Reconstruction:Proto-Yoruba/ɛ-wʊ́rɛ́
Proto-Yoruba
Etymology
A well-attested word widespread across Niger Congo, see Proto-Yoruboid *é-ɓó for more cognates. In some descendants, this term became the dominant term in comparison to the synonymous term *ì-dérègbè, *ì-kérègbè, while many dialects kept both forms. Equivalent to *e-wú (“goat”) + *-rɛ́, the "rɛ́" compounding is of unknown origin but is a Proto-Yoruba innovation. Also possibly Doublet of *ɔ̀-bʊ́kɔ.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ɛ̄.wʊ́.ɾɛ́/
Noun
*ɛ-wʊ́rɛ́
- goat; (especially) female goat
- Synonyms: *ì-dérègbè, *ɛ-rã
Descendants
Related terms
*ɔ̀-bʊ́kɔ (“he-goat”)