yídéeltǫʼ

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Navajo[edit]

Etymology[edit]

yí- (thematic, meaning unclear) + -di- (thematic) + -ee- (ni-modal 3rd person subject prefix) + -l- (classifier)-tǫʼ (neuter imperfective stem of root -TǪʼ, “to be slippery”).

High tones of uncertain origin, compare with díní- for a similar discussion.

Modal-aspectual prefix ni- deletes in the third person, leaving the expected long -ee- after a conjunct prefix.

Verb[edit]

yídéeltǫʼ

  1. to be slippery (as an object: banana, soap, ice)
  2. (spatial person) to be slippery (as a place, a road)

Conjugation[edit]

Paradigm: Neuter imperfective (ni), third person only.

IMPERFECTIVE singular
3rd person yídéeltǫʼ
Spatial hwíídéeltǫʼ