łééchąąʼí
Navajo
FWOTD – 14 March 2014
Etymology
From łį́į́ʼ (“pet”) + chąąʼ (“shit”) + -í (nominalizer); literally, "shit pet" (pet that eats excrement). Replaced the old simplex łį́į́ʼ, which shifted meaning to "horse" following the reintroduction of the horse to North America, which led to the horse replacing the dog as the most favored "pet."[1] Compare Chipewyan łį, Sarcee tłíchʼà, Ahtna łicʼae.
Pronunciation
Audio (NV) (file)
Inflection
possessives of łééchąąʼí
| singular | duoplural | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st person | shilééchąąʼí | nihilééchąąʼí | danihilééchąąʼí |
| 2nd person | nilééchąąʼí | nihilééchąąʼí | danihilééchąąʼí |
| 3rd person | bilééchąąʼí | ||
| 4th person (3o) | yilééchąąʼí | ||
| 4th person (3a) | halééchąąʼí | ||
| Indefinite (3i) | alééchąąʼí | ||
Derived terms
- łééchąąłgaii
- łééchąąłkiizh
- Nahatʼeʼiitsoh Bikéyahdę́ę́ʼ łééchąąʼí ałchiní (“dingo”)
- tééh łééchąąʼí (“hyena”)
References
- William Bright, Native American placenames of the United States, s.v. HORSE.
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