łitso

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łi- (adjectival) + -Ø- (ni-modal 3rd person subject prefix) + -Ø- (classifier) + -tso (neuter imperfective stem of root -TSOII, “to be yellow”).

The łi- prefix appears to have originated historically from the -ł- classifier. When this prefix appears immediately in pre-stem position, it takes the shape of a -l- classifier.

łitso

1. it is yellow

   Tsídii łitso ― The (one or two) bird is yellow.

   Tsídii daaltso ― The (three or more) birds are yellow.

This is a neuter verb. As such, it has only the imperfective stem.

Paradigm: Neuter imperfective (ni).

Łitso, yellowish 5¢ note

• diniltso (“light yellow”)
• łeetsoii (“sulfur”)
• łitsooí
• łitsoii
• łitsxo (“yellowish orange”)
• tsísʼnáłtsooí (“yellowjacket”)
• yéego łitso

The use of łitso (yellow) to refer to the nickel coin comes from the gold or yellowish color used in the fractional currency note for this denomination during the Civil War.

łitso

1. nickel (coin)