Reconstruction:Proto-Yoruboid/ɔ̀-bɛ

This Proto-Yoruboid entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Yoruboid

Etymology

From *ɔ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) +‎ *bɛ (“to slice”), compare with Doublet of *á-bɛ, perhaps the differing in verb-prefix may be a remnant of a systematic noun class system. *ɔ̀-bɛ is much larger than *á-bɛ

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɔ̀.bɛ̄/

Noun

*ɔ̀-bɛ

1. knife, machete

Related terms

• *á-bɛ (“blade”)

Descendants

• Igala: ọ̀bẹ
• Yoruba: ọ̀bẹ