chukfi

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Choctaw

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Etymology

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

Noun

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chukfi

  1. rabbit
  2. sheep

Usage notes

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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").