oṣumare
See also: Oṣumare
Yoruba
Etymology
Of unclear origin. From òṣù + mọ̀ + àrè, ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣù (“to clump, curve”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + àrè. The root for àrè is unclear, some folk etymologies link it to Àrè, an ancient crown of the Ooni of Ife. Other theories link it to the "re" part of Olódùmarè
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ò.ʃù.mà.ɾè/
Noun
òṣùmàrè
- rainbow
- àwọ̀ méje l'ó wà nínú òṣùmàrè ― There are seven colors in the rainbow
- python, specifically, it is regarded as the serpent symbol of the spirit of the rainbow, Òṣùmàrè. Its excrement is used in traditional medicine preparations.
- Synonyms: erè, òjòlá, ejò mọ́námọ́ná
Derived terms
- Òṣùmàrè
- imí-òṣùmàrè (“sulfur”)