

cf. daz , lo.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
dba
dba
dba
db
PoS
n.
v.
n.
v.
C
da
db
dab
n.
v.
dabgi
db
dda
dd
dadada
n.
v.
n.
adv.
a.
dd wu dzdz
n.
sa
d 'f
daga
dgdgyi
v.
n.
adv.
dgar
dagba
dagba d 'ya
v.
n.
excl.
dagba pmbo
dagi
dgr
dgn
dgwa
dgwa
djn
wfdk
dkdk
n.
n.
a.
n.
v.
v.
v.
n.
adv.
dkk
adv.
dkar
dksa
dk
dk gi
n.
adv.
a.
n.
dk
dkpi
dmpara
n.
v.
n.
dam
damb
dmby
dnciki
dnda
n.
a.
adv.
n.
n.
m
sa
t
p
hd
ai
m
ai
dr
hc
English
Beast; animal; brute.
To lower.
Gerund of bad.
To make a formal visit of
condolence;
Large ringed dove;
To make a complaint; to go
to law;
Bird about the size of a dove.
To be worn out;
Great distance;
Quickly;
Much; plenty; immense;
abundant;
N kji.
To be cool;
Battle field; line of battle.
Swayingly; staggeringly;
unsteadily;
To rob; plunder.
Elephant.
Lakpi ni ;
Tree species.
Fool;
Sudden; adv. suddenly.
Ladder; steps; stairs;
To push with the hand;
To stop; to leave off;
To thank; to prostrate;
Describes two or more
persons carrying anything
extra large on the hands or
over the head;
To sit on the ground tailor
fashion or with the knees up.
Infantry; swordsman.
Very (much);
Coverless; lidless.
Small hoe made for the
Yoruba.
Mona monkey
To thank; to prostrate;
Wide bladed hoe used for
weeding.
Inferiority;
Large; big; swollen;
Very (much);
Waistcoat; a vest;
Brown and white (horse)
24
<Hausa
See d.
cf. tmid.
cf. lkndb.
cf. kuk.
cf. eb kpk.
cf. s nn.
cf. dkn.
cf. bf.
lit. elephants are not put in

canoes.
cf. edagi, wawa.
cf. ekpa.
cf. jn ybo, dkpi.
cf. dadada.
See k n.
cf. djn, jn bo.
cf. dangia.
cf. w tkta.
cf. dk.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
dandakargi
dndlkgi
dndawa
n.
n.
n.
b
p
fo
dand
dng
dangba
n.
a.
n.
dangr
dngi
dngida
dangro
dngia
dngiali
dngy dngdngy
daniy
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
po
da
excl.
sa
dnkar
danti
dny ci
dnydny
dar
dara
dr
dr drgi
dara
darbgi
hg
pl
n.
v.
a.
n.
n.
n.
a.
fr
n.
sh
t
hi
dsy
n.
n.
adv of
time.
adv.
d
d n
dta
n.
v.
v.
dw
dwgi
dawud
dyzn
dy
n.
n.
n.
n.
v.
dyn
daz
d`
v.
v.
d
d
v.
v.
darci
dro
da...re
em
so
sa
English
with four white fetlocks and
white blaze on face;
Bird species.
Pauper; tramp; vagrant;
Preparation made from locust
seeds;
Sea catfish. Fish species.
Much; plenty;
Breast-band for horses; a
martingale.
Large water-pot.
Cat.
Mischief;
Small thorny plant.
Very (much, great)
See dngia.
See dngia.
Salutation common to many
different ranks.
See dkar.
Game played with stones.
To commit adultery.
Deficient; lacking;
Tamarind fruit;
Malt.
Long; adv. very (long).
See dr.
Shrub or bush, does not
mature to wood;
Tamarind tree.
Cup; mug; jug; kettle.
Again;
Many; plenty; in great
quantity;
Mutual fund; a pool;
To be soft; to be easy;
To lower; to press down; to
reform;
Tune played on a drum.
Shoemakers' chips.
Salutation for certain ranks.
To make or become friends;
To be accustomed to; to be
used to; to be tame;
See dy.
To walk; to march.
To hang on; to gird on (as a
sword on the shoulder);
To be, to exist.
To enter (a boat, train, or
25
cf. zak nzalgi.

< Hausa. cf. kl.
Arius spp. cf. edu
cf. dadada.
cf. rkici, m nfki.

cf. dmby.
cf. km.
cf. darci.
cf. krgi.
cf. s r ny.
cf. d.
cf. d.
cf. d.
cf. dyn.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
v.
d
d`
d
d bra
v.
v.
v.
n.
d bo
dbnd
dd
v.
a.
n.
d g
d kid ki
d kiny dkiny
prep.
adv.
English
carriage).
To wear; to put on (as
trousers and sandals).
To measure (cereals).
To re-set a cutting edge.
To master; to conquer;
Skill; contrivance; v. to
repair; to mend;
Verb to be, to exist;
Odd person; eccentric;
Property; profession; office,
of the parent handed on to the
children.
From; since.
Separately;
With difficulty: v. to be
protracted;
See dbnd.
Large termite mound, always
mound shaped.
Cck.
To gather together; to
assemble; to collect;
Small bush. African privet.
Civet cat.
Influence; assistance;
To play a certain water game;
To pay in kind; to give an
equivalent;
To get credit on false
pretences;
Convolvulus.
dkd
d k n
n.
d k n
n.
dkn
v.
d k n cigb ngi
d k ngb
d lli
dl
d...l
n.
n.
n.
v.
v.
dl
v.
dm
dm
n.
p.n.
v
ti
dmbodci
d m d m gi
v.
n.
d m gi
n.
dmurngga
d n
d n l 'ga
d nci
d nc
d nd
d nd ny
d nd ny
d ngi
dngd
d`ngy
n.
n.
n.
n.
a.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
adv.
To live, or exist forever;

Caterpillar which feeds on
grass.
pl Plant from which both
medicine and perfume are
obtained.
Arch.
Part; portion; place;
Burrs;
t
Copaiba gum tree.
Big; fat;
mn Mica.
Very (much, many);
Sodden; filthy; dirty;
k
Relative; kinsman;
sh Very thorny bush.
Very (full);
sh
m
cf. jn fro.
cf. d.
cf. dkd.
cf. egn.
cf. kkny.
cf. ku yek .
cf. ekpat.
cf. l.
cf. g gbt.
Dzlw, Daniy , Lram.
26
cf. m m rgb.
Daniellia oliveri
cf. nyssnyi.
cf. c ki .
cf. ygi. ? < Hausa
cf. bmbny.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
d`ny
d ny
d r bki
PoS
adv.
adv.
n.
ds
v.
d sun
d tdz
n.
n.
d
de
adv.
v.
d
d
dd
dd
dd
dddd
ddngi
v.
prep.
adv.
adv.
a.
adv.
n.
dgng
dgi
n.
a.
dk n
n.
C
tx
wp
tx
didb
dididiy
ddddy
dda
ddia ddia wy
ddgn
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
didorogi
dgb
n.
dkny
dkyy
dkydki
dll
adv.
adv.
n.
dl
dlli
dm
dn
n.
excl.
d n
d n
v.
v.
cp
b
i
wv
English
Very (much);
Very (full, bloated);
Traditional red and whitestriped cloth.
To care for; to mind; to heed;
to be concerned about;
Fear;
Aged person; one of
importance;
Just; indeed;
To have; get; obtain; find;
possess;
To surprise;
Out; outside.
Never;
Equal; correct; alike; just so;
Bad; evil; base; ill.
Never
Trigger or catch on a gun or
trap;
Pretence;
Few; little, some
White cloth woven in narrow
strips.
verbs with initial da, d, de,
do.
See bd.
Very (large);
Very (black);
Packing net.
Parrot.
Caterpillar which gathers up
grass and chips on its back.
See dundorogi.
Way of measuring out thread
for a loom;
Very (many);
See d kiy.
For a long time;
Agent; commissioner;
broker;
See dll.
Expression of assent;
verbs with initial syllable
dn.
To strive;
To scramble for; to grab; to
gabble; to scamp;
27
cf. d nd ny.
cf. dndny.
cf. wnks.
<Fulfulde ndottijo. cf. nus.
cf. kugr.
cf. dddd.
See dd.
cf. ck.
ez dgi b a few people
came
cf. bnt.
cf. iny.
cf. d.
cf. d nd ny, dkn.
cf. dkyy.
<Hausa
cf. d lli, ekpat.
cf. kka, cng, lbd.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
d n
PoS
v.
dn
dn
dn
v.
v.
v.
dn
dn
dn
dn
dnsa
dnb t
v.
v.
v.
v.
n.
v.
dn br cn a 'm l
n.
dnboy
dnci
dnderegi
dndn
dndngi
dndny
dindorogi
dndz dndzr
v.
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
dn gbr
d ngb n
dngborok
v.
v.
n.
dk
dnk k
dnkr
dinkr 'b
dinkoro
dnn
dnnk
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
g
pl
pl
m
i
i
dnn kpe 'tsu ye
n.
sh
d nny
d nny
dny
d ny
dny
adv.
v.
n.
v.
adv.
d ny dny
d
do
do
do
dbn
dodo
ddndw
adv.
a.
v.
v.
v.
n.
n.
n.
t
i
fo
wp
f
c
sa
English
To be deficient; to be short;
to lack; to reduce;
To burn; consume;
To carve; engrave;
To draw; drag; stretch;
tighten; pull;
To exercise (the body);
To flog; to thrash; to whip;
To tempt; to try; to test;
To pile;
Another name for a bll
To draw out; to elicit
(conversation);
Tree species;
To be mean; close; miserly;
Black plum tree
Dragonfly.
Fried yam chips.
Trigger;
Heavily;
Fish species;
Fringe; also used for lamp
wick;
To stand erect.
To strive.
Syrup made from black plum
(dnci).
Swamp grass.
Water lily.
An (Easter) lily.
Hartebeest.
Fly.
Large bloodsucking fly;
mangrove fly.
Small bush (dies off each dry
season);
Quickly; hastily;
To be tight;
Gutter; water course;
To be quick; cf.
Loudly; with a thud; with a
crash;
Very (much);
Much; many; plenty;
To redden; to ripen;
To exalt; to extol; to flatter;
To startle; to scare; to shock;
Date palm and fruit;
Leach pot;
Salutation common to many
28
the name translates, stretch

the neck and look into the
compound.
cf. t nyb.
Vitex doniana.
cf. ddngi.
cf. bmbny, tntny.
cf. dundorogi.
cf. jndzr.
See d n.
a fly does not know a chief

cf. s nn.
d nny.
cf. bmb, jny.
cf. dkn.
cf. snd , li d .
<Hausa
cf. gbdo.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
ddddy
v.
dodongbaci
excl.
sa
ddy
dfa
dofi
dg ri
adv.
a.
co
dogb
n.
dogba
v.
dogb
dogb
v.
v.
dog
n.
dogogi
dkdk
dk
doko
dk
dkci
dk cintr
Dkdz
n.
a.
v.
n.
n.
n.
n.
p.n.
dkkpaci
dkmb
dk nynkpa
n.
n.
n.
p
hg
Horse keeper.
Stall or stable for a horse;
Bicycle;
dktc
dkz wci
dkun
n.
n.
a.
p
p
Horse-rider.
Horse-trainer.
Abundant; many; much;
plenty.
dol
n.
dlu
n.
Dom
dmb
donci
dndkry
excl.
n.
n.
n.
dndny
dngro
dnkw
adv.
n.
n.
n.
tx
co
p
da
p
pl
ti
English
different ranks.
To be excited; alarmed;
nervous;
Songbi.
Lightly; springily; mincingly;
Blue.
See do.
Policeman; constable;
executioner.
Foundations or props of a
granary;
To miss; to pass by
unintentionally;
To be conceited;
To make a swell; to roughen;
to ripple (as water);
Field grass; straw; chaff (as
used to mix with mud);
Trade cloth.
Dark dull (red); stale;
To plan; to consider;
Horse-boy.
Horse;
Horse-rider.
Weed in the fields
Head blacksmith,
Originally the Maria Theresa

dollar, later the English
florin, but now archaic
Heaviness;
sa
hi
fo
fo
Expression of greatness;
Salutation for certain ranks.
mortar;
Sweets made from honey and
corn.
Very (bloated);
Old indigo.
Cake (made from
29
cf. ddy, ffy, dzdzy.

<Hausa
cf. kingbgb, gbngb.

Schizachyrium exile. Found in
the gbodonji borrow pits at
the edge of town.
cf. dw n, kpay.
<Hausa
(resembles a horse's tail).
the salutations for which rank
are, _ml, Gad.
cf. gbodo.
lit. horse of iron. Now
archaic. See keke.
ez dkun dzuk o there
were many people at the
market
<English
gerund of lud lit. the
heaviness of the box is
excessive; cf. kpnlu.
cf. d ny, gbyngbyny.

<Hausa
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
dny
dr
n.
n.
pd
drygi
dta
n.
n.
dwm
n.
doy
d
d
a.
a.
a.
pd
co
du
du
du
d
d
dub
dub
ddy
ddy
dududuy
dfia
v.
v.
v.
excl.
v.
v.
dgb
dugbny dgb ny
dgw
dkya
n.
adv.
n.
n.
ai
dku
dk
dk
dk
dk dagba
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
w
c
duk n
dk n
n.
n.
dkui
dliny
dmfu
dmny
dn
dundoro
dundorogi
n.
adv.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
sa
r
pl
po
da
hc
cr
f
c
English
groundnuts, corn and
pepper).
Perplexity; intricacy;
Girdle; (made of discs and
worn about the waist by
women).
Girdle made by the Yoruba.
Camp; a small settlement; a
country village;
Calling on: v. jn dwm,
to call on;
Dirty (yellow);
Like;
Other; each other; one
another;
Initial reduplicate from for
verbs with initial syllables
do, du.
To cook; to boil; to brew.
To shake;
To rain;
Shoo!
To boast; to brag;
To be mushy; pulpy; rotten;
See ddy.
Stupidly; aimlessly;
Very (large);
Salutation for certain proper
names (female only).
Hoe.
Blunt; stubby;
Fish sp.
Goods; wealth; riches;
possessions;
Deep channel in the river;
Sweet potato
Noise; a report;
Common land tortoise.
Flower like a jack-in-thepulpit.
Lameness;
Pot; a crock; any vessel of
clay.
Colt.
Very (large);
Jet black (horse).
Very (large);
oyster.
Electric ray.
Guinea-corn cultivar
30
cf. tunga.
cf. tmid.
cf. dzk .
cf. b.
cf. b.
cf. tstsy.
cf. gbkr.
cf. drku.
<F.
cf. s s .
Potamotrygon garouensis.
grown for its red bark which is
used as a dyestuff.
Corresponds to Hausa
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
English
dndfa
dndf
dunduk
dndk
dndny
dunduny
d nf
dungi
dng
dngr
n.
n.
n.
a.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
mi
wt
bp
d nm
d nnu
n.
v.
wp
d nts
duny
dny
dri
n.
a.
adv.
n.
duru dr
drku
dsa
dsy
duwa
duwa
a.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
dw
n.
dw
n.
duwal
n.
dc
Large cylindrical drum

Whirlwind;
Thigh; the lap.
Large; great;
Heavily;
Stupidly;
Sitting; the abiding;
Squirrel.
Seconds from kts gruel.
Lute with two strings and
boat-shaped body played by
hunters
Hilt of a knife or sword.
To break up grass fields into
tillage; to clear the land;
Large edible brown field rat
Stupid;
Heavily;
Stem on which the palm tree
bears fruit;
Long;
Deep channel in the river;
Bran.
Very (hairy);
Rainbow.
Charmed snake; a mascot; a
charm (kept to bring luck);
Rank given to the chief
leather worker and mantle
maker,
Cryptic word for mad
hunger;
Singer; a soloist;
dwtsu
n.
ti
dw n
v.
dy
n.
dwmny
dwswy
dwy
dw gw gi
dydy
dydyy dyndyny
adv.
adv.
adv.
a.
n.
adv.
dydygn
n.
dyry
adv.
m
fo
mi
tp
w
wt
ti
bd
a
fr

Skiwa.
To consider; to calculate; to
think;
Fancy bead; the two hard
bones taken from the head of
an ed fish
Very (large);
Very (much, plentiful);
Entirely; completely;
Soft; tender; plump;
Veranda.
Very (low); pressed down;
overloaded;
Pineapple.
Low-hanging; drooping;
31
karandafi.
<Hausa
cf. bmbny.
cf. ddy.
cf. d nf.
cf. nnu.
cf. ets.
cf. dundunyi.
cf. dndny.
cf. dku.

Gad.
cf. egi gts .
the salutation for which office
is Emi .
cf. kpay, dk.
cf. dkn.
cf. bw dw .
Also bdibo, pacigb, tro

nukp.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
dyrygi
dz
dz
dzabadzabayi
dzadg
dzfr
dzaga
dzgdzg
PoS
adv.
v.
v.
adv.
a.
a.
n.
dzgadzgay
dzgadzgay
adv.
adv.
dzgala
dzagbayi
dzgbn
dzk
dzka
dzka
n.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
v
f
da
mi
dzka
n.
dzk
n.
sa
dzkogi
n.
dzko
dzkodzkg
dzakgi
n.
a.
a.
Dzm gi
p.n.
dzm ta
n.
la
dzmi
dzndzny
n.
adv.
hg
dznglg
dzangbodo
a.
n.
dznktgi
dzankpg
dzntky
dzra
n.
a.
adv.
v.
dzr
dzrmi
dzwky
dz
dz
dz gdz gy
n.
n.
adv.
v.
v.
adv.
dc
am
la
i
English
Short time ago;
To sever; to break; to expose;
To gin (as cotton);
Very (high);
Small; tiny; minute;
See jamfr.
Poor; scamped; imperfect;
Tune played at a boxing
match.
Very (long);
Very (poorly, imperfectly,
unsightly);
Green water frog;
Very (long);
Vine species.
Fish species.
Mule.
Rattle tied on the legs when
dancing.
Cleat tied on a grass roof to
rest the foot against to bind
the top.
Tsoyida, Dzk mwre.
Design embroidered on a
garment;
Very dangerous snake.
Short (hair); bare (scalp);
Small; tiny; minute; cf.
kikgi.
Name given to the child of a
man who goes to the
dzm ta altar.
Bare spot (in the fields);
Bridle; bit.
Quickly; readily; carefully;
tightly;
Long;
Mountain or hill crevasse; a
chasm;
Flea.
Short;
Very (large, wide, broad);
To be austere; severe; harsh;
hard; merciless; violent;
Chain; cable.
Brave person;
Very (large);
To rinse.
To be impolite;
In confusion; in a tangle; in a
32
cf. kikgi.
cf. swkw.
cf. dzagbayi.
cf. dzaga.
cf. dzngala.
cf. dzgadzgay
the collarette put in the neck of

a gown for strength.
used as a place of traditional

worship.
cf. ed .
cf. gbkr.
cf. nygb ntci.

cf. bg.
cf. g p .
cf. dzgudzguy, ckickiy,
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
dz g y
dz kn
dz k ngi
dz n
dz n gi
dz wndz wny
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
dz ydz y
dz yny
adv.
dzi
aff.
dzndzara
dz
dz
v.
v.
dz
dzdz
dzdz
dzdz
dzodzndz
v.
v.
n.
a.
a.
dzdzy
dzogogi
dzogoy
dzogn
dzogn wn 'ny
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
sa
dzlw
n.
sa
dzm ci
dzndzny
dzny
dzr
dzrndzrgi
dzrodzroy
dzci
dz 'w dz
n.
adv.
p
p
p
d
vc
n.
n.
n.
n.
sa
dzu
dz
dz
dz
v.
v.
v.
dz
v.
co
English
muddle;
Very (many);
Child; childishness;
Child.
Parting gift.
Posthumous child.
Describes the sound made by
a rattle;
See dz yny.
Tinglingly; the tingling
sensation felt after prolonged
sitting in one position; pins
and needles
verbs with initial, dza, dz,
dzo, dzwa, dzw;
See jndzara.
To play.
To wade through long
stretches of water on the
road.
To plant; to sow.
To play;
Chill; shivering; ague;
First;
Hawkers' cry for kr bean
cakes; sweet;
Lightly; mincingly;
See dogogi.
Very (thin, lean, gaunt);
Chief; headman;
Tsdz.
Dm.
Cousin.
Very (sweet, tasty);
See dzndzny.
Mutual work; co-operation;
Deception; imposition;
See dzrndzrgi.
Leader; forefather;
Salutation for the rank Gb
S ydi.
verbs with initial dzo, dzu,
dzn, dzwa, dzw.
To be red;
To lift;
To wear (as women do a
cloth);
To dig up; to break up (the
33
flaflay, dzladzlay.
cf. dkn.
cf. dz k ngi.
cf. cakiacakiay.
cf. gb n y.
cf. ji.
Used with its cognate noun.
cf. dz.
cf. mfari.
cf. dzndzny.
cf. ddy, dzwndzwny.
cf. nusa, t.
cf. lndzgi.
cf. dzci.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
dzu
v.
dzu
dzu
dzudzudzudzuyi
dzudzugbuy
v.
v.
adv.
adv.
dzdzny
dzuf
dzuft
adv.
n.
n.
dzgby
dzgbky
dzgudzguy
dzugw
dzk
dzuk
dzuk
dzukd
dzuklci
dzladzlay
dzldzul
dzm
dz n
dz n
dz nby
adv.
adv.
v.
a.
n.
n.
n.
n.
co
dr
co
bp
p
n.
n.
v.
v.
v.
tx
dzundzw n gi
n.
tp
dzngi
dznk
dzm
dzny
dzr
dzwnyi
dz ykgi
n.
n.
n.
adv.
a.
adv.
n.
a
a
vc
co
co
dz 'y
v.
dzuyl
dzwa
v.
v.
dzwa
v.
dzw
n.
dzwagw
dzwk nky
dzwndzwny
dzw
dzw dz y
v.
adv.
adv.
v.
adv.
sa
English
ground);
To perforate; to bore; to
pierce;
To bury; to inter.
To be watery (as porridge);
Angrily;
Very (thick, dense, as a
forest);
Very (red);
Pocket.
Design embroidered on a
garment above the pocket.
Very (matted, untidy);
Very (large);
See dz gdz gy.
To be sodden;
Dirty (yellow);
Vagina.
Market;
Market place.
Merchant; dealer;
See dz gdz gy.
Flanelette.
Friday;
To appear; to come out.
To put in a patch;
To bully; scare; frighten;
browbeat;
(Tender) leaves of the oil
palm.
Small gate in a wall;
Large gate in a wall;
Hawkers' cry for honey.
Very (red);
Red.
Very (large);
Jet black bird much like a
jay.
To weary; to tire his patience
out; to punish;
To be mad; crazy; insane.
To mince; to cut into small
pieces;
To sprout; to bud; to break
out;
Salutation connected with
certain names (female only);
To be sodden;
Very (large, baggy, stout);
Lightly; mincingly;
To flash; to lighten;
Quickly (as to eat);
34
cf. dz.
cf. dzudzugbuy.
cf. dzwagw.
cf. doy.
cf. dll.
cf. jm.
cf. lid , snd .
cf. edzngi.
cf. edznk.
cf. dz.
cf. gby ngby ny.
dzw ksw.
cf. dzdzy.
cf. vny.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
dzw dzw y
dzw gw dzw gw y
dzw dzw y
dzw m
dzw nt
PoS
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
English
Well cooked; well sauced;
Sticky; mushy; muddy;
Very (warm, hot);
Very (hot);
Very (large);
E
e
e
'e
'
excl.
v.
pron.
aux.
v.
Eh!
It is; it was
You; contracted form of ye.
Continuous Tense marker;
Come;
eb
eb
eba
eba
ba
ba
eb
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
eb
b
adv.
n.
n.
b
b
b
b
ebggi
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
bktsu
n.
sa
bal
n.
tr
ebl
eb nn
n.
n.
eb 'o r b
ebt
ebw
n.
n.
excl.
eb
n.
eb
eb
n.
n.
k
bp
t
d
p
pl
bp
f
Husband; male;
Tattle;
Penis.
Charm used to divine;
Bamboo palm
Petition; prayer;
Place; ground; floor; way;
atmosphere; sweepings;
Certainly; yes;
Twins;
Stocks; a large staple used to

fasten the feet to a post;
Visit;
Disease of the spleen;
Place; room (to pass);
Scale (off a pot);
Prostitute
Sondzmitsu.
Petitioning; the praying; a
libation;
Tattling;
Trouble;
Sensitive plant;
Betrothing;
Hunter's shout when driving
into the nets;
Boasting; a bragging; a
swearing;
Shoulder.
Fish species.
35
contracted form of b, but

never used alone;
cf. lb.
cf. s, sba.
cf. bal, lba.
cf. 'b.
cf. m n .
saluted as, Abg, b to
igg, Alesmgboko,
Alesmkokpati; cf.
bkmbgi.
cf. bd, db.
cf. yb.
lit. one who takes another
woman's husband; cf.
ny cidci.
generally refers only to
traditional ceremonies;
cf. eb, lb.
such as one may get into at
night for being where they
ought not to;
lit. your husband is coming.
cf. tb.
cf. b, lwai.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
eb
PoS
n.
C
a
b
b
b
n.
n.
n.
Eb gi
eb
p.n.
n.
et
eb
n.
ebe
b
Eb
ebi
n.
n.
p.n.
n.
eb
eb
n.
n.
bi
eb
eb
eb
eb
eb
eb
eb
n.
conj.
a.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
eb
eb sly
eb tsgb
eb z nm gi
ebo
bo
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
g
g
g
pl
r
bo
n.
ch
eb
eb
b
b
n.
a.
n.
n.
b
b
n.
n.
eb...bo
conj.
ebgbo
adv.
m
c
et
fr
hi
fr
a
English
Fortifications; the wall
around a town;
Fish species;
Filth; dirt;
Wood box; elevated place in
a house on which they stack
wood;
Nupe sub-tribe.
Changing; altering;
repenting;
Pap
breast
udder
patas monkey
Pumpkin;
Asu people near Kontagora
Manure; dung; spoor;
excrement; faeces; shit.
Matter; pus; pollen;
Cola nut
Knife.
That; because;
Right; innocent;
Sin; fault; offence;
Love;
Gossip;
Action; imitation;
Respect; esteem; refers to
one who is free;
Field grass.
Grass used for medicine.
Grass used for medicine.
Weed species;
Monitor lizard.
Weariness; tiredness;
exhaustion; fatigue;
Medicine or charm
cf. gb .
cf. k .
cf. kto.
cf. b .
ft, tr, labo, are

species of the kola nut.
cf. lefi, leki.

cf. by, cncn.
cf. bko.
cf. jn 'b.
lit. eb of the bushpig

lit. eb of the testicle
cf. ebgi.
which when put in the foot

prints of men or animals is
said to hinder their progress;
Oil cruet.
Kernelless;
Fruit of the bn vine.
Grass binding tied over the
corners and edges of a roof
before the thatching is put on;
Hunter's shout;
cf. ebw.
Shovel full of earth turned off
the shovel intact.
Because; on account of; for;
for the sake of;
Therefore;
36
R.M. Blench
Nupe
ebgci
ebgi
PoS
n.
n.
C
pl
ebgi
n.
hg
ebgi
n.
fa
ebkinybo
ebko
eb...m
adv.
n.
v.
eb 't 'o bo.
n.p.
eb
eb
n.
n.
ebu
n.
eb
b
b
n.
n.
n.
b
cb
cami
cw
c
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
sa
ece
c y 'l
n.
n.
to
sa
eci
eci
ecibi
ecn
ec n
ecn
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
cn
cn
ec nwn
eda
d
d
d
d
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
edba
eda g o
n.
adv.
la
vc
y
bf
dc
pl
dr
c
English
Judge; lawyer;
Weed whose seeds are
formed on the back of the
leaves;
Discs on the sides of a horse's
bit;
System of fertilisation (the
weeds are turned under);
Why; wherefore;
Gossiping;
Will not; must not; might not;
cf. ga...m.
Phrase implying It rests with
you;
Gusset; very large trousers;
Pool; stagnant water; deep
holes in a lake;
Ashes from a blacksmith's
fire;
Width; breadth;
Cross;
Vendors' call for lg m,
native salt.
Seed yams; suckers.
Beginning;
Blessing;
Hardship; privation;
Extra; what is given as extra
in trade;
Salutation common to all
hunters.
Chisel;
hunters.
Run;
Yam (general term)
Running;
Sneeze;
Mucus;
Dance performed by young
men;
Riddle; folktale, story
Indigo plant and dye;
Greatness;
Heap; pile;
Shelter; shed; ceiling;
Sandal; shoe; boot;
Sorrel (mgi) seeds.
Drought (during the rainy
season);
Stalking; the walking slowly;
Immediately; at once;
37
cf. lkali.
cf. eb z nm gi.
cf. dzmi.
cf. kob.
cf. tutumpr.
cf. ep, lwsa.
cf. b.
cf. mfari.
cf. lbrka, cami.
cf. kwm, tk
cf. ecibi, bici.
cf. w.
cf. c nc n.
cf. cncn.
cf. cancri, t lki.
cf. c nwn.
cf. tk l mi.
cf. bad.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
edagi
edgi
dgi
ed
ed
d
d
d gi
PoS
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
C
p
to
ed sn
ed t
d
dgi
dgi
n.
n.
n.
n.
p.n.
d
edi edigi
edn
edn
n.
n.
n.
n.
tx
p
w
bp
edn
n.
fr
edn
n.
dn
n.
fo
ed
n.
edo
n.
do
do
wdo
ed
ed
d
ed
du
d
d
d
dgi
ds dks
d wo 'b
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
p.n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
d k
p.n.
edn
ed n
n.
n.
bp
la
m
f
p
f
y
w
f
w
sa
English
Fool;
Post-hole digger; a crowbar.
Barber shop in the market.
Spying;
Ravine;
Fruit-bat;
Fish species.
Person with six fingers on
one hand or six toes on one
foot;
Fear; fearfulness; timidity;
Spying;
Argot spoken by horse boys;
Person with a hare lip.
Name for Tsoede, the
founder of the Nupe ruling
dynasties
Cloth;
Mute; a dumb person;
Deep channel in a river;
Vein; artery; cord in the
body;
Fruit of the black plum tree
(dnci).
Stone, nut or button used to
play a game.
Palm-kernel oil
Lower socket on which a
door swings, usually sunk in
the ground;
Branch or tributary of a river;
a creek.
Mud granary; a barn;
Corn cockle;
Fear; startle;
Mud.
Weight;
Camp; heap; pile;
Sea catfish. Fish species
Wild yam.
Smelting furnace;
Niger river;
Taxes;
Fish species.
Ocean;
Ndej;
Benue river; lit. the black
Niger.
thigh; lap; leg above the knee
Grunt; a groan;
38
cf. dagi, wawa.
cf. ed t, td .
cf. dzangbodo, kpnkoro.
cf. d sn.
cf. td .
the vendors' call is lgba.

cf. drku.
the vendors' call is, dn

lbw , dn kw bw.
cf. kere.
cf. ys , g m, kpiakpia.
cf. d sn; dofi.
cf. edlu.
cf. dta, gd.
Arius spp. cf. dy.
lit. the salt Niger.

lit. the Niger smells no filth.
cf. gb
cf. ed ngbn.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
ed n (gi)
d nbpaci
PoS
n.
n.
d nf
ed ngbn
dn
dw
n.
n.
n.
n.
dz
dz
n.
n.
pd
dc
dz dzkukum ku
n.
sa
dz
dz
dzn
n.
n.
n.
la
dc
edz
edzgi
edzgi
edzk
dzci
edz
edzu
edzu
edzu
dz
dzbpaci
edzgi
dz n
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
bp
fo
dzw
ef
efa
n.
n.
n.
cc
c
f
ef
f
f
ef fini
efgi ken
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
f
g
Sash worn by women.

Traditional dance where both
men and women dance
together;
Tsyida.
Flooded grass fields;
Drummer.
Play; fun; amusement; jest;
hilarity;
Seed.
Morning glory plant.
Rice cultivar.
Rice cultivar.
Leader; first.
Slap (in the face);
Ground bean;
Dice;
Spider.
Gate in a mud wall;
See d nbpaci.
Bowels;
Body or foundation of ej
porridge;
Red, black and white fowl;
Tiger-nut.
Sheath; sack; skin shed by a
reptile;
Rest;
Food made from guinea-corn;
Surprise;
Tobacco pipe;
Fish species;
Nut used for perfume;
efk
n.
Sedge
ef munugi
n.
fo
efngi (t bkn)
n.
Food prepared from guineacorn;

Grass species;
ef tskgi
f
n.
n.
fo
c
Food prepared from millet;

Vegetable which very much
C
m
p
pl
c
c
c
i
a
fo
English
Harnessed antelope.
Store keeper; steward;
watchman.
Sitting; abiding; staying;
Grunting; groaning;
Tumult; excitement;
Skin of the knny leaf,
39
cf. d nf, fd n.
cf. gbnd n, d n.
cf. nd.
used in making sackcloth and
my my mats.
cf. rh.
cf. gbdz.
cf. kpruru.
cf. dzngi.
cf. bie.
Cyperus esculentus.
cf. f.
cf. eb.
imported from Hausaland. lit.
small Hausa tiger-nut.
the roots of which when
roasted emit a strong perfume.
Cyperus articulatus.
cf. midi.
cf. fngi 't bk n. Cyperus
dilatatus
cf. tskogi.
used to make bmbar.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
f gi
n.
ef
efgi
n.
n.
wt
d
efgyagi
n.
ef u d gwa
ef efmi
n.
fi
figi
fi
adv.
n.
n.
fi
efn
ef n
n.
n.
n.
ef n
n.
efn
efn
n.
n.
fn
fn
n.
n.
tx
fngi
efn 't wn
efo
fo
ef
ef
f
ef
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
f
efugi
n.
a.
yc
hu
m
English
resembles a potato in
appearance;
Tough grass used for arrowshafts.
Wind; air; breeze; cold;
Small-pox;
Small window or opening in
a wall for ventilation;
Said of one who is somewhat
simple;
Lonesomeness;
homesickness;
Gratis;
Yam cultivar;
Two-pronged spear without
barbs,
Rat species.
Brass;
Watch; clock, timepiece;
time; o'clock;
Law; commandment;
proclamation;
i
i
t
tr
Razor.
Empty head or stalk of the
guinea-corn after the kernel
has been removed.
Firmament; the sky;
Measure of cloth roughly
about 16 yards;
Whisk; brush; small broom.
Razor.
Day;
Hole; space; opening;
Wood louse; weevil;
Handle for any instrument;
Honey bees; honey;
Wild date-palm
Section; district; division of a
town.
Traditional offering to the
spirits to keep away evil and
sickness;
Chance;
Young;
40
cf. ndk, bngn,

tskp n gi.
cf. zufa.
cf. eci.
used for spearing fish.
lit. brass, because so many

trade clocks were formerly
made of brass;
lit. bell, which was formerly
struck when a law is being
given out. This practice has
since ceased in the larger
towns; the drum having taken
its place. cf. emiy.
cf. s m .
contains anywhere from 5 to
10 kpere.
cf. wlm.
cf. gue.
the leaves of which are used in

making fancy mats and hats.
Phoenix reclinata
cf. fugi.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
efugi
efugi
fk
PoS
n.
n.
n.
C
w
English
First rise of the river;
Indisposition;
d
Mouth disease among
children;
mn Chalk made from burnt
bones; starch in trade cloth.
Stranger;
pl Poisonous plant, is also used
to kill lice on animals;
efn
n.
ega
ega
n.
n.
ga
n.
ga
n.
eg
eg
g
n.
n.
n.
ggi
egai
n.
n.
egay
eg
n.
n.
eggi
g k
egb
egb
gba
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
gba
gba
n.
n.
gba
n.
egb
egb
gb
gb
n.
n.
n.
n.
gb
gb
n.
n.
ti
gb
gb
n.
n.
fr
fg
b
fg
i
fr
fa
Stockade; palisade;
barricade; rampart;
fortification;
Pen; coop; a house for
domestic animals;
Gall and gall-bag.
Familiar spirit; a witch spirit;
Dam, built to prevent the
escape of fish;
Bird about the size of a dove.
Present (especially of food)
given to a stranger on arrival;
See gay.
Word; talk; message;
announcement;
Plunge-basket used for
trapping fish
Barb; spur;
Large species of white ant;
Woodcarver; artisan; expert;
Retaliation;
Ambassador; governor
resident.
Fruit of the wild fig tree;
Corner or guiding furrows or
hills thrown up in a farm
before the remaining land is
cultivated;
Game played by children;
Axe; lightning bolt;
Loose grass or mat fence;
Border on a garment.
Dried up leaves on corn
stalks.
Smallness; littleness;
Rank among the river tribe
(Kyadya) next in order to the
king.
Leg; prong;
Fruit of the gbc fig tree.
41
cf. fugi.
the leaves of which when

beaten in a mortar and spread
on the surface of a pond, kill
the fish in it; it
cf. gci.
cf. ek.
cf. egbg.
cf. gbanci.
the name is derived from the

wild figs which they roll;
cf. rdi.
cf. gbgb.
Salutation for this rank is
Lram.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
gbdo
egbg
egbgi
egbagi
gbagi
egbgi
PoS
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
egbgi g ng
egbki
n.
n.
wp
egblgi
egbmg
egbngi
egbzaga
egb n
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
b
d
f
f
egb n
gb n
n.
n.
gb n
egb n
gb n
egb ndn
gb ngi
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
gb nlegb n
gb n
egb
egb
gb
egbgi
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
gbia
egbn
gbn
egbi n
egbi nk
a.
n.
n.
n.
n.
gbo
gbo
egb
gb
gb
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
gb
egbgi
n.
n.
ege
n.
ge
g
n.
excl.
f
po
wp
English
Exalting.
Retaliating;
Silversides, fish species.
Pot with a large mouth;
Pimple; wart;
Necklace composed of red
and white beads.
Battle axe; war hatchet.
Deceiving;
Woodpecker.
Form of cholera morbus.
Fish species;
Fish species.
Wisdom; sense; knowledge;
prudence;
Striving;
Entrance; approach; open
space;
Pruning stick.
bf Blood; substance; honey;
String; twine; cord; rope.
Striving;
Leather cord worn around the
neck.
Snore;
wp Sword belt;
dc Dance of the Kyadya
Hunt; chase;
Collective work; work-bee;
an Small red ant, usually found
about oil.
Old;
Poison ordeal
Destruction;
hu Bow string;
v
Vine used for medicinal
purposes.
Medicine.
Lie; falsehood;
bm Ulcer; sore;
p
Prostitute;
Shooter used in playing the
game gba.
bp Forehead;
bd Valuable stones worn about
the waist by women.
dk Local beer made from
guinea-corn;
Goodness;
sa Salutation for the rank
Tsdz.
42
cf. ggb.
Alestes spp.
cf. kigb, zwlnci,

lzwlmi.
cf. kpikpe.
cf. egb ndn.
cf. dngb n.
cf. gb nlegb n.
cf. mla.
cf. gbak.
now long-since discontinued
cf. gb n.
cf. gm n .
cf. etn.
cf. ny cidci.
cf. ge.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
eg
egi
PoS
n.
n.
C
bf
English
Tear;
Child; the young of any
animal; a doll; an assistant;
the clapper on a bell; a period
in writing; a free born child
(as compared with a slave);
Kola nut weevil
Eating.
Blood;
Moss; slime; algae
Ltsw.
Crying; weeping; howling;
Fish species.
Fish species.
Fish species.
Worm;
Grass (general term)
g
g
egi
gn
giri
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
i
bf
pl
sa
egt
eg
eggi
egk
go
eg
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
f
f
f
i
g
eg bt
eg dk
eg gingn
egs
g
g
eg
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
egn
egn
eg
eg
g n
g n
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
gngi
egnkp
n.
n.
g nleci
n.
gwa
n.
Swamp grass (general term)

Horse grass.
Toothpick.
Fastidiousness;
Blacksmith's shrine
f
Catfish. Fish sp.
Inheritance; possession to be
inherited;
Yell; screech;
mn Red clay.
Evil; ill;
Sickness; illness; disease;
bp Buttocks;
wf Soldier who extorted money
from the people.
f
Fish species.
Screeching; yelling;
bellowing;
p
Guard; picket; night
watchman.
t
Tree species,
gwa
egwa
n.
n.
b
bp
egwgi
egwagtgi
n.
n.
f
sh
ej
n.
fo
n.
cf. tg, egnkp.
also applies to a number of

small plants such as quillworts
g
g
African weaver bird;

Hand; arm; fin; front leg of
an animal; edge of cloth;
fringe; a charm said to enable
one to shoot accurately.
Fish species.
Small bush, the leaves grow
in threes.
Guinea-corn porridge;
porridge;
Current, tide, flow, or ebb of
43
cf. sng.
Auchenoglanis spp. cf. ggi.
cf. kpgn.
cf. bt .
cf. biy.
the fruit of which is used to

make poison for arrows.
cf. gwangi.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
ejgi
j
n.
n.
jk
n.
ti
ejnd
n.
k
k
k
k
ek
eka
ka
ka
k
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
k
k
kc
ekgi
ekagi
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
i
pd
ekagi
n.
kagi
ekgi
kny
k
n.
n.
n.
n.
tp
n.
fo
k
ek
ek
k
ekci bk n
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
k gi
ke(gi)
ek
n.
n.
n.
kn
ekn
knn
k
k
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
k
ko
n.
n.
d
fa
i
an
tp
t
m
ch
fr
p
English
water;
Maize cultivar
Wretch; a contemptible
person;
Rank among native princes.
The salutation is Lkw.
Thanking; the prostrating;
thanks;
Ringworm.
Time; period;
Chores; task; share of work;
Long row or hills in the farm.
White ant; termite.
Charcoal.
Head-pad
Splinter.
Extra kola nut set out with
each hundred nuts.
Pretence; slyness;
Information;
Pretending;
Anthill built by black ants.
Camel hair necklace; the
black ring around a dove's
neck.
Battens of a roof, usually oil
palm branches;
Waiting place.
Small white ant;
Informing;
Palm-nut fibre after the oil
has been extracted.
Scrapings of food from
cooking pots;
Perfume; aroma; scent;
Thorn; sliver;
Head; a cluster;
Hindrance;
White thorn bush.
Butteris, or hoof paring knife.
Antelope species.
Charm or medicine said to
prevent a knife from cutting;
Needle;
Rising;
Rising; resurrection;
Rot; woodworm
Shea-butter nut (the flesh, not
the kernel);
Oldness; ripeness;
Tramp; a pauper;
44
cf. ezts nci.
cf. kmi.
cf. kc.
cf. kny .
cf. ck.
cf. el.
cf. ek.
cf. ny k.
Acacia albida. ? calque from

Hausa
cf. k, t ri.
cf. knn, nkn.
cf. knn.
cf. ek.
cf. k.
cf. tsa.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
ko
ko
PoS
n.
n.
C
m
ca
ek
ek
n.
n.
fr
k
k
k(gi)
k b 'k nyi
n.
n.
n.
excl.
hu
bp
bp
sa
ekg
ekgi
ekgi tukpa
ekp
kp
ekpa
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
d
m
sh
bp
ekpa
ekpa
ekpa
ekpa ekpagi
kpa
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
hi
kpa
ekp
ekpabitagi
a.
n.
n.
kpdn
ekpgi
kpgi
ekpagi
ekpgi ny 'g
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
ekpk
ekpakotagi
n.
kp kporo
n.
vc
kpt
n.
ekpt ny bindiga
ekpat
ekp n
n.
n.
n.
wp
kp n
n.
ti
English
Antelope species.
Seat or plank placed across a
canoe;
Soap.
Shea-butter nut (the kernel
only);
Horse-hair snare;
Fist.
gizzard; the heart organ.
Ndktsu.
Skin disease; the itch.
Antelope species.
Shrub.
Shoulder.
Height; length
Frame of an upright weaving
loom.
Ladder; a pair of steps; stairs;
Path;
Cough;
Ribbon;
Snail, the shell is used by
boys as a top to spin;
Poor, scamped;
Arrow.
Grass that breaks leaving a
V-shaped notch like the nock
of an arrow
Reaching on tiptoes;
Fish species.
Small perfume case;
Cane.
Prickly seeds of certain
grasses.
See wr.
of an arrow
Vendors' call for kpruru,
fresh groundnuts.
Custom of giving a present
and expecting a better one in
return;
Hammer of a firearm.
Wooden bucket; pail; box;
trough;
Rank among the river men,
kp n
n.
Widower; a young man
wv
hu
g
f
g
hi
45
cf. k.
cf. dgn.
also ekpakotagi and sbanigi

cf. dn.
cf. bta.
also ekpabitagi and sbanigi
cf. tskp.
cf. dlli.
cf. kpt.
Tsk n l n gbk, Kmu
wuru.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
kp
kp n
kp
kpe
kp
kpid
ekpn
ekp
kp
ekp
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
ekp
kpo
kpo
kpogi
ekpot
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
k
k
ek
n.
n.
n.
ku
ek
k
n.
n.
n.
ekn
ekn
ekngi
ekng n
ekw
kwa
kw
kwgi
kwm
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
kw
kw
el
n.
n.
n.
el
l
l
l(gi)
n.
n.
n.
n.
l
lgi lngi
lt
ele
ele
el
el
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
w
p
a
c
da
a
ap
mi
tr
ch
fg
fo
wp
to
b
i
ap
w
b
fa
f
wt
English
without a wife.
Guinea-corn.
Opposite bank.
Key for a lock;
Grass used to cover a load.
Deep channel;
Meekness;
Heaviness;
Widow;
Post; pillar; column; buttress;
Abode; abiding place; sitting
place;
Row; line;
Load; burden;
Maize cultivar;
Pony;
Raised place in the floor
where people sit.
Hoof; the hock;
Nudge;
Struck tortoise shell;
Hell
Oldness; fadedness;
Medicine or charm said to
Corpse; carcass.
War; battle; fray; combat;
Orphan.
Warring; the fighting;
Scoop net.
Food made from guinea-corn.
Flat bladed spear.
Skein of thread.
Chisel like end of a spear,
opposite the piercing end.
Bird species,
Millipede.
Frond, used as battens in
making a roof;
Splint.
Comb and gills of birds.
Flood land.
Small bird,
Division in a farm;
Fish species.
Revelation;
Rain
Sleep;
Pruning stick;
Fibre, rope, or wire strung for
46
cf. egiyk.
cf. drku, edn.
cf. ejnd, dkpi.
cf. ekpnlu, kpnlu, lukpn.
cf. d nf.
cf. es n.
cf. kr.
cf. kaba.
cf. kr.
cf. k k.
used for the enya dukun
ensemble
cf. kuk.
cf. ek.
cf. g nkn.
cf. ece, tk,
cf. ekagi.
which is very destructive to

the standing corn.
cf. tl.
cf. gbn.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
el
l
l
lb
ele b 'f nyi
lgi
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
elej
elekpngi
eles
let
eli
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
l
el
el
elo
elo
lo
el
el
l
l
l
l
elogi
elpa
elo tukpa
elu
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
el
el b nyk nyi
n.
n.
b
sa
el dzr
n.
sa
elgi ny w
elk l 'gba elgi bici
n.
n.
em
sa
El kpd
p.n.
ti
eluwu
lwa
lwgi
m
m
m
m
m
m
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
b
a
m
fr
ap
dr
sh
wp
bp
English
a purpose;
Pliability; flexibility;
Past;
Gain; profit;
Reproaching; taunting;
Pelting rain;
Parrot
Rain ditch or gutter.
Drizzling rain.
Waking;
Spying;
Character; manner;
disposition; way; behaviour;
conduct;
See r.
After-birth.
Kind; equivalent;
Kob (antelope).
Locust fruit
Elephant's trunk.
Traditional festival;
Row; line;
Slate for writing on.
Gore or gusset in a garment;
Water game.
Debt; credit; c
See elo.
Revenging;
Shrub.
Thrashing; beating;
whipping;
Bird.
Sokira;
Kptn.
Design worked on a garment.
Salutation for the rank Nd
Kpw tw, the chief of
Tsrgi;
Chief of Kpd, saluted
Agb.
Thrashing;
Funnel;
Marl.
Two pronged spear.
Cheek;
Sweetness; happiness.
Association; communion;
Rule; measure.
Large grass sack used to hold
47
cf. bl.
cf. bl.
lit. rain and wind.
very destructive to standing
maize.
cf. sle.
cf. ali.
cf. dl.
Kobus kob.
cf. lonci.
cf. es n.
f. dl, gbt.
cf. pal, egbg.
kobs ear
lit. a bird with teeth.
lit; when a big bird lights in a

tree the little ones leave.
cf. wulu.
cf. rwa, lwa.
cf. mp, gbakn.
cf. m p.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
emgi
mgi
m gi
m gi gbkn
m p
m kd yky
m tsud i lz n
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
i
c
m
ap
m wawa
em
emi
n.
n.
n.
vc
em
m
emy
mb
emifi
emigb
emigi
emig
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
emig
emign
em gwa d n
emik
emk
emila
mlegnci, mletsognci
mn
emisa
emi
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
emita
emiy
n.
n.
emiye
n.
emu
n.
mu
mu
mgi
n.
n.
n.
fr
mgi
mugi ysa
emny
en
en
n
n
n
a.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
vc
pl
vc
fo
is
sa
to
z
i
English
corn.
Mosquito.
Sorrel; roselle
Serval
Tusks of a wild boar;
Communing; associating;
Vendors' call for kd.
Grass resembling millet
Vendors' call for mg.
Oil; fat; grease.
Mouth; opening; brink; edge;
point; voice; speech.
Dew;
Compound; enclosure.
Dew;
Deposing;
Despising;
Argument;
Narrow margin.
Answer; reply;
acknowledgement;
Word of mouth;
Conspiracy;
Vendors' call for shea-butter.
Wide margin.
Shea-butter;
Ridicule; jest; sarcasm;
Neighbour.
Hell.
Salutation; greeting;
Duwal.
Noise; clatter; clamour.
Law; command;
proclamation;
Twisting or twitching of the
mouth.
Dermestid beetle; the leather
bug;
Fruit of the muci tree.
Tastiness;
Blacksmith's tongs; forceps;
pinchers; tweezers.
Boneless (fish).
Vendors' call for ysa.
Coaxing; enticing;
Fire; flame; blaze.
Mammals (general term)
Dream.
Leaves or sprouts of grass.
Louse.
48
Hibiscus sabdariffa.
also called gr.
cf. pm .
lit. the happiness of rival wives
never lasts until the evening.
cf. emy .
cf. em.
cf. bm.
cf. fim.
cf. gbmi.
cf. gmi.
cf. g mi.
cf. mkte.
cf. tsm.
cf. misa.
cf. g mi.
cf. mu.
cf. ny m.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
en
PoS
n.
n.
en bbr
n.
en cikr
endn
en ts
eng engci
engbn
engbakn
n.
n.
excl.
n.
n.
n.
vc
d
sa
m
English
Fancy work; embroidery;
engraving; design.
Company; class; band;
clique; caste.
Burnt grass carried by the
wind.
Embers; hot coals.
Burning; the scorching;
Vendors' call for kuru.
Shingles;
Salutation for the rank Bk.
Manatee; river cow.
engntsu
n.
pl
Very poisonous plant;
enmikpe
n.
ch
enngi
ennk
en nuwn
entsr
n.
n.
n.
n.
da
da
m
sa
ena ye en yets
ni gi
en
en
eni
n
engb
enk
enkci
enigi kcita
n.
n.
num.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
d
b
enmig
en
n.
n.
enu
n
en
n
enkpa
enun
enya
eny
eny ny
eny
eny
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.

keep the mouth of wild
animals closed.
Domesticated animals;
Cattle;
Manatee; river cow;
Salutation for the rank Gb
s yd.
Shingles;
Night-jar.
One.
Song.
Sauce; gravy.
Loin cloth;
Singer;
Singing;
Singer;
Small herb used in making a
certain sauce.
Accompaniment.
Euphorbia used for fencing.
cactus
Hoeing; farming;
Wake; track.
Perspiration; sweat.
Vine.
Perspiring;
Hoeing;
Thing; an article.
Dance;
Dancing; swaying; swinging;
File; rasp.
Drum (general term)
fo
dr
pl
fa
v
fc
mi
49
cf. dn 'n.
cf. en ye.
Trichechus senegalensis. cf.
en nuwn
lit. animal eat me and die; cf.
saci.
cf. en, nngi.

cf. nnk.
cf. engbakn.
cf. eng.
cf. bnte.
cf. duwal.
cf. kn.
cf. duwal.
cf. nnu.
cf. kpan.
cf. nnu.
cf. nyny , bany .
cf. nyny .
usually refers to a large twoheaded barrel-drum played
with a hooked stick.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
English
ny
n.
cf. ny w, wny .
n.
a.
n.
n.
n.
Result; outcome; affair;

proceedings;
Result; outcome.
Vulgar; bad; rude; filthy.
Relative;
Hair; fur; down; fibre.
Large flying termite
ny w
ny
eny
eny
ny
ny
n.
nyig
ny kuci
epa
ep
n.
n.
n.
n.
i
b
pa
pa
epk
pe
ep
epg
pigi
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
pn
pn
ep n
p
p(k)
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
c
da
g
pgi
pgi
pk
n.
n.
pn
n.
mi
r
er
rkp
eriatwa
r
rw
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
fo
me
rwa
erwagi
n.
n.
m
f
Rash, usually found among

children.
Reproach; insult;
Small insect.
Crane;
Leather; hide; skin;
sometimes applied to paper.
Floor-pounder
Bundle (of corn).
Grass
Spoiling;
Width; breadth; broadness.
Width.
Tree-squirrel;
Fish species.
Slap.
Seeds of the prgi melon.
Castrated animal.
Coarse grass like guineacorn.
See p.
Rupture;
Coarse grass like guineacorn.
Upturned calabash used to
drum on.
Witness; seal; sign; mark.
Runners.
Difference; sign;
Gift; present; donation.
Cooked yam;
Medicine made from all
kinds of roots.
Funnel;
Dwarf; a deformed person
50
cf. nyci, d ngi.

which come out after a rain
and gathers around a fire; they
are roasted and eaten.
cf. g`nyi.
cf. nyiwanyiwa.
used for binding.

cf. pe.
See ep.
idiomatic; a shrewd, sharp
eyed person.
See pk.
cf. kwnw gi.
See pk.
cf. kpr.
cf. ecik n.
cf. lwa.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
n.
esa
esa
n.
n.
esa
sa
s
s
sgi
sgi lk
sgi
esat
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
es
s
s
es
s
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
es
s
esgi lkuk
esgi tnkpl
esvogi
es s
es
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
mn Salt.
mi Bell;
Birds nest.
News; tidings;
mi Jingles or rattles tied about
the ankles while dancing.
Shaking; moving;
Tiredness; feverishness.
pl Water weed
g
Swamp grass.
pl Water weed;
Shaking; moving;
pl Plant
so
n.
bd
sb
sb gbkn
esgi lk
ske
sn
esn
sn
es n
es n
esng
esnsn
es nt
sw
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
sw
n.
fg
g
g
g
t
g
English
who cannot walk.
Chair; bench; stool; seat;

saddle.
Seine.
Pole formerly used to impale
prisoners.
Distaff.
Fermentation.
Niceness; prettiness;
Midnight;
Grass
Bristly foxtail grass
Fillet; headband.
Grass
Last bead put on a string of

beads.
Hiding place.
Tree species.
Grass species.
Picking ones way;
Core of a boil or pimple.
Breath.
To-morrow.
Island.
Row; a line;
Annoyance;
Breathing; puffing;
Straightness;
Section; division;
department;
Particular;
51
cf. sra.
cf. sd.
used for thatching and brooms.
Setaria pallidifusca.
from which local salt, ligma,
was formerly made.
cf. kl.
cf. lbr, s .
cf. es s .
cf. tsmvogi.
cf. esgi lkuk.
cf. s s .
whose seeds are used to make
sauce.
lit. pigeon sesame

cf. kes.
cf. ekp, el.

cf. sng.
cf. snsn.
cf. ts n.
cf. f.
cf. jn sw, sng.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
e
k n
b
cigb n
egi
PoS
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
C
fg
ei
e(gi)
e wwgi
k n
y
i
ei k
egi
egi nuwn
ek
num.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
ek bt
e n
e n vnnu
e n kukuru
en
ta
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
m
bp
bp
bp
f
n.
t
t
t
t tk
n.
n.
n.
n.
t`
n.
t
et
t
et ba
n.
n.
n.
n.
et
te
et
n.
n.
n.
tia
eti gi
etn
etngn
etzo
eto
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
Notch or fork at the end of a

pole.
Sash.
Node.
Stride; pace.
Large boughs or limbs of
trees;
History; pedigree; tradition;
lineage; genealogy;
Small hole in an oil cruise.
Pain.
Haste; speed.
Forgetfulness;
absentmindedness;
ca Paddle; oar.
Rubber; bird lime; gum.
Head; end; top; point; frontal;
bundle; edge (of cloth).
hi Wooden tray.
i
Small cricket.
bm Wound; flaw; ulcer; abscess.
Grumbling; murmuring;
End; the finish;
Abuse
t
mt
t
da
m
t
b
m
da
m
d
English
Gill net;
Barrenness; leaflessness.
Spirit.
Inviting;
Cooking;
Tree species.
Mat for a door way.
Tree species
Score; twenty.
Dog.
Jackal.
Game like drafts.
See k n.
Tree species,
Fish eagle.
Common mole.
Dog;
Otter
Skin disease,
Shrew.
Waist; hip.
Pelvis opening.
Base of the spine; the pelvis.
Fish species.
Gap;
52
a net stretched across a stream.
cf. k n.
cf. b.
which bears a very large fruit,
the seeds of which are edible.
the fruit of which is edible.

cf. e.
the skin rises in thick ridges
and lumps.
said of cloth where some of

the warp is torn out.
cf. gwala.
cf. kpnt .
cf. bat .
cf. gntn.
cf. ezob.
cf. tok.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
et
PoS
n.
to
to
t
n.
n.
n.
t
tok
etsa
n.
n.
n.
tsa
ets
n.
etsm
tso
n.
n.
etsgo
ets
etsu
tsu
tsu
ts
ts
excl.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
ets n
ts n
tsmp
etswa
etswa
etsw
t
t
etn
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
a.
n.
et n
et n
et n y 'b donci o
n.
n.
excl.
twgi
n.
v
evo
vn
n.
n.
n.
vn
n.
C
g
English
Grass
la
Submission.
Height;
Patch of grass;
so
po
Name of a certain song.

Height;
Mark; cut; engraving; design;
colour; stripe; wrinkle.
Pauper; vagrant; vagabond;
Laughter; laugh; snicker;
smile; grin;
Laughing;
Long necked pot,
Rat (general term)
King; ruler.
to Hammer.
Manhood.
t
Tree species,
fg Cork or float fastened to fish
nets and harpoons;
s
Cobra.
Kick;
Vanishing;
Sheath;
Moon; mouth.
Smell; stink; stench; odour.
Graft; a parasite; an orchid.
Old; aged.
Work; business; duty; labour;
toil.
Pestle;
Log.
N kok;
Clippings; trimmings;
cuttings.
mn Lead; solder.
go Calabash; a gourd.
me Antidote; a medicine to
render harmless.
a
Wattle house; a hut; a booth;
used for thatching, for tying
yam-bundles. The fibre is
made into a triple strand rope
and used to weave eka, the
quoins for water-pots.
cf. tok.
a place not farmed; an oasis on
a sand bank.
cf. kto.
cf. ko.
cf. m ts.
cf. m ts.
traditionally stacked in the
back of womens houses as a
prestige possession. Used by
women for storage. Now
largely replaced by enamel
bowls.
53
may be the cork tree.

made from bamboo or the bark
of the ts tree.
cf. cts n.
cf. pts n.
cf. efa.
cf. g nt n.
lit. the pestle is the husband of
the mortar.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
vn
ev ngi
evw
ewa
ew
ew
n.
n.
n.
n.
a.
n.
w
w
w
ewa b l nyi
adv.
n.
n.
excl.
ew
n.
n.
n.
wc
ewgi
ewgi
ewgci
n.
n.
n.
n.
ewn
ewn
ew n
n.
n.
n.
w nd
w
w
ew
ewn
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
ew n
wgi
ew nn
n.
n.
n.
ew
ewt
n.
n.
ya
y
y
eya
eya
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
y
y
y 'b yw
n.
n.
n.
English
a tabernacle.
f
Fish species.
m Bush cat.
s
Ferocious snake.
s
Snake; reptile; serpent.
Oblong.
Clay tubes in a forge which
convey the wind from the
bellows to the fire.
Together; conjointly;
a
Eaves.
fo Cooked beans.
Somag ni;
mo Cowry shell; money;
currency; cash; cost; expense.
Garment; robe; tobe; shirt;
coat.
Hills or furrows thrown up in
the farms for planting.
Trade; barter.
bm Boil;
hi Metal spoon.
t
Tree species and its fruit,
ca
Pregnancy.
Lie; falsehood;
Lake; any large depression of
land flooded by the river.
Considering; the calculating;
Puckering;
Hot-headed person.
Perfume; odour; smell;
Trouble; grievance; malice;
quarrel; anger;
Swelling;
Fish species;
Rebuke; the rebuking;
upbraiding;
Determining;
Cheering; yelling;
screeching;
African buffalo; bush cow.
Yawn;
Stench;
Year.
Canoe; boat; barge; a boat of
any kind.
Great grandchild.
Friend; companion; associate.
Friend of the bridegroom;
best man.
54
cf. wnko.
lit. a snake with wattles.
cf. sn, gzgi.

which is used for a cough
medicine.
cf. g m n .
cf. dw n.
cf. jn 'w.
cf. etsw .
cf. fui, snw n, w n.
cf. eg n kns n gi.
cf. m gbo.
cf. n w n.
cf. w.
cf. tw, kw.
Syncerus caffer;
cf. yy.
cf. etsw .
R.M. Blench
Nupe
yd
ygi
y knm
y n
ysa
ey
ey
ey
PoS
n.
p.n.
n.
excl.
n.
n.
prep.
n.
eye
eye dzr
eye k
ey
eye
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
y
y
y
adv.
excl.
n.
eykpa
eyey
eyeye
eyi
eyigi
eyigi
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
pl
i
eygi
n.
ey
eza
ez
ez
ez
ez
zb
ezgi
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
c
g
z
ez
n.
n.
ez
ezo
ezob
ezn
n.
n.
n.
n.
ez n
zn
zn
z n
zn
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
et
f
f
ap
bp
English
Friendship; companionship.
Yoruba
Fish sp.
Exclamation expressing pain;
Fish species.
Eye; face; visage; form; side.
Before; ahead of.
Horny patch on a horse's leg
above the knee.
Name;
liver
liver
Nose.
Used in combination with
other words for some body
organs.
No;
Expression denoting pain;
Hole or burrow made by ants,
worms, crickets, etc.
Thinking;
Stupidity;
Plumpness;
Sun;
Weed species.
Beetle much like a
cockroach.
Reed.
Cereal
Cane; reed.
Body of a garment.
Person; fellow; individual.
Camwood.
Journey; walk; travel; march.
Conversation; gossip;
Runner; one who runs before
a horseman.
sa Salutation for Nd kt.
me Medicine rubbed on the face
in order to find the thief.
Perseverance; persistence.
c
Cowpeas
End; the finish;
hi Perforated oven, used for
smoking fish, etc.
mn Potters' clay.
Dead cinders.
bp Crotch of the legs.
a
Roof; thatch;
Stitch or sharp pain in the
side.
55
cf. y.
cf. kaye, sun.
cf. w.
cf. yn.
cf. ykpa.
cf. yay.
cf. yeye.
cf. yigd.
also the name of a double-reed

sound-producer made from it.
cf. bz.
cf. etzo.
cf. s nkpere.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
ezngi
e
e
egi
e
e
en
n
esa
PoS
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
C
tx
wv
f
hu
w
English
Cloth with a very open mesh;
Woof of cloth.
Catfish.
Answer; reply;
Game like drafts.
City; town.
Egg.
Cage trap.
Whirlpool; eddy.
Shame;
cf. ezn.
cf. g .
cf. z ny.
F.
f
fa
v.
adv.
f
fboy
fci
fad
v.
v.
n.
n.
ff
ffkn
n.
n.
ffkn
ffny
ffny
fkfk
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
fkfky
fk
flaflay
adv.
n.
adv.
fngbal
fngi
n.
n.
fngi 't bk n
n.
fny
fny
fny
fny
f nygb n
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
v.
fra
n.
frr
fri
adv.
n.
v
cr
mi
tr
To rest; be quiet; hush;

Indeed; used only to
emphasise a negative or
interrogative sentence;
To be dry;
To be covetous; to be greedy;
Farmhand; servant.
Spread of mats; a lounge; a
sofa.
Day break; early dawn;
Vine species; also a
poisonous drink made from
the same.
Clam, much like an oyster.
Very (quickly);
Very (wide).
Jews harp made a section of
guinea-corn internode.
Action of sawing.
Main or important work;
Everywhere;
Loafer;
Red, black and white crepe
handkerchief.
Grass species with a bulb
root.
Very (quickly);
Very (wide);
Very (much);
Completely;
To please; amuse; comfort;
pacify;
Spirit; an apparition; ghost;
the wandering spirit of one
who has died in the fields;
Very (much).
Boast; a brag; a glorying.
56
cf. c nta.
cf. b, r.
cf. wo, s .
cf. kd ri, fy.
also ffy; cf. ffny.
cf. vny.
Now very rare
for the opposite, see bc.
cf. bgabgay, flaflay,
wlawlay.
cf. kaf nci.
Cyperus dilatatus
cf. ffny.
cf. ffny.
cf. dkn.
cf. kpony, fny.
cf. f.
idiomatically used, it refers to
one who wanders about a great
deal.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
frgba
Fasmza
PoS
n.
n.
fatke
n.
fataucijnci
ftwa
ftya
n.
n.
faty
n.
fy
v.
f
f
f
v.
v.
v.
f
f
v.
v.
f
fdnci
v.
n.
f g ky
f k n
f n
f n g y
f`ra
fring mu
f wa
adv.
adv.
n.
adv.
v.
n.
n.
f ynta
n.
f
f
f
f
v.
v.
v.
fe
v.
fe
v.
f
f
v.
v.
f zn
v.
fb
fd n
adv.
v.
fefe
n.
C
sa
sa
to
g
sa
English
Restlessness; nervousness.
Som kda;
Petty Hausa traders who
carry their loads.
See fatke.
Ridicule;
Fatiha, the opening chapter of
the Koran.
Tsug and Bka.
To be attractive; to cause to
covet;
To slice or skim off.
To roll up (as a mat).
To be easy; to be light; to be
nimble; to be agile.
To strip.
To slip through; to lose grasp
of.
To be warped.
Bribe or gift; a small gift
given in hope that a larger
one will be given in return;
Very (pretty);
Very (baggy, puffy).
Poker.
Very (pretty);
Beware;
Grass used to make perfume.
Snake species, said to travel
very quickly;
Knowledge; sense;
cleverness;
Very to be.
To continue.
To sit;
To keep; to observe (as the
fast of Ramadan).
To pluck or pick (as the fruit
of trees).
To cave in; to break through
(as a pit).
To skin.
To head; to cover (as a drum
or well).
To observe the Fast of
Ramadan;
Purposely;
To sit down; to abide; to stay;
to dwell; to continue.
Circular mat used as a cover
57
cf. pasmza.
cf. emila.
cf. fboy.
cf. tskp.
cf. nyssnyi.
cf. f g ky.
cf. tsw.
cf. ewa.
cf. egb n.
cf. fd n.
cf. f.
cf. ck.
<Fulfulde?
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
feg
fegt
fekunfe
adv.
n.
n.
flanla
fllg
flny
fll
fm
f mb d n
fny
fr
fr
fr
a.
a.
adv.
a.
adv.
v.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
fr
frgi
ftsw
fi
n.
a.
n.
fi
fi
fi
fi
v.
v.
v.
v.
fia
ficia
fifiagi
fig
fili
fili
fimi
finy
finy
fifififiy
figifigig
fici
fi fi ny
fi ny
fi ni
v.
n.
n.
a.
v.
a.
v.
adv.
a.
adv.
a.,
adv.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
fid
fid
fid
fi 'd
ffg
ffnkci
fg
filasiko
n.
v.
v.
v.
a.
n.
a.
n.
c
fg
mi
hd
t
pl
English
for pots or calabashes.
Completely;
Whining;
Giant grass with a hollow
stem.
Senseless.
Small (as a hill).
Completely;
Senseless;
Completely;
To sit or mourn for the dead;
Completely;
Corn leaves.
Fish trap.
Cheap mat, used as a cover or
lid of pots.
Small whistle.
Thin (as wood or paper);
Fan.
verbs with initial, fa, f, fe,
fi, fo.
To bear (as ground nuts).
Plural form of the verb to be;
To fill into.
To spring; to go off (as a
trap).
To drift.
Despising;
Iron incrustations;
Little (in quantity);
To be scare;
Thin (as paper or boards);
To despise;
Quietly; softly;
Little (in quantity);
Flutteringly.
Thin;
Tree species.
Completely; thoroughly;
Quickly.
Surface skin of leather or
leaves.
To lock; to cover;
To be small.
To thread (a loom).
Small (as a hole or opening).
Tree species.
Small (as hole or opening).
Senna plant.
58
cf. kpony, fny, pny.
cf. tfeg.
Used as a straw to sip palmwine and in childrens games.
cf. feg, kpony.
cf. flanla.
cf. fny, kpony.
cf. mb.
cf. kpony.
cf. fili.
cf. i.
cf. ciafi, ygb.

cf. kodzo.
cf. dgi.
cf. m l.
cf. frgi.
cf. gby.
cf. sny.
cf. fig.
cf. fili.
cf. s r ny.
cf. tsu.
<Hausa
R.M. Blench
Nupe
Filni
fili
fl fr
flny
fn
PoS
p.n.
n.
n.
adv.
f n
v.
f n
fn
v.
v.
fndz ngi
fnf ngi
n.
n.
fngi
f nnwgi
n.
n.
pl
b
fini
finik
n.
n.
pl
fnny
fnt
fntsgi
n.
n.
n.
f ny
finzo
v.
n.
fnzo
fip
fra
fr
frfrg
frgita
fis
ft
ftla
ftn
fto
n.
v.
n.
n.
a.
a.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
fiy
f
fo
fo
fobi
ff
v.
v.
v.
v.
n.
v.
ffofny
fofogi
adv.
n.
f
m
c
bp
English
Fule, Fulani
Open space; clearing; plain.
Report; news;
Indeed; truly.
verbs with initial syllable,
fn.
To drink; to absorb; to soak;
to smoke (as tobacco).
To tie; to splice (as a cord).
To sweep; to brush; to whisk;
to broom.
Snake (very small).
Shadow; phantom;
apparition;
Edible weed.
Small red and black bird
which flies about in the
smoke of bush fires catching
insects.
Leaf; bush; herb.
Very large leaf, used to tie up
kola nuts.
Fish species, not eaten.
Sky.
Small rat
To hurry;
Threshing floor; a winnowing
ground.
Climbing bean.
To fall on.
Eye tooth.
Report; news.
Small (hole or opening).
Restless; nervous;
Catfish.
Sky.
Lamp; candle; lantern.
Bother; trouble; annoyance;
Revenue; duty; customs
levied on merchandise upon
entering a province.
To do needle-work.
To push or thrust in;
To be free from; to deliver.
To wash (as clothes);
Weakness;
To wait; to expect; to be in
suspense;
Very (much perforated).
Small red dove,
59
<Hausa ? English field
cf. lbr, s .
cf. wr.
See ft.
which builds it nest in the
rafters of a roof.
cf. s nn, d nny.
See fl.
cf. frgba.
< Hausa
cf. sng.
cf. h, tn.
cf. n , f.
cf. bifo.
cf. fofr, ka.
it makes a cooing sound like
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
fofr
ffny
ff
fog
Fogn
v.
adv.
v.
n.
n.
fk
fom
fony
fony
foro
fro
fro
a.
n.
a.
a.
a.
n.
n.
fro
n.
frfo
frfoto
fsa
foto
fy
fyg
fu-
n.
a.
v.
a.
v.
a.
aff.
f
f
f
fu
v.
v.
v.
v.
fu
v.
v.
f
f
v.
v.
f
f
f
fba
fci
ff
v.
v.
v.
v.
n.
n.
ffny
ffny
fgb
a.
adv.
n.
fugi
fgia fjia
fka
fk
a.
n.
a.
English
ti
To sit on the haunches.

Lightly; springily;
To weave (sleeping mats).
Wedding day.
fg
t
i
mi
Light.
Clap-net.
Empty; vacant; fagged.
Light.
Hollow.
Tree species.
Insect that burrows in the
ground.
Training; correction;
punishment.
Sitting on the haunches;
Hollow.
To impale.
Hollow;
To smell.
Small (as a hole or opening)
verbs with initial, fo, fu.
To splash; bound; bounce.
To go down (as a swelling).
To be cranky; to be irritable.
To be foamy; to be brothy; to
be soapy.
To be quiet; to be
inoffensive.
To roll up (as the mouth or
part of ones attire);
To pelt; to throw;
To jump; to leap; to spring;
to fly;
To bathe; to wash the body;
To stitch; to baste; to thread.
To be bald; to be bare.
To shrink; to draw up;
Tree species.
Packing; old grass bags, used
to pack kola nuts.
Early (morning).
Springily;
Gourd transverse horn
Young.
See wjia.
Breathlessness.
Raw.
60
fo-fo-fo.
cf. ddny.
Daniy , Lram.
< Hausa
cf. fofr.
cf. foro, frfoto.
cf. fg.
cf. f, k.
cf. c.
cf. yfr.
cf. f nuwn.
cf. yk.
cf. ffny.
blown for the king of the
Kyadya.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
f kyryangi
fkufkuyi
fla
flaflayi
fumfr
funn
f nuwn
funtsu
fny
fny
PoS
v.
adv.
n.
adv.
a.
v.
v.
n.
a.
v.
fura
n.
fo
frgi
frny
fre
a.,
adv.
adv.
n.
pl
fr
furu
frde
frdz
n.
adv.
n.
n.
frkan
fry
fry
fry
fui
fka
a.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
futanfu
f 't
ft
fs
f ya
fy
n.
v.
a.
n.
v.
n.
fuyk
fw ny
fw kiriangi
v.
adv.
v.
Completely;
Flower of the tobacco plant,
used to colour the teeth.
Leap.
Very (fast).
Grey dappled horse.
Leaping; the jumping; the
springing;
See taura.
Hairy; downy;
Jumping;
Sippingly.
Anger; rage;
Face; countenance;
appearance; visage;
Foam; froth; scum; suds.
To be bald-headed;
Spongy.
Fish species.
To rebound;
String of beads, worn about
the waist by women.
To be damp; to be cold.
Very (badly, as a stench).
To tickle;
fw ynta
fwny
adv.
See f ynta.
Soundly;
dr
hc
f
bd
English
To tickle.
Everywhere;
Cap.
Everywhere;
Fresh.
To be filled.
To bathe.
Anger;
Early (morning);
To rise (as soap suds); to
stand up (as the hair).
Balls of guinea-corn eaten
mashed up in yoghourt
Hairy; downy.
61
cf. flaflayi, bgabgayi.
<Hausa
cf. dz gdz gy.
cf. fui, ew n.
cf. ffny.
<Hausa
cf. wrny.
<Hausa ? English flower
cf. dzfr, yfr.

cf. frgi.
cf. fr, yfr.
cf. ew n.
cf. ey.
cf. f.
cf. f.
cf. f kiriangi, which seems

to be better known.
cf. vwny.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
G.
PoS
g
g
g
g
imp.
a.
v.
v.
g
g
v.
v.
gb
gb dzrgi
gba
gba
gbruwa
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
gbruwan kas
gb
n.
v.
gb sydi
n.
gb tswa
n.
gci
n.
gd
gada
gdagdayi
gdgd
gadangba lty
gadagbo
gdgi
gdnj
adv.
n.
adv.
a.
excl.
adv.
n.
n.
gd nci
gfi
gfra
gf
gag
ggggy
gagagug
gagny go
gagara
gagbay
ggb
ggb
gjn
gkp n
gla
gldm
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
adv.
a.
adv.
v.
a.
n.
n.
n.
n.
m
m
bp
t
English
Should.
That.
To replace; to revenge;
To be entangled; to be
caught.
Will; would; shall; should.
To separate; to scatter; to
scratch.
Lion.
Red lynx.
Front.
Body;
Tree species, which yields
the Gambia pods.
Shrub used to make perfume.
To judge; to decide; to
arbitrate;
Rank among the king's
courtiers.
courtiers.
Witch; a sorcerer; one with a
familiar spirit;
Openly.
Cutlass; a mattock.
Separately.
Excitable.
Vendors' call for boiled yam.
Leisurely.
Potto
Shrew; salutation for the rank
Tsaduk.
Tree species.
Forgiveness; pardon.
Bird species.
Pride; showiness.
Separately;
Very (large).
Very (large).
Large.
Very (large).
To replace; to revenge;
Large;
Marabou;
Dam.
Nap or down from cloth.
Chamberlain. Salutation for
this office is, Tm .
62
cf. ggb.
cf. nk .
cf. rya.
Salutations for which are,
gb, Dzwdz, Entsr,
Borongo giwa.
Salutations for which are,
Myito, Zk k.
cf. eg.
Periodictus potto
cf. gdagdayi.
cf. g.
cf. gkp n.
cf. gm dz.
< Hausa
R.M. Blench
Nupe
glaglay
glgi
ga...m
gamugi
gnwa
g 'n b
PoS
adv.
n.
v.
a.
n.
gngari
gndgnd
gng
gangafa
gn
a.
adv.
a.
n.
n.
gn
n.
gntrg
gny
gny
gr
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
English
Very (much spread out).
Screech owl.
Do not; must not.
Small.
Counsel;
hunters;
Whole; entire;
Very (large).
Edge wise.
Pointed cap.
Third month in the Muslim
year.
Traditional dance where men
and women dance together.
Head shroud.
Quickly.
Staringly;
Rank among native princes;
gr
n.
Igala
gara
gr
gr
gr
gar
grfini
gragrayi
grgry
garagarayi
garag
a.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
a.
adv.
a.
garagi
grgi
grg
garnta
garasa
grs
gre
gri
gringwaza
n.
n.
a.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
grwa
gai
gata
gat
n.
n.
n.
n.
gtegtey
gv
gwgi
adv.
n.
n.
Long;
Instead; rather;
Eye tooth;
Spear;
Highway robbery.
Vine species.
Separately;
Restless.
Very (long);
Long; adv. garaky, garay,
very (long);
Handspring; a somersault.
Slang name for beer;
Small.
Large green scorpion;
Rolling; the tossing:
Swinging kick.
Haste; speed.
Cassava flour.
Salutation for the rank,
Sonlawo.
Red dye.
Present of welcome;
Salutation for the rank, Soje.
Tswai.
Flat-footedly.
Decayed meat or fish.
Food prepared from corn.
C
b
63
cf. iawura.
lit. judge between animals.
cf. gnguru.
It is not used now.

cf. gbony.
Addia.
Language spoken at Idah, said
to be the home of the founders
of Nupe.
cf. dr.
cf. gm g.
cf. fra.
cf. fy.
cf. gdagdayi.
cf. dr.
cf. dr.
cf. ege.
cf. k nkr.
v. sagara, to roll.
< Hausa
cf. iga.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
gwgi
gawam
gawuy
gyti
gay
gya
gazari
gznm
gznm baagi
g
PoS
a.
excl.
adv.
n.
n.
a.
a.
n.
n.
v.
g
g
g
g b
g be
g cn
g d
gd
gdo
g f ka
v.
v.
v
v.
v.
n.
n.
v.
n.
n.
g`fi
gg
gg
n.
v.
v.
gg
gg dd
g g g g y
gg langb
n.
v.
adv.
n.
g g ny
g g y
ggy
g gbn
g gg
ggwa
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
a.
v.
g gwa
gk
g kya
gkn
g m g mai
gm
v.
a.
n.
conj.
v.
g m
g m g
n.
n.
fa
g m n
g m wa
gmngi
Gmbri
n.
v.
n.
p.n.
g
g
English
Small;
Bravo; well done; good.
Very (large, long).
Excrement: v. jn gyti;
Tree species.
Very (much);
Large;
Grass species.
Grass species.
To divide; to part; to
separate; to distribute.
To pass; to surpass.
To say.
To speak; to tell.
Come in;
To repeat;
Allegory.
Half;
Come in; enter;
Bed.
Leather book case; a school
bag.
Half: v. g fi, to halve;
To speak; to talk.
To be too much; to be
excessive.
An upright post or support.
To blaspheme.
Tightly.
Gndzk.
Doubt;
Very (warm).
Very (much);
Questioning; the asking;
Thin.
To escape; lit; to pass the
hand.
To be too much (to carry).
Long time.
See g kiya.
Crowned crane.
Because; for.
To be better; to be improved;
to surpass.
Straw granary;
Proverb; a wise saying; an
allegory.
Lie; a falsehood;
To meet.
Stork.
Kambari people northwest of
64
cf. fllgi.
cf. ebi.
cf. nyssnyi.
cf. gorozo.
cf. gd.
lit. speak again.
cf. g fi.
cf. g b.
cf. g d.
cf. kmbke.
cf. gg.
cf. gb ng .
Balearica pavonina
cf. ys .
cf. ewn.
cf. Kmbri.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
g mi
n.
g mi
g mi
n.
n.
g mig mi
gn
g n
g n s
g nd m
gn gi
g n v
g n ws
g ncn
g nd
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
gndz
n.
gndz bs
n.
gndzk
g nig niy
g ngam
adv.
n.
g ng n
g ngb
g n
g nig
n.
adv.
n.
g ...nyi
v.
gny
g nyig ny
gr
adv.
adv.
n.
gs
g s g
g skiya g kiya g skiya
g kiya
g i
g ya
g
gb
gb
gba
gba
v.
a.
n.
v.
v.
n.
v.
v.
v.
v.
gba
gb
v.
a.
English
the Nupe
Help; assistance: v. jn g mi,
to help; cf. cew.
Law; order; commandment.
Charm said to ward off the
evil eye;
See lnkpvnvn.
Large white-ant hill;
Awn of maize; a beard.
Competing;
Dispute;
Hare.
Refusing;
Awn of maize;
Now; at last.
Customary price paid to a
drummer for his services.
Headman; overseer; usually
refers to farm labourers.
Tsoyda.
See gndz.
Very (much spread out);
Salutation for Yknnu
dzr, the chief of Yet.
See g n.
Warning.
Alike; together.
Treason; insurrection;
rebellion;
To reproach; to revile; to
insult; to speak to or about; to
speak against;
Staringly; stupidly;
Very (large).
Large hillock-nests of the
white-ants;
To scatter;
Thin.
Truth; certainty;
righteousness.
To foretell; to prophesy.
To be too long.
Molar tooth.
To draw; to drag.
To cover; to border; to fringe.
To read.
To trace
to follow
to worship
To agree; to submit.
Two thousand.
65
a broken gourd is used as the

medium.
cf. gr.
cf. sg n .
cf. emigb.
cf. n v.
cf. g n .
< Hausa
cf. kutsu, t.
cf. glaglay, g nyig ny.
cf. k ngr.
cf. kob.
cf. gny.
cf. gn.
cf. g.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
gb
gb
PoS
v.
v.
gbci
n.
gbada
n.
gbada
gbdrg
n.
n.
gbdi
gbdigi
gbdo
gbdu
gbdz
gbdz
gbdzwa
gbfdri
gbgdy
adv.
n.
n.
n.
v.
v.
n.
n.
n.
gbggbg
n.
gbgl
gbgls
gbagb
gbgb
gbgb
adv.
adv.
n.
adv.
n.
gbgb
gbgb
gbagbdndn
gbgbgby
gbagbagbay
gbgbngi
gbgbl
gbagbara
gbagbara
gbagbaray
gbgbruk
adv.
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
a.
n.
adv.
a.
adv.
n.
gbgi
gbgaky
gbgo
gbg
gbgn
a.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
gbagnm
n.
gbgwa
gbgwa
gbjb
n.
v.
n.
English
To dig; to burrow.
To be insufficient; to be
short.
Palm tree, which bears edible
fruit;
Water pot with a very wide
mouth;
Streak.
N koj.
Very (tough);
Design in embroidery;
Conceit;
Fancy bead.
To bind on (as a sash).
To slap (in the face).
Place to throw refuse;
One who will not work.
Sound made by one falling
flat.
Sound of heavy
blacksmithing.
Very (large).
Very (large).
Shackles; fetters.
Very (large);
Sound of heavy
blacksmithing;
Very (small);
Game played by children.
Cinch ring.
Throbbingly.
Very (large);
Small;
Species of lizard.
Very (wide).
Pure.
Very (high, tall).
Rank among native princess;
Only; alone.
Very (hard).
Very (tough).
Guinea-corn cultivar.
Tree species, which is said to
kill any other tree growing
close to it.
Haversack, usually carried by
farmers;
To steal; lit. to drag the hand;
To embrace.
66
the leaves are used to make

kpkpr mats.
cf. egba.
cf. kpk.
cf. dzkagi.
cf. dogb.
cf. vvnta.
cf. gbgl.
cf. gbggbg.
cf. gb.
cf. kpakpakpay.
cf. gbgb, kkrgi.

N kpki.
cf. jka.
cf. y.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
gbkr
gbkr
gbkr
n.
adv.
n.
gbak
gbak
gbk
gbk
a.
n.
n.
n.
gbkk dagba
gbkk ptngi
gbakn
gbkn
gbkn bci
gbaknk
n.
n.
excl.
n.
bp
m
sa
g
gbla
gbla
gbal
n.
n.
n.
go
gblg
gbm
gbmputu
gbnce
gbanci
gbncly
gbndb
adv.
n.
adv.
a.
n.
a.
n.
gbndrgi
gbndrky
gbnggbng
gbangba
n.
adv.
adv.
adv.
gbngb
gbngb
gbngbm
gbngbngi
gbngbny
gbngbr
gbngbr
n.
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
gbngbrgi
gbngnn
n.
n.
gbngnn
gbangoggi
gbangb
n.
n.
n.
gbnkk
n.
b
f
t
English
Kyadya;
Very ferocious snake.
Very (large).
Lm.
Old.
Species of clam.
Charm used for divining.
Stomach; belly; abdomen;
womb;
Ndj;
Ndj;
Cheek;
Wild pig.
Salutation for the rank, Bl.
Grass species.
Large gourd.
Wall;
Bird species; lit the fig tree
bird.
Very (hard).
Fish species.
Very (large).
Unfilled;
Wild fig tree.
Old; aged; cf. gbak.
Bare spot where nothing will
grow;
Fillip;
Very (large);
Very (large).
Completely; entirely;
distinctly.
Duck; goose.
Wave; ripple;
Large European pan or basin.
Only; alone;
Tightly; securely;
Spleen.
Species of large bean, used as
a rattle.
Bean.
Sauce made from okra and
beans.
Loin cloth.
Fruit of the m gaci tree.
Two tribal marks cut on the
cheek.
Fish species.
67
Kobo.
cf. brwn.
lit. elephant's stomach.
lit. a bat's stomach.
cf. mp.
Small grass with a feathery
head.
cf. kr.
cf. kont.
cf. dzm ta.
cf. ptngi.
cf. gbny k lud.
cf. g ngb, kingbgb.

cf. gb...gi.
cf. gb ngb ny.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
gbankr
gbn
gbnsw
gbnt
gbnt
gbny
gbnydz
gbny k lud
gbny
gbny
PoS
n.
adv.
adv.
a.
adv.
n.
v.
adv.
adv.
adv.
gbny
gbara
gbr
gbar
adv.
a.
n.
n.
gbr
gbrgd
n.
n.
gbrgdy
n.
gbrgi
gbrgb
n.
n.
gbr
gbr
n.
n.
gbrkoko
gbrf
gbrkoko
gbruk
n.
n.
gbrny
gbasa
gbsky
gb
gbt
gbt
adv.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
gbt
n.
gbt
n.
gbvn
n.
gbaway
gb wr
adv.
a.
n.
fg
English
Way of collecting palm wine;
Now.
Very (dry);
Dark red and white fowl;
Very (large).
Perseverance;
To try; to persevere;
Very (great, large).
Tightly; securely;
Sharply; the sound of a slap,
or crack
Very (much);
Long;
Haste; speed;
Fillip or crack made by
striking the arm against the
side;
Lizard;
Large hoop placed over a
round roof on which the men
stand in order to complete the
top of the roof.
flat;
Striped field mouse.
Large enclosure built in the
river to entrap fish.
Standing; a medicine or
charm, which is said will
cause a stick to stand upright
unsupported;
Hand spring.
A young man; a youth; a lad.
See gbrkoko.
Very famous doctor who
lived long ago.
Staringly; stupidly.
Dead or dried leaves.
Very (large).
Tree species.
Debt.
Rank among the followers of
the Makn,
Rubbish; dirt washed away
by the rain;
Lgm.
Grass hut built in the fields in
which yams are stored.
Quickly.
Indefinite; innumerable.
68
cf. muge.
cf. gb ns y.
cf. bie.
cf. kkri.
cf. gbny.
cf. gb ny.
cf. dkn.
cf. dr.
cf. yd n.
cf. waya.
cf. nykngbr.
cf. gbgdy.
cf. gknni.

Daniy .
cf. jka.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
gbwy
gby
PoS
adv.
v.
gb l mi
gb n
n.
v.
gbn
v.
gbn
gbn
gban
gb n
gb n
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
gb n
gbndngbndn
gbnfr
v.
n.
n.
gb ngn ci
gbngb n
n.
n.
gb ngb n
gb ngb n
gb ngb n
gb ngb ngb nny
gbngbngbnny
gb ngb nn ky
gb ngb nny
gbngnn
gbnjr
gbnkgi
gb nlegb n
gbnm
a.
a.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
v.
n.
gb nn
gb nn gb nn y
gbnnny
gb nn y
gb nny
gbns
a.
adv.
a.
a.
adv.
gb ns y
gb n
gb ny
gbe
gbe
gbci
Gbedgi
gbedngb
gbegb
adv.
n.
v.
v.
v.
n.
p.n.
n.
v.
et
English
Very (large).
To despise; to slight; to
insult.
Long eared Hausa sheep;
To be artful; to be shrewd; to
be sensible;
To intoxicate; to stupefy; to
overwhelm.
To mate (as animals).
To delay;
To swing; to whirl; cf. d.
To be thick (as oil).
To be weary; paralysed;
lifeless; withered; faded.
To unravel; cf. w.
Hornbill.
Cold season; winter; occurs
in January.
Tree species.
Cleat, or pole fastened to the
outside of a roof on which to
stand and reach the top;
Intelligent; sensible; wise;
Heavy (blacksmithing);
Slowly; lifelessly;
Tightly; securely;
Very (large).
Very (large).
Tightly; securely;
Species of beetle;
Sling for throwing stones.
Delay;
To snore.
Small red insect which comes
with the first rains; a name
for trade velvet;
Thick (as liquids).
Slowly; lifelessly;
Long (time).
Numb; lifeless;
Tightly; securely;
Rank held by the chief of
Kii.
Very (dry, brittle);
Sword belt;
To be lonesome;
To mow.
To hunt.
Tree species.
Nupe sub-tribe.
Shackles;
To hunt;
69
also nngi tukpak.

cf. egb n.
cf. gbnkgi.
cf. gbrgd.
cf. gb n.
cf. gbgb.
cf. gb n.
cf. gb nny.
cf. gb ngb ngb nny.
cf. m zz.
cf. gbn.
cf. klimsik.
cf. gb ngb n.
cf. gb nn gb nn y.
cf. gb ngb nny.
cf. kns n .
cf. mla.
cf. gb n, sy.
cf. kr.
cf. gbe, egb.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
gbegbent
gbegbeny
gbgby
gbj
gbelgi
gbndn
gbngb
gbny
gbr
gbrgi
gbr
gbt
gbey
gb z d k
PoS
n.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
v.
excl.
gbi
gbgb
gbn
n.
gb n
v.
gbn
gbn
gbn
v.
v.
v.
gbn
gbnd n
v.
v.
gb ng
gbngbynni
gb ngby nny k
v.
n.
n.
gbngb nci
gb nk
gbnkpe
n.
v.
n.
gbn mic nn
gb nni
v.
n.
gb nt
gbnt
v.
v.
gb ny
v.
gb ny
gb
gb
v.
v.
v.
s
b
f
mi
English
High ground;
Mane;
Falteringly; brokenly.
Snake species;
Bird species.
Fish species.
Indeed;
Very (much stooped).
Root; relation; pedigree.
Small drum in the tsari set.
Non-Muslim; traditionalist;
Top; pinnacle.
To stare;
Gbns.
verbs with initial gbe, gbo,
gbya.
Species of owl.
verbs with initial, gbn,
gbn.
To lose; to destroy; to damn;
to sink; to perish;
To boil.
To swim.
To fall (as a tree or house);
cf. nkn.
To expectorate; to spit;
To grunt; to sob; to groan; to
moan;
To ask.
Cattle tick.
Beetle, which when touched
remains perfectly still; a fit.
Lost, damned person;
To be lost; to stray.
Ruins, of fallen house or
wall.
To expectorate, spit.
Bean sp.
To kill; cf. ba.
To cross (a road or water); to
break (a law);
To be lost or absorbed in
thought; to be stupid;
To be lost or out of sight.
To bark (as a dog).
To be large; to be big; refers
only to things with a large
70
cf. ksnt.
cf. lw rw .
also gbjgi, gbj nimforo.
cf. kka.
cf. kfri.
cf. by.
cf. ya.
cf. gbn mic nn.

cf. d n.
cf. ez gbngb nci.
cf. gbn
the fibre obtained from the
stem is used to make a very
strong rope.
cf. znt.
cf. yay.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
gbo
gbo
gbodo
gbodo
gbdo
gbodo
gbdgbdy
gbdogbdogbodoyi
gbdng
gbodonj
gbdw
gbdz
gbo'f
v.
v.
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
v.
v.
gbgb
gbogbo
gbogb
v.
n.
n.
gbogb
gbogbogbok
gbogbont
gbogboro
n.
a.
n.
n.
gbogboy
gbge
adv.
n.
gbog
gbg
gbgian
gbgn
gbog n
n.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
gbog ngbog ny
gbk
adv.
v.
gbk
gbokoci
n.
n.
gbkpn
gbmi
v.
v.
gbonkr
gbong
gbngb
n.
n.
n.
gbngb
Gbngboro dagba
adv.
n.
t
m
English
diameter.
To lie;
To rub; to file;
Stable; horse stall;
Heald frame;
Pelican;
Leach pot.
Very (long);
Incessantly.
Venereal disease.
Clay pit.
Apprentice; an amateur.
To be quick; sharp; shrewd;
To hoe;
To be large;
End; the finish;
Poke; stick fastened to the
neck of an animal so that it
cannot bite the person
leading it.
Shackles;
Large.
High ground;
Top and bottom cross sticks
of an upright weaving frame.
Completely;
One-string fiddle with
horsehair string and
hemispherical calabash
resonator.
Tree species.
Baboon.
Immediately; directly.
Invalid; debility.
Echo; said to be a person or
spirit.
Very (large);
To be strong; to be hard; to
be tough.
Trunk; stump; stock; butt.
Tree species;
To be thick;
To deny; to contradict; to
argue; to wrangle.
Cake, made from bean flour.
Coils or curls of hair.
Raised or high spot on the
ground.
Saucily;
71
cf. zng m n , znwn.
cf. t.
cf. dkmb.
cf. nira.
cf. gd.
cf. dzagbayi.
cf. wny.
this is slang; lit. to rub the
(hoe) handle; cf. nnu.
cf. wnc n.
cf. gbogboy.
cf. kr.
cf. ksunt.
cf. kpony.
< Hausa
or gbog ngbog n
cf. kpok nkpok ny.
also called fci, and

kokongig.
cf. lekpn.
cf. tr.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
gbongnn
gbonkuk
gbo'nu
gbony
gborgbor
gborgbor
gbor
gbr
n.
n.
v.
adv.
adv.
n.
a.
n.
gborogbon gbologbon
n.
gbrgbry
gbrogbro
gbt
gbotot
gbotsn
gbotswany
gbotwab
gbotwani
gbyfru
adv.
a.
v.
a.
a.
a.
a.
a.
n.
gboy
gbozn
gbu
adv.
v.
gbugbuke
gbgbny
gbrgbrnyi
gbw
n.
adv.
adv.
v.
gbw dn
n.
gbw dw
gbw dw
gbw dw
n.
excl.
n.
gbw dw
gbw dw
gbw dzw
gbw gbw
gbw lw gi
gbwntibwnt
gbw rw
a.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
gbw rw
gbw ny
a.
n.
gby
v.
English
Gdgi.
Small wind instrument.
Silk worm.
To hoe (slang);
Stupidly;
Very (large);
Mumps.
Straight; level; accurate.
Pit holes; hollows; ups and
downs in a road;
Second nature; same routine
of work; lit. rub forward, rub
backward.
Very (large).
Rough;
To be large.
Sixteen thousand.
Ten thousand.
Twelve thousand.
Fourteen thousand.
Eighteen thousand.
Salutation for the ranks,
Kptn and Nd Gro.
Stupidly;
To hide.
verbs with initial, gbo, gbu,
gbw.
Stupidity;
Gurglingly.
Munchingly.
To become undone; to
become loose;
have the power to unloosen
cords or bands;
Sediment.
Vendors' call for fresh okra.
Curved rafters such as are
used in round roofed houses.
Muddy; mushy.
Slowly.
Place for refuse;
Knock-knees.
Lumps (in gruel).
Very (large).
Large dragging rope on a
seine.
Slippery; slimy.
flat;
To strip off
72
cf. nnu.
cf. gny.
cf. gorgor.
cf. gbrogbroy.
cf. gbr.
cf. gbony.
cf. l.
cf. gbw .
cf. vvnta.
cf. gbrgdy.
(as the grass on a roof).
R.M. Blench
Nupe
gbydyy
gbyja
gbylyy
gbyntya
gby ngby nny
gbyngbyanny
gby ngby nny
gby ngby nny
gby ngby nny wgi
gby ngn
gby nny g
gby nny y
gby nty
gby nny
gby nny
ge
PoS
adv.
n.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
a.
v.
adv.
adv.
adv.
v.
gb
n.
geday
gedngb
ge g
ge g kpt
ggrg
gegza
gegezgi
gn
a.
n.
v.
v.
adv.
n.
n.
v.
gend
gngn
ger
gerent
gerw
gwy
gza
gza
a.
n.
adv.
adv.
a.
adv.
v.
n.
gi
g
v.
g
gi
gyagy
v.
n.
gygygygyy
gygbwy
gykogykg
g k n
adv.
adv.
a.
gy m fi d
n.
fr
t
English
Very (soft, mushy).
Cucumber;
Profusely; copiously.
Very (large).
Very (large).
Very (bloated, swollen).
Heavily.
Sodden; filthy; cf. c ki .
Very (thin).
Very (large).
Thin; slender; lean.
To be numb; lifeless;
Very (large);
Very (large).
Heavily;
To be good; nice; fine; fair;
pretty; handsome.
Rank or office of the chief of
Jebba;
Big; a word of abuse.
Local beer;
To be better;
To be the best.
Very (thin).
Fruit of the lwrwnci tree.
Tree species.
To be cooked; to be ripe; to
be healed; to be done.
Large; stout.
Clang of a bell or forge;
Quickly; cf. vny.
Very (large).
Hard; tough.
Very (dry);
Fringe.
Tree species, usually found
on ant hills.
verbs with initial, ga, g, ge,
gi, go.
To eat; to devour; to gnaw; to
wear.
To stand;
Suffix meaning small.
Charm put on anything to
prevent its being taken;
Loosely.
Very (many);
Bare.
Salutation for the rank, Nd
Lile.
Affection.
73
cf. gbydya.
cf. gb n.
cf. gby nny.
cf. gby ngby nny.
Kobo.
cf. ege.
cf. ge, g.
cf. gngny.
cf. gb ns y.
cf. gknni.
cf. kt.
cf. dz g y, gurny.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
gyam
gym
PoS
n.
n.
C
r
gyamtsugi
gym
gyangal
n.
v.
n.
gyntgynty
gyaria
gyaria
adv.
n.
v.
gyri
gyngagi
a.
n.
gyig
gyswny
gy ni gy ny yi
gbagba
gibi
gib
gidarin
gdgi
a.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
gid
n.
gdgb
gdgb
n.
n.
gdgd
gdigdiy
gfi
ggk
adv.
adv.
n.
gigi
a.
gigi zb
gkg
gik n
gknni
gim ci
gmb
n.
adv.
n.
v.
n.
n.
g 'm g d g
n.
gmikp
gn
v.
an
mi
hb
English
Chameleon.
Earthen plates used in the
making of floors.
Caterpillar.
To have a burrowing abscess;
Large bird like a marabout
stork.
Flat-footedly.
Reconciliation.
To trim the hair or beard; to
shave.
Long.
Small ants that carry away
dead insects.
Small.
Very (many);
Very (fine).
Genital disease.
Wretch.
Self respect; self esteem.
the ib.
Tswnk.
Frolic; frisk.
Kakanda drum; a wooden
drum; An open trough hung
up in the farm and struck
with two sticks to frighten
birds. Now no longer in use.
Hurriedly; hastily.
Very (many);
Bird's craw.
Ndktsu.
Young (refers only to
animals).
An Asben horse;
Very (little).
gums.
To stand; to cease; to stop.
Tree species.
Nn fyny , and N gn.
Gossiper; tattler;
To argue;
gn.
74
cf. egb, swa.
cf. gygbwy.
cf. jgijginy, nyssnyi.
cf. bzb.
lit. one who stands both inside

and outside of the compound;
cf. rkto.
cf. gbmi.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
gn
PoS
v.
g 'n gb nw
gncitsu
gindi
gimfr
gingnni
gnkokoro
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
pl
gintara
gntn
n.
v.
g nt n
giny
n.
n.
gr
grdnk
grny
giri
gr
gr
gr
gr
grg
grk
grku
g
gtsu
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
adv.
n.
a.
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
giwa
n.
giwo
gy
giye
gy y 'tn
n.
n.
n.
v.
gzo
gzgi
gi
g
go
g
n.
n.
v.
v.
v.
v.
g
gba
gbandawaki
gb
goble
gobi
gbogd
gdn
gd
v.
v.
b
b
n.
n.
v.
v.
v.
English
To grind corn the second
time;
Salutation for the rank, Yts.
Poisonous plant;
Tether rope; cf. gbn dk.
Skin disease.
Fingers; toes.
weavers.
Tongue.
To mutter; to murmur; to
grumble.
Pestle;
Kestrel or sparrow-hawk.
Eagle;
Very (large).
Smoothly.
Quickly.
Goblin.
Large.
Dog collar.
Cloud; mist; fog;
Skunk.
Suddenness.
Only;
Princes or princess; royalty;
saluted as, Lram.
Ndj, bandawaki.
Conceit; arrogance.
Tear; sap.
Name;
To be overcome (by the sight
of).
Shock (of hair).
Piles; a boil;
To confound;
To tie; to tether.
To grind.
To take; to accept; to receive;
to endure; to bear.
To support; to stay; to brace.
To go about; to pass around;
See bandawaki.
Silversides, fish species.
Vendors' call for elo nuw.
Large wood weevil.
To be very few or little;
To draw; to tighten.
To camp.
75
cf. go.
cf. engntsu.
cf. et n.
Kobo.
cf. para.
cf. k d ny.
cf. kaye, sun, eye.
cf. ewgi, sn.

cf. i.
cf. mk.
Brycinus macrolepidotus
cf. dgi.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
gd
gd
PoS
n.
n.
gd ba e o
v.
C
b
tx
gdgodo gdngo
gga
gg
g 'g
gg
gg
n.
v.
v.
n.
a.
gogo
n.
ggggy
gogont
gogoroky
gke
adv.
n.
adv.
n.
gkpg
gk n
adv.
v.
glngi
g 'l le 'b
n.
n.
gm g
gmbara
adv.
n.
gmbara 'bgi
n.
gmi
v.
gon
n.
gndzur
gngi
n.
n.
gngnni
gngny
n.
n.
gnta
gonti bokun
gnyi
gp
gorgor
grba
gr
n.
n.
v.
v.
adv.
n.
n.
an
English
Pelican.
Cloth woven on an upright
loom.
To besiege; to camp around a
town.
When used with the verb jn
means, to substitute;
Well.
To pass; to out-go.
To interpret;
Interpreter.
Fifteen; also pronounced,
gwgi, gwg.
Black ant which burrows in
the ground, usually found in
the fields.
Very (warm).
High ground; cf. ksunt.
Very (high).
Hatchet used for cutting
horse feed.
Small.
To struggle to break away, as
one who wants to fight;
Fish species.
woodcarvers;
Rather; instead;
Grass species, the bark of
which is used for binding
purposes.
Weed species, from which an
oil is taken that is used in
preparing certain foods;
To reply; to answer; to
acknowledge;
Large baggy trousers
embroidered;
Grass species
First weeding of the farm
after the corn has been
planted.
Tooth pick.
Clang of a bell or
blacksmith's anvil.
Grass fields.
Grass
To become; to suit.
To be wide; to be broad.
Very (large);
Doom palm.
Hook.
76
cf. gyg.
cf. g.
cf. d ngb n.
lit. take the birds' sleeping
place.
cf. kkd.
the root also is used in making

a red dye.
cf. g .
cf. kam.
much used for thatching.
? Ctenium newtonii.
cf. gborgbor.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
gor
Gro
PoS
n.
n.
gorozo
gsgsy
gsngwa
excl.
adv.
n.
gwa fumfr
goya
gy
n.
n.
n.
gyg
gyeg
gy
gzn
g 'z nyk
v.
v.
n.
n.
gozo
g z nm
excl.
v.
gu
g
gb
gbb
gbta
gda
gudani
gda ym
gdgi
gdbo
gdky
gd
v.
a.
a.
n.
n.
n.
excl.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
gudugudu
gdugduy
gdmwa
ggggy
guguguky
ggrggry
gugwa
gji
gl
gll
n.
adv.
n.
adv.
adv.
adv.
a.
n.
n.
n.
gm dz
gmba
gmba
n.
adv.
n.
gun
English
Undertakers;
Nd Lile at Mkwa,
Very (slender).
Upright post to support a roof
or beam; a brace; a clamp; a
vice.
Green grass snake.
Double of the bush cow.
Grass fields when
overflooded.
To replace; to do in return;
To interpret.
Fule, Fulani
Barber.
Salutation for the chief of
Mly.
To bring up the rear; to be
last.
verbs with initial go, gu.
To burst.
Two.
Both.
Smelting works.
Unit.
Black unglazed tobe.
Vendors' call for cooked rice.
Grass species;
Salutation for Nd kt.
Very (large).
Descent; a steep place; a
ravine.
Fowl basket;
Everywhere;
Help; assistance;
Droopingly.
Very (large).
Very (many); plentifully;
Empty handed;
Frontal of a child's head.
Vulture.
Fly-wheel on a spinning
spindle.
Marabou stork.
Tightly; closely.
Beverage made from guineacorn flour, honey and water.
verbs with initial syllable
77
cf. wrgb.
Gbyfru.
cf. nusa.
cf. g, ggb.
cf. gorozo.
cf. bdgi.
cf. lka.
cf. bgabgay.
cf. ewce.
cf. nyssnyi.
cf. gwats .
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
gn
v.
gn
gn
gn
v.
v.
v.
gn
gn
gn
gn~
gn~
gn~
gn~ ci
gn~ gb
gn~ 'gb
gn~ gor
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
n.
n.
v.
n.
gn~ gorci
gnguru
gunj
gnkn~
gn~ kun~
gn ln~
gnl
gnlol
n.
a.
n.
adv.
v.
v.
adv.
n.
gnm
g nmd
gnmi
g nmi
g nmka
n.
v
v.
v.
n.
g nmikpngo
g nni ny
gnni
gnny
v.
adv.
a.
n.
gnnu
g nye
n.
v.
gr
n.
gr sak n
n.
gurny
gry
gri
guru
guru
guru
adv.
adv.
n.
a.
n.
n.
fr
t
English
gn.
To meet; to attain; to amount
to; to come or join together.
To compare.
To sew two edges together.
To commit; to leave with; to
put to.
To kindle.
To climb; to ascend.
To be angry; to be provoked.
To reach its limit.
To war against; to besiege.
To be in (a hole).
Invalid.
Wave; ripple; cf. gbngb.
To bunt; cf. d 'gb, gb.
Fruit of the gn~ gorci tree,
Fruit bearing tree.
Whole; perfect; entire.
Sand-bank.
How many.
To war; to battle; to fight;
To breakfast.
Very (large, stout).
Sickness said to be brought
on by eating green locust
fruit.
Hedgehog?
To hunger; to starve;
To conspire;
To be in the head (as corn);
Muzzle; an iron fastened to
the nose;
To argue;
Slowly.
Four; gnini, all four.
Very light chestnut coloured
(horse).
Traditional ceremony
To pity; to be compassionate;
to be merciful.
Grass sack. twenty thousand
cowries or one head.
Sack cloth; a cloth made of
cotton and hemp.
Very (much, many);
Completely.
Desire; ambition;
Fine; nice;
Horn (of animals).
Switch-up-snare.
78
which is used to make dn~

gborok syrup.
cf. gn~ , ekn.
cf. md.
lit. to put the mouths together.
cf. g n.
cf. tkkmi.
cf. gbmi.
cf. dz g y, gigbwy.
cf. ykpa.
cf. sra.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
gr
guruntu
guruz
PoS
n.
adv.
gusa
gs ny
gs ny
gsgsy
gue
n.
adv.
adv.
adv.
n.
gt
gtsn
gtswany
a.
a.
a.
gtwab
a.
gtot
gtwani
a.
a.
gwo
guia
gunma
gwaba
a.
n.
a.
n.
gwagn
gwagb n
gwag
gwagci
gwak
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
gwaka
n.
gwak
gwakpa
gwak
gwal
gwala gwalagi
gwalu
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
gwangi
gwap
gwapa
n.
n.
n.
gws
gwas
gwasgi
gwasn
gwatgwat
gwats
gwatso
gwz nm
gwg gwg
a.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
a.
n.
n.
a.
English
Bellows.
Sprawlingly.
lkali, Lukpn, Snk l.
Bamboo.
Very (full).
Very (poor looking); poorly.
Everywhere; untidy.
Hole; pit; gully; ditch;
burrow; cave.
Three; gtat, all three.
Five; gtsntsn, all five.
Six; gtswanytswany, all
six.
Seven; gtwabtwab, all
seven.
Eight; gtottot, all eight.
Nine; gtwanitwani; all
nine.
Ten; gwowo, all ten.
Groundnuts; peanuts.
Old; tough;
Helping to carry; the
entrusting
Species of weaver bird;
Slowness;
Success;
Substitute; a security.
Wrist band, said to act as a
charm when boxing.
Measure, roughly about 18
inches; a cubit.
Handful; the fist.
Elbow.
Handful;
Handle.
Branch; a limb;
Abandoning; acquitting;
forgiving.
Weaver bird.
Wing;
Written charm to ensure
prosperity;
One hundred and eighty.
Competition.
Felon; a whitlow.
Holding;
Alternately.
Empty-handed.
Quickness;
Junior.
Fifteen; also pronounced,
79
cf. nusa.
cf. bagwa.
cf. gwangi.
cf. gb n.
cf. ggwa.
cf. gwak.
cf. d ngi.
cf. pmpgi.
cf. lya.
cf. sngwa.
cf. tsogwa.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
gwgwrwy
gw ngw ny
adv.
adv.
English
gg.
Very (high);
Fiercely;
cf. gagara, gogoroky.
cf. kwrkwr.
H
h
v.
v.
h
hghgy
hgky hrky
hgy
hj
hh
hh
excl.
adv.
adv.
adv.
n.
hhny
adv.
hhwgi
hhy
hmhmy
hank li
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
hnkuri
n.
hny
hny
hny
hrfya
hrharahry
adv.
adv.
n.
a.
adv.
har fi
n.
hr
hw
prep.
n.
hw
n.
hawuhawugi
hya
n.
hyhy
hyhy
hyhy
hyin ny
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
v.
To stick into (as a pin in a

cushion); to carry (in the
arms).
To make uneasy; to make
uncomfortable;
Very (thin).
Very (wide);
Quickly.
Pilgrimage to Mecca;
See kr.
To be uncomfortable; to be
uneasy; cf. h.
Sharply, as the sound of dry
grass being broken down.
Loudly.
Ravenously.
Sense; prudence;
forethought; care;
intelligence;
Meekness; patience;
forbearance; resignation.
Sharply;
Very (large, wide).
Tearing or ripping sound.
Good; well;
Pell-mell; disorderly;
carelessly.
Letter of the alphabet; a
word;
Until; till; as far as.
Cracking sound of dry
leaves;
Munching or cracking sound
made by one biting into a raw
vegetable;
See hhwgi.
Writing on a slate which is
washed off and drunk as
medicine.
Cracking sound of dry grass;
Fiercely;
Creepingly.
Truth;
80
cf. hh.
cf. wgky.
cf. alahj.
cf. ym . < Hausa
cf. hhny.
cf. ge.
cf. bki.
cf. hhny.
cf. kpurkpury.
cf. hw.
cf. kwrkwr.
cf. g kiya, kka.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
h h h h y
h h y
hi
PoS
n.
adv.
higira
hn
hny
hny
ho
n.
adv.
adv.
adv.
excl.
is
hb
hd n
hh
excl.
excl.
excl.
hh
hoy
excl.
n.
hnhn
a.
hny
hny
hny
hw y
adv.
n.
adv.
n.
English
Sound of low laughing.
Pantingly.
verbs with initial syllable ha.
Hijira or Muslim year.
Yes.
Yes.
No.
Exclamation of surprise; cf.
English, Oh.
Exclamation of surprise;
disinterest.
Noise one makes when
yawning.
Wild; raw; as applied to a
non-Muslim.
Badly.
Cracking sound of dry grass;
Very (much, many);
Tearing or ripping sound;
n.
n.
n.
p.n.
Service; worship.
Faith; submission (Muslim);
Evil one.
New Testament;
jm
excl.
jahd
jhli
jjy
jm
jamfr
jamfr d 'b ts n
n.
v.
adv.
n.
v.
n.
jnja
jankpeg
jny
js
adv.
a.
adv.
n.
jy
j gby ng
j gby ny
adv.
a.
adv.
Expression of displeasure or
disapproval.
Jihad or Holy War;
To be ignorant,
Quietly; softly.
Assembly; a crowd.
To jump; to leap; to spring;
Short underskirt worn by
women.
Together.
Short;
Exactly; accurately;
Snake that lives in the top of
palm trees;
Gently; softly;
Thin.
Everywhere; all over;
also, hbjn.
cf. hw.
cf. tny, hny.
cf. hny.
I
bda
iman
bl
njil(a)
cf. yiyakpe.
cf. lnjila.
81
<Fulfulde jam though this is

usually positive.
cf. jihad.
i.e. with respect to religion.
cf. yfr.
cf. dzankpeg.
cf. kiny.
also gs.
cf. jjy.
cf. bgabgay.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
j nyj nygi
j r ba
j
j
v.
v.
j
jci
jbanci
v.
n.
n.
jjny
jka
adv.
n.
jkpe
n.
jk n jnk n
n.
jk n
n.
jm
jn ba
jngi
n.
n.
jenejenegi
jn
jr
jrg
jtgi
jts
ji
PoS
a.
a.
n.
adv.
adv.
a.
jb
v.
jb
jbye
jbele
jigada
jgjgy
jgngi
jg y
jgb n
jgbjgb
jgby
jgijginy
jgjg
jihad
jka
jk n
jkpe
jlalen
n.
v.
adv.
n.
adv.
n.
adv.
n.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
a.
n.
English
Worthless; unreliable.
See z r ba.
To flow; to run (as water).
To bear fruit (as the lonci
tree).
To spin or twist;
Tree species.
Spurtle or stirring stick for
porridge.
Quickly;
Rubbish; dirt washed away
by the rain;
Porridge cooked before the
sauce, which is afterwards
cooked in the same pot;
Leaving; food left over from
the previous night.
Breasts of a young girl just
forming.
See jm.
Cleansing.
Bundle; truss (of grass for
thatching).
Small;
Genii;
Straightly (as in a line);
Very (thin as a string).
See jkpe.
Sauceless.
verbs with initial, dza, dz,
dzwa, dzw, je.
To acknowledge; to give
honour or respect to; to
inform.
Tree species.
To describe (a place);
Very (many).
Yam cultivar.
Staggering; unsteadily.
Bed bug.
Very (much tangled).
Old or aged person;
Very (shaky).
Very (much tangled); untidy;
Very (much tangled);
Very (shaky);
Holy War;
Bag; sack; pouch.
Sand.
Unsettled;
Book on Islamic law.
82
cf. vvny.
cf. gbt.
cf. jtgi.
cf. j nij nigi.

cf. bt jn.
cf. gbor.
cf. jye.
cf. nusa.
cf. jg y.
cf. jg y.
cf. gg.
cf. jahd.
cf. kpj.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
jm
jn
jn a
jn cn
jn cng
jn dko
jn dwa
jn dni
jn kww
jn lda
jn ljbi
jn lkali
jn lkwli
jn lher
jn lbrka
jn lgs
jn lwai
jn lzwlmi
jn nfni
jn an
jn nng
jn nyci
jn rla
jn aro
jn sra
jn ida
jn yla
jn ziki
jn b
jn bagi
jn brk
jn bn
jn bra
jn br
jn b
jn bbny
jn bk
jn brbr
jn b
jn b a de a g
jn boli
jn b
jn bc
jn bkta
jn cto
jn cigb
PoS
n.
v.
English
Friday;
To do; to make; to cause; to
manage; to create; to
perform.
to assist; to cause.
do thus; do so.
do thus; do so.
to make a haversack.
to pray.
to be religious.
to be a clerk.
to observe the custom.
to be or do something
wonderful.
to be or act judge.
to make an agreement.
to do good.
to bless.
to defraud.
to boast; to brag.
to defraud.
to profit; to benefit.
to have done already.
to do thus.
to slander; to defame.
to perform ceremonial
ablutions.
to lend; to borrow.
to meet with misfortune.
to belittle.
to menstruate.
to be prosperous; to be
fortunate.
to defame.
to be a man.
to bless; to wish a blessing.
to destroy.
to beg.
to pretend.
to be filthy.
to throb.
to hold a traditional feast.
to be worried.
to imitate; to ape.
to do for man's sake; to do
for praise.
to urinate.
to cheat.
to do private work.
to be busy.
to do a kindness.
to make medicine.
83
cf. dzm.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
jn c ng n
jn cnl
jn dngida
jn d
jn d bra
jn d kyny
jn d lli
jn dgng
jn dwm
jn dunyi
jn dz n
jn fadnci
PoS
jn fri
jn frgba
jn frgita
jn ftn
jn 'fo
jn fro
jn fui
jn gbdw
jn g
jn gfra
jn gag
jn gn wa
jn gn
jn gyti
jn g mi
jn g nd m
jn g nig
jn gnyi
jn gbny
jn gbnkgi
jn 'gi
jn giaria
jn gib
jn gyg
jn gdmwa
jn ggny
jn 'g n
jn gri
jn hank li
jn hnkuri
jn jik n
jnjn
jn kf
English
to have a cold, or fever.
to try; to attempt.
to do mischief.
to create a mutual fund.
to contrive.
to try for a long time.
to influence.
to act slyly; to pretend.
to call on; cf. tmid.
to be absorbed in thought.
to give a parting gift.
to bribe with or give a
present.
to boast; to brag; to glory.
to be restless; to be nervous.
to be restless.
to bother; to trouble.
to be a long (time); to be
ancient; to endure; to last
long.
to master; to train; to correct;
to punish.
to be angry.
to be awkward.
to avenge; to revenge; to do
in return.
to forgive.
to be proud.
to meet, to counsel.
to perform a certain
traditional dance.
to ease nature.
to help; to assist.
to dispute.
to raise insurrection.
to gawk; to stare.
to try; to persevere.
to delay.
to adopt.
to reconcile.
to show independence.
see jn g.
to do a kindness.
to be huddled up.
to do evil.
to try.
to beware; to take care; to
mind.
to be patient; to endure.
to divine in sand.
the doing; the making.
to be idle; to idle.
84
R.M. Blench
Nupe
jn krmbni
jn krtn
jn kriko
jn k sta
jn kk
jn k mta
jn k n
jn k ngr
jn k nk nci
jn k sta
jn kta
jn kiye
jn kta
jn kdgb
jn kd ri
jn kmr
jn kkri
jn kknto
jn kokw
jn kmbke
jn knd
jn kng
jn knkny
jn kotonkci
jn kpnk n
jn kl
jn kumbuli
jn knmlo
jn krenge
jn kt
jn kpony
jn lalce
jn lali
jn ln
jn ld n
jn lefi
jn lialiai
jn lsfi
jn lndzgi
jn lovogi
jn m nfki
jn m rk
jn mci
jn mrdi
jn mrn
jn nusa
jn pry
jn ppy
jn rh
jn rts
jn 'r
PoS
English
to speculate.
to read; to study.
to last; to endure.
to be fully developed.
to be distant; to be formal.
to act or be like.
to like; to love.
to rebel; to make sedition.
to disappoint.
See jn k sta.
to do evil.
to beware.
to judge; to decide
to go about trading.
to covet.
to be easy going.
to try; to persevere.
to doubt
to quarrel.
to doubt.
to dance the knd dance.
to prepare food and send it
around.
to doubt
to illustrate.
to be daring.
to care.
to be angry.
to vomit.
to be bold; to be brazen.
to perform a masquerade.
to finish completely.
to be spoiled.
to entreat; to plead.
to be in trouble; to trouble.
to confide.
to sin; to offend.
to plead; to entreat;
to reckon; to add.
to deceive.
to deceive.
to act the hypocrite.
to tattle.
to prepare.
to desire.
to be glad.
to be old; aged.
to be white, or dusty.
to throb.
to play.
to disappoint.
to witness.
85
cf. jn lali.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
jn rkici
jn rkto
jn rngmi
jn sabwa
jn sbo
jn sla
PoS
jn sw
jn s b bi
jn s g li
jn snn
jn embelegi
jn ika
jn ini
jn inkl
jn k
jn ki
jn dny
jn rya
jn rny
jn tkra
jn tkyci
jn tm tman
jn trwa
jn trb
jn ts r
jn tasoniny gi
jn ttg
jn twy
jn t k dri
jn t lnci
jn turi
jn t wre
jn tmko
jn tnto
jn ts yi
jn tsm
jn tsawa
jn ts yeya
jn tba
jn tm
jn t nny
jn trabi
jn ti
jn wla
jn wwwwy
jn wrnk ci
English
to betray.
to tattle.
to reduce.
to be accustomed to.
to play.
to perform devotions or
prayers.
to be particular about ones
person.
to dispute.
to be busy.
to live in seclusion (as
Muslim women).
to be worldly; to be lewd.
to refuse.
to be busy.
to fornicate.
to hiccough.
to hiccough.
to be silent; to be quiet.
to judge.
to be silent; to be quiet.
to review a lesson.
to disappoint.
to think; to experiment; to
try.
to help; to assist (in fishing).
to be short sighted.
to be spoiled; to have a
misfortune.
to be forward.
to be foolish.
to be suspicious.
to suspect.
to be poor; to be in want.
to preach.
to castrate.
to do a kindness.
to divide into shares.
to show respect.
to ridicule.
to thunder.
to be balky; to be stubborn.
to repent.
to suspect.
to be quiet.
to divine.
to make a review of studies.
to suffer; to agonise; to
afflict.
to be slouchy.
to disappoint.
86
R.M. Blench
Nupe
jn w
jn wlm
jn wurngi
jn w
jn wuy
jn y
PoS
jn ybo
jn yda
jn ysbi
jn yrnny
jn z mba
jn z r ba
jn z wya
jn zre
jn zyra
jn zo
jn zba
jn z nnbi
jn zwlnci
jn nke
jn nkiri
jn nm
jn iiny
jn ya
jndzara
jndz jndzr
jn g a
jnjn
jinjre
n.
n.
excl.
v.
n.
jinjr
jinjrci
jnjny
jnjny
jnjny
jy
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
adv.
v.
jye
v.
d
fr
t
English
to be able.
to make a feast.
to play a game.
to pucker (the mouth).
to be difficult;
to be independent; to be
showy.
to thank.
to assent; to agree; to
approve; to allow.
to divine; to understand the
use of numerals.
to sing carols.
to do a mean act; to do
mischief.
to have a passionate desire
for.
to do a kindness.
to be accustomed to, or
acquainted with.
to do a kindness.
to accomplish.
to blue.
to sin; to offend.
to defraud.
to help; to assist.
to delay.
to be large.
to be stupid.
to be fleshy; to be fat;
Snag.
Fringe;
Salutation for Kta.
Doing; the making;
Skin disease, usually appears
between the toes.
Fruit of the jinjrci tree.
Tree with edible fruit.
Very (large, stout).
Heavily;
Tightly;
To be poor; to be poverty
stricken.
To describe (features).
87
cf. cew.
cf. wnc n.
cf. kegbugbu, i.
cf. dndzr.
cf. jn.
cf. tntny.
cf. gb ngb nny.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
K
PoS
k
k
k
v.
v.
v.
k
k
k
k
v.
v.
v.
v.
k
k
k
k
ka
ka
ka
ka
conj.
v.
n.
n.
v.
adv.
v.
v.
ka
v.
k
Kaaba
kaba
kba
kbkby
v.
n.
n.
conj.
adv.
kbra
n.
kbke
kc
conj.
n.
kc
n.
kc
kcn
kadzo
kf
n.
conj.
n.
n.
kafa
kafa
kaf
n.
n.
n.
kfi
kafi mallam
adv.
n.
kfri
kaf
kafur
kg
kg
n.
n.
n.
conj.
pn
English
To hatch; to incubate.
To mix; to mingle; in infect;
To cut; to strike (as with a
sword).
To write.
To coil; to wind on.
To begin; to commence;
To regard; to mind; to care
about;
If;
To plant;
Time;
Body;
To wait.
Even; though;
To hoop;
To gather, as a wind before a
storm;
To continue; to perpetuate; to
re-do.
To move about; to cast about;
Kaaba at Mecca.
Maize;
If; though;
Nervously; shakily;
tremblingly.
To call to prayer; to call out
Allah akbar, God is great.
If; though;
Avoiding, by turning out of
the way;
Strolling about; the
wandering about;
Pretence;
Lest; else; otherwise.
Rust.
Nakedness;
Rest; quietness;
Preparation made from
guinea-corn.
When;
Grass species
Non-Muslim; an unbeliever;
Idleness; laziness; indolence.
Camphor.
See gk.
Except; unless;
88
cf. keb, l.
cf. y.
cf. ds , lw .
cf. kba.
cf. dz.
cf. k, kmi.
cf. eb.
cf. kba.
cf. y.
cf. ku.
cf. b , vn.
< Arabic
cf. bke, kg .
cf. bke, wn y ke.

cf. ck.
cf. ck, za.
cf. ck.
Kobo, Lram.
cf. yavn, yta.
cf. f.
cf. kmi.
Evolvulus alsiniodes < Hausa.
used in making a perfume.
cf. gbr.
cf. f.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
kgbngi
kgb n
kgb
PoS
a.
a.
n.
kagn
kai
a.
excl.
kj
kjgi
n.
n.
kk
n.
kkd
kkd
kknfri
kkkky
n.
adv.
n.
adv.
n.
kkki
kakamf
mi
n.
kkancl
k k ndond
kknk
kakara
kkry
kakawgi
n.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
kkwgi
kky
kkyi
kk
kakp
kkpn
kkpe
a.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
v.
kk
kku
kk
kkdya
kkn
kky
klkp klnkp
klmi
kalim
n.
v.
v.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
v
f
b
tx
fo
tp
English
Short;
Lost; strayed; damned;
Power; strength; might;
ability; wealth; riches.
Different; distinct;
Exclamation to attract ones
attention; also of doubt.
Small white-ant hill.
Ventriloquism,
Beads at one time worn by
women.
Sitting tailor fashion;
Rather; instead;
Beginning;
Very (shaky);
Trumpet played in sets for
the Etsu Nupe and other
rulers
One who has no relatives or

interests in a place; a tramp;
Vine species;
See k ndond.
Beginning; commencement;
Fish species.
Very (quickly);
Bird which carries a headcrest.
See hhwgi.
Different;
Very (shaky).
European khaki.
Lyeless porridge.
Shore; a beach.
To wrinkle; to crease; to
overlap;
Species of king vulture.
To confiscate;
To be stale; to be old.
Tattoo marks on the cheeks;
When;
Very (heavy).
Fork of a tree.
Word;
The Muslim creed.
89
cf. kkrgi.
cf. gb nk.
cf. ky, tnyi.
< Hausa
said to be a spirit in a bag
talking.
cf. dkk.
cf. gm g.
cf. mfari.
cf. kpkkpk.
< Hausa
cf. tsa.
cf. n.
cf. kknfri.
cf. bny.
cf. ky, tnyi.
cf. kkpe.
cf. kpl.
cf. kmi.
cf. eg .
R.M. Blench
Nupe
kal
kmda
kmsa
km po km fo
PoS
n.
n.
n.
kmi
n.
kmi
n.
kmi
kmi ndond
km
km
adv.
adv.
a.
n.
kn
k nd
k ndoci
kndkn
knd
kanfr
kng
kng g ncn
kngr
kangb
kngo
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
knny
knkny
kankr
kns n
kntsu
a.
a.
n.
a.
n.
kny
k ... nyi
kny
kpa
kapangi
kapoci
kr
n.
v.
n.
n.
n.
n.
kara
n.
kara
kara
n.
n.
kara
kara
n.
v.
C
b
fo
pl
English
Bird seen only in the forest.
Food made from beans.
Weed found in the water.
Term used in war when an
entire village, which offers
no resistance.
Time; hour; age;
dispensation; period; success,
because he had knowledge of
the times;
Measure; a cubit; roughly
about 18 inches;
When.
Always; often; every time.
Raw; doughy; uncooked.
Large baggy trousers
unembroidered;
Farm;
See kmi ndond.
Another time; bye and bye;
Cheaply prepared food;
Aerial yam
Corn leaves;
Then; lit. at that time.
Then; at last.
See k ngr.
Hoop; the collar bone.
Person who grinds corn for a
living;
Useless; senseless;
Different;
Hippopotamus.
Dry.
Person who threshes corn for
a living;
Informing;
To begin;
See ky.
Side; edge.
Bean grown on flood land.
Rafters or uprights of a roof.
Calabash used in traditional
religion.
Stick used in laying out
cotton thread for a loom.
Crab.
Sign; anything placed on
tnto meat to distinguish it
from that of another.
Onion stem.
To be caught, as refuse being
washed down a rain gutter.
90
cf. k, s.
cf. gwaka.
cf. gon.
cf. lat.
cf. kmi, ndoci.
cf. kngo.
Dioscorea bulbifera
cf. fr.
cf. kntsu.
cf. banza.
cf. ky, tnyi.
cf. kngo.
cf. ny k.
cf. c, y.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
kara
kr
PoS
v.
n.
kr
kr
adv.
n.
kr
n.
krga
n.
krkry
karakaray
krkry
krmbni
krtn
karay
kry
adv.
a.
a.
n.
n.
a.
adv.
kar
kargi
kariko
karo
karugbengbe
a.
n.
v.
n.
v.
kasa
n.
k(n)s
ks
ks
ksgi
ks n
kasmza
ksta
ksw
n.
excl.
n.
n.
a.
a.
n.
kswb
ksuwan kura
n.
excl.
kai
k
ki
kan
kk
kt
kata
n.
n.
n.
conj.
a.
n.
n.
kata dkya
n.p.
pl
English
To surround;
Wall around a compound
which does not touch any of
the enclosed houses; cf.
sk n.
Never; ever;
Cake or biscuit made from
bean flour; fried cakes or
dough-nuts.
Load; bundle; cargo; burden;
baggage; luggage.
Bed made from bamboo
poles; a cage;
Quickly;
Steady; quiet;
Restless; nervous.
Unwise or hasty speculation.
Reading; study; learning.
Quiet; steady.
Clearly; entirely; a clear cut
through.
Rough.
Rabbit;
To last; to endure;
Paint.
To straddle a child on the
shoulder.
Large coarse basket for
carrying bulky things.
Crocodile.
Alas! Oh my!
Rising early;
Private work;
Dry;
See pasmza.
Great; mighty;
Grass species
Grass species.
B re.
Thrashing;
Slime.
Cassia plant.
Or.
Distant; formal; doubtful.
Umbrella.
House; building; dwelling;
room.
Store house
91
cf. gba, mk.
cf. cr.
< Yoruba akara
cf. gdo.
cf. vvny.
cf. karay.
cf. kygi.
cf. kliko, jn 'fo.
cf. sk.
cf. bc.
cf. kns n .
cf. b ini, ksta.
used for horse feed. < Hausa
ysuuwaa. Pennisetum
subangustum and P.
pedicellatum.
cf. wulu.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
kata ft
PoS
n.p.
kata 'gn dn
kata lnkp
kata ld
kata kpn
kata m kndnnu
kata n a z n kpe kn n
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
kata ny eny 'kn

kata 't kpere
kata 't tnla
kata k
katats
ktkpot
katamb
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
a.
n.
katambo
katambo yakgi
katamp
n.
n.
n.
katangbt
katanjb
katankpa
ktnkp
katankpnni
ktnkp
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
katan n
katant
kt kggi
ktkt
ktky
kto
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
kt
kt
kts
ktsgi
katsakatsay
kts
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
kawa
kwt
a.
n.
kwo nuwnci
n.
kw
kawura
v.
n.
kwsa
n.
ai
English
Bungalow; a two storey
building.
House with thin mud walls.
Brick house.
Local jail.
House with an iron pan roof.
Hyena trap.
House with a veranda all
around.
Armoury.
House without a roof.
Roofless house.
European jail.
House owner.
Poor; scanty.
Gate-way; entrance house; a
lodge.
Armpit;
Tree species.
Hoe
House-top; cf. katant.
Kitchen.
Shin;
Fall-trap to catch field rats
Agama lizard.
Wooden clogs, worn after
rain.
Foundation of a house.
House-top;
Outside; the edge.
Trade corduroy cloth.
Very (large).
Wood box; place where
wood is piled in a house;
Giant.
Space; berth.
Last weeding of the farm;
Shrimp;
Everywhere; untidily;
Gruel made from guineacorn.
Different; nice;
Swjy.
Tree species;
To yell; to screech;
messengers,
Tree species,
92
also lkntata.
not quite as large as a
zuk nk.
cf. rogb.
cf. tangi, k.
cf. katangbt.
cf. b .
cf. vnnu.
also nd ktsgi.
cf. gsgsy.
cf. sra, tt.
Entada abyssinica; E. africana

cf. lonci gg.
cf. tw, kpgn.
Giwa.
the leaves of which are
covered with small thorns and
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
kaya
n.
Ornaments;
kaye
ky
kay
n.
v.
v.
ky
ky wuru
v.
v.
kyi
ky
kaygi
kz n n
kayy
k
a.
n.
n.
a.
v.
k
k
k
k
k
k
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
cf. m .
cf. y.
k
k
k
k
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
k b ri
k bd
n.
n.
Name;
To look about;
To perplex; to astonish; to
amaze.
To eye; to look piercingly at.
To be bewildered; to be
puzzled;
See kai.
Different;
Rabbit;
This time.
Rough;
To cackle; to be preparing to
lay (as a hen).
To show a light;
To bend; to be crooked;
To wring; to twist.
To milk (an animal).
To fry, in a pan or pot.
To forbid; to hinder; to
detain; to dam; to block.
To drive or herd (as cattle).
To open out (as an umbrella).
To mask; to partition;
To drive, as a nail or stake; to
bunt; to bump.
To grow or wear whiskers or
moustache.
Grave; tomb;
Mantle or rain coat,
k bd
k c nn
kd
k d k kr
k d ny
k dk d
k dz g
k f zuru
k fo
n.
a.
a.
adv.
adv.
a.
a.
cf. kr.
cf. kt.
cf. k.
n.
Pattern in trade cloth.

Private.
Bent; crooked.
Never; ever;
Only; exactly; precisely;
Poor (language); crooked;
Thin.
See k rf zuru.
Horn (musical instrument);
kgruwa
k g y
kg g
kk
k k ci
k k k k y
k k ny
adv.
a.
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
mi
English
See kngruwa.
Very (large).
Thin.
Wild duck.
Disappointment;
Very (much cracked);
Completely;
93
are used to polish wooden
slates.
cf. eny sr, ts ng n gi,
yaysa.
cf. eye, sun.
cf. b , k.
cf. i.
cf. kky, kagn.
cf. kargi.
cf. kar.
cf. k y.
cf. kia, rwo. < Hausa

made from grass, formerly
worn by Fule herdsmen.
made from the horn of the

harnessed antelope. < Hausa
cf. k nk nci.
cf. k k ny.
cf. fny, kpony.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
k k ny
k k ny
k k
k kg
kliko
PoS
adv.
adv.
v.
a.
v.
klo
k m dk
k m
k m
k m ni
k mta
Kmbri
adv.
n.
a.
a.
a.
a.
p.n.
k mn
kn
k n
k n
k n
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
kn fr
n.
k n ng(gi)
n.
k n jk n j
k ngra
a.
n.
k ngr
k ngrg
k ng ri
k ng ri nynkpa
kngruwa
k ngb
n.
a.
n.
a.
excl.
k ngi
k ngi
k ngr
k ngrg
kni
kn
knjr
n.
n.
adv.
a.
v.
n.
n.
knjrl
k nk nci
k nk n
k nk ngi
k nk ny
k ntara
knfr
knwn
k ny
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
mi
sa
b
bf
English
Quickly;
To nudge;
Thin.
To last; to endure; to be a
long time.
Only;
Sweet potatoes;
Like.
Whole; all; entire;
Like;
Like;
Kambari people northwest of
the Nupe
Love;
Kink.
Stubbornness.
Small grey monkey
Accompaniment (played on a
drum).
Cloves;
Hourglass-drum carried
under the arm
Poor;
Job; contract (refers only to
work taken by tailors);
Treason; sedition.
Thin.
Stake.
Salutation for the rank ib;
Empty;
Makn.
Fastening.
Somersault;
Very (large).
Thin.
To wind on;
Stirring-room;
Clam shell used as a
measure.
Ibis;
Disappointment;
Swab or pot cleaner.
Dry mucus from the nose.
Quickly.
Wooden spoon or ladle;
Cloves;
Potash.
Quickly.
94
cf. k k k k y, kp nkp ny.
cf. vvny.
cf. k .
cf. toto.
cf. dk.
cf. d, k mta.
cf. kpt.
cf. k m.
cf. k m.
cf. Gmbri.
cf. by, cncn, k n.
(mona guenon).
cf. knfr. <Arabic via
Hausa
and used to accompany praisesinging through speechimitation. < Hausa
cf. k dk d.
cf. lada.
lit. an iron stake.

cf. vnia.
cf. kt.
cf. k.
cf. nk.
cf. el tnz rg.
cf. k k ci, tkyci.
cf. kpantoro.
cf. kn fr.
< Hausa
R.M. Blench
Nupe
k ny
k r mask
k r w
k r y
k remigi
k ri
k ri
k rfzuru
k rk r
k r
kruba
PoS
adv.
n.
n.
adv.
a.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
kruwa
k s
k s g
k s k s y
ksiko
n.
n.
a.
adv.
n.
k sg
k sta
k
a.
ktfa
n.
ktkt
k wny
kwui
k wy
k wy
k y
k y
k ye
k y
n.
adv.
n.
n.
adv.
v.
v.
n.
v.
k yer
kyimi
k z
k
v.
n.
n.
v.
k 'b
v.p.
k 'bo
k d
k da z n
k d
k 'kn
k ya
k 'y
ky
k
ke
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.
a.
v.
excl.
an
English
Trade velvet.
Glass or stone armlet.
Loudly; shrilly.
Small;
Meaning.
Crease; fold; wrinkle.
Bridle rein.
Shakily;
Ram.
Medicine or charm, used in
boxing, and said to cause the
opponent to fall down.
Prostitute;
Side.
Thin.
Very (distant, formal);
Shallow pot with a large
mouth.
Thin;
See ksta.
Exclamation of
disappointment.
Fancy quilt or blanket; a
crazy quilt.
Large red ant.
Only;
Perfume;
Unwalled town.
Very (dry);
To be forward; to presume.
To partition; to hide;
Assembly; a gathering.
To turn the eyes; to be crosseyed;
To be chinked.
Spur worn by horsemen;
So and so; such and such.
To remain; to leave; to
decrease.
to leave the place; to make
room.
to rest; lit. to leave tiredness.
to return.
to go back.
to come out; to appear.
to be thin; to be lean;
to overflow.
to ease nature.
to kneel; to bend.
Before; prior; previous.
To strike; to hit.
95
cf. k k ny.
cf. ttngi.
cf. kpkkpk.
cf. embelegi.
cf. kk.
cf. k s g.
cf. k d ny.
cf. bk , k .
< Hausa
cf. gb ns y.
lit. to hide the eye.
cf. b , y.
cf. ek.
cf. kkn.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
ke
ke
PoS
v.
v.
ke
ke
ke
int.
v.
v.
keb
v.
kece
kefi
n.
v.
kg
v.
kegbugbu
v.
kek
kk
kekenci
kekere
kky
kkrgi
kekpoy
kek
kkn
klgi
kelgi
kemin ... n
v.
a.
a.
adv.
n.
adv.
n.
v.
n.
a.
adv.
kemi
kmbi
ke...n
Kenci
kendn ... n
kng
Ken
v.
n.
adv.
p.n.
adv.
a.
p.n.
kenin
knkl
knknkeny
kr
kere
kr
v.
n.
n.
a.
n.
n.
krgi
krkr
kerem
n.
adv.
n.
ks
kes
v.
v.
pl
b
hd
pl
mi
am
English
To catch; to snatch;
To join; to empty into, as a
road or river.
What.
To be split; to be cut.
To burn; to be lit or alive, as
a fire.
To join; to connect; to annex;
to mix; to mingle.
Cotton plant.
To come through; to meet; to
come upon;
To separate; to part; to
withdraw.
To be stupid; to be
confounded; to be confused;
to be bewildered;
To lift up.
See kyky.
Clear;
Empty;
Lightly; springily;
Adze.
Very (thick, as liquids).
Wild eggplant
To be thin; to be lean.
Bird species.
Short.
Thus; so;
To ruin.
Disease among horses;
Like; according; about; how.
Nupe name for the Hausa
As; thus; like; according.
Little; small; cf. dgi.
Nupe name for Hausa
country.
To gird; to array;
Weed species.
Tick of a clock.
Very hard shea-butter tree.
Top socket of a door.
Bullroarer used in traditional
worship.
Small water-frog.
Very (dry; sharp eyed);
All work connected with road
making, and railway road
building.
To be different;
To pick a way; to go
96
as a hawk does a bird.
cf. tsn
cf. i.
cf. tstsg.
cf. vna.
cf. ddy.
cf. kendn ... n, mamin ...

n.
cf. agn.
cf. panin.
cf. gb ns y.
cf. ky.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
kta
Kta
n.
n.
pn
ket n
kt
ktektey
kto
kewndn ... n
k
ki
v.
adv.
adv.
v.
adv.
v.
ki
ky
ky
kybo
Kyadya
int.
v.
v.
v.
p.n.
kygb
kyky
v.
n.
kykgi
kykn
kyamugi
kyny
kyryakyryany
kyariyaky
kyryangi
kyty(gi)
kytykytyny
kytsk n
kyye
ky nky ny
ky ni ky ni ny
ky wg
kb
kci
kgd
a.
v.
a.
adv.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
adv.
v.
v.
adv.
n.
a.
kk
kkr
kky
klmi
klsa
km
kimp
kimvo
kn
prov.
n.
a.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
da
English
cautiously.
Evil;
Nd Lile,
To guess.
Only;
Everywhere;
To be high; to be tall.
Thus; so;
To turn; to return; go back.
verbs with initial, ka, k, ke,
ki, kya.
What;
To mince; to cut small,
To dive;
To remove;
Nupe sub-group living along
the Niger and centred on
Muregi
To deceive;
Vehicle; wagon; anything on
wheels.
Small; tiny;
To dive;
Small;
Exactly;
Untidily;
Very (far).
Tickle;
Donkey; ass.
Unsteadily; very (low);
To deceive;
To beware;
Heavily; noisily;
Sound of one laughing.
Small;
See krb.
Which.
Benn.
Order; tidiness; training;
All; only.
Quickly;
See krmi.
Exercise;
Size;
Leather worker.
Calabash mender.
kn.
97
cf. eg n.
the salutations for which are
C kpe gn, Dmb.
cf. k d ny.
cf. bgabgay.
cf. kendn ... n.
cf. ke.
as horse feed.
cf. kykn.
cf. ye.
cf. Nadel (1941b)
cf. t.
cf. kyamugi.
cf. ky.
cf. gamugi, ttngi.
cf. jny.
cf. dzgadzgay.
cf. iriangi.
cf. didiy.
cf. kygb.
cf. tsw.
cf. tntny.
cf. ttngi.
cf. fro.
cf. vvny.
cf. dn.
cf. c nwn.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
kn
PoS
v.
kn
kn
kn
kn 't
kn 'tf
kn 'y kn 'ygi
kn s s
kn ekpe
kn kpe
kingbgb
kingbgb
knkr
knkrgi bs
v.
v.
n.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.
n.
n.
n.
knkr cintrgi
knkny
n.
adv.
knlgi
knm
kn mp
n.
n.
v.
i
f
kinn
knn
knnig
n.
n.
n.
knnig
knnyilagi
knt
kny
krmi
kr
kr
n.
n.
a.
adv.
n.
kri
krb
n.
n.
krbombo
krkr
krny
kiri
ks
ksa
n.
adv.
fr
n.
n.
n.
fo
v
ksbuwa
n.
ksfini
ksy
kta
ktab
n.
adv.
n.
n.
da
i
i
wv
pl
adv.
English
To sew; to make up, as a
garment.
To be thick, as oil;
To praise; to laud.
Land; earth; ground; country.
High ground.
Bare ground.
Yoruba country.
Earthquake.
Earthquake.
Earthquake.
Sheep.
Wave; ripple; swell;
Scorpion.
Small insect
Grass species.
Heavily; cf. jnjny,
ki nki ny.
Large earthworm.
Fish species.
To seal with clay between the
top of the wall and the grass
roof.
Rising; resurrection.
Falling.
Standing; the rising; the
abiding;
Warp
Herb used in sauce.
Large.
Heavily;
Stirrup strap.
See krb.
When; by the time; as soon
as;
Lasso or lariat.
Preparation of grass, charcoal
and cow dung,
Fruit of the nungberci tree.
Very (close); closely.
With difficulty;
Jerked beef.
Vine species.
Shrewdness; slyness;
subtlety. wisdom;
Snsnik.
Grass species.
Very (hard);
Judgement; decision;
Book; an office among
98
cf. lele.
et. earth + dig reduplicated

cf. gbngb, gn~ gb.
which has a tail much like a
scorpion, but is harmless.
cf. gknni.
cf. jny, knkny.

cf. kmi.
used to blacken floors.
cf. d kiny.
< Hausa
cf. egb n, ym .
cf. kpk.
cf. rya.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
kt
kt
kt
kt
ktkp
Kts
ktsktsy
kyim kym
ki
k
n.
n.
n.
a.
a.
p.n.
adv.
k
k
v.
v.
k en
k nuwn
k
v.p.
v.p.
v.
k egwa
v.
ko
v.
ko
ko
ko nyk
ko
v.
v.
v.p.
v.
ko
v.
ko
k
kbagi
kbenci
kob
kobo
v.
v.
adv.
n.
v.
n.
kcegd
n.
kci
kci bt
n.
n.
t
t
English
mallams,
Method of thatching a roof.
Somersault;
Pile; a heap.
Close;
Close; cf.
Jebba rock.
Prancingly.
The Last Day;
Cartilage.
Whether; either; or; neither;
nor.
To be ripe.
To inflate; to swell out; to
exalt; to enlarge.
To sing;
To form a water blister.
To ladle out;
to dish out, as foods.
To clap;.
to applaud
To iron; to polish; to gloss; to
smooth.
To creep; to crawl;
To mash.
To bite.
To drag or draw off, as a
canoe on a bank.
To cut off; to fall off; to rot
off.
To harvest, by uprooting.
To break out in a rash.
Secretly.
Fruit of the female pt tree.
To speak disparagingly of;
Giny and Lefrim.
High winds in February and
March.
Shea-butter tree.
shea tree
kci lati
n.
shea tree
kcib
n.
tree sp.
kci kr
n.
tree sp.
kcilgi
kociog
kdgb
n.
a.
n.
kdg
n.
Canary
Small; tiny;
Trader; one who buys at one
town and sells at another.
Glandular swelling in the arm
99
n.
conj.
fr
gba.
cf. k ngi.
cf. ck.
ck.
cf. lkyim.
cf. kn.
cf. s.
cf. g nyi.
Vitellaria paradoxa
Vitellaria paradoxa = swamp
shea tree
Vitellaria paradoxa = field
shea tree
Lophira lanceolata = male
shea tree
Lophira lanceolata = hard
shea tree
cf. kotsog, kwatiag.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
kdy
a.
kd ri
n.
kd
kodo
kd
kd
kd
kdond
Kfy
v.
a.
n.
n.
a.
n.
kog
kogb
kgi
kgwa
kgwanci
kka
kknto
kkri
a.
a.
a.
v.
n.
n.
n.
n.
kk
kk dnd
kk gbaraci
n.
kk 'gi
kk vkpa
kkbmb
kkfi gi
kkgi
n.p.
n.
n.
n.
kkgi
kkgi
kokoko
kkkpa
kokondgi
kokombl
n.
a.
n.
n.
n.
a.
kokongig
n.
kkpa
kkpe
kkkm
kokol
kkri
kokoro
n.
v.
n.
n.
n.
n.
go
d
b
f
i
yc
b
English
pits or loins.
Numb; stiff, after sitting or
standing for a long time in
one position.
Covetousness; desire;
longing.
Planning; the considering;
Deep;
Scum of shea-butter.
Rot; fungus.
Large.
Clay roofed house.
Kta,
Thin; tall.
Long.
Fidgety;
To clap the hands;
Tree species.
Ridge pole.
Doubt; uncertainty;
Diligence; perseverance;
attempt; endeavour;
Lump; swelling.
large lumps.
lumps made from guineacorn flour.
lumps made from millet
Housemaid's knee;.
Stuttering; stammering.
Bird species.
Paring knife used to pare the
edge of tools.
Bird species.
Fidgety.
Conclusion; termination;
Fish of the gn species.
Small grasshopper.
Empty; vain; cf. banz,
vnla.
karaya gum tree
Long tubular calabash.

To wrinkle; to lay in layers;
Yam cultivar.
Bird species.
Wash room;
Large iron spindle used to
100
cf. dk, kpay.

cf. d.

Dawud, Kobo.
cf. kkgi.
cf. k.
cf. g g ny, knkny.
cf. gbnydz.
cf. krnt t
cf. trtr.
Sterculia setigera also fci and

gbokoci. The fruits are
pounded up and mixed into a
paste with shea-butter and
applied to the toes to expel
chiggers.
cf. kkpe.
cf. kpkpri.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
kokorok
kkta
kkty
kokw
kkw
klkuk
kol
kmar
n.
n.
adv.
n.
conj.
n.
a.
n.
bp
i
kombl
n.
kmbke
kn
kond
n.
conj.
n.
kndo
kndo
knd
n.
a.
n.
kndrgi
kndzrgi
kng
kng
n.
n.
n.
n.
kngr
n.
kongky
kn
knken
knkny
konkr
kont
knt
kontoro
kn
kony
adv.
v.
n.
n.
n.
a.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
kran
kr
kori
kri
kr
korikori
korin
koro
n.
a.
n.
a.
n.
n.
n.
koro
koro
n.
n.
Kr
p.n.
go
g
dc
mi
fo
c
c
i
fg
bp
co
bp
bf
English
wind thread on.
Molar tooth.
Louse.
Very (much bent);
Quarrel;
Else; otherwise.
Silkworm;
Short.
An untidy, easy going,
slovenly person.
Polyporus growth on a tree;
gall
Doubt; uncertainty;
Whether; or;
Very large gourd,
Swamp grass.
Large;
Dance,
Hobble rope.
Oblong basket with a lid.
Drum stick.
Food prepared and sent
around as a present.
Contract work,
Very (high).
To sing.
Pawpaw.
Doubt; uncertainty;
Cocoyam
Undeveloped;
Nail; spike.
Large earth grub.
Captive; prisoner of war.
Right up to; absolutely; all
the way.
The Koran.
Fish trap;
Different;
Black glazed garment.
Small.
Kidneys;
Green dye.
Horn or pommel of a saddle;
the hood on a cloak.
Navel.
Mucus which gathers in the
eyes while sleeping.
Koro people living towards
Suleja
101
cf. kt.
cf. snw n.
cf. gbonkuk.
cf. kknto.
cf. k.
used as a clothes basket or fish
creel.
cf. w nc nk.
in which a girl dresses as a boy
and dances with another girl.
applies to Government work

only.
Hausa shea-fruit
cf. k, kknto, kmbke.
Colocasia esculenta.
cf. gbnce.
cf. fr.
cf. t...nyi.
cf. kgi, klgi.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
kr
krbgi
PoS
n.
n.
korod nygi
krgi
krgi
krgi
n.
n.
n.
n.
pl
t
krkry
krmb
korola
adv.
n.
n.
korolambawu
koron
ksnkri
ksn
n.
n.
n.
n.
ksunt
k
kia
kiangi
kinigi
koiko
kya
kta
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
v.
kotagi
kotgi
kotngi
kt
kt
n.
a.
a.
n.
v.
ko tkp ko tkpngi
ktkt
koto
kt
v.
a.
n.
a.
kt
n.
ktg
ktgi
ktkty
ktmgbay
kotonkci
ktkty
ktoktoy
ktnci
kotsog
kot
a.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
adv.
adv.
a.
v.
v
bp
t
m
wv
tr
English
Neck;
Mould or form in which
warm kwa is poured and
allowed to cool and harden.
Edible vegetable.
Small tree,
Ball of camwood paste;
Medium sized bag of
European salt.
Restlessly; fidgetily;
Hairless person;
Flower; blossom; bud;
bloom;
Vine used in roof making.
Umbilical cord;
Tree species.
Kernel; seed; pupil of the
eye.
High ground;
Trade cloth, plain grey baft.
Grave; tomb; sepulchre;
Small field mouse.
See kiangi.
See ksiko.
Shuttle.
To rise to its highest flood
point, as a river.
Notch;
Short;
Short.
Red cattle-fly.
To be ended; to have reached
the limit.
To pinch;
Poor; unskilled;
Soap box;
Hooked, as a shepherd's
crook.
Fairies, said to be in farm
during the eighth month after
the first rains (about Nov. or
Dec.).
Small.
Charmed dolls.
Very (much hooked);
Very (much hooked);
Illustration; comparison;
Very (much coiled); twisted;
Very (much twisted).
See kotonkci.
Small; tiny;
To ground, as a boat.
102
cf. kpats n.
used for medicinal purposes.

cf. ez.
cf. kgi.
cf. agiri.
cf. lakoro.
cf. koro.
cf. gbegbent, knt.

cf. rwo, k b ri.
cf. t.
cf. kkrgi.
cf. ko.
cf. swkw.
cf. knt.
cf. kt.
cf. kt.
cf. ttns .
cf. kprkpry.
cf. kwatiag.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
kow
kys
kydz
koyn
PoS
n.
n.
n.
v.
koy
adv.
kp
kpa ekpa
kpa
v.
v.
v.
kp
v.
kp
kpbky
kpbi
kpabunydy
v.
adv.
n.
a.
kpace
kpace
n.
n.
kpacegi fini
kpaci
kpcigb
n.
n.
n.
kp cik nw
excl.
kpad
kpd
n.
n.
kpdny
kpadzkpadz
kpdz
Kpfi n
kpagala
adv.
n.
a.
p.n.
n.
kpglky
kpag gi
kpagalansakpa
adv.
a.
excl.
kpgnni
kpagwa
kpjjgi
kpk
kpakangici
kpkkpky
kpk
kpk
kpk
kpko
num.
v.
n.
a.
n.
adv.
num.
n.
adv.
n.
kpko cik`
t
fr
English
Screech; a call;
Hurrying; haste;
Bachelor; one without a wife;
To put off; to defer; to
procrastinate; to dawdle.
Right up to; absolutely; all
the way;
To be too much for
To cough;
To purpose; to determine; to
think;
To smoke; to fumigate; to
perfume.
To drizzle, as rain;
Very (wide).
Porcupine.
Thick and thin, as a chair
rung;
Tree species.
Haulm; stubble; the dry
stalks of corn, or grass.
Stem of a leaf;
Tree species,
Pineapple;
hunters;
Phantom.
Chest or shoulder of an
animal.
Unexpectedly;
Cramps.
Large.
Rank among the Kyadya.
Sound made by a stick falling
on the ground.
Very (wide).
Slender.
Somasn.
Eight hundred.
To handle.
Fit; convulsion;
Difficult;
Tree species.
Very (shaky);
Two hundred.
Cotton gin.
Far; long.
Board; plant; slat; wooden
door; gate.
103
cf. ewt.
cf. sky.
cf. kp n.
cf. kony.
cf. h.
cf. kpakpa.
cf. kpay.
cf. e.
also, kpabuy.
cf. biygi.
also kpace.
cf. bdibo, dydygn, tro
nukp.
lit. smoke the forest.
cf. grku.
cf. gb ngbi ni k.
cf. kpkankuru.
cf. kbbby.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
kpkogi
n.
kpko nynkpa
kpkota
kpakso
kpakpa
kpkp kpnkp
kpkpadz
kpakpafi gi
kpkpankuru
kpakpankuru
kpkpkpkpy
n.
n.
v.
n.
n.
a.
adv.
adv.
kpakpakpay
kpakpara
adv.
n.
sh
kpkpr
kpkpr
n.
n.
kpkpso
kpkpy
kpkpy
kpkpy
kpk
kpk
kpk nm
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
a.
a.
n.
kpklgi
n.
kpktgi
kplb
kplk
kpall
n.
n.
n.
v.
kplo
kplce
kplulu
kpalm gi
kpalay
kpmb
kpmbky
kpmbso
kpmt
kpanc
adv.
n.
n.
a.
adv.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
kpandara
kpandrgi
kpandidilgi
kpandrrgi
n.
a.
n.
n.
fr
English
Snk li.
Small board used for
divination.
Salutation for the ranks ib
and Nmwy.
Space behind a door;
Whip;
To cough.
See kpnkp.
Cramps; pins and needles
Bird species.
Difficult;
Very (dry);
Shakily; tremblingly
Very (large);
Small bush with a stringy
bark.
Tapeworm.
Palm with a large fan shaped
leaf,
Trade cloth.
Clang of a blacksmith's anvil;
Staringly.
Very (large, wide).
Big.
Tough; hard;
Fresh hide of an animal when
prepared for food.
Cord-wood, cut for the
steamers.
Gin trap;
Bottle.
Fork of a tree;
To have more than half
finished
Far.
Bird species.
Fresh ground-beans;
Tender;
Very (open, wide);
Fruit of the bci tree.
Very (thin).
Freak; misfortune;
Farewelling;
Not-wanted-child because
born too soon after the one
before it.
Bridge.
Long;
Barn swallow; a swift.
Fish species;
104
cf. kp ngwak.
cf. bll.
cf. kpadzkpadz.
cf. kpk.
cf. gb ns y.
cf. kpkkpky,
kbkby.
cf. gbagbagbay.
used in making kpkpr

sleeping mats.
cf. gbgb.
cf. tsk.
cf. tangi.
cf. klkp.
mostly used in the negative.
cf. edzu.
cf. bodongi.
cf. vw ny.
cf. kpiaria, bmbso, bn.
cf. tkpm.
cf. dr.
cf. wandrrgi.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
kpng
PoS
n.
kpngi
kpnk
a.
n.
kpnk n
kpankigi kpankirigi
kpankr
kpnkoro
a.
n.
n.
n.
kpnkp
n.
kpnkpny
kpnkpny
kpankpargi
adv.
n.
n.
kpankr
kpnl
kpnlel
n.
n.
n.
kpnlel
excl.
kpnleldn
n.
kpns n
kpns n gi
n.
n.
kpns n k
kpany ny gi
kpantoro
kpantorogi sk
kpn
kpan
kpany
kpny
kpny
kpany
kpny
kpr
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
v.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
kpr
n.
kpra
kpara
kpara
kpr
a.
n.
adv.
n.
kpr
kpar
kpr
kprk
n.
n.
n.
n.
mt
cr
m
mi
c
yc
b
tp
tr
English
Three pronged spear used in
spearing fish.
Drizzly;
Truancy; a run away; a
truant; one absent without
leave.
Daring; dangerous.
May be consumption.
Knot; knuckle; joint.
Ravine; valley; deep ditch, at
the base of a hill;
Name for all cloths woven on
an upright loom.
Quickly.
Thump; a thud;
Mat, made from split palm
branches.
Edible snail.
Danger; misfortune;
Antelope with very long
horns.
greatness.
Reaching; the standing on tip
toes;
Corn stalks;
Flute
Sugar cane.
Yam cultivar.
Spoon made from a gourd;
Whydah bird.
Pan; pail; basin; bucket; tin.
To perspire; to sweat;
Following or chasing after;
Snap.
Very (bright red).
Crash.
Crack.
the ib,
Supports for a roof or
covering, set into the wall.
Prosperous.
Kernel of the shea-butter nut;
Clearly; brightly.
Bark; skin; husk; chaff; peal;
rind; scales (of a fish).
Slipping away.
Thunder;
Gunnel of a boat.
Yoruba masquerade.
105
cf. kp, m nm ng.
cf. ed .
cf. ky nky ny.
cf. m sba.
cf. dn.
cf. kpace.
with four fingerholes made
from dry sorghum stalk.
cf. k ntara.
< English pan
cf. en.
cf. ny kpa.

Daniy , Lram.
cf. kporo.
cf. tsawa.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
kprkpry
kprrry
kpry
kparigi
kpar
kpruru
kps
PoS
adv.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
kpas
kpsa
kpt
kpt
n.
n.
a.
adv.
kpta
kpata
kpta
n.
n.
n.
kptalgi
kptakptay
kpatangi
kptats
kptt
kpt
kpt
n.
adv.
n.
n.
v.
a.
v.
kpt
kpts
n.
n.
kpatsg
kpats
kpats gi
n.
n.
n.
kpats rk
Kpatsuw
n.
p.n.
kpwlr
kpw
kpwny
kpay
v.
n.
n.
v.
kpy
kp n
kpn
kpn
kp n
n.
v.
v.
a.
v.
kp ndz y
kpngbaray
kp ngwagi
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
go
b
fg
yc
English
Quickly.
Crash of thunder.
Completely;
Phlegm.
Partridge; grouse.
See kplulu.
Upright loom; the stick used
to beat the web.
Large ladle-shaped gourd.
Bundle; a section of a skein;
All
All, completely
Bare spot;
Nape.
Watering-place; a wharf; a
harbour.
Snipe.
Spattered; smeared.
Large fishing net.
Hysteria; a fit; a convulsion.
To balance, on the head.
First; the first.
To ease the head, while
carrying a load, by raising it
on the elbows.
Box; chest; trunk; case.
Gift, given with the
expectation of receiving a
larger one in return;
Yam cultivar.
Neck;
Disease, may he sleeping
sickness.
Pattern of local dyed cloth.
Kyadya.
To cheer.
Length.
Roar of a gun.
To think; to consider; to
meditate.
Long headed millet.
To strip off.
To increase.
Last.
To strap or fasten on the
back.
Completely;
Very (wide).
Space opposite a door as it
stands open; for the opposite
106
cf. fny.
cf. kwsa.
a kpt b they all came
nuwan zo kpt the water
is all finished
cf. dzm ta.
cf. fadnci, tskp.
cf. kr.
cf. kpony.
cf. kpkota, kp ngwak.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
kp ngwak
kpnk
kpnkp nkpny
kpnkpnkpnyi
kp nkp nkp ny
n.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
kp nkp ny
kpnmi
kpnmi en guru
kpmfini
kpmfini gl
kpnmi gbw dw
kpnmi rk
kp nn
kp n
kp n kp n y
kp ny
adv.
n.
n.p.
n.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
adv.
a.
adv.
n.
kpny
n.
kp ny
kp
adv.
v.
kp
kp
kp
v.
v.
v.
kp
kpe
v.
v.
kpe
v.
kpe
v.
kpe
kp
v.
v.
kpgr
kpgwa
a.
v.
kpj
kpe ke...n
kpkkpk
kpkp
kpkpy
kpl kpnl
v.
v.
adv.
v.
adv.
n.
kplg
kplgi
kplkplgi
a.
a.
adv.
c
c
c
pl
c
English
side;
Space behind a door;
Box; case; coffin;
Bunting sound.
Very (strong, hard).
Creaking sound made when
one stretches.
Very (much).
Okra.
Okra cultivar.
okra leaves used as greens.
Castor oil plant.
Vendors' call for okra.
Okra cultivar.
Very (hard);
Bare.
Long (wales, welts).
Thumping sound of one
falling.
Sound of two things coming
together.
Very (bright red);
To open; to lift up off, as a
covering; to cease.
To vacate.
To skin or bark, as a tree.
To step out; to take long
strides.
To put on flesh.
To cover; to shut; to close; to
fold up.
To know; to understand; to
realise.
To cook (as just a little
porridge);
To broil or roast on coals;
To be caught between; to
stop between;
Light; fluffy; spongy; large.
To stop; quit; cease; leave
alone; to keep the hands off;
lit. to open the hand.
To be unsettled.
To know that.
Very (much);
To move on; to vacate.
Shakily; tremblingly.
Three small tattoo marks cut
below the eyes.
Slim.
Short;
Shakily; very (shaky);
107
cf. kpkota.
cf. kpt.
< Hausa kwafini
cf. tsk.
cf. kpny.
cf. b.
cf. po.
cf. kpr.
cf. krkr.
cf. kkrgi, kpelgi.

cf. kpkkpk.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
kpelgi
kpmbo
PoS
a.
n.
kpmkpk
kp pr ka 'ga
n.
n.
kpere
kper
kpr
kperegedenyi
n.
n.
v.
n.
kpr
kpsa
v.
n.
kpsa
kpt
n.
v.
kpts
kpe wurngi
v.
n.
kpya
v.
kpeye
kpy
v.
v.
kpi
kpykpy
kpyakpya
n.
n.
kpykpygi
kpykpykpyg
kpymbi
adv.
a.
n.
kpymbig
kpynkpyny
kpyntig
kpyri
kpyaria
kpyri
kpyrigi
kpyrig
kpyrig
kpyrig
kpyrikpyri
kpysg
kpyti
kpyti
kpy c kpy nc
kpy nkpy ny
kpy nk
a.
adv.
a.
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
a.
a.
n.
adv.
a.
adv.
a.
go
fo
hg
i
English
Short.
Very coarse sleeping mat,
used as a mattress.
Swamp grass.
Cheap sleeping mat which
cannot be rolled up;
Piece; head.
Cover; a lid.
To be caught between;
Snap; the sound of a stick
breaking.
To differ.
Land just outside of the
compounds or city wall;
Leadership; supremacy.
To straighten up; to stand
erect.
To learn against;
Game much like hide-andseek.
Get away from; keep away
from;
To know; to understand;
To explain; to interpret; to
open out;
verbs with initial, kpa, kpe,
kpo.
Charm, used to divine with;
Stand or shelf, on which
grain is stored;
Slowly.
Small.
Glandular swelling on the
genitals.
Small;
Heavily.
Small.
Shallow calabash;
Freak; absurdity.
Baked beans.
Curb or bit ring on a bridle.
Quickly.
Large hairy spider.
Convulsions.
Small; tiny.
Small; minute; tiny.
Cheap tray or cover.
Very (filthy, dirty);
Small.
Heavily.
Heavy.
108
cf. zog .
cf. kp.
cf. kpata.
cf. gbr.
cf. tat.
cf. kpe.
cf. tl.
cf. s.
cf. ys .
cf. gbgb.
cf. evo.
cf. kw n.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
kpy ny
kpy ny
kpy ny
kpdz kpdzg
kpg
kpikpe
PoS
adv.
adv.
adv.
a.
a.
n.
kpkp
kpikpikpiy
kpkpny
kpilg
kpilg
kpin
a.
adv.
adv.
a.
a.
kpin
v.
kpin
kpin
v.
v.
kpn
kpinbg
kpinkpni
v.
a.
n.
kpinlu
kpn
kpiri
kprg
kpnt
n.
n.
adv.
a.
v.
kp
kp
kpb
kpogolo
v.
v.
num.
n.
kpk
kpgun
a.
v.
kpogngi
n.
kpkg
kpkp kpkpnn
adv.
n.
kpkpgigi
n.
kpkpk ri
excl.
kpkpkpy
n.
mi
tr
vc
English
Very (small).
Heavily; thumpingly.
Very (much).
Short; small.
Small; short.
Knowledge; learning;
wisdom.
Frizzly.
Very (large).
Springily.
Short; also;
Short; also;
verbs with initial, kpn,
kpin.
To hook fish, tail to mouth,
before drying.
To learn; to study.
To chip or break off, as the
point or edge of any thing.
To relate;
Very (large).
Maggot or larva of a large
blood-sucking fly,
Weight;
Wasp; hornet.
Very (black).
Short;
To relate history, tradition, or
pedigree;
To kneed.
To dissolve;
Four hundred.
Calabash gong, hung up in
the farms to frighten birds.
Deep;
To yell; to call out; to roar; to
screech; to bellow; to bewail;
to exclaim; to bawl; to howl;
to bleat;
cause one to vanish;
Very (plump).
Log on which they press
garments, by beating them
with mallets.
Mallet, used in pressing
garments;
Vendors' call for pounded
yam.
Sound made when kneading
109
cf. kpg.
cf. kpg.
cf. kpnt .
deposited on sleeping mats,
where it sucks the blood of the
sleeper.
cf. dlu.
cf. kpilg.
cf. t .
cf. le.
cf. kodo.
cf. tw.
cf. tsmp.
cf. kpkp.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
kpokpokpoy
kpokpony
kpkpny
kpkpri
kpokporo
kpokporogi
kpkpry
kpoknkpokny
kpolgi
kpmi
kponkpnkpol
kpnkpny
kpnu
kpony
kpny
kpr
kporo
kporo
kporo
kporok
kprkpry
kporokporo
kprokpro
kpruw
kpt
kpt
kptot
kpts
adv.
adv.
adv.
n.
a.
n.
adv.
adv.
a.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
adv.
adv.
a.
n.
adv.
n.
adv.
adv.
adv.
a.
v.
num.
num.
v.
kpts l kp n
kptsun
kptswny
kptun
num.
num.
n.
kptwb
kptwani
kpy
num.
num.
v.
kpu
kpubu kpb
kpgl
kpkpkpy
kpukpukpuy
kpkpkpy
kpkpr
kpl
a.
a.
adv.
adv.
adv.
a.
a.
bp
tp
English
shea-butter.
Very (large).
Completely;
Very (wide, large).
Bath room.
Empty;
Skull.
Very (large, plump).
Very (large).
Short;
Abode; place;
Very (much).
Murder; the one murdered.
Heavily.
Large.
Kernel of the shea-butter nut;
Exactly; only;
Trench or furrow.
Large.
Very (much coiled, twisted);
Very (large);
Rough;
To hawk; to peddle.
Six hundred.
See ekpt.
Sixteen hundred.
To turn an empty calabash
upside down in a vessel of
water to prevent the water
from splashing out.
Salutation for the rank Lile.
One thousand.
Twelve hundred.
cf. kpony.
cf. vunla.
cf. kpilg.
cf. dnfb, ekp.
cf. kpony.
cf. fny.
cf. kpara.
cf. kt.
cf. ktkty.
cf. kporok.
cf. gbrogbro.

Ym, Gbyfru,
Sybnni, Kdnd, El
dzr, Alman gorozo.
Fourteen hundred.
Eighteen hundred.
To whirl around; to wander
about.
verbs with initial, kpo, kpw.
Short; stumpy.
Large.
Very (strong, tough);
cf. kpnkpnkpnyi.
Very (large);
cf. gbagbagbay.
Very (blunt).
Undercooked.
Short; also.
110
R.M. Blench
Nupe
kpl
kpny
kprg
kpurkprkpury
kpurkpury
PoS
a.
n.
a.
adv.
adv.
kpw
v.
kp dzw y
kpw hkpw h
kpw kpwtw gi
kpw rw
adv.
n.
n.
n.
kpwrwy
kpw tw
adv.
kpw tw y
ku
adv.
k
k
ku
ku
ku
ku leki
kbkby
kbla
kubimkubi
kbta
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
kbta donci
kcg
kuci
kci
n.
a.
n.
n.
tr
t
kci
n.
hu
kcid ci
n.
kcy
kdri
kd
adv.
n.
n.
dk
kd
v.
kudg
kufi
a.
v.
pl
dc
i
hg
hg
English
Short;
Crack of a gun.
Short;
Excitedly;
Munchingly;
To be cheap; to be plentiful;
to be abundant.
Completely (exhausted).
Goitre;
Edible weed, used as greens.
Straining; the reaching in
vomiting.
Title of the chief of Tsrgi,
Nd Kpw tw.
Very (muddy, mucky).
verbs with initial, ko, ku.
To put to; to adjoin.
To harvest, as ground-nuts.
To collect; to gather.
To spin or twist.
To blow, as a heavy wind.
To commit sin; to offend;
Unsteadily.
Dance;
Burying beetle;
Riding boots with spurs
attached.
Long riding boots.
Small; short;
Departed spirit; the dead.
Silk-cotton tree
Quiver made from the silkcotton tree, kci.

Fish species, which has
arrow-like fins.
Big.
Meekness; patience;
Sour drink made from guinea
corn.
To make a noise; to make a
tumult; to roar, as a fire; to
thunder.
Plump; fat.
To be too near to; to be too
close to.
111
cf. kpilg.
cf. kpl.
cf. hrharahry.
cf. hmhmy,
ny mny my.
cf. rb.
cf. ku, lefi.

cf. ec.
cf. pnbimpnbi.
cf. kociog.
which grows very tall and
straight, and is used as a land
mark; also the name given to
the funnel and masts of a
steamer.
cf. hnkuri.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
kufi
PoS
v.
kgbr
kgb
kugr
kugky
kka
n.
n.
v.
adv.
n.
m
v
kk
kkma
kkl
kkpk
kkpkw
v.
n.
n.
n.
n.
Kkp nci
kkpe
kuk
kkkgb
p.n.
n.
v.
n.
kkkky
adv.
kuknci
kkngi
kdndk
kukr
kkr
kky
kky
kumbi
n.
n.
n.
v.
a.
adv.
adv.
n.
t
v
wp
r
t
bp
c
kl
kl
n.
klgi
kulgi
ku lsfi
kl
n.
a.
v.
n.
mi
kllgi
kly
n.
excl.
sa
klu
kulgi
kmbuli
kun
n.
a.
n.
English
To surprise; to come
unexpectedly upon;
Brush-tailed porcupine.
Vine species.
To surprise;
Very (large).
Baobab tree, the leaves are
used in making sauce.
To rest;
Vine species.
Hand shield;
Tortoise;
Hard clay farm hills, as seen
in a swamp during the dry
season.
Nupe sub-tribe.
Disease of the ankle bone.
To fade; to wither; to be old;
Legendary animal,
Mutteringly; whisperingly;
softly;
Tree species.
Ankle.
Sweet potatoes;
To kneel.
Short; stumpy.
Very (low); lowly.
Throbbingly.
Gift given by one who has
returned from a trading tour.
When used with the verb jin
means, to care for; to heed; to
mind; to be concerned about;
Preparation made from the
seed of the lonci fruit.
Kidneys;
Short;
To over do; to be too much;
Gong; a bell without a
tongue;
Sham-fight.
_lkal.
Bitterness;
Short;
Anger;
kun.
112
cf. d.
cf. d.
cf. f.
cf. ktfani.
cf. srgi.
cf. db.
the flesh of which is said to
have been sold in the markets
by Yoruba, but which seems to
have never been seen alive.
cf. ssny.
cf. dk.
cf. d s .
cf. korikori.
cf. kpilg.
cf. kuy.
cf. s .
cf. luk.
cf. kpilg.
cf. ewn, fui.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
kn
kun
PoS
v.
v.
kun
n.
kn
kn
kn
kn
kn
knbui
knci
knca
kundi
v.
v.
v.
v.
n.
n.
a.
n.
n.
kund
kngbar
n.
v.
kungbrgi
kungi
kngny
kunkun
kunknci
kunkunlk
n.
n.
adv.
n.
a.
excl.
kn 'mi
kunmi
v.
v.
knkr
knkuru
n.
n.
kunkw n
kunlkunly
kunmlo
knm tugi
knn
knni
knn
n.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
kny
n.
kuns
kn kn
kunt
kunww
kuny
kny
kuny
kup
kp
Kpci
n.
v.
v.
n.
v.
adv.
n.
v.
n.
p.n.
f
m
sa
i
f
t
English
To sell.
To be enough; to be
sufficient; to be ample.
Bottom, used in connection
with ki, to dive;
To shake; to tremble.
To touch.
To beat, the warp in weaving.
To thunder.
Watering place;
Body of a garment;
Saleable.
Voluptuary.
Size in paper, the fourth of a
sheet of foolscap.
Abundance;
To fillip the arm against the
side;
Fish species.
Antelope
Very (large).
Respect; honour.
Saleable;
Somasun.
To falter; to stammer.
To trouble; to plague; to
pester;
Hamper.
Weight, used to keep the
thread tight while coming up
to the loom.
Maggot; caterpillar.
Very (smooth).
Qualm;
Fish species.
Fruit tree species;
Prepared foods or lunches.
Gruel or pap, made from
corn.
String made from the leaves
of the ba palm.
Very large rodent,
To invite (while eating).
Boast, brag
Smut; fungus.
To be sufficient; to satisfy.
Very (large, full).
Crash.
To crowd.
Nupe sub-tribe.
113
cf. kikun.
cf. kpta.
cf. ez.
cf. dkun.
cf. gbar.
cf. knci.
cf. gsun.
cf. tun.
cf. krn.
usually found in houses.

cf. lwai.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
kr
kurn
kurangi
kurangi
kran
krakray
kr
PoS
n.
n.
a.
n.
adv.
n.
krenge
krnt t
krkr
n.
n.
n.
krikriy
kr
kr
kuru
kuru
kr
kr
krfa
kurgi
kurugi
krukruy
krkty
krn
ksg
ks
ksod
kspa
ksruwa
kut
Kta
adv.
n.
a.
n.
a.
n.
n.
n.
a.
adv.
adv.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
v.
p.n.
kut
kt
v.
v.
ktingi
kt
a.
n.
ktb
n.
ktskp
kutsu
kuts
kts
ktfani
ktgi
ktkp
n.
n.
v.
n.
n.
a.
n.
d
fo
da
tr
f
da
English
Kneeling;
Divining in sand;
Odd things.
Antelope species
The Koran;
Very (dusty, white);
Salutation for the following
ranks, Tswk, Sondzmi,
Somfwa.
Boldness; sauciness.
Housemaid's knee;
Small flat cakes made from
the pressed residue of
ground-nuts after the oil has
been extracted.
Very (dusty);
Skin disease.
Old; aged;
Circular; round.
Pony;
Staple; stocks.
See kbta.
Inner room; a closet.
Stout.
Heavily.
Fruit tree species,
Bush; forest; jungle; woods.
Country round about Ktg;
Corner.
To be wealthy; to be at ease.
Chief of the Kyadya people,
residing at Muregi.
To pile; to overlap.
To be uncalled for; to be
unsaleable.
Short;
Traditional religion
Threatening with a traditional
curse;
Bichir fish.
Leader; head-man;
To urge.
Pig.
Shield;
Odd things; scraps;
Clang of horses' hoofs on the
ground.
114
cf. kukr.
cf. jk n , s.
cf. kran.
cf. prapray.
cf. kk vkpa.
cf. krakray.
cf. t, nusa, wrk.
cf. kpogi.
cf. krakray.
also kn.
cf. krukruy.
kspaci, a Nupe sub-tribe.
cf. kkr.
may refer to a charm, shrine or
masquerade
cf. bkt.
Polypterus senegalus
cf. gndz, t.
cf. kkl.
cf. wwgi.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
ktkpci
PoS
n.
ktkty
ktuktuy
kuy
adv.
adv.
v.
kuy
kwagngi
n.
n.
kwkwd
n.
kwkwg
kwkwny
kwl kwl
kwamni
kwamugi
kwnd
kwankwa
kwnkw
kwanz un
n.
adv.
n.
n.
a.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
kwny
kwrkwr
kwsa
kwatiagi kwatiangi
kwatswakwatswayi
kw n
kw nkw ny
kw nkw nkw ny
kwnr n
adv.
adv.
n.
a.
adv.
adv.
adv.
kwnkwny
kwbw
kwbw
kw bw
kw bwky
kwdzw
adv.
a.
n.
a.
adv.
v.
kwkwkwy
kwkw ny
kwkwrwgn
kwnrw gi
kw ro
kwrwo
kw tw kw tw y
a.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
a.
adv.
n.
C
t
c
v
tx
b
am
tx
English
Tree whose bark is
compounded with the
tobacco flower, to colour the
teeth red.
Very (small).
To be too much; to be carried
too far;
Guinea-corn cultivar.
Vine species,
Hair-pin used to scratch the
head;
Iron rod; a spindle.
Furiously (as water boiling).
Disease among fowls.
Trade cloth.
Small.
Very (large, full).
Crow.
Large water frog.
Playing and drumming all
night at a wedding;
Quickly;
Fiercely;
Bundle;
Short; small.
Very (big)
Very (filthy, dirty);
Gulpingly.
Fine grade of drill trade
cloth.
Jumpingly;
Senseless;
English penny.
Large.
Very (large)
To wrinkle; to gather up, as
trousers around the waist.
Very (long).
Jumpingly.
Iron spindle;
Rupture.
Leather necklace;
Long.
Rumblingly.
115
cf. krakray, prapray.

cf. lagb.
used as a remedy for
rheumatism.
cf. tl.
cf. dzdz.
cf. bny.
cf. hyhy.
cf. kpsa.
cf. kpiti.
cf. kwkw ny.

cf. btrm.
cf. kwkwgn.
cf. gb ngi.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
L
PoS
l
l ny
v.
v.p.
l ba
l br ny 'ga
v.p.
English
b
pl
To take; to carry; to convey.

To try; to persevere; to make
an effort.
To cleave to, to stick to.
Sny.
To smell, to put up to the
nose.
D brak.
bring; fetch.
add to.
To fasten apron.
To fasten apron.
To fasten apron.
To add to; to put with.
To land; to beach.
To cross the legs.
To stumble; to strike the foot.
To step out; to walk quickly.
To walk silently; to walk on
tip toe.
To stand on one leg.
To sin; to offend; to commit
offence;
To throw; to cast.
To lay down.
To blow or clear the nose;
To exalt; to honour; to
glorify.
To take away.
To take, and throw away.
To sniffle or clear the nose;
To put.
To dye;
To put together.
To put to work; to employ;
To put in pawn.
To afflict; to punish.
To put the cloth well around
the body; to wrap up the
body.
To put on or wear a cloth.
To be put over them; to
superintend.
a concubine.
To wrap up the body.
To put on, or wear a cloth.
Weaver bird;
Sensitive plant.
l ba 'y
l ba' a n 'm
l b
l be
l bnte d 'n
l bnte gbngn
l bnte n
l b ... ny
l b kn
l bc c t d
l bc cn
l bc kp
l bctti yi kn
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
l bc t lknk
l 'b
v.p.
v.p.
l c
l c or l cici
l 'cn ny
l cnwn y
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
l da
l d ya
l 'cn ye jin
l d
l d 'cn
l d d
l d 'tun
l d swf o
l d wla o
l 'd m 'f
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
l 'd kpe 'b

l d a y
v.p.
v.p.
lndkata o
l 'd kpe 'f
l 'd kpe 'k
l dkn u kpe 't
l dzukn kpegi
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
116
cf. eb.
cf. ecn.
cf. ecn.
cf. cn.
cf. etun.
cf. gwangi.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
l db gn ln
l w
PoS
v.p.
v.p.
l eny y Sk
l eyi ba fi
v.p.
v.p.
l f
l 'f
v.p.
v.p.
l f 'y
l gb
v.p.
v.p.
l gby
l 'gb
v.p.
v.p.
l 'g fn 'g
v.p.
l 'g s ttun
v.p.
l 'g
v.p.
l 'g tun u 'y o

l 'g w 'z
v.p.
v.p.
l gib kn
l 'gi ts 'ny
v.p.
v.p.
l gn d
l gn
l gnmi
l gwa d l 'mi cinl
l gwa d
l gwa d d gwa
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
l gwa d nuw
l gwa fi
l gwa f kr
l gwa gb
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
l gwa g
l gwa g tfi
v.p.
v.p.
l gwa kpa
l gwa k
l gwakpa k
l gwa k
l gwakpa tn kn
l gwa kp n znm
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
l gwa kpe d
l gwa l d
v.p.
v.p.
C
sa
English
Salutation for Makun.
To undress; to put off a
garment.
To give alms; to give to God;
To cut the path of the sun; to
point north and south.
To roll up.
To flutter in the wind; to be
senseless.
To smell; to put to the nose.
To abase; to humble; to be
short; to be insufficient.
To despise.
To make or organise a bee; to
club together to do a work;
To connect two words
together; to liken; to
illustrate.
To illustrate; to compare; to
liken.
To make an agreement; to
promise.
To speak plainly to.
Salutation for the rank Mjin
dd.
To sell self respect or esteem.
To dance a child up and
down on the hands.
To compare; to put together.
To bring to; to hand to.
To complete; to finish.
To taste.
To touch.
To hold hands; to clasp or
shake hands.
To dip the hand in water.
To hold or clasp hands.
To put the hands to a load.
To embrace; to hug; to throw
the arms about.
To support with the hand.
To shake hands; to touch
palms.
To handle.
To nudge with the hand.
To nudge with the elbow.
To touch.
To lean on the elbow.
To fold the arms behind the
back.
To place the hands together.
To fold the arms.
117
cf. sdka.
cf. gb.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
l gwa lo gwap
PoS
v.p.
l gwa lo 'ti
v.p.
lgwasn
v.p.
l gwa to
l gwa ts
l gwa yi kr
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
l jbnci nv 'kwa
l jbnci tn 'kw
l jn wu
l jn'gi
l k 'b y
l k fi eb nin bo
l k
l ke
l kibo
l kran
l kpa
l 'kpa
l kpe'b
l kpe'n 'f
l kpe't
l 'kp l
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
l k d
l kp n
l kt
l ku 'tsw
l k 'y
l liy
l l
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
l lo
l lo 'fn
l lugwa
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
l lugwa egi
l 'mi d 'mi
v.p.
v.p.
l mikpe
v.p.
l 'mign
l 'mi l
v.p.
v.p.
l 'mitd
lmit
v.p.
v.p.
English
To rub the arms, as women
do in saluting.
To put the hands on the head,
as in saluting.
To hold; to grasp; to clasp; to
adhere to; to abide by.
To touch.
To support with the hand.
To grasp by the throat; to
strangle; to choke.
Salutation for Sny.
Salutation for Sny.
To enslave.
To adopt; to set free.
To wean.
To besiege.
To take from; to subtract.
To strike; to dash; to hit.
To remove.
To swear by the Koran.
To whoop, in coughing.
To follow in the steps.
To cover the body; to clothe.
To make a fire guard.
To cover the head.
To marry a widow; to learn a
trade other than one's father
worked at;
To put together.
Salutation for Makun
To swear by a masquerade.
To smell.
To smell; to put to the nose.
To bring to the morrow.
To loosen; to untie; to undo;
to release.
To take away.
To lift up; to raise up.
To leave alone; to let be; to
abandon; to forsake; to put
away; to stop; to quit; to
abstain from.
To make free, as a slave.
To kiss; to put mouths
together.
To follow;
To conspire.
To open the mouth wide in
astonishment; to gawk.
To call on; to salute;
To follow.
118
cf. ekp.
this is the plural form; cf.

lmit.
cf. tmid.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
l 'mi ts n
l 'mi wnd
l 'mi wn 'g
l mu ya
l 'n d
l nkn
l nn u ya
l nn u ya bk n
l nn p d
PoS
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
l nuw ta cnkafa
l nyi
l nyk k d l nyk
e d
l nygb n ba kin
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
l nygb nwu
v.p.
l 'ny mip f
l ryi dzdz
v.p.
v.p.
l s
v.p.
l s
l Sk d nygb n o
v.p.
v.p.
l u or l u i
l tsu
l t
l ta
l t
l ta 'ti
l t
l te 'b nukp
l 'ti k kn
l tn ya
l 't kn
l 't k
l 't ta 'b
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
l 't tn
v.p.
l to
l 'tswa k d
l t 't
l tukpa i
l vkpa k
l w nc n
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
l wu
l w
l w a a g jn
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
b
b
English
To pout; to roll the mouth.
To gather up the mouth.
To speak correctly.
To pluck up.
To light; to fire.
To raise up; to resurrect.
bird
White species of l nn u ya.
To associate; to chum
together.
To irrigate rice.
To spoil.
To strike or chatter the teeth.
To prostrate oneself on the
ground.
To be patient; to bear with; to
endure.
To argue;
To venture; to endanger; to
risk one's life.
To rend; to rip; to tear; to
split.
To hide; to conceal.
To try; to persevere; lit. to
take God into the heart.
To set it down; to stick it in.
To close; to shut.
To spread out.
To put upon.
To deceive.
To put up on top.
To close up; to seal.
To wean.
To stand on the head.
To come out through.
To stand with the head down.
To hang with the head down.
To hang the head on the
shoulder.
To come head on; to come on
head first.
To abuse; to slander.
To be pregnant.
To put or carry on the head.
To listen; to pay attention to.
To nudge, with the knee.
To exalt; to glorify; to make
large.
To kill; to abolish.
To teach; to show; to explain.
Salutation for Kpfi ;
119
cf. gbmi.
lit. show them and let them do
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
l wu jn 'gi
v.p.
l ya
v.p.
l 'ya b kpta
v.p.
l yw
l yw l
v.p.
v.p.
l 'ya z lo 'kp n
v.p.
l 'y c t
l 'y d
v.p.
v.p.
l 'y d 'b
l 'y k
l 'y n
l 'y p k
l 'yt
l 'y ta ft o
l 'y t 'fn o
l za
l e
l
l ya
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
l i l ii
l n
l z nm
l z nm ta
l zoci
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
l
l
la
la
la
la
adv.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
la
v.
la
la koro
l
l b '
v.
v.
v.
v.p.
l d d
l fi
v.p.
English
it.
lit. make a slave a free child.
Salutation for nyintsu, a

king's wife;
To throw away; to put away;
to divorce; to release.
To harbour a boat; to bring a
canoe to the landing-place.
To marry a bride.
To carry on the same trade as
one's father.
To paddle across; to ferry
across.
To turn or cast the eyes away.
To watch; to put the eye on;
to attend to.
To pay attention to.
To turn the eyes away.
To look sad or grave.
To watch; to look well at.
To trust; to look to.
To star gaze.
To star gaze.
To take about.
To strike; to dash; to hit.
To change; to alter.
To spill; to pour out; to throw
out.
To put down (plural).
To bring back; to fetch back.
To grow taller.
To turn the back on.
To take everything; to clear
one out of everything.
Yet
To be almost.
To gallop; to run.
To level.
To crush.
To break up; to dissolve, as a
marriage or friendship.
To come up of itself, as seeds
that have remained in the
ground from the year before.
To raise, as a dust.
To flower
cf. lakoro.
To be cracked; to be broken.
Fugitives; people whose town
has been broken up by war,
and are scattered about in the
villages.
close friends; chums.
cracked or broken into
120
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
l 'g
l 'mi l
v.p.
v.p.
l nygb n
l 'w
v.p.
v.p.
l 'y
l ygn
v.p.
v.p.
l 'y l
v.p.
l ' tacn
lba
lb
v.p.
v.
v.
lbr
n.
lbg
labo
v.
lb
lbw
v.
n.
labo
n.
lbd lbd
lci
adv.
n.
lada
lada
n.
n.
lda
n.
ldn
ladandubu
lad
ladkkgi
ldi
ladz
lafi
lfy
lg
lagb
n.
n.
n.
n.
v.
v.
n.
n.
v.
lgb nnci
lgba
n.
n.
English
pieces.
to cut across the grass fields.
to open the mouth wide in
astonishment.
to be jealous; to envy.
Punishment where the child
is made to stand with the legs
and arms outstretched.
to be too much.
to cut a tribal mark down the
centre of the forehead.
to stare; to open the eyes
widely.
to cut through a village.
To libate.
To be intimate; to be
chummy.
News, tidings, story,
narrative
Said of a child that is not old
enough to be weaned when
another child is expected.
To be crossed, as threads in a
loom.
To be weak.
Guinea-corn porridge, cut
and sold in chunks.
Cola nut type, originally
grown as Labo:
Certainly; doubtless.
Forked pole, used in lifting a
grass roof on to the walls.
Reward; hire; wages.
A job; to supply a weaver
with thread and have him
weave a cloth.
Earnest; a pledge; a small
present of money given when
a purchase has been made.
Muezzin.
Salutation for a Ldn.
See lad.
Small black bird.
Ball of lightning;
To be completed;
To slight; to despise;
Health; peace;
Open space;
To be too much; so be carried
to far;
Saucy, impudent person;
Convert; a proselyte.
121
< Hausa
the nut has only two segments.
cf. rdi, egb.

cf. zo.
cf. gby.
cf. yy.
cf. fili.
cf. kuy.
cf. lgb n.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
lagwala
PoS
v.
lgsokpa
lknkp
lk
v.
n.
n.
lk
lakoro
lakpa
lakpant
lkpy
lkpe
lkpy ny
llce
n.
v.
a.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
lln
ll
llgi
lal
lli
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
pl
Ll
lm
lambr
p.n.
tr
lmi
lami
lami
bp
n.
v.
n.
lmit
lamp
lmputu
ln
langb
lngb
langbafati
lngi
lnk
v.
a.
n.
n.
n.
n.
lank
lnkp
lnkpvv
lnlci
n.
n.
n.
n.
lntsa
lr
Laronci
lr
Lrba
v.
n.
p.n.
n.
p.n.
a.
n.
g
t
tp
English
To put up with; to bear with;
to be uneasy with.
To be gluttonous;
Morning glory vine.
Woman's cloth sewn together
in the front and opened in the
back.
Anus.
To blossom; to bud.
Big.
Open space about a village;
Quickly.
Ignoramus; ignorance.
One cast away; uncared for;
neglected; silly; idle;
worthless; spoiled;
Dawn; early morning.
Compulsion;
A young oil palm.
Pleading; imploring.
Henna plant, used to blacken
the hands and feet.
Performers in the Gnu.
See rm.
Wind which blows during the
month of April, or just before
the rainy season begins.
See lm.
To ridicule;
Entrance or approach to a
compound.
To follow.
Kernelless.
Grass species.
Trouble; torture;
Tree with edible fruit.
Idler;
See lngb.
Little; a small amount;
Full grown branches of the
oil palm.
Mixture; half breed.
Sun dried bricks; a clod.
Mud-wasp
Forked pole used in lifting a
roof on to the walls;
To mix;
Blindness;
Arab.
Dye.
Wednesday.
122
cf. lykara.
cf. fili.
cf. nyi.
cf. tl.
< Hausa
cf. emila.
cf. wla.
cf. kafnci.
cf. dgi.
Belenogaster griseus
cf. lci.
cf. lank.
cf. n , yb.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
Larubawa
lsfi
PoS
p.n.
v.
ls r
n.
is
lat
latsw
latsw latsw gi
lvonlvo
n.
v.
n.
n.
r
i
lwo
n.
lya
lyadk
n.
n.
hg
lyagi
lyagi sk
n.
n.
b
pl
Season immediately after the

last rains.
Amulet; charm.
Fancy collar worn on the
neck of a horse.
Bird species.
Plant,
lykara
v.
lyisa
n.
To be greedy; to be
gluttonous;
Reed
lgba
ln
lngn
lya
excl.
n.
n.
n.
vc
ld bi
l nt n
n.
n.
l
le
v.
v.
le
le
v.
v.
le
le
v.
v.
l
l
l
adv.
v.
v.
l
l
l
v.
v.
v.
lba
lb
v.
n.
is
English
Arab(s).
To be too much; to be carried
too far;
Third call to prayer, about 4
p.m.
Grass field; farm; bush.
To hiss.
Gecko.
Praying mantis;
Vendors' call for cloth.

Morning; forenoon.
Breakfast.
Ram sacrificed at the Great
Feast of the Muslims.
Politeness;
Stone,
To itch; to scratch.
To lay down; to be situated,
as a village.
To poison, as arrows.
To dissolve; to mix with
water;
To preserve or store as beans,
etc., by mixing with sand and
ashes.
Formerly; once;
To see, contracted from ley.
To exalt; to extol, as a
drummer does on his drum;
To rip; to rend; to tear.
To sharpen; to grind.
To plaster or polish, as a
wall;
To miss.
123
< Hausa
cf. kuy, lagb.
cf. tsw lagi

it is believed that where one
has been killed, someone will
break a calabash - hence its
name.
has a flower like blue bells,

and grows on a long stem.
cf. lgsokpa.
which is used to make long
pipe stems, maia.
cf. led bi.

worn in the ears by the Yoruba
women.
cf. kp.
cf. gb n, kn.
cf. pny l.
cf. do, k.
cf. fi, krb, t.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
lb
lblb
lblb lblb
leble
leb
le ci le cici
led bi
ld n
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
v.
n.
n.
ld
ld
n.
n.
ld
n.
ledz
lf
Lefrim
n.
n.
p.n.
lfe
n.
lef
lefi
lft
n.
n.
n.
legm
n.
legb n
lgelge
lglgg
lg 'o d b Sk nyi
n.
adv.
a.
n.p.
legn
leg n
n.
v.
l k d y
lkenlke
lekpn
a.
n.
v.
lkpe lnkpe
lkpg
lekgi lekngi
lele
lele
ll
lly
lele l 't ba s
Lel
n.
a.
n.
v.
v.
adv.
adv.
lm
n.
p.n.
C
fg
English
Tswatswan .
Reproaching; the taunting;
Fish net.
Danglingly.
Very (much);
Rain puddles.
To lay down.
Politeness; humility.
Privacy; hearing;
consultation.
Local jail or prison.
Small herb
Swamp clay used to plaster
walls.
First money or capital.
Sheet tin.
Kobo.
Basket, much like two
covers, used for carrying
small thing in.
Driving rain;
Sin; fault;
Rank among the lower
Kyadya,
Rank among the courtiers,
sal
b
fg
mi
Snore;
Very (shaky);
Thin; lean; lanky.
N gen;
Sleep; slumber.
To watch; to do guard or
picked duty.
True;
Cattle egret.
To be thick, as boards, paper,
cloth;
Long telescope-like fish trap.
Short;
Flute,
To lay down; to sleep.
Ago; a very long time since.
Very (thin).
Salutation for Gbruk.
Witch; the leader among the
traditional women;
Black, unglazed gown.
124
cf. bl.
cf. dk, nyssnyi.
the leaves are used to cure a

head-ache.
lit. rain and wind.

cf. leki, eb, z nubi.
Br.
gbt, Daniy .
cf. gb nlegb n.
cf. kpkkpk.
lit. your gain is with God.
cf. kka, g kiya.

cf. len.
cf. kkr.
made from a piece of bamboo.
cf. gb n, kn.
cf. gci.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
lm
lm
PoS
n.
n.
le m' 'b y
lembbr
lm
lmt
len
ln
lnce
n.
n.
n.
v.
v.
n.
lendn ... n
lnkpe
lentsyi
lne
Leram
adv.
n.
sal.
lesn
v.
let
ltsw
len lfy
lewu
n.
n.
lew
v.
lwlwy
ley
a.
ley
v.
ly
le
li
v.
n.
li
li
v.
v.
li
v.
lib
n.
libiy
libialibia
lijig
likpigi
lili
lili
lilia
lligi
adv.
n.
a.
n.
n.
v.
n.
n.
n.
g
c
fo
c
English
Tent.
Rank among the swamp
dwellers,
Salutation for Ln ;
Fruit of the silk-cotton tree;
Limes.
To be thick; to be heavy;
To mind; to be careful;
Female trader; a dealer in
small wares;
See kendn ... n.
See lkpe.
Very (heavy)
Scythe; a sickle.
native princes, and
princesses;
To rave; to call out in sleep,
said to be caused by witches.
Head of a bed;
Rank among villagers.
See ren lfy.
Medicine, said to cause
people to sleep,
To buzz; to itch; to burn, as
the ear.
Beautiful; nice; fine
When used with the verb jn,
means to walk about in sleep.
To see; to perceive; to find;
to discover.
To bribe;
Keeping awake at night;
verbs with initial, la, le, li,
lia.
To pick out; to subtract.
To be clean; to be clear; to be
justified.
To cut off; to strip; to clip
off;
Kyadya,
Very (full);
Very coarse grass.
Thin.
Maize cultivar,
To be soft; to be rotten.
Kernelless rice.
Dwarf; a midget; a bantam.
125
Gbkl, Dawud.
lit. see my right.
cf. kci.
cf. lekpn.
cf. tsw.
cf. ny .
< Hausa
cf. gtsu.
cf. et ta.
its action is much like that of
chloroform.
cf. bl.
lit; to blind the eyes.

cf. le.
cf. tw.
Ddndw.
cf. liiy.
Setaria verticillata
the cobs are very long.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
lilililiy
lialiai
limlimgi
liiy
litiy
liwliwgi
lbw
lid
lg m
PoS
adv.
n.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
a.
v.
v.
li gwa tn
v.
lkpy
lkyfa
lilt
Ll
adv.
ll
lilici
lm
lm
Lm n
ti.
English
Very (low).
Pleading; a persuading;
Very (soft);
Very (full);
Very (soft);
Large.
To frighten; to scare;
Local salt, made from es
grass,
To make exceptions; to leave
out.
Unevenly.
See lkfa.
Manifestation; the appearing;
Rank among village
headmen.
Lees.
Pure; clean; holy.
A job; work given to dyers.
Word used in this sense.
Iman; chief mallam,
Lm n gidw
ti.
Rank among the Kyadya,
ln
n.
lnjila
lir lirg
lri
lr
lsfi
lia
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
ltfi
lit
n.
v.
lits
lyn lyngi
liy
v.
n.
v.
l
l
lo
l
l
lb
ld
lf
lokp
lokpoy
ll
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
n.
v.
v.
adv.
v.
Middleman; witness;
mediator.
The New Testament;
Inquisitiveness;
Kind; breed; species;
See ll.
Account; reckoning; number.
Fourth call to prayer, about 7
p.m.
Book;
To surpass; to be above; to be
higher.
To trouble;
Silver money; shilling.
To pass the night; to come to
the morrow.
To enter; to knit, as a bone.
To price, an article; to trade;
To go; to proceed.
To add; to reckon;
To loose; to untie; to release.
To tattle;
Kind; equivalent;
To be cool;
To be far; to be distant.
Very (large).
To regard; to consider; to
n.
ti.
n.
a.
n.
is
126
cf. lal.
cf. liwliwgi.
cf. libiy.
cf. limlimgi.
cf. snd .
the vendors' call is, Eb.
cf. tl.
saluted as, gba, w or

f; cf. m n.
Lram.
cf. njil.
cf. k y.
cf. yri.
cf. ktab.
cf. gsn.
cf. cw.
cf. r, lsfi.
cf. rkto.
cf. dl.
cf. bf, fuyk.
cf. ds , lw.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
llb
n.
lm
l 'm la 'm
n.
n.
lonci
lonci gg
lndzgi
lngr
lony
lpa
llo
lr
lta
lt
lotn
lovo
lovogi
low
lw
lwgi
lw n
lwy
ly
lwu
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
adv.
a.
n.
v.
v.
n.
n.
adv.
v.
n.
n.
n.
v.
n.
t
t
lz n
lks
lu-
n.
n.
aff.
l
lu
lu
v.
v.
v.
l
l
lbsa
lbndd
lbndd
lbta
lc
v.
v.
n.
n.
n.
lud
l 'f ya
lf
lgb
lgb
lugwa
v.
v.
n.
n.
n.
v.
n.
c
tx
pl
c
b
ti
ap
b
b
English
heed;
Tree with a fruit like a cola
nut.
Antelope.
Trouble-maker; lit; one who
enters a home and breaks it
up; a home-breaker.
Locust tree;
Tree species.
Delay; deception;
Empty pods of the locust fruit
Not at all;
Revenge;
Very (many, much).
Thin.
Smoothness; evenness;
To discourage.
To work; to toil; to labour.
Decoy deer, used by hunters.
Delay; deception;
Unitedly;
To spend money.
Onion sprouts; young onions.
Royalty.
White trade calico.
To daze; to dazzle.
Plant whose sap is mixed
with corn and placed in the
farms to destroy birds.
Evening.
Fish species.
verbs with initial, lo, lu, lwa.
To consider;
To weave.
To beat, the bark off a green
tree.
To leak.
To stew or make, as sauce.
Onion
Bird species.
Salutation for Nuwny .
See lbta.
Rank,
To be heavy;
To be senseless;
Primary wing feathers
Pigeon that has no mate.
Black kite; Milvus migrans
To leave; to let be; to permit;
to abandon; to allow.
127
Parkia biglobosa;
cf. dzrndzrgi.
cf. kpony.
cf. pal.
cf. tal.
cf. lndzgi.
cf. w, wnko.
cf. dw n.
See lbsa.

Daniy .
cf. lukpn.
cf. flania, fll.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
lka
lknkt
lk
lkokk
lkolko
PoS
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
C
bs
lkbk ngi
lukmbudu
lkndb
lkond
lkndndn
lkngi
lkntgb n
lkntata
lkp
lkpa
n.
n.
n.
adv.
b
d
b
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
lkp n
n.
ti
English
Chicken basket
Standing on one leg;
Dove;
Weed species.
Flowering plant, much like
the jack-in-the-pulpit.
Turtle dove;
Smut; disease of cereals
Large ringed dove;
Unitedly;
See lbndd.
Dove; cf. lkmbk ngi.
Sense; wisdom;
Armpit.
Weak neck or back.
Tree with a very thin bark,
the wood is very brittle.
lkp n
v.
Lkpo
n.
ti
To be soft; to be tender; to be
mashed.
Rank,
lukpn
luk
lkuk
lkumb
lulu
lulu fk
lulugi
lulu ksn
lulu kece
luludzc
v.
v.
n.
da
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
c
c
c
c
c
c
luluk nci
n.
lulup nci
n.
lulutsci
n.
luluyci
n.
llyi
lmyny
lngb
lun
n.
n.
n.
v.
lusgi yw
n.
ltsub
n.
b
pl
pl
bp
pl
To be heavy; to be weighty;
To be bitter.
Pigeon.
See pa lkumb.
Cotton plant; cotton.
Unginned cotton.
European cotton thread.
cotton seed.
a species of cotton.
ginned cotton; one who gins
cotton.
carded cotton; one who cards
cotton.
thread; spun cotton; one who
spins cotton.
carded cotton; one who cards
cotton.
picked cotton; one who picks
(the seeds out of) cotton.
Pearl.
Root, used for flavouring.
Dust;
To do embroidery work; to
embroider.
Bride's maid; a young girl
who stays with the bride for
three months after the
wedding;
Rank among village
128
cf. gudugudu.
cf. tlknk.
cf. lkngi.
cf. lkngi.
cf. db.
cf. wnko.
cf. egb n, ksa.

Guruz, Ddndw.
the salutation for which is, L
w a.
cf. lud.
<Hausa?
cf. rngb.
cf. sci yw.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
lut
luwgiluwgi
lwsa
lwya
lwo
L
lwa
n.
a.
n.
n.
n.
p.n.
v.
lwa
lw
v.
v.
lwniwny
lw lw
lw rw nci
adv.
n.
n.
lw tw y
lw ya
adv.
et
ap
t
English
headmen,
Homosexual
Soft; tender;
Width;
Sense; wisdom;
Grave;
Nupe sub-tribe.
To pour, as in a small
quantity;
To be high;
To notice; to regard; to heed;
to pay attention to;
Bounding.
Mane of an animal.
Tree species,
Lram, Krtsub,
Krtut.
<Hausa
cf. bodongi.
cf. ep.
cf. ym , egb n.
cf. rwo.
cf. lwa.
cf. kto.
cf. ds .
the fruit is used to make the

gegza sauce.
Very (large, fleshy).

See lya.
M
mb
mdaki
n.
n.
md la md li
excl.
Md
Mjn
p.n.
p.n.
ti
ti
Mjn cigb
Mjn dd
Mjn kkki
Mjn kimp
Mjnrka
Mjn tswaci
Makn
m kndnu
mlm m lmi
mlm mpa
Mlki
Mlya
mmaki
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
p.n.
p.n.
excl.
ti
ti
ti
ti
ti
ti
ti
m
ti
bp
is
mmaki
mami
mami
mm
a.
n.
adv.
n.
mm
mny
n.
adv.
ti
dc
tx
Beadle; a king's fool.

Rank,
Word which expresses
inward joy or delight.
The Mahdi.
Rank or office; a chief; a
head-man.
Chief doctor.
Chief of the masqueraders.
Chief trumpeter.
Head leather worker.
Court officer.
Chief blacksmith.
hyena
Mallam; Muslim priest;
Spleen.
The Angel of the Abyss.
The Red Sea.
Wonderful! Amazing!
Fantastic! Incredible!
Like
Song or dance.
As; thus;
Mammy;
Trade cloth.
Slimily.
129
the salutation which is, Giwa;

cf. bandawaki.
< Arabic
cf. m n.
< Arabic ? via Hausa
cf. yka, ljbi.
cf. d, k m.
cf. kendn ... n.
name given to white women. <
Yoruba?
R.M. Blench
Nupe
ms
PoS
n.
C
fo
masntl
m
n.
fo
m
m
m
m
v.
v.
v.
v.
m
m
v.
v.
m
m
adv.
v.
m
m
v.
v.
m
m
m
m br
m bd
m cci
m cta
mc
mcnm
mda
m dfia
m dki
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
n.
n.
md
m d
m dz
m diw
n.
n.
v.
p.n.
ti
m dzwkwa
p.n.
ti
mfari
m fi
m fw ci
m fw ta
mgani
n., a.
v.
n.
n.
n.
mgani
mg
n.
n.
fa
m gci
m g wl
n.
n.
t
sa
m gjn
n.
n.
p.n.
n.
p.n.
p
k
la
English
Cake made from guinea-corn
and maize.
See sntl.
Cake made from very
coarsely ground guinea-corn.
To be sweet; to be good at.
To be right.
To neigh.
To clip or nip off, the head of
corn or grass; to harvest.
To be just right; to just suit.
To shine; to throw or reflect a
light on;
Also; too.
To bear; to beget; to bring
forth; to lay.
To refuse, used in this sense.
To go around; to surround; to
wind on; to bind on;
To lend; to borrow.
To measure.
To conjure;
To dodge; to skulk.
To hide the right side;
Pauper;
Freak;
See mk.
Paternal aunt.
Name of the Kta's canoe.
Etsu's fool;
Head woman among the
Etsus wives
Hunger; starvation.
Bog; quick-sand; morass;
To play; to sham.
Chief singer, being an office
among the priests.
Rank among the councillors,
Beginning; first.
To please;
Butcher.
Butcher's shop.
Front; approach, to a
compound;
Fancy.
Farm where only kp n
sorghum is grown.
Tree species.
Salutation for a judge;
Heir of the family;
130
<Hausa
cf. k .
cf. gba, m k.
cf. s.
cf. bd.
cf. tsa.
cf. kpiaria.
cf. mb.
cf. bd, rw.

Lram, Giwa.
cf. ba.
cf. lami.
lit. speak well and (they) will

spend money.
a rank or office the same as
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
mgajya
m g m g y
M gyk
p.n.
adv.
p.n.
ti
m g r
n.
is
m gb
v.
m gbo
m g
m gi
n.
v.
n.
mgo
mgogi
mgnci
mkai
n.
n.
n.
n.
hc
m km gi
makami
mkanta
M k
m k y
mkruh
n.
n.
n.
p.n.
adv.
mk
m kri
v.
n.
mkci
m k
m kndnnu
m kw rw
n.
v.
n.
n.
malgbgi
m lyka
m l ka
n.
n.
v.
m lka
m lfi
m l
mlogi
n.
n.
n.
n.
ml
m m
n.
excl.
Mm
mm t jnja
m m dn gbr
p.n.
adv.
n.
tr
m m m m y
m mmasn
adv.
n.
wp
is
is
p
p
m
dk
yc
mi
English
Queen;
Very (much).
Rank among the warriors; an
under captain;
Fourth call to prayer; about 6
p.m.
To assist in catching fish in
another man's stream;
Fish species.
To whine;
Cousin or nephew; a sister's
children but not a brother's.
Pure white (horse).
Eraser.
Tree species.
Spoon, or scoop used to take
civet from the civet cat.
Equal;
Weapon.
School; place of learning.
Mecca.
Poorly; slovenly;
According to Moslem law,
To surround; to go about;
Enemy; opponent;
antagonist; adversary.
Neighbour;
To spar; to box.
Hyna.
Sap of the ba palm, used as
a beverage.
Yam cultivar.
Angel.
Used with the verb jn, to
reign; to govern;
Angel.
Needle case; pin cushion.
To be dear; to be scarce.
Lute with spherical gourd
resonator
Fish eagle
What a child says when it
wants to nurse.
Masquerade
Completely.
Idiom, said of one who is
always standing.
Very (plump).
131
Mj n, the salutation for
which is, Gd. < Hausa
cf. sny.
Kawurang.
cf. lw n.
cf. tfeg.
< Hausa for scissors

cf. m .
cf. mlmly.
food, etc., not forbidden, yet
not recommended.
cf. gba.
cf. mlegnci.
See m lka
cf. yknci.
See m lyka. < Hausa
< Hausa molo
cf. kt mm.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
m m rgb
m n
n.
p.n.
ti
m n kundi
n.
m nk
m n trbi
m n ysbi
mn
mn
m n
m n
m 'n
mn woci
m nfki
m n f nci
m n gi
m n gi
p.n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
v.
n.
n.
n.
a.
n.
m nk
m 'n k
mnta
m nn
v.
n.
v.
m n
n.
m n
n.
mndara
m ng
n.
n.
po
m nggi
n.
po
m ng bkmbgi
n.p.
po
m ng br
m nggeg
m ngta
m nggi tdwa
m nggi yw
m ng
m ngi
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
po
po
po
po
po
m ngi
n.
m ny
m nlawo
n.
n.
bf
ti
p
p
i
English
Small bur.
Mallam; a priest; a preacher;
Imam;
Mallams who make medicine
or write charms for a living.
Chief preacher;
Mallam who divines;
Mallam who divines;
Favour; grace; kindness.
Dye pits;
Indeed; certainly.
Spy; a traitor.
To shine a light;
An ungrateful person.
Hypocrite; a deceiver.
Hypocrite; a deceiver.
Sweet.
Pest;
See rmk .
To hunt by torch light.
Dye pit;
To be happy; to be joyful; to
be pleasant; to be glad.
Large black and white
caterpillar cooked and eaten.
Convulsion;
Fresh or sweet (milk).
Clay water pot with a long
neck.
Small pot with one or two
handles.
Eight small pots sunk in the
ground outside of a house,
and used as a shrine for
twins.
Pot with a very large flange.
Bride's pot.
Place where pots are kept.
Ink-pot.
Bride's pot.
Child born in slavery.
Period of time; another time;
later.
All cereals harvested by
cutting off the head;
Semen.
132
Daniy .
cf. lm n.
cf. lm n.
cf. trbi.
cf. ysbi.
cf. mrin.
cf. m .
See m n f nci.
See m nfki.
small insect which eats the
leaves of the standing guineacorn.
cf. mrin.
said to be caused by eating an

odd or bad m ni caterpillar.
< Hausa
no longer in use
cf. m .
Ddndw.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
m nllgi
mnllt
mnlw lw gi
PoS
n.
n.
n.
m nianu
m nvovogi
m 'ny
mny
m 'ny m ngi
m nym nyy
mnzri
mnzri gll
n.
n.
v.
n.
v.
adv.
n.
n.
mp
mp
n.
n.
m p
M rba
m rhanu
n.
excl.
n.
m ri
n.
m rk
mrika
m rm r
mrin
m rk
m rinci
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
m rfa
msaka
mski
M sg
n.
n.
n.
p.n.
m sgf
msalaci
m s
m s yi
m sba
n.
n.
n.
m s
m sri
adv.
n.
m soro
m syi
m s n
n.
n.
n.
m sun
n.
mia
n.
n.
C
r
em
r
t
wv
bp
wt
fo
wv
wv
ti
English
Gecko
Scaly sand lizard; fencelizard.
Butter.
Tree species.
To conjure; cf. s 'ny.
Cleat.
To glean; cf. m , m ngi.
Very (large).
Spindle, used to spin cotton.
Ballast or clay ball on a
spindle.
Cheek.
Clay filled in between the
roof and the top of a wall;
Association;
Welcome.
Cut of garment with no
sleeves; a vest; a waistcoat.
Point where the threads cross
when they are being
measured out for a loom.
Heavy rains in October.
Limit;
Longing; desire.
Dye pit.
Tattle;
Edible sprouts of the fanpalm gbci.
Straw hat; a helmet.
Loom; a weaving frame.
Weaver.
Chief of the glass workers,
Glass works.
Mosque.
To be tired;
See m syi, y.
Danger; peril; calamity;
misfortune.
Indeed;
mn Steel; a superior grade of
iron.
fo Black pepper.
Friend;
Back, but usually refers to a
hunch-back;
Namesake; one of the same
name.
Long stem,
is
133
cf. latswgi, tsw lagi
< Hausa oil of cow
cf. kin mp.

cf. m p.
also m rhab. < Hausa
cf. mtuka, nugn.

cf. rkto.
< Hausa muruci.

is, Dmb.
<Hausa
cf. bo.
cf. m n .
< Hausa
cf. y.
cf. buki.
used in a pipe, made from the

lyisa plant.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
m i
migi
m sta
m tlka
mtai
M t
mtk
m ts
PoS
v.
n.
n.
n.
n.
excl.
n.
v.
mts fi
mts
m tsw
mtuka
m turugi
m wo
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
wv
p
p
m w
n.
vc
mwre
n.
m yk
n.
m y
m y
m yb
v.
n.
v.
myid
myito
mza
mzangnigi
m zgta
m zwa
m zz
mz
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
mzndadi
n.
ti
mb
mbci
mgb
my my
n.
conj.
excl.
n.
mt
my my gi
my my ny
myymyyg
mi-
a.
adv.
a.
m
mi min
mi
mib
v.
pron.
v.
n.
to
vc
wp
da
c
fo
p
f
bf
i
ti
English
Beware; avoid;
Ditch; a gutter;
Back stitch in sewing.
Hammer;
Page number.
Vendors' call for meat.
Thumb-ring, used by archers.
To laugh; to smile; to giggle;
to snicker.
Slay or harness of a loom.
Grass-widow.
Scout; a watchman;
Limit;
Young cattle.
Peace; sweetness; bliss;
usefulness;
Vendors' call for locust fruit
water.
Tsyida.
Commander-in-chief of the
warriors.
To tease, as boys do girls.
Long headed millet.
When used with jn means to
avoid;
Food made from corn.
Salutation for Tswa.
Brave person; a hero;
Fish species.
Cemetery
Vomit;
Beetle.
Kyadya,
Rank among the court
officers,
Feast;
Were it not; except;
Word of interrogation; I say.
Large mat, made from ba
palm branches,
Sweet;
Very (shaky).
Small; tiny.
verbs with initial, m, mi,
mu.
To sprinkle.
I; me.
To mould; to cast; to form.
Cursing; a curse;
134
cf. tsw.
cf. gd, gue.
cf. tsu. < Hausa
cf. leg n.
cf. nugn.
cf. nfni, lfy.
cf. gba.
cf. bagi.
, not well known.
cf. t.
Dawud.
Dawud, irom.
cf. wlm.
cf. kg`.
and used much as a shade or
tent.
cf. m n gi.
cf. emib, bmi.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
mcn
mic n
mic n koro
PoS
n.
n.
n.
C
ca
bf
bf
midzrci
n.
migb
migi ni ci
mnjn
minkayil
mkte
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
mika en
mila
min
mnmn
num.
n.
a.
n.
misa
mi
m nm ng
misn
n.
n.
a.
n.
mita
mito
mits
msli
m ya
miy
mindadi
mm
mu
n.
n.
pron.
n.
v.
n.
t
fo
fo
One.
Ridicule; sarcasm;
Equal; smooth; level.
Very small red ??? and that
lives in trees.
Salutation; greeting;
Short-sightedness; dullness.
Drizzly;
Mouth; opening; entrance;
brink; brim; edge.
Noisiness; clamour;
Cursing;
Myself.
Equal; comparison;
To shake off.
Law;
See mndadi.
Maternal uncle.
mu.
To suck;
To be decayed; to be rotten
as cloth, pots.
To clip; to cut; to shear, the
hair.
To be tasty.
To pluck up by the roots.
Chancel of a mosque.
To crowd or flock around; to
throng.
Baobab
hi
Preparation;
Long pole, used to stir indigo
dye in the pits.
Ltsw.
Extortion;
Iron fire-ring.
bp
n.
m
m
v.
v.
v.
mu
mu
mub ri
mb
v.
v.
n.
v.
muci
n.
mci
muca
n.
n.
mdgr
v.
mdz
mfn
n.
n.
English
Pole for poling a canoe.
Spittle; saliva; expectoration.
Saliva that runs from the
mouth while sleeping.
Tree species which bears a
three cornered fruit.
Contradicting; the arguing;
Tree species.
Red palm oil.
The Rain Angel.
Shea-butter,
135
cf. emigb.
made of the kernel of the sheabutter nut.

cf. emila.
cf. emisa.
cf. kpngi.
cf. emita.
cf. emito.
cf. msli, ygi.
cf. emiy.
cf. nim.
the leaves are called kka, and

the fruit mu.
cf. ri.
cf. ny ny .
< Hausa
R.M. Blench
Nupe
mfngi
muge
mgn
mk mk y
Mk
PoS
n.
n.
n.
adv.
p.n.
mkgi
mulamulay
n.
adv.
mli
mlki
mmni
n.
n.
n.
mul mukia
mmgi
mmgi
n.
a.
n.
fo
munu
munu bci
n.
n.
pl
pl
Small bloodsucking fly.

Very (poor); poorly;
slovenly;
Chief of a certain village.
Kingdom; authority; power;
Humble person; a true
believer.
Vendors' call for ysa.
Soft; tender.
Preparation made from
sesame seed, used to flavour
ej.
Edible mushroom.
Edible mushroom
munu d k n
n.
pl
Edible mushroom
munu tnkpl
munu t n tukpa
mn
mnmny
munugi
mrdi
mramragi
murg ci
mrn
mshli
msli
ms r
mslmi
ms ngi
ms n
m s n k n gi
mrya
m i
n.
n.
n.
a.
a.
n.
a.
excl.
n.
pl
pl
tx
n.
a.
n.
a.
n.
a.
n.
v.
mtnci
mumu
mwtsw
mwtsw gi
n.
n.
n.
n.
Toadstool.
Toadstool.
Woollen cloth; flannelette.
Straight.
Tasty;
Desire;
Senseless;
Salutation for the rank N gi.
Joy; gladness;
See msli.
Comparison; equal;
Forbidden;
Moslem; true believer.
Small; tiny.
Pussy.
Small; tiny;
Wealth; riches;
To crowd; to flock around; to
throng;
Kindness;
Awkwardness.
To stink; to smell.
Pest on guinea-corn;
dk
ti
i
vc
sa
e
is
English
Design in hair dressing.
Palm wine;
Evil; bad;
Very (poor); poorly;
Chief of the brass workers,
136
cf. eg n.
cf. m k y.
is, Dmb.
cf. mk mk y.
cf. s rta.
that grows at the base of the

bci tree.
that grows on a d k n termite
mound.
cf. mu.
cf. ny.
cf. dagi.
cf. nnm , yb.
cf. msli, ygi, yz n.
cf. ms.
cf. ttngi.
cf. dkya.
cf. mb.
cf. lher, cto.
cf. m n gi.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
N
PoS
excl.
n 'm nhm
nni
n.
nakuda
nr
n.
n.
nr
n
n
n
n.
v.
v.
v.
v.
n
n
n b
v.
v.
v.
n br
n bsk n
nb b ngi
nbr
v.
n.
n.
n d n
ndn
n g n g
ngb
dem.
n.
adv.
n.
ngbn
n.
ngb nn gb ngb y
ng
n.
n.
n gen
n gy
n gn
n.
n.
n.
ngn
n.
ngn
n.
n jci
n k
nk
nk cigb n
nk gba
nk k n
n.
a.
n.
n.p.
n.
n.
English
Yes, in response to a
summons.
See n.
Rank, the salutation for
which is, Guruz.
Travail.
Vine
ad
i
t
Disease among fowls.

To hate;
To dream.
To wash; to cleanse; to
brighten;
To shine; to reflect, as the
moon;
To rise up.
To be blind.
To shine; to reflect, as a
moon.
See lbr.
To threaten;
Fire-fly; a glow-worm.
Tree species,
This particular one.
Burning;
Brightly; clearly.
Solitaire animal, wild and
ferocious.
Spirit of a wild animal,
Squirming; the wriggling.
State of being cooked;
healed; ripe;
t
bp
Any place in the river where

there is a swift current;
Medicine or charm,
Tree species.
Rank; rancid.
Body; meat; flesh.
Trunk of the body.
the being accustomed to;
paralysis, lit. shaking of the
137
used as medicine for nr

disease.
cf. .
cf. fo, f.
cf. n n .
cf. bsk n.
the root of which when applied
to the flesh has an action like
that of nitrate of silver.
cf. dnn, endn.
which after it has been killed,

is said to enter the hunter and
cause him to rave.
cf. gn.

G ndez.
cf. ngnta.
rubbed on the body by hunters,
before going on a hunt.
cf. gba.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
nk mn woci
n.p.
nk nnk
nk nuw
n.p.
n.p.
nk vci
n k n
nkn
n kingbgb y
n koj
nk nbo
n m
n.
n.
v.
v.
p.n.
n.
n.
n mb
nmbi snsn
nmfa
n.
n.
n.
n mp
nmppgi
n mpt
nmi
n.
n.
adv.
n.
n m
n n
n n
n n
n n
a.
v.
n.
v.
v.
nn
n ... n
nnc
nnc
nnce
a.
pron.
n.
n.
n.
nng
nngi
n.
n.
nngik ci
nngikpaci
n.
n.
ngntsu
n.
pl
nngi tukpak
nngo
nnk
n.
n.
n.
da
nnk Sk
npt
n.
n.
ti
t
m
i
wf
hu
English
body.
a thin; frail body; lit; an
ungrateful body.
beef.
cooked or boiled meat, sold
like hash.
carrion; rotten meat.
Balance;
To rise; to get up;
To be stone blind;
Stubble.
Rope, made by binding grass
stems together, and used to
bind the rafters of a roof.
Bag;
Tree species.
Rough leather bag, made by
tying up a skin.
Leopard.
Butterfly; a moth.
Very (black);
Battlement; a shield, built by
the wall where the archers
shoot from.
Senseless.
To reflect; to shine; to light.
Fool;
To dream;
To be well dressed; to be
tidy.
This; that;
Which; that; who; since.
Hearth; stove; fireplace.
Poison smeared on arrows.
Fly brush; a switch made
from a cow's tail.
Truancy; a truant;
Small domesticated animals;
but also refers to pigs, deer,
leopards, lions;
Shepherd.
One who keeps sheep or
goats.
Weed, which if eaten by
animals will kill them;
Long-eared Hausa sheep.
Ashes of a burnt house;
Large domesticated animals,
usually refers only to cattle.
White clouds;
Grass ashes; smouldering
138
cf. k.
cf. n.
cf. n .
cf. jka.
cf. ptmp.
cf. wawa.
cf. n .
cf. g.
cf. kpnk.
cf. en.
cf. engntsu.
cf.
cf. tutumpr.
lit. God's cattle; cf. para.
cf. tutumpr.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
nns
n ny gb n
n nyci
n rr y
n ru
n.
v.
n.
v.
n.
n s
n sra
n s
n
n.
n.
v.
n wa
n i
n i
n.
n.
ni
n
n v
v.
n.
v.
po
nv n
n.
is
n w
n.
n w n
nw
nw pata
n w n
adv.
n.
n.
v.
n w n
n wn wn~ g
n ymi
v.
a.
n.
nyi
nd
ndc
ndcgi
Nd dr
adv.
n.
n.
n.
p.n.
ndd brgi
nd dm
nd c
nd c
n.
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
m
w
ti
ti
Monkey;.
Niger river;.
Rank among native princes;.
Rank among the Kyadya;
ndj
ndjk
nd e
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
ti
ti
ti
ndgi
ndgi m yiw
n.
n.p.
k
k
Prime Minister.
See ndj.
which is Dawud;
Paternal uncle; cf. mm .
Father; a parent.
bp
ti
k
hu
English
ashes;
Matches; flint stone.
To be blind of heart;
Tribesmen; clansmen; tribe.
To have poor sight;
Site; locality; direction;
position.
See nns.
Victory; success.
Reflection of fire in the sky.
To support; to give
allowance.
See n wa.
Fist.
Narrow strip left on a man's
cloth.
To extinguish house fires.
Clay fire-pot.
To refuse; to rebel; to abhor;
to object; to hate; to detest; to
loathe.
First month in the Islamic
calendar,
Canter; a pace; the steady
quick walk of a horse.
Very (many, much);
Smoke.
Soot.
To rebuke; to growl; to
reprove; to upbraid; to scold;
to censure.
To be very bright.
Soft; tender.
Rank among Muslim
mallams,
Indeed;
Father; master; senior.
Hunter.
Trap; a gin;
Rank,
139
cf. n .
cf. n .
meaning, The Month of

Torches. Torch; cf. enkpa.
cf. dkn.

nem.
cf. m n , b.
cf. kpktgi.
Agr, M yice.
cf. k n
cf. d
cf. cck
a constable; executioner; cf.
dg ri.
cf. .
R.M. Blench
Nupe
nd gro
nd kata
nd ktsgi
ndk
PoS
p.n.
n.p.
n.
n.
C
ti
ndk basa
ndk dagbagi
Ndk gby
n.
n.
p.n.
i
m
tr
ndkgi
p.n.
ndk kontoro
ndk lagb
ndk 'm nd
ndk m nn
ndk ndk
ndk ragbagi
ndktsu
nd kt
ndkpgi
nd lawya
nd lngi
n.
n.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
p.n.
p.n.
n.
excl.
n.p.
nd l
nd ll
nd lm n
nd m rki
nd wi
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
excl.
ti
ti
ti
ti
sa
nd wd
nd wi
excl.
p.n.
sa
nd wu 'tsu
p.n.
nd tb
nd td
p.n.
ti
See tb.
nd twki
p.n.
ti
nd kgi
nd 'ts
n.
n.
f
ti
ndz
p.n.
ti
Fish species.
Chief or headman of a small
village.
Traditional priest,
ndzgi
d
doci
n.
pron.
pron.
dd
dr
a.
cr
k
i
tr
k
k
k
ti
tr
r
sa
English
Follower of Ll.
Guardian.
Shrimp.
grandfather; ancestor; also a
name given to traditional
worship, and smallpox.
Red beetle.
Field mouse.
Masquerade,
a nick name, given to all
baby boys;
stag beetle.
Bullroarer
Paternal grandfather.
Maternal grandfather.
Grandfathers; generations.
See ndk dagbagi.
Rank.
Father of the kt;
Tortoise
Salutation for Ct.
said of one who has travelled
about largely.
Ali,
Chief of Mokwa [Mkwa];
Chief mallam;
Rank among the courtiers.
Somai.
Salutation for Sokira.
Boy's name,
Eunuch;
Bird species.
see ndoci.
Some, another.
Every, any
See ndond.
140
typical of Doko and similar to

other masquerades in the
Benue Valley
cf. English little man.
cf. Ndk gby.

cf. srgi.
the salutation is, Ddndw.

cf. ll.
cf. lm n.
See nymi.

Kokparadz.
formerly in charge of the Etsu
Nupes wives.
Lram.
Dmb.

is, z.
ez doci wu gb l
someone once killed a lion
ez dd b everyone came
R.M. Blench
Nupe
ng
PoS
v.
njn
ni
excl.
n
n
nici
nd n
v.
v.
num.
v.
nigb
ngbdngbd
nkn
n.
nk
nk
nmb
nimbl
nmpa
nim
nmwy
v.
v.
n.
n.
n.
v.
n.
nn
nndnd
nnfi
prep.
a.
n.
nnfu
n.
ningb n
nnke
nnm
nnm
nnp
npt npt
n.
n.
n.
prep.
v.
v.
n 'ny
niny
v.
n.
nin
nira
ns
n
n
a.
n.
adv.
wv
n.
n fyny
p.n.
ti
n gi
n.
n gi m yiw
n k
n.p.
n.
k
k
v.
pl
ti
fo
fo
English
Accept; to take from the
hand;
I say;
verbs with initial, n, ni.
To drum.
To fall.
Fourth.
To make or be in a tumult or
uproar.
Singer; a soloist;
Saying.
To fall down, or to the
ground;
To stir.
To choke with food.
Gluttonous appetite.
Weed, used in making sauce.
Girdle; a belt; a waist band;
To lick.
Rank among women,
in; inside; into.
Any; every.
Filling on a bobbin used in
weaving;
Fullness; satisfaction from
hunger;
Sauce.
Girdle; belt; waist band;
Rejoicing; joy; happiness;
In; inside.
To be good friends;
To be flat-sided, as a round
house.
To drum; cf. n.
Condiments; greens, etc.,
anything used in making
sauce.
One.
Heald or harness of a loom.
Very (much).
See y.
Mother; a common greeting
for all women.
Maternal aunt; a name of
respect for all women;
Mother; a parent.
Grandmother.
141
cf. g.
cf. yg .
cf. duwal.
cf. gbn.
cf. nnke.
Wgbo, Wkbmb,
Dawud, Kpko nynkpa.
cf. e.
cf. funn.
cf. nmpa.
cf. m nn.
cf. pnn.

Gmb.
cf. mcnm .
R.M. Blench
Nupe
n kgi
PoS
p.n.
n k 'm nd
n k 'm n
n k nyik
n k nyizgi
n.p.
n.p.
n.
p.n.
k
k
f
k
English
Nick name, given to all baby
girls;
Paternal grandmother.
Maternal grandmother.
Fish species.
Headwoman,
n ktsu
p.n.
Rank among women,
n m dki
p.n.
nhn
nhn
nts w
nu
excl.
excl.
n.
aff.
n
n
n
v.
v.
v.
nu
nu
v.
n.
n
n
v.
v.
nuf
nugn
nug nci
n.
n.
n.
n 'ka
nukp
nukpay
nknnk n
nungbe
nungberci
v.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
Headwoman among the

king's wives,
Exclamation of approval.
Exclamation of disapproval.
Bird species.
nu.
To ache, as the head;
To be sharp; to be keen;
To extinguish; to quench; to
erase;
To pout.
Abbreviation for nuwan,
water.
To hoe; to farm; to cultivate.
To scorch; to burn; to make
into charcoal.
Fallow ground.
Border; limit; boundary.
Senior; elder; superior; older
brother or sister.
To burn charcoal;
Bill or beak of a bird.
Beard; whiskers;
Individually;
Chin.
Tree species;
nnu
v.
Nupenci
nusa
nuwan
p.n.
n.
n.
et
nuwo~ n~ ny
n.
ti
ny
nwi
nwnw
v.
pron.
n.
tp
nwnw
nwnw fn~ 'b
n.
n.
fa
k
ap
bp
bp
t
tm
To hoe; to till the ground; to

farm; to cultivate.
Nupe.
Age; an old or aged person;
Water; liquid; juice;
moisture; fluid.
Rank among the traditional
dancers,
To look sad.
He; him; she; her; it;
Stem on which the date palm
bears fruit.
Sour milk
Three cuts on either side of
142
cf. English, little woman.

is, Algb.
Algb.
is, Giwa mata.
cf. s .
cf. wny.
cf. fn.
cf. n.
cf. sje.
cf. kky.
the fruit of which is called
kiribombo.
cf. jgb n.
Lbndd.
cf. nwu, u.
cf. mndara, tb.
lit; the milk drinking place.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
nw nw nw nw y
nym nym y
nyy
nynynynyy
nyngi
ny
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
a.
v.
ny
prep.
ny
v.
ny
v.
ny
'ny
ny
ny c
nybt
ny n
ny nng
ny ci
ny cid
ny 'd
v.
v.
adv.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
v.
ny d
ny d bmvo
n.
excl.
r
vc
ny di ny dy y
ny dzogn b dar nyi
adv.
excl.
vc
nyf ngi
ny gi
nygb n
n.
p.n.
n.
i
ti
nygb n b
v.p.
nygb n ct
v.p.
nygb n l
nygb n n
nygb n nkn
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
e
e
e
nygb n nyi
nygb n sy
nygb n te
v.p.
v.p.
v.p.
e
e
e
nygb n gn
v.p.
nygb n s
v.p.
English
the mouth;
Very (slimy, gummy).
Very (muddy, dirty);
Sparklingly;
Sparklingly; brightly.
Small;
To chase; to drive away; to
banish.
Of; about; form of
possession.
To erect, as a shelter on
poles;
To organise, a society or
club;
To dance;
See eny.
To bake, in an oven.
Thus;
Stinginess;
Thus;
Thus; this way;
Prostitute; pimp
Adultery; fornication;
To erect a shelter; to be flat,
as a roof;
Very large turtle.
Vendors call for garden
eggs.
Very (large).
Vendors' call for garden
eggs.
Small flying gnats.
Rank among the councillors.
Heart; breast; bosom; chest;
conscience; the seat of
affection etc.
to be sorrowful; to be
discouraged.
to be lonesome; to be in a
rage; to be angry.
to be jealous; to be envious.
to be blind of heart.
to be discouraged; to be
broken hearted;
to be sorrowful; to be sad.
to be sad.
to be sad; to be depressed; to
be disappointed;
to have a creeping sensation
in the stomach; to want to
vomit.
to have a creeping sensation
143
cf. c ky .
cf. nynynynyy.
cf. ttngi.
cf. d, ny 'd.
cf. n .
cf. eny .
cf. c.
cf. t nyb.
cf. nng.
cf. nng.
cf. ny cid.
cf. dny ci.
cf. ny , d.
lit. the heart has fallen.
lit. the heart is severed.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
nygb n gb
nygb n guegi
v.p.
v.p.
e
bp
nygb n nnyi
nygb n nin
nygb n sn
nygb n k
nygb n t
nygb n tci
ny g ny g y
nyg
ny gl b 'm
n.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.
adv.
n.
excl.
e
e
e
e
e
p
nyg n
nyg nboci
ny hny hy
ny k
nyk
ny k gi
ny k bsgi
ny knci
ny k n
nyk n
nykngi
nykngi kn
nykngi lat
nykngi 'm
nykngi nuw
n.
n.
adv.
v.
n.
n.
n.
nyknbr
nyknni
ny m
ny mny my
'ny m ngi
ny mbr
ny 'mts b 'm
n.
n.
a.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
ny m
ny mny my
ny 'n
v.
adv.
v.
ny n mi t...n
ny ndl
n.
ny ndn...n
ny ngd
nynka
ny kpa
adv.
n.
n.
v.
nynkpa
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
sa
t
z
m
z
z
z
z
z
r
fo
bd
pl
English
in the stomach.
to doubt;
Depression just below the
ribs.
sorrow.
fidelity; one heart.
anger; indignation.
bile.
grief; sorrow.
hero; brave person.
Very (much);
Foot or explanatory notes;
hunters;
Cork or stopper for a bottle.
Tree species.
To inform.
Earth; surface earth;
Wild animal.
Zorilla
See yknci.
Drying oven; a bake house.
All clay pots;
All small wild animals.
Creeping animals
Wild animals,
Domestic animals,
Water animals, as crocodiles,
manatee.
Sand lizard;
Prepared foods; lunches.
Soft; mushy.
Very (large).
Gleanings;
Necklace of fancy stones;
Weed species, very difficult
to get rid of;
To entice; to coax.
Munchingly;
To organise a society; to
appoint to office;
How I may; what I should do.
Lkpy ny .
Thus; as;
fr
Green locust fruit.
Bias.
To follow; to chase after; to
go after;
mn Iron; metal.
144
two hearts.
cf. gg.
cf. rn.
cf. c ky .
cf. pt.
cf. dk n.
such as snakes, lizards.
as antelope, civets.
as sheep, goats, dogs, cats.
some times gbr, or, gbr.
cf. m ngi.
cf. nysnsn.
its name implies chase out the
compound owner and seize the
compound; cf. cincr.
cf. kpurkpury.
cf. ny , n.
cf. kend n.
cf. l mit.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
nynkpa dzr
nynkpa fifia
nynkpa k
nynkpagi
nynkpa tk
nynkpa ny kbta
nynts
nyntsugi
PoS
n.
n.n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
nyny
v.
ny ny
ny ny ny ny g
ny ny ny ny y
ny ry
nys
nys k
nyssyi
nys
nysgi
ny e
ny ny y
ny snsn
'ny tukpa
nyv n
ny w
'ny yfi
nyi-
a.
n.
adv.
a.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
aff.
nyi
aux.
nyi
v.
nyi
nyi ny
ny
ny
v.
aux.
part.
v.
nyci
nyci
nydn
n.
n.
v.
nyf
nyfnyfy
nyif
nyig
nyik
nyk
nyimi
nyimfr
nyn
a.
adv.
v.
n.
v.
n.
n.
n.
n.
C
English
mn Gold.
mn Iron scales or chippings.
mn Black iron.
Gin trap;
Ingot of iron.
Iron shoe-last;
Owner;
p
Maiden; a virgin; an
unmarried woman.
To dance; to jump about; to
spin, as a top.
Bad; vulgar; indecent;
Extortion;
Scorchingly.
Small.
Sweepings; dust; dirt.
ch Charm, used to divine with;
Very (much); exceedingly;
Hidden thing.
See enysgi.
Only;
bd Coloured stone necklace.
pd Ear-rings; ear-stones.
Flesh; meat;
Informing;
Needlework;
verbs with initial, ny, nyi.
Sign of the infinitive mood
to.
To spoil; to corrupt; to
damage; to destroy; to abuse;
to maim; to disable;
To swallow.
Used in the imperative.
Used for euphony.
To germinate; to come up, as
seeds.
k
Relative; kinsfolk;
t
Tree species.
To wiry; to be tough; to be
sticky;
Soft; tender;
Very (spongy)
To spoil; to damage;
Speaking about or against;
f
Fishes of all kinds.
Tooth; tusk.
p
Wife.
pl Fibre plant
To-day.
145
Red metal;
cf. tangi.
cf. cigb n kbta.
cf. bts.
cf. ny .
cf. rb.
cf. s.
cf. dkn, leble.
cf. k d ny.
cf. c ky .
cf. nk.
cf. wny .
cf. fi 'ny y.
cf. nyif.
cf. d ngi.
cf. tdn.
cf. bodongi.
cf. nyi.
cf. g nyi, kob.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
nyi nygb n
nyntsu
nyiwanyiwa
nyiy
nyizgi
PoS
v.
n.
n.
v.
n.
English
To offend; to be offended.
Etsu's wives.
Crane;
To be tangled.
Woman.
cf. epa.
O
'o
o
pron.
excl.
excl.
part.
ogbognni
Ok
num.
excl.
olkp
ots
n.
pron.
ots
oy
adv.
excl.
sa
Thou; you;
Exclamation of surprise, as,
Oh!
Exclamation of disgust.
Used for euphony and in
interrogative sentences.
One hundred and sixty.
Common salutation;
welcome; hail.
Policeman.
Yourself; a contraction of
wots.
Indeed.
Expression, as, aye.
a contraction of wo.
< Fulfulde
< Yoruba
P
p
p
v.
v.
p
pa
pa
v.
v.
v.
pa
v.
pa
v.
pa
p
v.
v.
p
p
p
adv.
v.
v.
v.
p
p
pa 'b
paba
v.
v.
v.
v.
co
To peel off, as the skin.

To pole; to paddle; to row; to
propel, as a boat; to drive, as
on engine.
To scout; to scour.
To bind; to bandage.
To assist, by charms or
prayer;
To remember; to recollect; to
recall.
To watch over; to look after,
as when the owner is absent;
To pound. to beat, as a floor;
To press; to overcome; to
double.
Very (black);
To be hidden, as the sun.
To make (lye or dye in a
small pot).
To pound or beat, as in a
mortar.
To lock, as a door;
To massage.
To pound or beat a floor;
To hire out to;
146
cf. pagwa.
cf. tsw.
cf. pa 'b.
cf. ptmp.
cf. fid, tsu.

cf. pa.
lit. to bind to; cf. pa.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
pba
pb
pabi
p bc
paci
pd
PoS
v.
n.
v.
v.
n.
v.
pdzu
pagwa
v.
v.
pk
pal
pa lkumb
v.
v.
v.
pm
v.
pmgi
n.
pmpgi
pann
pnn
pntsyi
pny
pny
pny
ppppy
ppppy
papay
ppy
ppy
para
para
para
n.
v.
v.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
ap
pr
prgi
prpry
prapray
pa rwoni
a.
n.
adv.
adv.
v.
prngi
n.
pasmza
n.
pt
pt
pta
pta
p tk n
n.
a.
v.
a.
v.
ptmp
ptngi
adv.
n.
la
t
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
c
sa
co
English
To press or coax; to urge;
Steep bank;
To be warm;
To trample on; to treadle.
Tree species,
To be pressed in; to be
dented;
To press through;
To help or assist, by charms
or prayer.
To set or take one's time.
To avenge; to revenge;
To tie the arms behind the
back; to fasten securely.
To affiliate; to unite; to club
together;
Tree species
Pinion of a bird's wing;
To gird.
To chum; to associate;
Very (flat on the point).
Sound of a slap.
Quickly.
Long ago; formerly.
Slap, slap, slap.
Flappingly.
See hr papay.
Quickly;
Sparklingly; poppingly.
Clouds.
Honeycomb.
Shovelful of clay that does
not break apart.
Flat; level; wide; broad;
Melon with edible seeds.
Quickly; instantly;
Everywhere;
To bind on a turban; to
confer a title upon;
People who trade in canoes
along the river.
Som kda.
Fillip;
Flat.
To be quiet, to subside;
Square.
To lay to one side, and give
place to another matter.
Very (black);
Fillip;
147
cf. pdzu.
cf. b b.
cf. bipa.
also bci.
cf. b.
cf. pba.
cf. jn g, g, ggb.
cf. keb.
also ggorci. Detarium
microcarpum
cf. gwaptgi.
cf. vvy.
cf. tr.
Citrullus lanatus.
cf. piky.
cf. bgabgay.
cf. tci.
cf. ptngi.
cf. c nta.
cf. ny.
cf. pt.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
patant
ptaptay
pta swrw
pty
pat
PoS
n.
adv.
a.
adv.
v.
pat
v.
ptd
p`t ptgi
pt gw
pt
pts n
a.
n.
n.
v.
v.
psla
v.
pwy
pa yw
n.
v.
py
v.
py
v.
pay
pyku
v.
v.
py
py
pz
adv.
adv.
v.
p`
p`
p
p
adv.
v.
v.
v.
pl
ple
v.
v.
pmpmi
n.
mi
pmvngi
p`ny
ps li
pe
pe
plepley
pm
pny
pr
n.
adv.
n.
v.
v.
adv.
adv.
adv.
n.
C
a
wp
English
Top of a house;
Everywhere;
Square;
Everywhere;
To be timid; to be fearful; to
be sensitive.
To crust over; to have a hard
surface.
To subdue;
Hill.
Gravel pit or hill.
To paddle or ferry across.
To vanish; to disappear from
view;
Used with kp, to explain; to
open out;
Roar of a gun.
To marry a woman who is
not a bride.
To be always washing the
face;
To be shrewd; to be sharp; to
be chary;
To remember ahead;
To stare; to size up; to look
well at.
Heavily.
Long ago;
To overwhelm; to be too big
for;
Abruptly; abrupt.
To be ripe; to be dry;
To make a roof frame;
To swing, in a circular
motion; to soar.
To swing;
To swing;
Wooden end-blown trumpet

played together with the
kkki in royal ensembles.
Plague.
Completely;
Wisdom; sense;
To be spoiled.
To be drunk.
Poorly; imperfectly;
Completely;
Completely;
Lance;
148
cf. katant.
cf. bgabgay.
cf. pta.
cf. ptaptay.
cf. btd.
cf. tsmp.
cf. tl, kpy.
cf. p.
cf. wny.
cf. pa.
cf. pny.
cf. c, z .
cf. gn.
cf. rk.
cf. lblb.
said of trouble wandering
about over the heads of people,
no one knows just where it
will light.
cf. fgb, kkki. < Hausa
famfami.
cf. kpony.
cf. egb n.
cf. dzgadzgay.
cf. fm, kpony.
cf. kpony, kpt.
cf. kw.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
prgn
pteptey
pi
PoS
n.
adv.
aff.
pi
piky
pimpi
v.
adv.
v.
piaria
piariagi
piriyi
pitik ngi
pitig
pimpiri
pmpny
pn
a.
a.
n.
a.
a.
n.
adv.
p n
p n
pn
pn
v.
v.
v.
v.
pnbimpnbi
pny
pny
pipta
n.
v.
adv.
n.
ppy
py
pry
pry
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
pr
pr
pt
ptgi
pitig
ptngi
ptngi
ptiptiy
po
p
n.
adv.
adv.
a.
a.
n.
a.
adv.
v.
v.
pg
pny
pry
poroporog
poto
pt
ptny gi
a.
n.
adv.
adv.
a.
n.
n.
C
pl
co
t
ai
English
Plant
Poorly; imperfectly;
verbs with initial, pa, p, pe,
po.
To glance.
Quickly; instantly;
Used with the verb dn, to
reach up.
Shallow.
Short;
Sound of cloth ripping.
Short; low.
Small; stubby.
Cockroach.
Very (plump);
pn.
To brush off; to whisk off;
To spin.
To roll.
To be narrow; to be tight; to
squeeze.
Burying beetle;
To criticise; to look well into;
Quickly.
Being quiet; quietness;
silence;
Blinkingly.
Tightly; closely.
Very (white);
Quickly; instantly; cf.
prpry.
Thing;
Quickly.
Completely;
Small, as a mesh or opening.
Large.
Small house bat.
Small, as a mesh;
Very (small).
To roast; to burn; to scald.
To dry up from the roots and
fall over,
Plump; wide; broad.
Noise of a slap;
Very (pointed);
Very (smooth);
Large.
Wild fig tree.
Small hoe.
149
leaf resembles a pineapple.
cf. plepley.
cf. pry.
cf. kkrgi.
cf. bmbny.
cf. w n.
cf. kubimbubi.
cf. cnl.
cf. pta.
cf. bny, pry.

cf. eny.
cf. kpony.
cf. ptgi.
as a banana or pawpaw tree.
cf. bny.
cf. sr.
cf. blblyi.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
pu
PoS
aff.
puga
puli
pmpny
a.
a.
n.
pnnto
n.
go
pp
n.
fo
ppppy
n.
ppy
ppy
adv.
n.
pr pry
pry
piy
piy
ptaka
ptapta
ptaptay
pt
putu
putu
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
a.
n.
pt
n.
pt
ptuptuy
putuputuyi
puy
pwg
pwy
pwrwgi
pw tw y
a.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
a.
adv.
fo
an
t
English
verbs with initial, po, pu.
Puffed; bloated.
Puffed;
Sound made when a pillow is
slapped.
Large pan shaped gourd,
Cheap gruel, made from flour
and water.
Puffs or sheets of wind or
rain.
Poppingly.
Throb or beat of the heart as
felt in a sore finger;
Very (dusty, white, pale);
Quickly.
Very (soft).
Popcorn.
Black ant.
Very (dusty, white, pale);
Tree species.
Puffed; bloated;
Bunch of burning grass
carried by the wind from a
burning building.
Earth; surface earth, used to
fill in for floors;
Soft; spongy.
Everywhere.
Very (large).
Very (puffed, bloated);
Very (much swollen).
Very (much).
Slender.
cf. puga.
used for carrying water; also
used for drumming on at
weddings.
cf. bby.
cf. bny.
cf. pr.
cf. prb.
cf. puga.
cf. nyk .
cf. puga.
R
rbny
rdi
radz
rafi
rfi
rgb nni
rh
rk
adv.
n.
n.
v.
p.n.
rkpe
n.
n.
v.
ti
Very much; well filled;

Aerolite; meteorite;
Provocation;
To level;
See lgb nni.
Play;
Used with the verb jn to
prostrate in prayer; jn rk.
Ignoramus; ignorance; cf.
150
cf. bmbny.
cf. ldi, egb.
cf. sng.
cf. la.
the salutation is Ddndw.
cf. n wa, dz.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
rkn
Rmdn
rm
rm
rni
ran
rsul
rnta
rain
n.
p.n.
a.
n.
n.
p.n.
n.
n.
n.
rts
rwuni
ryi
rg m
r
n.
n.
n.
adv.
rentsyi
rein
rb
rifdi
rga
rkici
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
rkp
rkpe lkpe
n.
v.
rn
rintirint
rir
rr
rr
rbo
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
rb
rg
Rog
n.
n.
p.n.
rogb
rgb
n.
n.
rogbg
n.
rg
n.
rogo
rg
rg
n.
n.
adv.
rgng
n.
English
lkpe.
da Camel.
< Hausa
is
Month of Ramadan.
Arabic via Hausa
Barren; sterile.
c
Kenaf used for fibre
Hibiscus cannabinus. < Hausa
Blemish; imperfection.
ti
Apostle; a sent one.
tx Local silk.
Back of rain lfy, the back or rein.
of health.
e
Disappointment;
cf. tkyci.
See rwoni.
Life.
or ly
Halter.
Indeed; very;
a word used to strengthen a
verb or adjective.
Very (large).
See rain.
Extortion;
cf. ny ny .
wf War garment.
Exaggeration;
cf. rba.
e
Double dealing; deceit; fraud;
betrayal.
Difference; mark; sign;
cf. kpr.
To overshadow; to cover; to
cf. rkpe, wr.
shade; to droop; to hang low;
See ln .
Very (large, big);
cf. rentsyi.
Kind; species;
cf. lir, yri.
Lees;
cf. lr.
d
Chill; a shiver.
Petition; wish; desire;
portion.
bp Throat; goitre;
cf. kr, kpw hkpw h.
f
Fish similar to gn
ti
Office of the chief of Egan,
Agb.
bp Shin.
To be an urchin; to be a gad- cf. gb.
about;
m Very large monkey
Often translated gorilla
although this is not
zoologically possible. Perhaps
a memory of a chimpanzee?
mn Stone used to polish or iron
with.
Weak person;
cf. bl, fobi.
c
Cassava.
<Hausa
Intentionally; willingly;
cf. kp.
purposely;
tr
Medicine or charm, used by
151
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
rgnkpe
rk
rk
n.
n.
n.
rk
rk
n.
n.
t
ai
rk
rkogi
n.
n.
c
b
rkto
rm
n.
n.
rom
rondorondoy
rongbo
rngmi
n.
adv.
n.
n.
roro
ror
rrrry
rwoni
rba
rubu
rubutug
rbtu
rbw
rud n
rfa
rfi
ruf
adv.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
a.
a.
n.
n.
a.
n.
n.
n.
rufu
rfta
rfum
ruga
n.
n.
n.
n.
rka
rkpe
n.
v.
rkp rkpt
n.
rk
rkurkuy
rkrky
rmk
rngb
ruru
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
fo
fo
fo
fa
dr
fo
c
English
mallams to kill people.
Remorse; regret.
Married woman.
Stick carried by Hausa
traders, and used to prop up
their loads against a tree.
Iroko tree.
Frame of a roof, particularly
the first four poles tied
together.
Okra cultivar
Bird, which is noted for its
noisiness.
Tattle;
Handful; a mouthful; a piece
taken to eat.
Broth; soup;
Very (large, bloated).
Club; a cudgel.
Reduction; a discount; a
rebate;
Period of time; ago.
Ground-nut oil;
Clearly; brightly.
Turban.
News; tidings; exaggeration;
Round.
Round;
Writing; script.
Cassava flour.
Thirty.
Market stall; shed; hut.
Thought;
Ring made of straw and
placed on a yam hill after the
seed yam has been planted.
Mould; mildew.
Handkerchief.
Prestige; authority.
Fold; cattle yard; a herd.
Ring.
To overshadow; to cover; to
shade;
Raised place on the floor
where people sit;
Flour.
Very (fine, small).
Loofah; sponge.
Dust.
Steam.
152
Milicia excelsa <Yoruba
cf. lb.
cf. eni.
cf. sawuki.
cf. em guia.
cf. lbr, rga.
cf. rubu.
<Hausa
< Yoruba?
cf. kpay.
<Hausa ruga for Fule

settlement
cf. rkpe.
cf. ekpt.
cf. pr.
Luffa acutangula.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
rsgi
rtu
rt
rtg
rtkgb
rw
ruwa
rwgirwg
rwo
rwa
rwa
rwbw
rw kpw rw kpw y
rw tw y
PoS
n.
n.
n.
a.
n.
n.
n.
a.
n.
v.
v.
a.
adv.
adv.
C
fa
fa
English
Cold in the head.
Writing;
Broken down yam hills.
Round;
Yam farm planted in corn.
Bog; quick-sand;
Water
Soft.
Grave;
To be long.
To pour;
Well rounded; plump.
Very (muddy).
Very (large).
cf. rbtu.
cf. rubutug.
cf. m d .
<Hausa. Only used in idioms.
cf. kya.
cf. lwa.
S
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
s
s
sa
v.
v.
v.
sa
sa
v.
v.
sa
sa
v.
v.
sa
s
v.
v.
v.
s
s
s ba
v.
n.
v.
sbanigi
n.
sabwa
v.
Sabo
p.n.
ti
To grow, as roots.
To split; to cut; to divide.
To finish for the present;
To redeem.
To plait, as fence mats.
To out do.
To measure, as material for a
loom;
To span; to spread apart;
To spark or sparkle.
To grow, as animals and
plants.
To recover; to be healed.
To plough; to make furrows;
to throw up, as farm hills.
To ferment.
To cup up, as meat, or an
animal; to quarter.
To burn, as iron in a fire.
To be nice; to be pretty; to be
beautiful;
To apportion; to allot; to
assign; to specify.
To conjure;
Time; watch; clock;
To patch, by putting a piece
over;
of an arrow
Used with verb jn, to be
accustomed to; to be used to;
153
cf. zo.
cf. d.
cf. g, t.
cf. ge.
cf. m`.
cf. kmi.
cf. dz n.
also ekpakotagi and
ekpabitagi
cf. dy, zre.
Cg m .
R.M. Blench
Nupe
sbo
PoS
n.
sabwa
saci
saci
n.
n.
sac
sci yw
sdka
sdki sdyeki
p.n.
n.
n.
n.
sd
sd g nd
sf sfgi
sfsak n
sagagi
sgl sngl
sg n
sag nci
sagara
s 'gb
n.
n.
v.
v.
sagi
Sag
a.
p.n.
s g
sag n
sje
sjt
v.
v.
n.
v.
s jn
sk sks
skt
v.
v.
v.
s k
skbaygi
skgi
skny
sky
sakpa
sakpa
sakpa
sakpasakpayi
sak n
skuskuy
v.
n.
n.
v.
v.
v.
a.
a.
adv.
n.
adv.
sla
n.
is
sl
n.
mi
sal
s lo
n.
v.
v.
a.
n.
v.
pl
ti
p
ti
bp
b
fo
English
Play; amusement; merriment;
fun;
See sabwa.
Fermentation;
Poisonous plant,
Bridesmaid; maid of honour;
Alms.
Dowry money paid for a
wife.
Midnight.
Midnight.
See swf.
To boast; to promise;
Scamped.
Red-billed crane
To compete; to vie;
See sgnci.
To toss; to roll.
To mark out a compound
fence;
Drizzling;
Title for woman with high
ritual authority
To bite off (a piece);
To heal;
Sidewhiskers; beard;
To make food and distribute
it;
To finish for the present;
To arise early.
To avoid, by turning out of
the way;
To abbreviate; to take from;
Blue-breasted wax-bill.
Food made from guinea-corn.
To hurry; to hasten.
To hurry; to hasten;
To dispense; to scatter;
Dirty.
Imperfect; useless.
Very (much, far);
Piece broken off; a rag;
Very (much troubled,
perplexed);
Devotions performed by the
Muslims;
Large barrel-drum beaten
with a curved stick.
Rags; tatters;
To finish;
154
cf. dz, rh, n wa.
cf. sa.
the sap of which is used to
poison animals.
cf. lusgi, snci.
<Hausa
cf. lwai.
cf. tk n.
cf. s, egb.
cf. kpngi.
cf. s, g.
cf. sa.
cf. nukpay, somgbk.
cf. kng.
cf. s.
cf. ck.
lit. take and leave; cf. ba.
cf. skny .
cf. g , g.
cf. sy.
cf. sal, sangbl.
cf. sy.
cf. etswa.
Played in ensembles to
accompany praise-singing.
cf. sak n.
cf. s.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
sl
slbrk
smzagud
sambi
sami
s mn ba langb
PoS
n.
v.
excl.
n.
v.
n.
snci
sangbl
sankr
n.
n.
n.
s 'ny
spa
v.
n.
sra
srka
srki
sari
srik
a.
n.
n.
n.
n.
srny
ssyi
sasgi
si
si
st
adv.
n.
pron.
a.
v.
st
st
s 't
storo
swnk
sy
s ya
sy
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
say
say
sy
v.
v.
v.
sy
sa
adv.
v.
v.
s
s
s
v.
v.
v.
s
s
s
v.
v.
v.
C
fo
sa
cc
hc
English
Hash.
To thank;
Salutation for a ruler.
Darning.
To salute; to greet.
Gbns.
Bridesmaid of honour;
Rags, tatters;
Piece of old fish net used to
groom a horse.
To conjure;
Dark red (chicken), with
white markings;
Nice; pretty;
Chain;
Councillor; a titled person.
Bright red coloured (horse);
Large my my split palm
mat,
See sny.
Very (much).
Long-snouted crocodile
Some
Few
To roll or bind a cloth about
the waist.
To cut a notch.
To stride;
To split the head.
See toro.
To be anxious; to be fearful;
To be rotten; to be lifeless.
To chip off; to break off.
To cut tribal marks on the
face.
To stray away;
To be lonesome;
To have a change from what
one is always doing.
Very (much, many);
To make ashamed; to cast
back at one again;
To be split; to be cracked; to
be dry;
To rise; to float.
To ache, as the head.
To be fleet; to be quick; to be
swift.
To divine, with charms.
To exchange.
To swell;
155
cf. lbrk.
cf. sci yw.

cf. sak n, sal.
cf. s, m .
cf. bie.
cf. s, s.
cf. dzr.
cf. dk.
spread on the ground, over
which they make new mats.
si b Some came
ez si b Few people came
cf. t.
cf. sund .
cf. gb nk.
cf. eysa, gb ny.
cf. skuskuy.
cf. snz ny.
cf. l, wo.
cf. w n.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
s
s
s
s
s
s
s
PoS
v.
v.
n.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
sba
s 'b
v.
v.
s b
s b s b k
n.
n.
s b bi
s bi
s ci
s d
sd
n.
v.
n.
n.
v.
s g li
sg nci
s g n gi
sg
s gnky
sjk n
s ke
Skiwa
n.
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
v.
v.
p.n.
s kpkogi
v.
s kpikpi
sla
s lam lek
sle
v.
a.
s m
s m rgo
s mi
s mi
s my
smpug
sm
n.
adv.
v.
n.
n.
a.
n.
s mvo
n.
hi
smvogi lkuk
n.
pl
f
hg
ti
v.
hi
hd
English
To pout; to sulk;
To awaken; to be sleepy;
News; tidings;
To filter.
To rake up.
To refer to; to mention to.
To smart, as a thorn that has
pierced the flesh;
To imitate; to portray; to
photograph;
To set on; to urge on to
attack;
To divine;
To be swollen, as with
dropsy or beriberi;
Assistance; influence;
Season immediately
following the rainy season.
Dispute; angry words;
To pass or break wind.
Tree species.
Caring about;
To put on flesh; to get fat; to
exaggerate;
Business; affair; work;
Fish species;
Bells or trinkets on horses;
Secretly; quietly;
Poorly.
To divine with sand;
Go away;
cf. ts n.
cf. sle.
cf. es , lbr.
cf. y.
cf. s mi, s y.
cf. s.
cf. s, eba.
cf. s, eb.
cf. d lli.
cf. emigb.
cf. ds .
cf. yeye.
cf. bkta.
cf. sag nci.
cf. ts ng n gi.
cf. sny.
cf. s.
cf. kpya, tat.
Dwtsu. See also sokiwa.
cf. s .
To divine; with a small

board;
To divine;
cf. s.
Large; big.
Peace be upon you.
To awaken; to arouse from
sleep.
Sky; heavens;
cf. fn. < Hausa
Very (high; tall).
To mock; to mimic; to ape;
cf. s y.
Filter; colander.
Swollen; puffed;
cf. campug.
White stain on a black
garment caused by
perspiration.
Perforated calabash, used as a cf. s mi.
filter; a colander;
Weed, which grows on the
also esvogi.
156
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
s n
n.
s n j
s nda
s nda
sngbr
sngi
s ngi
s ngi yk
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
s n gud
skara
snkara
adv.
n.
n.
snkpr
n.
s nkpere
s nn
snsni
snsnik
s nto
n.
v.
n.
p.n.
n.
fo
ti
mi
snt snts
n.
bp
s ny
s ny
v.
n.
sny
sny donci
s nywa
s 'p d
sra
s r r
s r ti
s r ny
s...re
adv.
n.
n.
v.
v.
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
sriga
s rka
s rta
n.
n.
n.
s rny
s s
v.
s s
n.
s s ngi
s s n de 'ny s s n g
'ny
n.
excl.
g
c
wv
mi
pl
mt
sa
English
water,
Long pocket, sewn along the
edge of a man's cloth.
Tree species,
Trade prints.
Packing-net.
Small spring; a brook.
Switch; a gad.
Whip-grass which strikes the
legs as one passes by.
Limitless.
Plaited tobacco leaf.
Pivot or pulley, used in a
loom.
Part of the leg between the
heel and the calf,
Roof of a house;
To hurry; to hasten; to hustle.
Sauce made from beans;
Rank among drummers.
Tubular gourd struck against
the thigh by young girls to
accompany songs
Calf of the leg, or muscle of
the arm.
To be bad; to be spoiled;
Iron staff with bells attached,
used by traditional women
priests.
Quietly.
Vegetable;
Expensive door mat.
To put on flesh;
To be fat; to be fleshy;
Chance; opportunity; space;
Influence;
Very (much);
For the present;
Cesspit; dung-hole.
Water skin;
Kingdom; estate; authority;
office;
See s r ny.
To shake; to move; to quake;
to vibrate; to stir;
Shaking; the quaking; the
moving;
Fagot;
Salutation for all drummers.
157
also ygi gb.
not well known.

cf. z n.
cf. zowa.
< Hausa. cf. kkpa. Also
s ntu
cf. s , ny .
also mgi.
cf. sd.
cf. yeye.
cf. egwa, kafa.
cf. d lli.
cf. gya.
any verb may be used with
this.
cf. jka.
cf. muliki. <Hausa
cf. s s .
cf. s s .
cf. wwgi.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
s s nto
PoS
n.
ssny
s tra
s ttn
s t
s t
s t
st
adv.
n.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
s vo
s wa
swo
n.
n.
v.
s wo
s w
swuki
s y
n.
v.
n.
v.
Syedi
s y
s yi
syibi
sgli
Sntl
p.n.
conj.
v.
n.
ti
p.n.
ti
sy
si
n.
aff.
sfa fa
sinsr
ss ngi ss ngi d k nta
n.
n.
n.
ss ngi
sis
n.
n.
v.
so
s
s
s
Soje
Sojetsu
Soje bk
v.
v.
v.
v.
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
Flax; used for weaving nets.

verbs with initial, sa, s , swa.
Form;
Platform; stand; shelf.
t
Small bushy tree, used for
medicinal purposes.
tp Small branches; faggots.
mo Colloquial name for
sixpence.
To hide; to conceal; to keep;
to accumulate.
To tie or join together;
To crawl.
To be overloaded.
To set on; to urge on;
ti
Rank among farmers.
ti
Rank among the warriors.
ti
Rank,
Sokira
Sokira cik`
Sokira dk
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
ti
ti
ti
hi
s
English
Large leach for filtering lye
into dye pits.
Quietly; noiselessly;
Line of writing;
To liken; to compare;
For the head to be aching.
To be alert;
To rise; to float.
To awaken from sleep; to
revive; to become conscious;
to remind; to arouse;
Colander;
Snake;
Used with the verb jn, to call
up and converse with the
dead.
Feeling;
To yell; to screech;
Ease; relief; reduction;
To imitate; to mock; to
mimic; to ape; only applies to
what one sees;
Except; only; but; till; until.
To thunder, in heavy crashes.
Bastard;
see s g li.

Rank among the farmers.
Rank among the horsemen.
158
cf. kkkky.
cf. tra.
cf. kotonkci.
cf. py.
cf. sle.
cf. s mvo.
also f wa.
cf. s , wo.
cf. kw, tw.
cf. rngmi.
cf. s mi.
cf. egi syibi.

D mwu.
also cy
cf. fa.
or i.
cf. f n.
cf. s .
Tk n.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
Sokira gzn
Sokira lmn
Sokira tanci
Sokira tswaci
sokiwa
Sk
Sk k
PoS
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
n.
excl.
C
ti
ti
ti
ti
Sk 'fn
n.
Sk 'gb
Skg n
Skkci
Sk n z kpe n
n.
n.
excl.
n.p.
Sk 'le
Sk n d 'b ndond o
n
Sk n le eny ndond
y n
Sk n kpe eny ndond
ye n
Sk n de kgb kpt
n
Sk n y nd ny 'z
wngi kpt n
Sk smi
Sk u s yi siri
Sk y a 'ny
Sk ywgi
Skci
sokpa
sokp
sk n
n.
n.p.
English
Rank among the barbers.
Rank among the mallams.
Rank among the archers.
Rank among the blacksmiths.
See skiwa.
God; the sky.
God willed; God foreordained.
Sky; the heavens; the
firmament;
Aerolite; meteor;
leprosy.
God willing.
God almighty; God
omnipotent.
Rainwater.
God omnipresent.
n.p.
All-seeing God.
n.p.
God omniscient.
n.p.
God almighty, all powerful.
n.p.
God the father of all.
n.p.
excl.
n.p.
n.p.
n.
n.
z
i
n.
sok n
sok n 'b fn
sok n dz nwo
n.
n.
n.
g
hi
hi
sok n lwa
sok nkpa
n.
n.
cc
hi
sok n m kndnu
n.
Somag ni
Somasn
Somazitsu
Som kda
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
ti
ti
ti
ti
smby
n.
tr
bd
Bead and trade cloth.

God spare us.
God feeds them;
Beetle found on ripe millet.
one who swears by God.
Coarse swamp grass.
See snkp.
Wall round a compound,
Broom-grass.
Broom; a whisk.
Porridge-beater, made from
the stems of knny leaves;
Frizzly (fowl);
Broom or fly switcher, made
from the stems of the knny
leaves;
Grass species,
Rank among the warriors;
Rank common to all
drummers.
Guinea-worm.
159
cf. s m .
cf. rdi.
name for domestic animals.
built from one house to

another.
cf. sok nkpa.
cf. bie.
cf. sok n dz nwo.
used for thatching and to make
childrens sound-producer. et.
broom of the hyena
cf. m yk.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
somfwa
somgbk
smkpky
Sondzmitsu
sofad
Sonfar
Songbi
Sny
Snk li
Sonlawo
sony
sony
PoS
n.
n.
adv.
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
adv.
n.
ti
ti
ti
ti
ti
Sr
p.n.
ti
sr
Sr
soro
a.
p.n.
n.
srgi
sya
syan ruwa b 's nyi
soy
n.
n.
excl.
adv.
ti
r
fo
vc
su
s
sd
Sdn
excl.
a.
p.n.
sdsdy
sk
adv.
n.
sn
aff.
sn
sn
sn
sn
sn
sn
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
sn
v.
sn sn kpkgi
s n
snd
n.
v.
v.
sndgi
sng
a.
n.
ti
sa
English
Head butcher.
Side whiskers;
Very (tall, long);
See sonfar.
Rank among women;
Very (much).
Sizzling noise, made by
boiling water.
Rank among women,
Tapered; pointed;
Fule whipping ceremony.
Tower-house; a house with a
pounded clay roof.
Small land tortoise.
Roasted chunks of meat.
Vendors' call for groundnuts.
To follow in a line; to string
out.
verbs with initial, so, swa.
Shoo.
Warm, as foods.
Ruler of Wushishi is called
Etsu Sdn, King Sudan.
Very (strong as perfume);
Ckpa.
sn.
To be cranky.
To breathe.
To bear; to yield, as plants.
To break out, as a rash.
To smart, as the eyes.
Verb used with z ny,
shame.
Verb used with ew n,
trouble.
Boil;
To light; to fire (grass).
To fear; to be afraid; to
frighten; to scare;
Small; tiny.
Trouble; discomfort;
annoyance; bother;
160
cf. sje.
cf. dzagbayi.
cf. srny.

Giwa mata.
cf. prny.
<Fulfulde
<Hausa
cf. sny.
cf. ewgi, gzgi.

cf. dofi, lid , wd .
cf. wla.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
snggi
sngbaraci
sng
sn 'g nci gwa
n.
n.
v.
v.
d
t
sngwa
s nkn
snkp
snkn
snm
snn
sun
sn nygb n
v.
n.
n.
int.
n.
n.
n.
v.
snsn
snsn
snsn
sns n
sns nci
sns ngi
s nsnn
snsnptgi
snw n
sny
snz ny
sra
srigi
sr
sur
v.
v.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
v.
adv.
v.
n.
n.
n.
n.
srki
sruki
ssgi
sssd
ssssy
sswa
stra
sy
sybni
n.
n.
n.
a.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
swa
sw
swbe
swf
swfgi
swagnuwn
v.
v.
n.
n.
n.
p.n.
swa 'gb
v.
swgiswg
swajw
a.
p.n.
fr
p
da
g
tr
m
c
c
fo
English
persecution.
Asthma.
Tree species.
To be particular;
To attend on; to wait on; to
nurse, the sick;
To hold;
Trouble; bother;
Day after to-morrow.
What about? Is this right?
Chapter or paragraph;
Seclusion.
Name;
To be angry; to be provoked;
to be indignant.
Be quiet; be still;
To breathe.
Fruit; kernel;
Pleading of a pauper.
Pauper;
Chicks.
Coarse swamp grass.
Masquerader
To quarrel; to fight.
Very (strong);
To blush; to be ashamed;
Chapter; paragraph.
Bush pig.
Vegetable like a mangle.
Fonio; acha
p
p
dr
ti
Gruel made from ysa.

Coat of mail;
Waxbill.
Warm, as foods;
Heavily;
Disease.
Ornaments; nice things.
Beads, worn about the neck.
Kptn.
To pleach with loose grass.
To refer to; to mention to;
Follower; disciple;
Pawn.
Kerchief.
ti
To pleach a fence with loose

grass;
Tender;
b
d
pd
bd
sa
161
cf. jn sw.
cf. d 'g nci y.
cf. lgwasn.
cf. sng, wla.
cf. sra.
cf. kaye. < Hausa
cf. c nta, f.
cf. edz.
cf. tsa, yjnci.
cf. sdsdy.
cf. sa.
Digitaria exilis. Now very

uncommon in Nupeland
cf. w nynkpa.
cf. bipa, sd.
cf. swswswswy.
cf. s .
cf. ez z nm , lmj ri.
Lram.
cf. swa.
cf. bodongi, swswg.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
swak
swak gbdo
swkw
a.
n.
a.,
adv.
v.
sw kpiaria
swswy
swswg
swaswasway
swswswy
swy
swngi
sw gbw dw
sw k n
swrw
swrwkw
adv.
a.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
v.
a.
n.
ca
English
Kwt.
Wood-lye.
Lye pot; leach tub.
Slovenly; scamped;
To be a freak; a word of
contempt;
Slowly.
Tender;
Very (long);
Heavily; very (much);
Quietly;
See s ngi.
Slovenly.
To be slow.
Oblong; long.
canoe of the Bngwa
people
cf. kpiaria.
cf. mk mk y.
cf. swgiswg.
cf. dr.
cf. ssssy.
cf. sy.
= SH
e
e
e
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
e
e
ci
eci
fi
f
g li
g n
egwa
kpata
v.
v.
n.
v.
v.
n.
n.
v.
n.
la
ekpe
k n
lanla
lanla
v.
n.
n.
n.
t
cc
elifi
l
embelegi
mi
n.
n.
n.
n.
ti
da
p
tm
sa
p
To fill
To bale; to draw;
To sprinkle;
To loosen up; to shake up.
To ulcerate; to canker, as the
mouth.
To break up; to be in
confusion;
To sink (in bog).
To shell
Hook;
To trot; to jog along.
To be filled out; to be plump;
Salutation for a Lm n;
See s g li.
Villain.
To shake or wring the hands.
Vacant ground between
compounds; the land just
outside of a town wall.
To shake up; to loosen up.
Inviting;
Tree species.
Chicken with red legs and red
beak;
Sheikh; sheriff.
Guinea-fowl.
Prostitute;
Certain tribal marks, about 12
162
cf. to.
cf. m.
cf. la, nd.
cf. cri, knt.

cf. yeye.
cf. sw, sgba.
cf. k n.
cf. bie, lanla.
<Arabic
cf. karuwa, inkl.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
mi gngnci b fifyaci
nyi
mpa
n
n.
em
n.
n.
et
entgi
rn
rli
rr
eengi
v.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
a.
p.n.
e n
v.
eta
v.
tlu
n.
tn
n.
tra
tru
w
wg
y
n.
ey
v.
ey
y
i
v.
n.
aff.
i
i
adv.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
i yb
v.
v.
v.
v.
ib
ibgi nn
n.
n.
excl.
n.
v.
c
ti
sa
ti
ti
English
in number, cut on either side
of the face.
Wall of a house.
Support; allowance, as a man
gives his wife.
To comb the hair;
Comb
Foot or explanatory notes;
See rn.
Very (thin; slender);
Bean cultivar
Small;
To hurry along; to trot; to
jog.
Said of a clay pot when the
bottom is burnt or worn out.
Ruler, and also the lines
ruled.
Satan; devil; demon; also
applied to certain diseases,
such as, epilepsy, madness.
Line of writing.
See tlu.
Salutation for the Lmn;
Contempt;
To be large or great in one's
eyes;
To twitch the nose (in
disgust).
To burrow.
Flax.
verbs with initial, e, i.
Very (black, dirty).
To buy; to purchase.
To be spellbound; to be
speechless;
To be twilight; to be evening.
To sit down; to dwell;
To stick in (the ground); to
plant, as a tree.
To be big; to be stout.
To grow, as a beard;
To settle; to precipitate.
To blame; to accuse; to
condemn falsely;
Crown prince.
163
cf. e.
cf. ng.
cf. fili.
cf. wwgi.
Dawud.
<Arabic
cf. sf.
cf. ygb.
cf. , ey.
cf. i.
cf. fd n.
cf. k .
cf. dab.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
ida
iadiagi
ifi
ifi
ifrdi
PoS
adv.
n.
n.
n.
hg
igiri
n.
ika
iko
ikigi
n.
excl.
n.
ili
ianci
ini
ini k s n
inkl
inkrag
iri
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
a.
n.
irigi
n.
iriangi
iroma
n.
n.
irba
irba
irw
ii
iaiiagi
ita
iwa
iawura
n.
n.
v.
n.
a.
n.
a.
n.
idigi
i ki iki y
i ni i ni y
i r ba
adv.
adv.
n.
ib
bk n
bo
ici
dgb
num.
v.
v.
n.
n.
dny
v.
d
dz
v.
v.
fa
n.
pl
sa
em
dr
tx
t
ti
English
Spot; blot; mark;
Very (large).
Mark; marking;
One side of a sheet of paper;
Ornament on a bridle like a
bell hanger.
One who cannot grow a
beard;
Blemish;
Oh my!
Bird about the size of a
sparrow.
Very (large);
Fraud; deception;
Work; business; occupation;
Herb, used as a purgative.
Sex
New; fresh;
Grub that eats kola nuts and
yams.
Small red termite that eats
yams.
Tickle;
Mindadi.
Explanation;
Cut of trousers.
Usury; interest.
Senseless;
Trade muslin.
Nice; pretty; fine;
Counsel; advice;
consideration; consultation;
deliberation.
See iadiagi.
Very (thin, slender);
Fancy leather and metal
trappings on a sword.
Forty.
To walk heavily on the heels.
To pre-exist.
Tree species.
cf. ifi.
cf. ida.
cf. wrka.
cf. krmb.
cf. rmi.
cf. gb, gb n.
cf. zwlnci.
cf. etn, s g li.
cf. ny cid, embelegi.
cf. inkrag.
cf. f kiriangi.
cf. kpy, tl.

cf. btrm.
cf. bl, sra.
cf. c ky .
cf. fili.

Lram.
cf. rny.
Used with the verb jn, to be

quiet; to be still; to meditate;
To be deep;
cf. ko.
To go before; to proceed; to
be first.
Form; likeness; image; shape;
164
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
iga
v.
gm
gb n
gfa
n.
v.
n.
g
k
k ki
ko
k
v.
n.
n.
a.
v.
kp
li
n
adv.
in
ini
ini b o gwo nyi
nnd
v.
num.
num.
n.
n
ny
v.
n.
ne
ri
rrta
rya
n.
n.
a.
n.
rya
r
n.
n.
rny
v.
swa
i
n.
n.
k
it
t
v.
num.
v.
t
itsn
itswny
t
tukpa
v.
num.
num.
v.
v.
itwb
w
y
num.
v.
v.
int.
English
looks.
To entertain, as a stranger or
visitor.
sa Salutation for the rank, Sabo;
To be very large; great;
Sealed house; a house with a
ceiling.
To sob or moan;
Dirt; filth; rubbish;
Hiccough.
Deep;
To clout or thump on the
head with the fist;
Deliberately; intentionally.
See ili, gb n.
Interrogative particle placed
at the end of a sentence;
To extinguish a house fire.
Eighty.
Ninety.
Sal-ammoniac, used for
soldering.
To stop; to quit; to be quiet;
p
Female traders, who go from
village to village;
Jogging;
Preparation; readiness.
Vain; useless;
Judgement; sentence;
decision;
Red wool neck band.
Name given to a child born in
a caul; esteemed especially
holy.
quiet; to be still; to meditate;
bm Very bad ulcer;
mo Colloquial name for
sixpence.
To be very dirty;
Sixty.
To bear; to yield, as the
banana plant or date palm;
To be over; to be head of;
One hundred.
One hundred and twenty.
To spite; to hate; to refuse;
To listen; to hearken; to pay
attention.
One hundred and forty.
To hurry; to hasten;
To peep.
165
cf. cgm .
cf. gb, ala.
cf. gbnd n.
cf. k .
cf. d.
cf. tak.
cf. b.
<Hausa
cf. c nta, f.
cf. kdgb.
cf. e n.
cf. banza.
cf. gb.
cf. c nta, dny.

cf. egb.
also sis. Obsolete. <Hausa
cf. k .
lit. to hang the head down.
cf. t.
cf. n v.
cf. s nn, gbk.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
y
PoS
v.
v.
k
gba
v.
excl.
uni
n.
sa
English
To speak about; to despise;
To be unclean; to be
forbidden; to be prohibited.
To be very black;
mallams.
Blueing.
cf. g ...nyi.
cf. k.
T
t
t
t
v.
v.
v.
t
t
ta
ta
ta
ta
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
ta
v.
ta
ta
t
t
v.
v.
v.
v.
tb
tbbgi
tbka
n.
n.
n.
tby
tb
a.
tabgi
tb
a.
n.
tb
tci
tci
tci
n.
num.
n.
v.
taci
tci
tacn tatacn
tdwa
td ri
tdn
a.
n.
n.
n.
n.
v.
c
pl
To spread out.
To tell; to announce.
To tidy; to clean up; to
straighten up;
To load, as a canoe.
To be straight;
To level; to raze;
To lull; to put to sleep;
To chew; to masticate.
To slip to slide; to be
slippery.
To contribute; to donate; to
pay, as taxes; to subscribe.
To be on;
To be flat; to be dull;
To deceive.
To damper; as a fire; to turn
down, as a lamp.
Tobacco.
Small weed.
Sheet of foolscap paper (not
cut).
Tasteless;
Said of one who is somewhat
simple;
Word of abuse.
Struggling;
Third.
Spread; blanket; mat;
To be crooked; said of a tree
or hole that is straight for
some distance and then
slants.
Slow;
Tree species.
Centre; middle; midst.
Ink.
Leather book-case or cover;
To be tough; to be sinewy;
166
cf. tdz.
cf. ts n.
cf. la.
cf. vo.
cf. kpe, l ta.

cf. ts n.
cf. tby.
cf. s.
Daniy , Kk.
cf. bt.
cf. brgo.
cf. taya.
cf. bngo.
cf. nydn.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
tdz
PoS
v.
English
To tidy up; to clean up; to
straighten up;
Palm of the hand.
Very (much, many);
Training; correction;
Packing net with a very large
mesh;
See tmko.
Chisel.
tfi
tgbtdz
tagi
tgwanlif
n.
adv.
n.
n.
bp
timko
tk
taka
n.
n.
to
ti
tka
tkda
tkra
n.
n.
n.
tkra
tkyci
tk l mi
tkm
tke
tki
taki
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
tk
prep.
tak
v.
Tkp
takp
tkpol
tkkmi
tk n
tk nb
tk n cigbko
p.n.
v.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
tk n 'fn l
tk n 'fo
tk n gikgi
n.
n.
n.
tk n jk n
tk n kn
n.
n.
tk n k
tk n kpa
tk n kpta
tk n lulu dz
tk n n pn gwa n wu
fo gwa tsokngi o
tk n n a l nynkpa
n
n.
n.
n.
n.
excl.
Hand span or hand breadth.

Paper.
wv Axle on which the weaver
winds the cloth that comes
from the loom.
Review.
Disappointment;
dr Large sandals;
Proud, swaggering walk;
Quickly;
Fertilizer.
Praise-epithet usually played
by musicians, especially
drummers
Under; underneath; beneath;
below; down; bottom.
To clout; to hit on the head
with the first;
et
Yoruba name for the Nupe.
To be delayed; prolonged;
European coloured thread.
Muzzle for an animal.
Stone; rock.
any very hard stone;
Masher or crusher, for
mashing medicine.
Honing stone.
Cave among rocks.
Very old stone; expression of
age.
mn Soft sandstone.
Blacksmith's stone anvil;
stand to support a mill-stone.
Large rock.
Mill house or stand.
Table rock.
Cotton gin.
sa Salutation for, Soje bk.
n.
mn Iron ore.
167
cf. t.
cf. nyssnyi.
cf. fro, kik .
cf. sngbr.
cf. ece, kwm,
Giwa, Lram.
cf. rts.
cf. d. < Hausa
cf. gag.
cf. vny.
<Hausa
<Hausa
cf. k.
cf. nkiri.
lit. a male stone.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
tk n ny bindiga
tk n 'ny l
tk n ny 'le
tk n Sk
tk n ngi
tk n t nz riko
PoS
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
tk n tswa
tk nygo
tk ngi
tlk
tlk ku k
tlt
tltni
n.
n.
a.
n.
n.
n.
n.
tal
tm
tman
tambiritambir
tambo
v.
n.
tambo
n.
tamb
tambo ykgi
tmbut
a.
n.
n.
tami
v.
tmi
tmid
tamwtsw gi
tm
tanci
n.
v.
n.
n.
n.
tandgi
tangi
tngt
tnkokogi
n.
n.
n.
n.
tnkpr
tnkpl
tnkpl nyil
tanlbk
tnlgbelgbegi
tntaka
tntr
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
excl.
tanttant
tanyere
n.
a.
adv.
n.
C
wp
wt
p
tx
pd
ti
t
ap
pl
p
hu
tr
d
am
g
f
i
sa
English
Gun flint.
Honing or grinding stone.
Hail.
Hail.
Gravel; small stones;
Stone on which they grind
antimony.
Stone anvil.
Millstone; corn mill.
Short;
Poor person.
Trade cloth.
Tuesday.
Heart shaped stone or glass
pendant worn by women.
To be smooth;
Expectation; hope; thought;
See tm.
Very (big).
Rank among the traditional
dancers.
Very hard bone that one
cannot chew.
Big.
Horseradish tree
Gland of a civet cat where
the civet or musk is secreted.
To talk loudly; to chatter; to
squabble; to bawl.
Value; equivalent.
To salute; to call on;
Mint plant.
Palm fibre; tinder.
Bow for shooting arrows;
parenthesis.
Fool; a simpleton;
Spring trap; a snare; a gin.
Rumour.
Spirit, said to lead people
away from home and leave
them to wander about in the
fields.
Disease of the heel.
Toad.
Grass species.
Fish species.
Polliwog.
Cut grass for horse feed.
drummers.
Postponement.
Hard, as certain kernels.
168
cf. cki.
cf. kkrgi.
<Hausa
cf. bl.
cf. kpay, ykpa.
Moringa oleifera.
cf. sami.
<Hausa
cf. wawa.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
tny
tp
PoS
adv.
n.
C
co
tx
tra
tr
trgi
trtr
trtr
trwa
v.
a.
a.
n.
adv.
n.
try try
try
tar
adv.
adv.
v.
tru
trb
tsa
ts r
n.
n.
n.
n.
tss
tasoniny gi
ts n
ti
t n
v.
n.
v.
n.
v.
tair
tatacn
ttgi
tatag 'bg
n.
prep.
n.
n.
p
pr
tatn wn tatn wngi
n.
tatatay
tty
tty tty
tton
ttsu
tat
tat n
tat n
adv.
a.
adv.
adv.
n.
v.
v.
v.
ttns
twy
twri
twy
t y
taya
taya
ty
n.
n.
n.
adv.
v.
v.
v.
v.
tygb
v.
dr
co
English
Very (white); cf. bny.
Cloth woven on an upright
loom;
To fall to the ground;
Level; flat; straight;
Mild (lye).
Uttermost.
Very (slovenly);
Help; assistance; usually
given in landing fish;
Very (straight);
Thus;
To come out; to come
through;
Crowd; assembly;
Purblindness.
Plate; dish; platter; bowl.
Misfortune; loss; accident;
evil;
To be stunted;
Forwardness;
To be straight;
Garment of a certain style;
To lay down; to straighten
out the back;
Truth; root;
Among;
Simpleton;
Woman's underskirt;
Simpleton; or, one who has
been ill a very long time.
Very (large);
Senseless;
Very (white);
Yonder; a long distance off;
Blacksmith's anvil;
Go away; keep away;
To be empty; to be vacant;
To club or strike with a
pestle.
Parable;
Suspicion.
Stratagem;
Very (white, clear);
To inform; acquaint;
To slip; to slide;
To be slow;
To look a long way off; to
strain the eyes in looking.
To nap; to doze; to be
drowsy.
169
cf. kps.
cf. gbn.
cf. pr.
cf. swkw.
cf. ewce, g mi.
cf. gbor.
cf. cn.
cf. dz n.
cf. k m .
<Hausa ? French tasse
cf. sra.
cf. tig nny .
cf. k y.
cf. t.
cf. w.
cf. pr.
cf. g kiya, gbr.
cf. nnm, tacn.
cf. tiakpeci, wawa.
cf. jamfr d 'b ts n,
tbgi.
cf. kpakpakpayi.
cf. flania.
cf. bny, tny.
cf. btso.
cf. tkn~ tswa.
cf. kg , kpya.
cf. vnla.
cf. kotonkci, sttn.
cf. ksa.
cf. tty, tstsy.
cf. t.
cf. ta.
cf. taci.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
tyny
t za
PoS
adv.
v.
t '
t
t
v.
v.
v.
t ba
n.
tbriya
n.
t bya
t fid
tgwa
n.
n.
v.
t k dri
t k r
t kp
t k
t l fi
t lki
t lnci
t mako
tmgi
t mm ni t mnim ni
t mba
t mba
t mb ri
n.
n.
v.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
wp
ad
n.
mi
t mg
t n ke
t n ki
n.
n.
n.
wp
t ng n y
t n t n y
t ndgi
t nk
tntm
t ny
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
v.
t nyb
t nygb n
tnz ri
v.
v.
n.
pd
t ri
n.
ch
t rka
t s bi
t s bi ybgi
n.
n.
n.
is
pl
turi
n.
wp
hg
English
Very (numb).
To tell around; to publish; to
advertise;
To speak a language.
To hurt; to pain; to ache;
To rub on; to anoint; to strip
off;
Forgetfulness;
absentmindedness;
Ram-rod of a gun;
Habit; custom; disposition;
Black ink.
To entreat; to beg; to plead;
to beseech.
Suspicion;
Prime (of life).
To be hard; to be difficult;
Hunger;
Dedication.
Indigo;
Poverty; want;
See tmko;
Cheap grade of sword.
Disease among civet cats.
Species of grain.
See t ba.
Royal drum, carried on a
camel's back.
Good grade of sword.
Guessing; cf. ket n .
Hobble-rope, used to hobble
a horse by tying one front leg
to one hind leg.
Very (bright, clear); brightly.
Very (many, much);
Song; a fop; a dandy.
Equal; equivalent; limit;
Uncertainty; doubt;
To be sick; to be ill; to be
unwell.
To be stingy.
To grieve; to sorrow.
Antimony, used to powder
the eyes.
Medicine or charm, said to
Sect;
Rosary; prayer beads.
Red lily; a species of
flowering plant.
Preaching;
170
cf. t.
cf. t ny.
cf. gbo, z n.
cf. bat .
cf. tsk n bindiga.< Hausa
pestle
cf. eli.
cf. tm .
cf. z.
cf. md.
cf. cn.
cf. yj.
cf. cto.
<Hausa
cf. nyssnyi.
cf. cko, ke ... n.
cf. kmbke, ika.
<Hausa
cf. k.
cf. sw.
cf. wz n.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
t wg
t wre
t wt wy
te
t
PoS
n.
n.
adv.
v.
v.
teba
tkgi
tekteky
tek g
tekpy
tek ngi
telgi
telgi
tmko
tem tem y
tnn
tenteny
Tt
v.
n.
adv.
adv.
adv.
a.
a.
a.
adv.
p.n.
ttngi
ttny
ti-
a.
adv.
aff.
v.
v.
tbi
tbin kn
tci
tf
tfeg
tfn
tf
tg
n.
v.
n.
a.
v.
prep.
a.
v.
tjtjy
tkgi
tk
tkpko
tkpm
adv.
n.
n.
n.
v.
tkkpngiko
tkpy
tly
tl
tl
tlny
tl
tmko
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
C
co
adv.
ti
pd
English
Present; spoils in war.
Castration
Very (white);
To break; to sever; to wean.
To seal; to close; to block; to
clog;
To become; to suit;
Fish species;
Flat footedly;
Very (sticky);
Very (short).
Short;
Short;
Short;
See tmko.
Very (sticky);
See tnn.
Singly; separately;
Rank among the old Nupe,
Small; little.
Shakily; cf. kpkkpk.
verbs with initial, ta, t, te,
ti, tia.
To bleed; to drip; to spring,
as water.
To screech; to yell; to crow;
to hum; to chirp; to howl.
Misfortune; ill luck;
To do a mean act;
Rank; office.
Thick;
To whine;
Up; above; over.
Bald
To cry; to howl; to weep; to
bawl.
Flatfootedly;
Fish species;
Bunch; cluster; head; ingot;
Pinching;
To bid good bye; to bid
farewell.
Pinching;
Very (much); plentifully.
Very (black);
Hair-pin;
Force; compulsion; necessity;
Very (black);
Discouragement;
Kindness; help;
171
cf. bby.
cf. tsu.
cf. gnyi.
a small km.
cf. tijtijyi.
cf. tem tem y.
cf. kkrgi.
cf. kulgi.
cf. kolgi.
cf. tek g.
cf. kky.
Daniy ; cf. ct.
cf. sra.
cf. eg n.
cf. lekpn.
cf. tg.
cf. tekteky.
cf. tkgi.
cf. kotkp.
cf. kotkp.
cf. trny.
cf. kwkwd.
cf. ll.
cf. tly, trny.
cf. lt.
cf. cto.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
tm y
tmby
t 'm
PoS
adv.
adv.
v.
tn
aff.
tn
v.
tn
tn
tn
tn
tn
tn y
tn 'f
tng
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
adv.
v.
n.
tngn
tn 'mi
tnmi
n.
v.
v.
tnny
tntny
tnwu
tn ya
adv.
n.
v.
tny
t...nyi
tny
tny
tnynyi
tirg
trny
tro
tro nukp
v.
a.
n.
adv.
v.
a.
adv.
n.
n.
te
t
tt
ttr
tititiy
tw
n.
n.
a.
n.
adv.
n.
tw
tye
tye
to
to
to
t
t
v.
n.
v.
v.
v.
v.
excl.
conj.
co
b
fr
English
Very (sticky, oily);
Very (large).
To be oily; to be fat; to be
dripping oil.
tn.
To be clear; to be clean; to be
light.
To plait; to braid.
To pop; to burst; to break out.
To be dull; to be blunt;
To beg; to nag;
To be sufficient;
Slowly.
To be lukewarm;
Swamp grass used for
thatching.
Murmuring;
To be dull; to be blunt;
To sprout, as a post stuck in
the ground.
Slowly;
See tny.
Medicine for wounds or cuts.
To come out; to come
through;
To be clear;
Different; separate;
Hair of the head;
Heavily;
To deceive; to lead astray;
Small.
Very (black); cf. tlny.
Bird species;
Pineapple;
Comb, for combing the hair.
Headman; leader; chief; boss;
Different;
Cistern.
Very (large);
Loop thrown over a spindle
while spinning.
To screech; to yell; to hum;
Bird species;
To be well known by name.
To fringe (a cloth);
To bale; to scoop; to draw;
To be high;
Word of assent; yes; all right.
And.
172
cf. tem tem y.
cf. ts n.
cf. b.
cf. kn.
cf. wgiwg.
cf. gntn.
cf. tn.
cf. tn y.
cf. dz n, tar.
cf. tn.
cf. ky, tt.
cf. eny.
cf. jny, tntny.
cf. t.
also tye.
cf. bdibo, didign,
kpacigb.
cf. dzogn.
cf. t...nyi.
cf. gbagbagbay.
cf. t.
also tro.
cf. togza.
cf. .
cf. kto.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
t
t
t
t
PoS
v.
v.
v.
v.
t
t bji
tba
tb
tbgi
tb...bo
toc
todf n
tof
tof
v.
v.p.
conj.
a.
n.
conj.
v.
n.
v.
v.
togya
n.
togza
tk`
v.
v.
tok
tokpe
tltl
tlci
tomf
tomi
tnto
tntny
tr
n.
n.
n.
n.
v.
n.
n.
n.
toro
n.
tr
torog
toroko
toroko
adv.
a.
n.
n.
ts yi
t
totci
toto
tt
tt
tt
tototoy
tty
twtwy
to ya
t ya
n.
adv.
num.
adv.
n.
a.
a.
adv.
adv.
adv.
v.
v.
English
To slacken; to loose; to ease.
To be long (as a garment).
To become;
To dribble; to slobber; to
drool; to flow;
To steep; to soak; to stew;
To wrestle.
Whether; if;
Tasteless (has no salt in it).
dr Woman's underskirt or apron.
Because of; for;
To despise;
b
Kingfisher.
Loop; a noose;
To be weak; to be
convalescent.
is
Name of the fourth and fifth
moons of the Muslim
calendar.
To put a fringe on a cloth;
To give out, or have a
perfume or odour;
Abusive language.
a
Grass house;
da Turkey.
See t lnci.
Loop; a noose;
To curse;
Shares.
Sound of dripping water.
mo Threepence.
dc
mi
Used with the verbs da or s,

to soften the ground, as with
water.
Sharply; abruptly;
Long; thin;
A song.
Musical instrument like a
flute.
Respect; condolence; pity;
Soon; lately; recently.
Eighth.
Only;
Rain dripping from a tree.
Loose; slack; baggy.
Tasteless.
Very (large).
Flowingly;
Loosely.
To bale out; to scoop out.
To soak out.
173
cf. .
cf. j.
cf. da.
cf. k.
cf. eb...bo.
cf. gby.
cf. tomf.
cf. gza.
cf. bk .
cf. vn.
<Hausa
cf. tof.
cf. bmi.
former coin that disappeared in
the 1960s. <Hausa
cf. p .
cf. srg, swrwg.
cf. yeg n.
cf. klo.
cf. ty.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
ty
tozo
PoS
adv.
n.
t t r
ts
ts
adv.
adv.
v.
ts
v.
tsa
tsa
tsa
v.
v.
v.
ts
tsba
tsaba
tsbrw
tsby
tsbtsby
v.
adv.
n.
n.
v.
n.
tsbtsby
tsbi
Tsadk
adv.
v.
p.n.
ti
English
Flowingly; copiously.
Hump on the back of cattle
and camels.
Exactly;
Only;
To crush; to grind, the first
time.
To be too large, as a ring or
cap.
To fulfil; to accomplish;
To mix; to mingle;
To engrave; to carve; to
tattoo.
To choose; to pick; to elect.
Only; alone; all;
Swamp grass,
Swamp grass.
To be drenched; muddy;
Rumbling noise of cattle in
the water.
Very (long).
To defecate; to excrete
Tsady
p.n.
ti
tsad kpta
tsdz
tsfgi
tsfi
tsgtsg
tsk
tsk
tskgi
tskgi
tskani
tsakangi
tsk tnkpl
tskatskay
tsk
tsk
tskogi
tskp
tsakpa
tskp
tskp
n.
n.
n.
n.
a.
n.
a.
n.
n.
prep.
n.
b
ti
dr
tskpci
tskpk n
tsakpatsakpay
tskptskpy
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
Snipe.
Kerchief;
Sacrifice;
Little;
Trousers.
Coarse;
Food made from millet.
Drum in the angale set.
Between; among;
Grass found on sand banks.
See mgi.
Everywhere;
Curb chain on a halter.
Tough;
Food made from millet.
Oil-palm kernel.
Big.
Braided cord.
Custom of giving a gift with
the expectation of receiving a
larger one in return;
Tree species.
Caterpillar.
Very (large).
Very (bare);
adv.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
a.
n.
v.
C
ap
g
g
dr
fo
mi
g
fo
tp
t
i
174
<Hausa
cf. k d ny.
cf. kt.
cf. gnmi.
cf. k.
cf. gb...gi, kkr.

cf. c ki .
cf. gyt, kpata.

ml, Gdnj.
Lram, Tk n.
cf. tswfgi.
cf. w.
cf. dgi.
cf. tsktsky.
cf. tatacn.
cf. dz gdz gy.
cf. tsk.
cf. fdnci.
cf. ts kp ny.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
tskpy
tskp nn gi
tsk
tsktsky
tskutskuy
tsli
tsm
tsamiy
PoS
adv.
n.
a.
adv.
adv.
a.
n.
n.
ts 'n 'b wu
v.p.
sa
tsnk
tsntsny
tsara
tsr
adv.
n.
n.
tsrgi
n.
mt
tsrtsry
tsrtsoro
adv.
n.
tsry
tsry
tsari
tsr
adv.
adv.
n.
adv.
tsts
tstsg tstsy
tsatsaray
tstsy
tsawa
tsw
tswntswgi
a.
adv.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
tsy
ts
ts
ts gwa
ts kp ny
tskpntskpn
ts kp ny
ts kts ky
tsmbr
tsm
ts mts my
tsmvogi
v.
v.
v.
a.
adv.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
a.
adv.
n.
tsn
tsnni
ts n ts n y
ts ndy
tsng
v.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
mi
t
b
ap
English
Very (much).
Small-pox.
Hard; tough;
Very (coarse);
Very (worried);
Bad; troublesome.
Scorn; ridicule;
Local silk from the klokuku
silk worm.
hunters.
See tsk.
Everywhere.
Equal;
Coarse grass used in making
fence mats.
Open mesh hanging doormat.
Very (much);
Disease among women; Issue
of blood.
All together; at once; quickly.
Quickly;
Set of drums
Very (sour, acrimonious); as
unripe fruit.
Thick; lumpy.
Very (clear, clean).
Very (high).
Very (much);
Heavy thunder.
Tree species.
Yellow wagtail; Motacilla
flava
To be thin; to be watery.
To rattle; to wiggle
To scorch; to roast; to warm;
Empty-handed.
Very (bare).
Rattling sound.
Very (much).
Everywhere;
Lazy person;
Hot.
Very (dirty, muddy);
Weed that grows on the top
of the water.
To increase.
Severity;
Very (bare, thin, lanky).
Very (heavy).
Spur on the legs and wings of
175
cf. kpk.
cf. tsk.
cf. brbr, tskutskuy.
cf. emila.
cf. yz n.
cf. ssy.
cf. vny.
cf. nyssnyi.
cf. bwnbwgi.
cf. ny , po.
cf. dz gdz gy.

cf. kafnci.
cf. c ki .
cf. sng, wla.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
ts ng n gi
ts nk ny
ts nts ny
n.
adv.
n.
hg
ts yeya
ts
n.
aff.
tso
tso
tso
ts
ts
ts
ts
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
ts
v.
-ts
aff.
tsoba tsba
v.
tsci
tsoda
Tsod
tsgng
tsgi
tsogwa
tsojb
tska
tsokngi
n.
tskt
tsokotsokoyi
tsokwongi
tskpy
tsok n
tsok ngi
tsntsny
tsntsnyi
tsny
tsr tsrtsr
p.n.
v.
n.
v.
excl.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
adv.
a.,
adv.
adv.
tsr
tsro
v.
tsr
tstci
tsts
tsotso
a.
n.
n.
v.
fo
k
vc
dr
wp
f
ap
English
certain birds.
Bells; trappings, on a horse.
Very (heavy).
Food made from pounded
kl.
Stubbornness.
Affix attached to pronouns,
the emphatic, mits, myself.
To be quick; to be nimble;
To overtake.
To be near; to be close by;
To set, as a trap.
To be near; to be close by;
To steer, as a boat.
To support; to brace; to prop
up;
To stand with the head
between the legs.
Suffix to nouns, making them
possessive.
To be close by; to be near; to
be beside; to be adjacent to.
Lord; master.
See tsoyida.
Kyadya shrine;
To stand on edge; to lean.
Half brother or sister.
To be quick; to be dextrous.
Vendors' call for, ts nts ny.
Hunk or chunk of meat.
Game where one guesses
what is in the hand of
another.
Short knee trousers (Yoruba);
Very (small, fine);
See tsokngi.
Very (thin).
Fire brand; gun.
Fish species.
Aimlessly.
Different; separately;
Only; exactly;
soaked; to be drenched;
To be hard; to be difficult;
afraid; to be quiet;
Thin.
Day before yesterday.
Crown; a crest; a topknot.
To be close; to be nearby;
176
cf. f.
cf. tsoba.
cf. tso, tsoba.
cf. g.
cf. dgi.
cf. agdwuci.
cf. ktkty.
cf. kky.
cf. k d ny.
cf. tsby.
cf. z.
cf. snd , sny.
cf. tso.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
tstsy
Tswa
Tsoyida
Tsyiwa
tsu-
PoS
adv.
p.n.
p.n.
p.n.
aff.
ts
v.
ts
ts
ts
v.
v.
v.
ts
v.
ts
ts
tsu
tsu
tsu
tsud
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
n.
Tsug
p.n.
ti
tsgb
tskpy
n.
adv.
bp
tsk
tsk
tsk n
tsk n gbongbr
tsk nkici
tsk n mp
tsk n ny en vnnu
tsk n tambo
n.
a.
n.
n.
n.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
fo
tsk n wn l dk n
excl.
sa
tsk n z nm
tsk n gbagbagba
n.p.
n.
bp
sa
tsk n
tsk n e u ' n o
tsk n bindiga
tsk ngwasn
tsk n kl
tskutskuy
n.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
adv.
tsla
n.
tsla bie
ts 'mi
tsmn
n.
v.
a.
ti
ti
bp
p
bp
bp
wp
English
Lightly; prancingly;
See tswa.
verbs with initial, tsu, tswa.
To wade through water on
the road.
To rinse.
To choke.
To cut open, as a gourd or
tin.
To crush, as the first
grinding;
To card, as cotton.
To be soggy; to be soaked;
To die.
To thresh.
To lock; to fasten; to bar;
Rival, as the two wives of
one man.
Kyadya.
Testicles; scrotum; a hernia.
Very (angry, sulky, much
provoked).
Cut and dried okra.
Big.
Bone.
Very hard bone.
Deceptive person;
Jaw bone.
Pelvis.
Very tough bone which
cannot be crushed.
Somasn.
Back-bone or spinal column.
Tambo.
Stick.
said of one who is simple;
the ram-rod of a gun;
Walking-stick or cane.
Stick used to strike a bell.
Very (tangled, untidy
everywhere);
Tree species,
Small tree.
To rinse out the mouth;
Dull; stupid; bashful.
177
cf. dzdzy.
cf. ts.
cf. dzwagw .
cf. fid.
cf. kytsk n.
cf. tiakpeci.
cf. tbriya.
cf. dz gdz gy.
the leaves of which are very
bitter.
cf. ts.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
tsun
PoS
tsn
ts n
ts n
ts n
ts n
tsn
tsnci
tsnfy ny
v.
v.
v.
a.
v.
a.
a.
n.
tsnfy ny ci
ts ngwa
n.
v.
ts nkinki
ts nkpy
v.
adv.
ts nts nn
tsnni
tsmp
a.
v.
n.
ts nw n
tsr
tsrtsry
tsry
tsut
tstpw
tsutsu
tsts
tstsy
tstsy
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
tststsy
tstststsy
tsw
tswtci
tsy
tsw
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
adv.
v.
tswa
tswa
v.
v.
tswaci
tswaci gbgb
tswaci gb ngb n
tswaci ykgi
Tswdiya
n.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
p.n.
ti
tswfgi
Tswak
n.
p.n.
ti
fr
t
ch
t
pl
fg
English
Initial reduplicate prefix of
the verb, tsn.
To meet.
To ball; to roll up; to clench.
To be hard, as over-ripe okra.
Unsociable.
To touch; to nudge;
Dull.
Fifth.
Guinea pepper
Tree species.
To touch, to nudge with the
hand;
To limp; to hop.
Very (much rolled up);
tightly;
Unripe.
To twist;
Charm or medicine, said to
cause one to become
invisible; an occult charm;
Measure; scale; a balance.
Waterfall.
Very (much); heavily;
Soundly;
Tree species.
Vegetable like a radish.
Death.
Float; a tassel.
Very (hot, warm).
Stupidly; aimlessly; cf.
ddy.
Very (dull).
Very (many); closely;
Yesterday.
Day before yesterday;
Quietly;
To watch; to guard; to
beware.
To forge; to blacksmith.
To commence; to begin, as in
making a mat;
Blacksmith;
Heavy blacksmith.
Heavy blacksmith.
See tswaci fofr tswa.
Rank among the lower
Kyadya.
Head-tie.
which is, Kr.
178
cf. k n.
fruit of the tsnfy ny ci tree.
Xylopia aethiopica
Xylopia aethiopica
cf. ts n, k n.
cf. ts n.
cf. tswni.
cf. pts n.
cf. swswswswy.
cf. vw y.
cf. ckcky.
cf. tstci.
cf. sny.
cf. y.
cf. tswata.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
tswambi
PoS
n.
tswn
tswangi
tswangi yigd
n.
n.
n.
pl
Tswnk
Tswnkw
p.n.
p.n.
ti
ti
Tswny
tswarnkpak
p.n.
n.
ti
b
Tswasik
tswata
tswata
p.n.
n.
v.c.
ti
tswtswan
tswtswy
tswatsway
tsw
p.n.
n.
adv.
v.
ti
tsw
tsw kw y
tsw lagi
tswni
tsw ny
tsw ny
tsw ny
tsw tsw y
tsw bw y
tsw ny
tswrwngi
tu
v.
adv.
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
n.
t
t dk l 'kn
t
t
t
t
v.
v.p.
v.
n.
v.
v.
t
t
v.
v.
t
t
tba
tb
tb
tbani
tb
tby
v.
v.
n.
v.
v.
n.
a.
n.
sa
English
Slag or clinker from a
blacksmith's forge.
Leader; leadership;
Star.
Weed with a small white starshaped flower.
Rank among village
headmen.
Bird somewhat like a
sparrow.
Blacksmith's forge or shop.
collect civet.
Office of the chief tailor.
Beat or throb of the heat.
Very (long).
To pelt; to dash; to winnow;
to fan.
To break;
Very (oily, muddy);
Gecko
Twist or hank of thread.
Suddenly; quickly;
Very (oily);
Gripingly.
Peltingly;
Very (oily).
Quickly; sharply.
Bird like a sparrow.
verbs with initial, tu, twa.
To ride; to drive; to straddle.
To be calloused.
To build.
To cohabit; as animals.
To be over, as anything that
has been counted.
To name; to call.
To be champion; lit. to ride
over.
To be stuck (in the throat).
To fall, as dew.
Repentance.
To engage; to betroth.
To increase, as money.
Cake made from beans.
Fresh.
Sound of deep water, as
179
cf. nusa.
cf. b.
cf. c ki .
cf. latsw latsw gi, m nllgi
cf. vny.
cf. tsw kw y.
cf. tsw .
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
td
tfetfe
v.
n.
tfwa
tgf
n.
n.
tgf
tgdgb
t gr
v.
a.
v.
tgla
tgwas
tgnny
n.
v.
n.
tk
tka
v.
v.
t kaye
tk n
t k s
v.
v.
v.
tukpa
tukpa lew
n.
n.p.
tukpa kperegi
tukpa ny l
tukpatnci
tukpat
tukpat ny bindiga
n.p.
n.
n.
n.p.
tkpigi
tkci
adv.
n.
tk n
tknt
tkr
n.
v.
v.c.
tkurumgi
n.
t kt
v.
tl
tle
tlknk
tm
tmbi
v.
v.
v.
n.
n.
English
when a stone is thrown into a
well.
To spy;
Skin covering a ground-nut;
also, kernelless rice;
dr Clothing; attire; apparel.
Concoction used as a
medicine.
To be uncontrollable;
To caper; to be frisky.
To give a person a certain
medicine which is said to
cause food to stick in his
throat.
mo Copper.
To vie; to compete;
Form of punishment where
one is made to cross the arms
and hold the ears.
To watch or await the time.
To be careful; to be
particular.
To name;
To compete; to vie;
To watch out of the corner of
the eye.
bp Ear.
d
Buzzing or ringing of the ear.
Tinnitus
bp Ear-lobe.
the neck or ear of a slate.
p
Deaf person.
Selvage edge of cloth.
wp Powder chamber on the side
of a flint-lock gun.
Suddenly; quickly;
Fee or return gift on receipt
of a present.
Fragment; remnant.
To boast; to brag;
read the Koran through the
last night of the Fast.
bp Tuft of hair left on the head,
all the rest being shaved off.
To put a charm on a thing for
protection.
To show; to make know;
To spy;
To stand on one leg.
Suspicion;
Stomach;
180
cf. tle.
cf. lilia.
cf. t.
cf. tk n.
cf. t 'ye.
cf. sg n , tgwas.
cf. wny
cf. dgr.
cf. lwi.
cf. w.
cf. td .
cf. t k dri.
cf. gbk.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
tmi
PoS
v.
tntn
tn
tn
tn
tn
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
tn
tn
tnba
tnby
tnci
tundy
tndy
tnf
v.
adv.
v.
v.
n.
adv.
adv.
v.
tunga
n.
tngb
tnkplgi
tn 'n
tn n i
t nny
t 'ny
v.
a.
v.
v.
adv.
v.
tunt
t nt ny
t nyi
tny
adv.
adv.
adv.
adv.
tny
tn 'ye
adv.
v.
tn yek
tn z nm
tr
trabi
v.
v.
n.
n.
trre
tri
n.
n.
tri triy
trki
adv.
n.
tursin
turumi
n.
n.
English
To dismiss; usually includes
giving a small present.
tn.
To send.
To pierce; to prick; to sting.
To reach; to extend.
To arrive; to come; to attain.
To pick up; to harvest, as
beans.
To vomit;
Period of time; from; since.
To shirr.
To recall; to recollect;
Messenger; Apostle.
Completely; very (flat).
Very (large, many).
To gather up or together, as a
garment;
Settlement; a colony; started
by the Fulani placing
prisoners or slaves on a farm
to work.
To reach; to try to vomit;
Short; stumpy;
To fire; to put fire to.
To punch with the fist.
Very (quiet, placid, calm);
To give money to a drummer
for drumming.
Very (much);
Heavily;
Very (placid, calm, smooth);
Very (much), as smoke or
dust rising;
Heavily;
To name; to mention by
name.
To tidy up; to set in order;
To support; to back up.
Arab;
System of divining by
numerals;
Perfume.
Herb, from which they
extract a yellow dye.
Flatly; quickly.
Stake driven into the ground
and used to tie animals to;
Mount Sinai; Pt Tursin.
Package; a piece; a parcel.
181
cf. m zwa.
cf. pa.
cf. k, ku.
<Hausa
cf. tn.
cf. kolgi.
cf. sny.
cf. nyssnyi.
cf. tny.
cf. sny.
cf. hny.
cf. jny.
cf. ku, tdz.
cf. lrbawa.
cf. s.
<Hausa
Turmeric?
cf. k ng ri.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
t sun
ti
tta
tta
tt
tt
tt
ttya
tt
PoS
n.
n.
n.
v.
n.
v.
v.
n.
n.
ttgi
tutumpr
ttunt
tutuntu
tty
tuturu
tttty
n.
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
n.
adv.
dk
tututuyi
t 'w en
tytyy
adv.
v.
adv.
ty
v.
t 'ye
t 'yi
tw
twabci
Twki
v.
v.
v.
num.
p.n.
twanici
twaria
num.
v.
twi
twrw
ty
n.
adv.
v.
tyg nny
tyakpeci
tyryg
tyrytyryy
tyaty
v.
n.
adv.
adv.
v.
tyaty
tyatyngi
tytyny
tywny
n.
n.
adv.
ty
ty ni g
v.
a.
ti
pl
English
To name;
Review.
Flag; ensign; a banner.
To cease (for the present);
Cushion; a pillow.
To hem, as a cloth or mat.
To place on the head.
Zinc.
Scraps of grass from a roof
that is being thatched.
Local beer;
Wood ashes.
Dunghill; rubbish-heap.
Exactly; accurately;
Very (fine); powdery.
Leach.
Very (much, gusty, drizzly);
refers to a mist, or dust, or
drizzling rain.
Very (large);
To form a cataract on the eye.
Very (soft), i.e., a cheap
grade.
To expect; to look for; to
hope for.
To name;
To sun.
To trim off;
Seventh.
Rank among the court
officers.
Ninth.
To give away; to present; to
be liberal.
Genital disease; gonorrhoea?
Very (long, thin).
To be mild, as lye or
medicine.
To be stunted; to be dwarfed;
Simpleton;
Very (bushy).
Very (shreddy).
To attempt to stand, as a
young child.
Palm oil settlings.
Bushy weed.
Noiselessly;
quiet; to be numb; to be at
rest.
To be thin; to be withered.
Thin;
182
cf. t kaye.
<Hausa
cf. c nta.
cf. ege.
cf. jny.
cf. gbagbagbay.
cf. t kaye.
cf. li.
cf. tss.
cf. ttgi.
cf. sny.
cf. kkn, ty , y.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
tynig tyryg
PoS
adv.
English
Very (much);
cf. dkn, nyssnyi.
He; she; him; her; it;

King's treasurer,
cf. wn, nwi.
U
u
bandawaki
Ubandm
pron.
p.n.
p.n.
ti
ti

is, Dawud.
V
va
v.
va
v.
v
vadn~ n
vakpe
vny
vt
v.
v.
v.
adv.
n.
vatsw rw
va vidn~ n
vaya
v.
v.
v.
vi-
aff.
viny
vywn~ viawn~ gi
vidn~ n
vidn~ nk
adv.
a.
n.
n.
vny
vo
vo
v
a.
v.
v.
v.
vd
n.
go
voggi
vkpa
vkpa gl
n.
n.
n.
t
bp
g
vonkpr
vos
n.
n.
vots
n.
go
bf
d
go
To wade through long

stretches of water.
To be weak, as a bow or
spring;
To be guilty
To urinate;
To pounce on;
Quickly; rapidly.
Shallow calabash, used for
carrying loads and washing
clothes in.
To pour; to fall, in torrents.
To urinate;
To be played out; to be run
down;
verbs with initial, va, vo.
Quickly; rapidly;
Small; little.
Urine;
Disease of the bladder which
causes blood to appear in the
urine.
Straight;
To hush; to lull;
To deceive; to fool;
To rot; to decay; to
decompose.
Drinking calabash with a
cover;
Tree species.
Knee.
Grass species with a thistlelike head;
Potsherd; dustpan; a sherd.
Calabash used in traditional
worship to libate; cf. kr.
Unripe gourd; gourd which
has not been opened;
183
cf. d.
cf. boli, va vidn~ n.
cf. f.
cf. boli.
cf. bo.
cf. vny.
cf. boli.
Schistosomiasis
cf. ffg, gbor.
cf. ta.
cf. t.
cf. evo.
cf. et gk. vultures knee
cf. ts ts n.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
vv
vwnta
voya
PoS
n.
n.
v
vu
aff.
vd n
vg
vug
vun
n.
a.
n.
aff.
v.
v
v
v
v
v
v bk
vdyi
v g
v g
vla
vnv n
v nu
v.
v.
n.
v.
v.
v.
adv.
v.
v.
a.
a.
v.
vnu
vw~ ny
vw~ ny
a.
adv.
adv.
fa
English
Swill-place.
Refuse-place.
To deceive; to get away
from;
verbs with initial syllable, vo.
Nail; claw.
Wide;
Missile; boomerang.
vun~ .
To grope about; to wander
about; to swing about.
To mix.
To spoil; to ruin;
Meat; flesh;
To be very white.
To scorch;
To be pure white.
Very (muddy, dirty).
To pass over.
To plunder; to loot.
Empty.
Senseless;
To hoe or weed between the
standing corn;
Hollow;
Widely; completely.
Soundly;
cf. vo.
cf. bg.
cf. nyi.
cf. nk .
cf. ny .
cf. flanla.
cf. kts.
cf. foto, gue.
cf. fw~ ny.
W
w
v.
wa
v.
wa
w
w
w
wad
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
wadza
n.
wadz
wa dz
v.
v.
wa 'fa
wafr
waga
v.
v.
n.
To want; to desire; to need;

to wish.
To put forth; to take out; to
extract; to lay (egg).
To leap; to jump; to hop;
To scratch; to scrape.
To unravel; to strip off;
To fail; to get thin;
To leave (moorings), as a
boat or train.
Leather fringe; trimmings;
trappings.
To slap (in the face);
To deliver; to put forth; to
pull out.
To shed a skin.
To jump; to leap;
Pannier.
184
cf. f.
cf. gb n~ .
cf. kk.
cf. gbdz.
cf. yfr.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
wg
wgy
wgggi
wagiwagi
wgiwg
wag
wa gwa
PoS
a.
adv.
a.
a.
n.
v.
w gwa
wjbi
wa 'k
v.
a.
v.
wk
wk
n.
n.
Wk tsla
p.n.
ti
wkkgi
wkng
w kl w 's
wakwakgi
wlyny
wla
n.
a.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
wlam
n.
pl
wlawlay
w lo
w 'mi
wmi
wn
wnc
wandrrgi
Wngl
adv.
v.
v.
n.
a.
n.
n.
p.n.
wngi
a.
wn
wnk wnks
wnk
wankrgi
wnko
wnwny
wanwra
wny
wny
wny
wr
war
wara
war
wrka
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
adv.
adv.
adv.
a.
a.
a.
n.
n.
b
b
f
tm
pd
b
i
English
Large;
Very (thin).
See wkkgi.
Drizzling;
Lukewarm;
Equal;
To keep the hand out of; to
leave alone.
To stop; to quit; to complete;
Forced;
To single out; to set apart; to
distinguish.
Monster.
Local cheese sold by the
Fule
Somai.
Bird species.
Small; little.
Prairie-fowl.
Prairie-fowl.
Very (many, much);
Trouble; distress; agony;
anguish; affliction; calamity.
Plant which is eaten as
greens.
Everywhere;
To go after, a thing or person.
To cut the first or milk teeth.
Information.
Ownerless.
So-and-so;
Fish species;
Tribal mark; sub-tribe of the
Hausa.
Good; nice; fine; real;
human.
So-and-so;
Fear; anxiety;
Glass armlets;
Bird species.
Simultaneously.
See wnko.
Centipede.
Very (much, many).
Lifeless; numb.
Quickly; sharply.
Straight;
Long; thin.
Loose; open; separate.
Fish species.
Page of a book.
185
cf. hgky.
cf. kpngi.
cf. tin~ 'f.
cf. yn~ .
cf. cnta.
cf. tl.
<Hausa
See w kl w 's.
cf. nyssnyi.
cf. wrawray.
cf. wn.
cf. kpandrrgi.
cf. wnc.
cf. d sn.
cf. k r w.
cf. gbor.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
wrami
wrnj
wrawray
wrwry
wr
wrk
wrka
PoS
n.
adv.
adv.
adv.
n.
a.
n.
wasa
n.
ch
wasa
ws
wsand mce
n.
a.
n.
sa
wsws
n.
fo
wai
Wi
n.
p.n.
dk
ti
w
wtawta
w vd nn
wawa
ww
wwgi
wwy
wwny
wwyny
waya
a.
a.
v.
n.
a.
a.
adv.
adv.
adv.
v.
wye
wy
wywy
wi
wz n
n.
excl.
adv.
n.
n.
wrnk ci
we
wngi
weniegi
w
w
w
w
wo
n.
pron.
n.
a.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
wo
wo
w
w
v.
pron.
v.
v.
C
pl
hu
English
Herb used to make sauce.
Simultaneously;
Everywhere;
Steadily.
Overhead spear trap;
Aged; old;
Single sheet of paper of
official size; one half of
t b ka.
Medicine for snake bites; a
charm.
Desolation.
Crumbly.
Salutation for the king of the
drummers.
Southern food made from the
peel of yams incorporated in
yam flesh and then crumbled.
Beer.
Somai, Nd wutsu.
Untidy.
Untidy; slovenly;
To scratch; to claw.
Fool; idiot.
Loose; untidy; slovenly.
Small; little;
Gustily; sharply.
Very (much, many).
Very (untidy, slovenly);
To jump and fillip the arm
against the side;
Play; amusement;
Very (itchy).
Preaching;
Preaching; sermon;
discourse.
Disappointment;
You; thou;
Button.
Small.
To feel.
To be hot.
To thirst.
Can; to be able;
To hear; to feel; taste; to
smell.
To be dry.
You; thou;
To pay (as a debt).
To sacrifice
186
cf. wnko.
cf. bgabgay.
cf. ekpk.
cf. nusa.
<? Yoruba
cf. swkw.
<Hausa
cf. ss ngi.
cf. ww.
cf. kn~ gbar.
cf. dz.
cf. wz n.
cf. k nk nci.
cf. wo, 'o.
cf. w.
cf. we, 'o.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
w
PoS
v.
w
wb
v.
n.
wb
wbi
n.
n.
wc
wda
n.
n.
wd
wd ri
wf
n.
n.
v.
wfi
wfi
wogb
wgb
n.
a.
n.
n.
wgb
wgbo
n.
n.
wogi
n.
wgiri
n.
wp
wgky
wk ti
wkbmb
adv.
n.
n.
sa
wla
v.
wlha
wolh
wlfa
wl
n.
excl.
n.
n.
is
wlm
n.
is
wn
wn...n
wo nk
v.
adv.
v.
wndon...n
wnty
w 'nya
adv.
adv.
v.
fr
tr
English
To draw out, of a vessel or
the water; to rescue.
To be able;
Nut like a kola nut, it
becomes very slimy when
eaten.
Altar or place of sacrifice;
Misfortune; an unfortunate
person;
Trade; barter; commerce;
One half of a sheet of paper
foolscap size;
To fear;
Length of cotton for a loom.
To be cold; to be chilled; to
feel the cold;
Reel inside a shuttle.
Useless; vain; worthless;
To have a wasting disease;
Small mound thrown up at
the junction of two roads.
Waves; ripples;
Nimwy.
To be arrogant; to be
conceited;
Shield made from the hide of
a buffalo;
Very (thin).
Time;
Nimwy.
To be finished; to be
completed;
About 7 a.m.
Oath, By God.
Beginning;
Saint; a holy man; an order in
the Muslim faith; also said of
one who is inoffensive.
Festival or ceremony for the
dead eight days after death;
also for one who has
completed his studies in the
Koran.
To be hot; to be warm;
As; thus;
To be spirited; to be full of
life; to be fiery.
As; thus;
Flatly.
To sacrifice to a shrine;
187
cf. y.
cf. enywb.
cf. sra.
cf. cw.
cf. wrka.
cf. snd , ed w.
cf. w.
cf. banza.
cf. gb, wo.
cf. gngb, kingbgb.
cf. gag.
cf. kkl.
cf. kmi.
cf. zo.
cf. mfari.
cf. w.
cf. kendn.
cf. kendn.
cf. w.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
wny
wny
wny
wny
wnwny
wrki
wrwr
wr
wor
woro
wrgb
PoS
n.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
a.
n.
a.
n.
worongi
wrowro
wos
wos li
wska
wwg
wiwigi
wotkil
wots
wo 'tsw
wwgi
n.
n.
v.
n.
n.
a.
n.
adv.
pron.
v.
n.
wowgi
wwkp
n.
n.
vc
wya
wzir
v.
n.
ti
w
wn
n.
v.
wn byk
wnd
v.p.
v.
wn 'f
wnf
wnfugi
v.
v.
v.
wn g
v.
wn g
wngn
v.
v.
wn gwa
v.
C
fo
i
fo
English
Prepared foods.
Completely;
Buzzing sensation in the ear;
Cracking or crashing sound.
Sound of clapping of hands.
Leather apron.
Yam weevil.
Thin.
Groundnut oil;
New.
Undertakes; (not well known
now);
Small fish.
Noise of a market.
To feel; to hear;
Vowels in Arabic writing.
Letter.
Small (as leaves).
Whistling teal.
Perhaps;
Yourself; thyself.
Smell (a stench).
Make of cloth with an open
mesh;
Crumbs of fried cake.
Vendors' call for groundnuts.
To pierce.
Vizier,
cf. kpony.
cf. tukpa lew, lew.
cf. ror.
cf. gor.
cf. s , s wo, wo.
cf. k, wn ba. <Hausa

cf. zngi.

is, Dawud.
Yam heaps.
Original meaning of this
word is to catch, but it has a
very extensive usage; to grab;
to capture; to lay hold on; to
be pregnant; to light; to scald;
to adhere to; to arrest.
to mould.
Gather together; to be tidy; to
be orderly.
to be cold; to shiver;
cf. wof.
to be homesick; to pine for;
also, wnfmi;cf. efmi.
to be quiet, as one heavy
hearted.
to overcome; to plunder; to
be speechless; to be
dumbfounded.
to tie up; to cramp.
to climb up out; to come out
of, as a ditch.
to gather up the hands; to be
a quick worker; to gripe, as
188
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
wnk
v.
wn 'k
wn 'mi
v.
v.
wn 'n
v.
wn nygb n
v.p.
wnpa
v.
wn
v.
wn 't
wn 'y a g n
wny
wny
wnc n
v.p.
excl.
v.
v.
v.
wncn
w nc nk
w ng ci
w njn
wngi
wnniw nnyy
wnniengi
wnswa
wu
n.
a.
n.
a.
n.
adv.
n.
v.
aff.
v.
w 'gb n
w 'gb n
wgwa
v.p.
v.p.
v.
wu
wu
v.
v.
w 'b
v.
wbiwbiy
wce
wuci
wd
wfi
wja
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
wlawlay
wulegi
adv.
n.
t
co
b
m
English
the stomach.
to be packed down, or
together.
to play at fighting.
to gather up, or pucker the
mouth.
to catch fire; to be ablaze; to
be on fire.
to captivate the heart; to take
hold of; to desire.
to be bound up; to be huddled
together; to be lumpy.
to be stout; to be fleshy; to be
corpulent.
to shave the head.
to be quick eyed; to be bright.
to be dizzy;
To be large; to be big; to be
great.
Master; lord;
Large; great; big; enormous.
Tree species.
Yellow; orange.
Darter or snake bird.
Senselessly.
Otter.
To excuse; to pardon.
verbs with initial, wa, wo,
wu.
To teach; to show; to explain;
to direct; to instruct.
to teach sense;
to make public;
to salute, by waving the arm
in the air.
To thrash; to beat;
To kill; to murder; to slay; to
execute; to abolish; to cancel;
to annul.
To guide; to lead; to show the
way.
Very (untidy, tangled).
Help; aid; assistance;
Tree species.
goat or sheep of two colours.
Shoes; slippers;
Reason; excuse; cause; hence
wealth;
Everywhere;
Very bad form of
189
cf. y.
cf. lram.
cf. egb n.
cf. gb n.
cf. wulu.
cf. cew.
cf. d.
cf. s r ti.
cf. flaflay.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
wulu
wu mda
wn
v.
v.
wn
wn
wn
w n
w n
wn ba
wn bke...n
wun y
wn y ke...n
wncn
w ndci
wng
w nk
W nkci
v.
v.
pron.
v.
v.
adv.
conj.
conj.
conj.
a.
n.
pron.
n.
p.n.
wnkp
v.
wnts
wny
pron.
v.
wuny
wny
adv.
n.
wr
wuregi
wuri
wuri
wri
wribia
wriwrigi
wry wri y
wr
wuru
wuru
wr
wr
wur
wurdi
wrgi
wurmi
wurngi
wr nupe
n.
wurnyb
wruwruy
wrwry
a.
n.
n.
n.
a.
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
adv.
n.
a.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
adv.
v
ti
yc
da
an
cr
English
rheumatism.
To thrash; to beat; to flog.
To starve; to fast.
wn.
To own.
To serve.
He; she; him; her; it;
To wipe.
To swell.
Perhaps; lit. it please.
If; if it be;
If; if it be.
If; if it be.
This; that; it;
Vine species.
Emphatic that; it.
Court.
To be long; to be high; to be
tall.
Himself; herself; itself.
To inform; to make known;
to show a matter.
Buzzy.
Rumbling noise of a house
falling;
Yam cultivar.
See wulegi.
One;
Commons; an open space;
He-goat.
Red ant;
Narrow.
Completely.
Disorderly; everywhere.
Shell of freshwater mollusc
Cap or top of a grass roof.
Uncountable.
Shade; shadow; shelter; sect.
Everywhere;
Prayer; devotion;
Small;
Sect; persuasion;
game like hide-and-seek.
Salutation for the rank, Nd
ll.
See wurngi.
Everywhere; disorderly;
Very (small);
190
cf. u.
cf. bke.
cf. nn.

Bok.
cf. hny.
cf. z n.
cf. fili.
cf. z nz ngi.
cf. wr.
cf. sla.
cf. ttngi.
cf. t rka.
cf. flaflay.
cf. wr.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
w
wt
wu 't
wuts
wtuwtu
wtuwtu
wuy
PoS
excl.
n.
v.
n.
a.
n.
v.c.
wu 'y 'l g
n.
sa
wuyawu
wuy
v.
v.
wyy
wu 'z wu 'n
wu 'z kpe n
wzbi
wuzri
wu
v.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
English
Expression of contempt.
Screeching; the yelling;
To end;
Yam cultivar.
Untidy; slovenly.
Fog; mist; cloud.
difficult;
hunters.
To patch or repair a roof.
To be cruel; to be brutal; to
be hard hearted.
To show off.
Salutation for the rank, Kta.
Salutation for the rank, Kta.
Desire;
Business;
Slave; captive; attendant;
bondservant; slavery;
bondage; captivity.
cf. tw.
cf. zot.
cf. z.
cf. ny.
cf. bkta.
Y
y
y
v.
v.
y
y
ya
v.
v.
v.
y
y
y
yab
yba
yb
yb
v.
prop.
n.
n.
v.
n.
v.
yb
yb n sara
yb t
yb bkgi
yb cigb n
ybgi
ybk
yb kwatiangi
yb ts nts nn
ydi
ygb
n.
fr
fr
fr
fr
fr
fr
n.
n.
Begin; commence;
To bend; to stoop; to arch; to
bow.
To smart.
To swoop; to alight, as a bird.
To put away; to cast off; to
leave; to lose; to forsake; to
abolish; to divorce.
To give.
For; to.
To gin;
Dumping place.
To close to; to shut to.
Starting point.
To step aside; to give way; to
give place to.
Banana.
a thin sweet banana.
Banana is bearing.
a short, stubby banana.
Banana tree.
See t s bi ybgi.
Plantain.
See yb bkgi.
green or unripe bananas.
Gristle.
Yoruba subgroup living on
191
cf. c.
cf. dz.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
yagbta
ygb
n.
n.
yagbeyai
ygi
yhw
yj
yak
yaka
n.
a.
n.
n.
n.
yakc
ykyky
yky
a.
adv.
adv.
yaKyadya
n.
yakpr
ykpe
n.
v.
yakpe
v.
yku
n.
ykn
yl
yli
ym
n.
conj.
n.
sal.
ymi
v.
yami
y mi min jn k b y we
yanya
yny
ya 'ny t
n.
v.
adv.
adv.
v.
yap
yp
yra
yar
yryry
yr n
yswy
yats n
v.
v.
v.
n.
adv.
a.
adv.
v.
yavn
yw
yw lwgi
a.
n.
n.
co
English
the south bank of the Niger
north of Kabba.
Floor or deck of a boat.
Rise in the river after it has
fallen.
Applied to anything that will
endure for years.
Grandchild.
Large.
Poverty;
Red pepper.
Small canoe attached to the
end of a seine net.
Old; of long standing.
Glitteringly.
Very (stiff from leaning
over).
Kyadya,
Gunnel of a boat;
To be stooped; to be bent
over.
To trust; to lean on; to
depend on; to look to.
Disease among infants which
hinders them from drinking.
Doorway; entrance.
Whether.
Family; relations.
Kptn.
To give out a law; to
command.
Bow of a boat;
Lend; loan;
Yearly;
Exactly;
To dance, throwing each
other up in the air, as young
girls play.
To lean;
To fold over;
To be longer.
Shoal.
Very (salty, sour).
Yellow;
Very (many).
To transfer; to pass on, as a
load;
Naked; bare.
Bride.
Tree species.
192
cf. t lnci.

Ddndw.
cf. eya.
cf. eya.
cf. aro.
cf. eya.
cf. jny.
cf. kpts.
cf. y.
cf. w njn.
cf. c yatsn.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
yy
Yya
yy
yyy
yy
PoS
v.
p.n.
n.
adv.
v.
yay
yay
yy
v.
v.
v.
yyi
yy
yaysa
n.
adv.
n.
yi
n.
yzndci
yaz n
yaz nm
y
y
n.
n.
n.
v.
v.
y
y
v.
v.
v.
y
y
ye
ye
v.
v.
pron.
pref.
yba
yeba
n.
v.
y 'b
yb
ye b 'mi k
v.
n.
excl.
yb
ybo
yb
yc
yeci
yeci
ycn
ye 'c n d
yd
yda
v.
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
v.
n.
n.
yd
n.
vc
English
To yawn.
John the Baptist.
Superior; elder; senior.
Sparklingly; brightly.
To lay about; to lounge
about; to sit with.
To gape; to be stupid.
To lose sight of.
To countenance; to favour;
lit. to give eye to.
Very large turtle.
Brightly;
Bracelet worn by a Nupe
king.
Medicine made from spices
and used as a stimulant.
Friend;
Stern of a boat;
Bottom of a boat;
To suckle; to nurse.
To consent; to confess; to
admit; to acknowledge; to be
willing.
To be fit; to be able.
To be intelligible; to be clear
to.
To answer; to reply (when
called).
To think;
To sprain;
You; ye.
Re; again;
Wink; a blink; a minute.
To approach; to close in; to
come near.
To nurse;
Brow-beating;
Vendors' call for groundnuts;
To love; to like.
Thankfulness.
Blindness.
Neglect;
Name;
Long time.
Eyeing;
To sniffle.
Tameness;
Faith; belief; consent;
willingness; permission.
Attention; care; watching.
193
cf. yyy.
<Hausa
cf. y.
cf. eya.
cf. eya.
cf. yg .
cf. b .
this prefix can be used with a
great many verbs.
cf. y.
cf. by.
lit. will you not perfume your
breath?
cf. cy.
cf. eye, kaye, sun.
cf. cny.
cf. dy.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
yd n
ydz
yeg
yg
PoS
n.
n.
v.
v.
ye 'g g
v.
ygb
n.
ygb n
yegbr
n.
prep.
ygi
n.
ygi kts
ygi gb
ygi mwl
ygi yw
ygg
yg n
yeg n
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
yej
ye jn
n.
v.
yjn
yk
yka
yk
ykaral
yk
yek
n.
n.
a.
n.
n.
n.
v.
yek tn
yk
yk
yk
n.
n.
n.
n.
yk
ykfu
ykdangi
ykndnn
ykntsu
ykpnpnci
yks
yksndngi
ykz dci
y kpa
a.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
v.
ykpa
yekpr
n.
n.
English
Hastening; the hurrying;
Punishment; redness of eyes;
Should.
To suppose; to think; did not;
is not.
To repeat a word; to
interpret.
Contempt; abasement; insult;
despising.
Loneliness;
Before; in front; ahead;
against;
Brother or sister, in religion,
tribe, age, home, relation or
brotherhood.
Seconds from kts gruel.
Tree species,
Cryptic word for hunger;
Bride's maid.
Substitute;
Forehead; brow.
Pity; compassion; mercy;
sympathy.
Describing;
To re-do; to mend; to repair;
to adjust; to correct;
Showing off;
Eyeing;
Wonderful.
Bewilderment;
Gluttony.
Partition; a mask; a rivet;
To gather together; to
assemble; to collect.
Arranging; the tidying up;
Forwardness.
Road; way; door-way.
Notch; a gash; the piece cut
out.
Damp; cool;
Coolness; dampness;
Staring;
Eyeing; also;
Door-mat.
Alley; a narrow way.
Junction; a division of roads.
Jumblebeads; cats eyes
Pedestrian; a foot traveller.
To break off the stem by
twisting.
Thought; consideration.
Clear.
194
cf. d ny.
cf. dzy.
cf. ysa.
cf. yta.
also s nda.
cf. egi gts, md.
cf. gyg.
cf. jye.
cf. ye.
cf. jny.
cf. ky.
cf. ky.
cf. k y.
cf. tnyek .
cf. da.
cf. fuyk.
cf. cn ykdangi.
cf. cn ykndnn.
Abrus precatorius.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
yekpe
ykp
PoS
n.
n.
ylci
n.
yle
yl
n.
n.
yli
yliyli
n.
adv.
yl
ym
n.
n.
yemi
v.
yn
yn ko
yengi
yn ynd
v.
n.
n.
n.
yn
ye nuwn
ye nygb n jn
yp
y 'o lo n
y 'o y lo
yer
yr
n.
v.
v.
n.
excl.
excl.
n.
a.
yeremiyerem yerengi
yrnkp
yrnkp
n.
n.
n.
yryr
ysa
ye
yi
y
ye
yr
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.
v.
n.
yygi
n.
ye sun
yetsro
v.
n.
yteytey
yt
yets
yew
a.
n.
pron.
n.
English
Knowing;
Opening out; the
interpretation;
One who stares with both
eyes open as in astonishment;
Seeing.
Relatives by marriage (to the
man only);
Morrow.
Daily; every day; day after
day.
Boldness; pride.
Art; talent; wisdom; sense;
understanding.
To twitch or twist the mouth,
as in scorn.
To warm by a fire.
Procrastination;
Garden egg; eggplant
Being accustomed to; the
tameness;
Looking sad;
To drown.
To quiet the heart;
Chariness;
Goodbye till you return.
Goodbye.
Mesh; perforation.
Striped; spotted; marked;
dappled.
Bird.
Nettle.
Somasn.
Very (dry).
Loneliness;
Night.
Bribe; the bribing;
Peeping;
To change position in sitting;
Said of the moon when it
does not come up until after
dark.
Small red insect that breeds
in standing water.
To speak about oneself.
Salutation for the office,
Ldn.
Senseless;
Hope; trust; expectancy;
Yourselves.
Capital; money to begin
195
cf. kpeye.
cf. kpy.
cf. ly.
cf. byw.
cf. koyn .
Solanum incanum.
cf. dy, dyn.
cf. ny.
cf. ye.
cf. py.
cf. ygb n.
cf. iy.
cf. y.
cf. ye.
cf. btrm.
cf. ty.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
yewn...n
yewndn...n
ywn
ywu
yy
adv.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
yy
n.
yya
yy
yye
yeye
n.
n.
v.
v.
yey
v.
yyy
yzgw
yz n
yi
adv.
n.
n.
y
y
y
y
yi
yi
yi
-yi
v.
adv.
v.
v.
pron.
v.
v.
aff.
y
y
y
yili
ydi
v.
v.
v.
n.
n.
ydzfgi
y 'f fi
yfi
yfr
yignci
ygygy
ygb
ygbt
yigd
yigd gn 'gb
yigd l b
yigd l ba kata
n.
v.
v.
v.
a.
adv.
n.
n.
n.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
yigd ts bs
n.p.
is
English
trading with.
Thus; as;
Thus; as;
Sharpness; shrewdness;
Cruelty; hard-heartedness.
Lounging about; the sitting
with;
Countenancing; the giving
eye to;
Stupidity; the gaping;
Health;
To extol oneself;
To be fat; to be plump; to be
filled out.
To squint or twitch the nose
in scorn.
Brisky.
Brazen facedness;
Equal;
verbs with initial, ya, ye, yi.
To steal; to plunder;
Still.
To be thin; to be slender.
To blow on.
We; us; our.
To press.
To accompany.
Euphonic affix attached to
certain adjectives making
them adverbs.
To be;
To call.
To sip; to draw up.
Family; relative;
Mosque or prayer place
outside a town, visited during
the Feasts.
Window;
To whisper.
To gather; to pleat; to shrink;
To jump; to leap; to spring.
Upright; true;
Tightly.
Theft; thieving; pilfering.
Napping; dozing;
Sun; the afternoon; day-light.
Sun when very hot;
the sun has burst forth.
the sun is shining on the
house.
Sun when it is very hot, and
196
cf. kendn.
cf. kendn.
cf. wny.
cf. yy.
cf. yy.
cf. yay.
cf. lfy.
cf. y sun.
cf. z nycimbo.
cf. tsara.
cf. gb gwa.
cf. jn.
cf. d ngi.
cf. zufa.
cf. yk.
cf. g kiya.
cf. tygb.
lit. the sun is ready for a chase.
lit. the sun is playing the
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
yigd wn 'tswa
yigd b fi etswa
n.p.
n.p.
ygya
n.
wv
ykci
n.
wv
yikr
n.
yko
n.
yk
yk
n.
n.
ykpakpagi
yikpr
yk
yknci
n.
yknnu
yknnuci t
yknnu cndzn~
yknnu dzn~ gi
yknnu kpr
n.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
yknnu tk
yknnu tskp
n.p.
n.p.
yknnu dzr
yknnu kprgi
yknnu kpt
ykr
yl
ylnci
ylnci lat
yl
yipa
y..re
yri
yrg
yrngi
ysa
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
a.
adv.
n.
a.
a.
n.
ysbi
n.
yiskgi
n.
v.
n.
fr
sh
t
fo
fr
t
t
fo
English
heat waves are seen rising;
eclipse of the moon.
the moon is reflecting the
sun.
Skein of thread measured out
for a loom.
Shuttle or stick on which the
thread is wound to weave a
net.
Dry season; November to
April.
Power; authority; ability;
permission.
Whistling.
Loose cereal grains that fall
out of a bundle or head of
corn.
Gullet.
See yekpr.
To shrink; to draw up.
Authority; ability; power,
such as one receives from
another;
Fruit of the oil palm.
Oil palm is bearing.
Green oil palm kernel.
Young fronds of the oil palm.
Shell of the oil palm nut
which is burnt and used to
make lye.
Head of palm nuts.
Ripe oil palm kernels, as sold
to the trading companies.
the rank of the chief of Yet.
Small bush.
Coconut palm and fruit.
Corn flour.
Fruit of the ylnc tree.
Tree with a pear-shaped fruit.
Yl tree in the bush.
Madness;
Warm; hot;
Still;
Kind; species; breed.
Small.
Small; mean.
Food made from corn,
usually dissolved in water
and drunk.
Computation of numbers
(arithmetic); a divining;
Forenoon, from about 7 to 10
197
zither.
cf. yko.
cf. dzuyl.
cf. bipa, wn.
cf. y.
cf. jk n .
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
yskngci
ysak n
n.
n.
ys
n.
ysmbr
ysg
ygi
yrnny
yta
yta
yts
yits
ywr
n.
a.
n.
n.
prep.
n.
n.
pron.
n.
yw
a.
yiyka
yiyakpe
yiz
n.
n.
n.
yi 'z
v.
y
yigi
ymn
y ny
n.
n.
n.
adv.
pl
tx
English
a.m.
Tree species.
Potsherd; pieces of old pots
used in pounding floors.
Granary, made of grass or
mats;
Potsherd;
Thin; lean.
Barn or hoot owl.
Carol.
Before; in front;
To draw up;
Ourselves.
Sauce made with flour and
water and put over boiled
beans.
Female; used idiomatically
for half cook on a gun;
Limit;
Faith;
One of the sixty divisions of
the Koran.
To accompany on a journey;
to have two loads and carry
one for a short distance and
then go back for the other,
and in this way to carry both
along together.
Inhabited world;
Weed species.
Trade cloth.
Very (large, open).
198
cf. do.
cf. ysak n.
cf. yegbr.
cf. yk.
cf. eb, bindiga.

cf. nugn.
cf. yakpe.
cf. kn.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
Z
PoS
za
v.
za
'z
Zb
v.
n.
zbd
n.
zbo
n.
zboyk
Zd
n.
p.n.
zagagi
n.
fo
'z gbak knto

zgbn
zgnzg
zka
n.
n.
n.
n.
zaknzalgi
zk k
n.
n.
zk
n.
zkybo
zan
zn
n.
n.
n.
znci
zra
zarazaray
zs
ztsuci
zwn
zygb
zygbta
zyzy
n.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
n.
adv.
v.
v.
z bra
z bk
z bura
n.
n.
n.
tx
English
To wander; to go about; to go
abroad;
To rub on;
See ez.
Rank among the nonMuslims,
Said of one who talks to
himself;
Blue and white striped native
cloth.
Zbo cloth in a large design.
Old custom of taking a little
of every kind of food and
leaving it under some tree in
the fields, and then all run
home; a shrine;
Food made from very
coarsely ground corn.
Tree species.
Delay;
Cannibal.
Small wooden measure,
cf. ck.
Tramp; gadabout.
Salutation for Tswa, Gb
Tswa.
Lion (Hausa);
mt
t
wp
hg
hg
Salutation for M diw.

Coarse grass fence mat;
Layman; an inexperienced
person.
Tree species.
Lance;
Very (long);
Idol; image; picture; photo.
Dead person.
About 11 a.m.
Despiser; one despised;
Loafers' bench.
Singly; separately; just a few;
one, one.
To rise; to swell; to flood, as
the river.
To be too much; to be
greater.
Saddle bag.
Saddle pads.
Psalms of David and the
199
cf. z n, gbo.
z.
cf. zd.
cf. zbd.
cf. gbn, nkiri.

used to measure corn given to
the mallams as their share or
tenth.
Salutation for a king; cf.

agb, gb.
cf. tsmp. <Hausa
cf. pr.
cf. dr.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
z f rn
n.
z g y
z mba
z mbu
z n bi
adv.
n.
n.
n.
z n bi
z n rya
znzn
n.
n.
n.
z ngo
n.
z ngo
n.
z nka
n.
z nta
z ny
z r ba
z r fi
z rwa
z wya
n.
a.
n.
n.
n.
n.
z z fur
ze
zebi
zegi
n.
pron.
n.
n.
zere
n.
zre
v.
zet
zi
n.
aff.
zi
zyra
ziz kpe
zo
pron.
n.
v.
z
zog n
zog n zb
v.
n.
n.p.
zog n e gwakpa
n.p.
English
books of the Prophets.
Yellow powder used to make
ink.
Very (long, tall).
Mischief;
fo Food made from guinea-corn.
dc Refrain sung when a mallam
gives a daughter away in
marriage without the usual
dowry.
Custom among school boys.
mn Gold.
Sickness which causes one to
become foolish.
Travelling traders' camp
outside of a town.
is
Stage of ten days in the Fast
month
is
Legal alms, a tenth more or
less, given to the king and
mallams at the close of the
Fast of Ramadan.
Lye used in dye pits.
Pure (Nupe).
Passion; desire; lust; craving;
Wealth; influence;
Kindness;
Perfume.
Who.
Wretch.
Runner; one who goes ahead
of a horseman.
Threads;
mt

accustomed to;
Brand of perfume.
verbs with initial, za, z.
Who;
See z wya.
Supremacy;
To finish; to end; to
complete; to accomplish.
To be difficult; to be hard.
Sleeping mat.
expensive mat made in
different designs.
a certain design worked in a
200
cf. eg n.
< Hausa
cf. j r ba.
cf. s rta.
cf. lher, cto, wngi,
zyra.
that is, when measuring out

threads for a loom, as in
wd ri.
cf. dy.
cf. ze.
cf. z .
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
zog n giwa
n.p.
mt
zog n hhwgi
zog n kpkpr
n.p.
n.p.
mt
zog n kp pr ka 'ga
n.p.
mt
zog n m rfa
zog n nmppgi
zog n lgi
zog n tacnd
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
mt
mt
mt
mt
zo 'g n zo 'b
n.p.
zol
zol
zol
n.
v.
v.
zongbara
zonko
zot
zotsa
zowa
zo z ny
n.
n.
v.
v.
n.
v.
zo 'w n
zba
v.
zufa
n.
zugu
zuk n
zknnu
zn
n.
n.
zn
v.
zn
v.
zn
v.
zn
z n
z n
z n
z n
v.
v.
v.
v.
pref.
zn 'd g
sal.
aff.
fo
ai
English
mat.
mat made from coloured
kpkpr.
a design worked in a mat.
mat made from the
kpkpr leaf.
mat made from the bark of
guinea corn stalks.
round mat.
mat with a spotted design.
mat with a spotted design.
a kpkpr mat coloured in
the centre.
Said of a goat when given as
a present
Bustard.
To size up.
To order to be sold, as an
article that has been held in
pawn, as the owner cannot
redeem it.
Green or butter beans.
Crenellations on a city wall.
To end;
To size up;
Sauce made from beans.
To put to shame; lit. to take
away piety;
To reconcile; to make peace;
blue.
Window; an opening in a
wall.
Roll of cloth from the loom.
Large hoe; a shovel.
See yknnu.
zn.
To melt; to thaw; to become
soft, as oil.
To butcher; to cut (the
throat).
To break, as a stick; to close,
as a road; to cease, as rain.
To lie.
To thatch.
To rub on, as oil; to anoint;
To blow (with a bellows).
Prefix to cardinal numerals to
form numeral adjectives.
201
or kkwgi
lit. it ends sickness and

trouble.
cf. wt, zo.

cf. zol.
cf. snz ny.
cf. giaria.
cf. gbo, za.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
PoS
z ng
zn g m n
zungi
zn 'gb d w nci
v.
v.
n.
z ngbere
z ngbienigi
zn gwa
n.
n.
v.
an
g
z ngi
z nkn
z nm
z nm g
z nm lfogi
z nm
z nn
z nnubi
z nt
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
n.
adv.
n.
v.
an
d
znt
zntsu
v.
v.
znwn
znya
z ny
z ny sn
v.
v.
n.
v.p.
z nycimboci
z nysnci
z nywa
z nz n z nz nk
n.
n.
n.
n.
z nz ngi
zu
n.
an
zr
n.
is
zwlnci
zwlmi
n.
n.
English
Tswa.
To pass over or above.
To lie;
Cloth with an open mesh;
Somasn.
Black ant.
Grass species.
To put in a door or window
plate.
Ant;
Sickness among infants.
Back; the rear.
Last; the end.
Small of the back.
Followers; disciples.
Once;
Sin;
To pass over; to step over; to
break, as a law;
To cross as a river or road.
To faint; to become
unconscious.
To lie;
To lose, in trade.
Shame; piety; bashfulness;
To be ashamed; to be
bashful.
Shameless, immodest person.
One who can be shamed.
Small, harmless snake.
Rainy season; April to
October.
ants, generic term
verbs with initial syllable, zo.
Second call for prayers,
performed at about 1 p.m.
Fraud; deception.
Fraud;
cf. znwn.
cf. ezn, wwgi.
cf. z nz ngi.
cf. z n.
cf. lefi.
cf. gbnt, z ng.
cf. ng m n .
cf. snz ny.
cf. lzwlmi, zwlnci.
.
e
e
pron.
v.
v.
v.
v.
v.
Who.
To strike; to bang.
To answer; to reply to;
To spill; to pour out.
To alter; to change; to
become; to turn; to fade; to
repent; to copy (as writing).
To repent; to change; to turn
over; to disguise.
202
cf. g .
R.M. Blench
Nupe
ba
b
PoS
v.
v.
g
g p
v.
v.
gb
gbw gbw
k
k s
v.
v.
v.
v.
kpe
ela
mp
v.
v.
n.
ndaragi
ngi
et
vn
n.
n.
v.
v.
w n
v.
y
i
v.
aff.
i
i
i
pron.
v.
v.
aff.
v.
v.
v.
igba
n.
iki
n.
i nkrag
ink tra
a.
n.
into
iwky
b
bl bll
d n
g
gig
gg
n.
adv.
v.
p.n.
v.
n.
adv.
adv.
f
f
English
To stand against.
To cross, as two sticks; to lay
across; to lay cross-wise.
To reply; to answer;
To answer abruptly; sharply;
insolently.
To turn over; to tip over.
To slant;
To slant.
To turn over on one side; to
turn upside down.
To turn over; to change sides.
To peal or strip off;
Front of a house or
compound; a lawn.
Fish species.
Fish species;
To cross, as a road;
To spoil; to ruin; to
disarrange.
To become angry; to be
cross; to be vexed; to be
provoked.
To turn the head or course.
verbs with initial, e, i.
Who.
Plural to be;
To be bewildered; to be
confused; to be confounded;
to be stupid;
Plural affix for nouns,
pronouns and adjectives.
To boast; to swear.
To be unfriendly;
To cut bunches of bananas or
palm kernels.
Cross beam of a loom over
which the threads pass.
New; fresh;
lkali.
Rice cultivar
Very (large, much).
To boast; to brag; to swear.
Angel Gabriel.
To grunt; to groan;
Priest of the masquerade
Very (black);
Very (much, shaky).
203
cf. gmi.
cf. k.
cf. kp.
cf. ndaragi.
cf. znt.
cf. d.
cf. kegbugbu.
cf. n v.
Daniy .
cf. kr.
cf. gbnd n.
cf. ndk gby.
cf. trny.
R.M. Blench
Nupe
k n b
PoS
n.
k
kt
le
l
n
n
n
a.
v.
v.
n.
v.
v.
aff.
n
n
ingara
nke
v.
v.
n.
v.c.
nkiri
n.
nm
v.c.
nmip
nni
ny
v.
n.
adv.
rgb n
sa
tsu
ii
iiny
v.
n.
n.
v.
n.
v.c.
ny
da
adv.
n.
ya
v.c.
English
Line of prophets (Muslim);
one born in a caul;
Black; dark; dim.
To swear by a shrine;
To stay awake at night.
Large wild pigeon.
To be warm;
To fasten up a loin cloth;
verbs with initial n.
To return.
To stir.
Grass used to make mats;
help; to assist;
Delay; Used with the verb
jn, to delay;
large;
To follow; to come after;
Grass used to make mats;
Very (black); cf. trny,
ny.
To be saucy; to be impudent.
Shaming;
Chief or head of a village.
Plural of ci, to lie down;
Custom; fashion; cf. lda.
Used with jn, to be stupid; to
be confused; to be
bewildered;
Very (black); dimly;
Musk; civet (from the civetcat).
Used with jn, to be fat; to be
fleshy.
204
cf. r.
cf. .
cf. ba gnna.
cf. d n.
= nni.
cf. cew.
cf. wnc n.
cf. lmit, nmit.
= ingara.
cf. sa.
cf. i.
cf. kegbugbu, i.
cf. ptmp, ny.

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NUPE DICTIONARY

[DRAFT -PREPARED FOR COMMENT ONLY]

This printout: August 5, 2009

Draft Nupe Dictionary: Introductory Material

Although Banfield (1914:xx) describes this sound as

Draft Nupe Dictionary: Introductory Material

Draft Nupe Dictionary: Main text

Draft Nupe Dictionary: Main text

Following combinations are

Present Perfect Tense marker

Shall; will; should; would;

Trade flint-lock gun;

Salutation for the rank Gar.

If; suppose, or supposing

Salutation given to a twin;

always placed at the end of a

Also used in the following

used for horse feed.

The fruit is edible and gum is

Draft Nupe Dictionary: Main text

See ng rm which is more

also gbija and gbija.

= they eat and shake

Draft Nupe Dictionary: Main text

Custom; observance; manner;

Shawm used to lead the

also applied to Africans

Draft Nupe Dictionary: Main text

Dappled grey (horse).

used for horse feed.

cf. lmj ri.

dk ml, a big horse.

Draft Nupe Dictionary: Main text

Intention; desire; mind;

part of the turban worn over

when used after a verb it forms

Draft Nupe Dictionary: Main text

(rare) cf. cigb.

cf. ljbi, yka.

Draft Nupe Dictionary: Main text

Mad; raving mad;

cf. lzwlmi, zwlnci.

Draft Nupe Dictionary: Main text

Rank conferred by the Etsu

Indeed; used only to

lit. help me entertain my

Lagenaria siceraria. Used for

Draft Nupe Dictionary: Main text

of very tough wood.

Draft Nupe Dictionary: Main text

Fruit of the bamboo palm.

used to describe European

only used of human beings and

Draft Nupe Dictionary: Main text

but now applied to small tins,

applied to the second hoeing

Draft Nupe Dictionary: Main text

the salutation for which is,

Draft Nupe Dictionary: Main text

With; from; by;

Salutation for N gi.

lit. a thorn in the throat;

cf. bili, biy.

Draft Nupe Dictionary: Main text