ọkinni

Yoruba

Alternative forms

• ọkịnnị (Ekiti)

Etymology

Its origins are euphemistic, it was forbidden in some Yoruba towns to use the more common word for needle, abẹ́rẹ́, in the night or in the palace, thus ọkinni was used. Now only used in dialects or greeting a king. Compare with Ijebu Yoruba okinẹ and Ondo Yoruba ọkẹnnẹ (which may have been borrowed from this Yoruba form)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɔ̄.kĩ̄.nĩ̄/

Noun

ọkinni

1. (archaic, euphemistic) needle

   Synonyms: abẹ́rẹ́, àjírán, àgwọ̀dẹ́n, ùkótí

   ìrùkẹ̀rẹ̀ a dọkinni

   Your flywhisk shall become a needle

   (literally, “Your flywhisk shall become as light as a needle”)

   (a prayer/praise for a king)