Dictionary Entries explained

Each entry has at least a Nchane 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 things are inside the word list:

Entry word

The entry word is given using the Nchane alphabet. Spelling rules are explained in the Orthography Guide. Nouns are written in the singular and verbs in the imperative (command) form. For adjectives, the noun class prefix is not given, only the stem of the word. An asterisk (*) before a word indicates this is the stem and a noun class prefix needs to be added.

Examples:

kwa c3 n  money

loo (prog: lode) v  snatch, plunder, take by force

fɛŋ  adj  new

*boo poss their, theirs

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):

mɛɛ₁ adv  now, suddenly

mɛɛ₂ c6a n  palm oil

Plural form

When possible, plural form of a noun plural is given. That is indicated by pl (the abbreviation for plural) and looks as follows:

kwii (pl kii) c3/4 n  1) month  2) full, moon

ŋgeeba (pl baŋgeeba) n  red monkey

Progressive form

Verbs are written in their imperative (command) form. When possible, their imperfective form is also listed, but is better known to speakers as progressive. Imperfective is indicated by prog in parenthesis, and looks as follows:

ga (prog: gade) v  share, divide, distribute

Gloss

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

fele (pl afe) c5/6 n  plum (Pidgin)

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

kibɛne (pl bibɛne) c7/8 n  1) arm, hand  2) handle

Scientific names

Scientific names for certain animals, birds, grass, and trees are included in the entry in italics:

judɛ (pl chijudɛ) c5/13 n  jute, grass for spinning thread  sida garckeana palak