kilema

Malagasy

Etymology

Borrowed from Swahili kilema.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kiˈlema/, [ki̥ˈlemə̥]

Noun

kilema

1. deformity; handicap

Swahili

Etymology

Two explanations have been offered:

• Borrowed from Arabic كِلَام (kilām), plural of كَلْم (kalm, “bite, cut”).
• From Proto-Bantu *-démà.

This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.

Pronunciation

• Audio (Kenya):

  (file)

Noun

kilema class VII (plural vilema class VIII)

1. person with a disability, cripple

   Synonym: mlemavu

2. physical disability, handicap

Descendants

• → Malagasy: kilema