chukfi

Choctaw

Etymology

Sheep were unknown to the Choctaw until relatively recently, hence adopting the word for "rabbit". Compare Alabama chokfi, Chickasaw chokfi, Creek cufe.

Noun

chukfi

  1. rabbit
  2. sheep

Usage notes

The sense "sheep" can be distinguished from the sense "rabbit" with the adjective alhpoba (“domesticated”) (alternative forms: alhpowa, vlhpoba, vlhpowa). For example: chukfalhpoba and chukfi alhpoba "sheep" (literally, "domesticated rabbit").

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