demgħa

Maltese

Root
d-m-għ
2 terms

Etymology

From Arabic دَمْعَة (damʕa).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈdɛ.ma/
  • IPA(key): /ˈdɛ.maˤ/ (archaic)

Noun

demgħa f (dual demagħtejn, plural dmugħ, paucal demgħat)

  1. tear (drop of clear salty liquid from the eyes)
    • 1949, Anton Buttigieg, “Fuq Qabar Oħti”, in Fanali bil-Lejl:
      U waqt li nħares fuq ta’ qalbi x-xitla
      tat-tifkiriet tinbet tifkira ġdida,
      b’warda ta’ swied il-qalb fejn tilma demgħa
      minn ħbub għajnejja.
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Usage notes

  • The dual is used in the sense of “one or two tears, a few tears”.