Dictionary Entries explained

Each entry has at least a Mungong word or phrase and a translation in English. This can include several different senses (meanings of the word). Some words also give other information. The following kinds of information are given:

Entry word

The entry word is given using the Mungong alphabet. Spelling rules are explained in the Orthography Guide. Nouns are written in the singular and verbs in the imperative (command) form.

Examples:

laŋsə  adv  really, very (well)

mɨɨ (prog muu) v  drink

munə c25 n  flour

ŋgvʉ (pl bəŋgvʉ) c1/2 n clearing stick, tool used to hold grass for clearing with cutlass

Winto  nprop  king's wife, fon's wife

Homonyms

Homonyms are words which are identical in spelling but have different meanings. Each homonym is listed separately. (These are marked with a small number after the word to indicate they are different words):

mi₁ pron  you (plural)

mi₂ (prog mii) v 1) swallow 2) quiet, stop noise

mi₃ (prog mii) v be full, occupied

 

Plural form and Noun class

Nouns are listed in their singular form. When possible, the plural form and noun class of of a noun are given. The plural form is indicated by pl in parenthesis, and the noun class follows the letter c with the first number being the singular noun class, and the second number being the plural noun.

fɨsoŋ (pl musoŋ) c19/18a  n  1) small basket tied on waist to hold seed for planting  2) basket used to trap fish

kɨŋgwene (pl bɨŋgwene) c7/8  n  plantain

lʉŋ (pl yilʉŋ) c3/4  n 1) tongue 2) flame, flare

ŋguw (pl bəŋguw) c1/2  n  1) canoe 2) talking drum 3) manger

Progressive form

Verbs are written in their imperative (command) form. When possible, their progressive form is also listed. That is indicated by prog in parenthesis, and looks as follows:

dɨ (prog dɨɨ) v  say

fwoŋ (prog fwoŋɨ) v 1) fly 2) flee, run away 3) lift off

 

Gloss

The English translation is given as at least one word, sometimes there is more information. If a word/phrase is followed by (P) it means the gloss is a Pidgin word.

fɨdashaka (pl mudashaka) c19/18a  n crayfish, njanka (P)

Senses

When a word has more than one sense (meaning), the meanings are each given a number. The different senses may not be ordered according to which ones are most familiar or most frequently used.

fʉ₁ (prog fʉkɨ) v 1) deceive, pretend  2) cheat on  3) lure  4) itch  5) be crafty

ŋgɨ₁ (pl yiŋgɨ) c3/4 n 1) fire  2) light 3) electricity 4) torch, flash-light  5) gun

Synonyms

Synonyms are marked at the end of an entry: syn: followed by the word in Mungong with a similar meaning.

bvʉle (pl bəbvʉle) c1/2 n  lion  syn: bikɛm