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oba [' `][óbà] {SS::} n. dent; Ikoroba na gbe
oba ― “This pail has a dent”.

obalọ [` ` `][òbàlɔ̀] {SS:st:} n. pain; misery: Ọ mu
mwẹn fi obalọ ― “He brought me
into pain.”

obele [' ` `][óbèlè] {SS::} n. paddle: Ọ ma miẹ
obele ya gua okọ ― “He did not find
a paddle with which to row the
canoe.”

obẹlẹ [' ` `][óbɛ̀lɛ̀] {SS:loc:} n. a rough path; a track:
Iran fian obẹlẹ dee ― “They are
making a track as they approach.”

oberhọmwan [` ' ' `][òbéřɔ́ɱã̀] {SS:loc:} n. (< obọ-
erha-ọmwan) “one’s father’s hand”:
the right hand; the right-hand side.
%%

obẹrure [` ' ' '][òbáɽúɽé] {SS:pe:} n. “the hand that
does not do to eat”: a resourceless
person; a person with no means:
Ghẹ rhie ọmọ nẹẹn ighẹ obẹrure nọ ―
“Don’t give him your child (to marry)
for he is a resourceless person.”

obi [' `][óbì] {SS:an:} n. snake-poison.

obiyọmwan [` ' ' `][òbíyɔ́ɱã̀] {SS:loc:} n. (< obọ-iye
ọmwan) “one’s mother’s hand”: the
left-hand; the left-hand side (also
agobọ).

obobo [' `][óbobò] {SS:pl:} n. flower: Ọ kọlọ
obobo mẹ ― “He picked a flower
for me.”

obòbo [' '][óbobó] {SS:pl:} n. boiled yam or plan-
tain mashed in palm oil; it is often
$Page 103$

used in izobo (sacrifice).

obodo [` ` `][òbòdò] {SS:act:} n. a kind of agile
dance that entails spinning around
several times.

obọ [` '][òbɔ́] {SM:be:} n. 1. arm, hand. Ọ rhie
ẹre obọ mwẹẹn ― “He held her by
the hand”; 2. side; direction: D’obọ
ne ọ lae yi ― “What direction did
he take”; 3. prep. with; in the sense
of location: Ọ sẹ iwinna rẹn rae yo
omwẹn obọ ― “He left his work
in my hand: He left his work with
me”; 4. from (in the sense of source):
Ọ doo rhie ọtẹn onrẹn vbe obọ mwẹn
― “He came to take his relative from
me.”

obuẹ [' '][óbwɛ́] {SS:ob:} n. clay.

odan [' '][ódã́] {SM:be:} n. 1. heel; 2. interruption
(in conversation): Ẹghe hia ẹre ọ ya
gbe odan yọ mwẹn ẹmwẹn ― “It
is at all times that he causes interrup-
tions in my speech.”

odaro [` ' `][òdáɽò] {SS:loc:} n. front; forward direc-
tion; ahead: Sikẹ odaro ― “Move
forward.”

odede [' ` `][ódèdè] {SM:pe:} n. 1. (with kin terms):
grand: erha-odede ― “grandfather”;
iye-odede ― grandmother; 2. senior;
leader; elder: odede iko ― “leader
of a society.”

odegbe [` ' `][òdégbè] {SS:an:} n. a full-grown she-
goat.

odekun [` ` '][òdèkṹ] {SS:act:} n. accident (esp. road
accident). Okuo odekun ghi bun
gbe vbe ẹghẹ na ― “The incidence
of accidents is too much these days.”

odẹ [` '][òdɛ́] {SM:loc:} n. 1. way: Imọto de gbee
odọ ― “A car is blocking the way.”
Ma ọnrẹn odẹ ne ọ gha la ― “Show
him the way that he can take.”; 2. a
%%

path, road: Odẹ na i maa ― “This
road is not good.”; 3. manner of
doing things: Gie odẹ evbene a ya
ruẹe hẹẹ ma mwẹn ― “Describe the
way to do it to me.”

odẹrriẹ [` ' `][òdɛ́ryɛ̀] {SS:ho:} n. (< odẹ-ẹrriẹ) the
harem; the women’s quarters in a
house.

odibo [` ` `][òdìbò] {SM:pe:} n. 1. a reliable and con-
scientious servant or assistant; 2. a
delegate; messenger.

odidọn [` ` `][òdìdɔ̃̀] {SS:st:} n. (with amẹ) cold:
amẹ odidọn ― “cold water.”

odighi [` ` `][òdìɣì] {SS:loc:} n. lake.

Odighi [` ` `][òdìɣì] {SS:pn:} n. the name of an Edo-
speaking village to the West of Benin
City.

odìn [' `][ódĩ̀] {SS:pe:} n. a deaf and dumb person.

odín¹ [' '][ódĩ́] {SS:loc:} n. the deep portions of
a river or pool.

odín² [' '][ódĩ́] {SS:loc:} n. (as part of the expres-
sion kpa-odin) mind; the basis of
one’s conviction or reason: Emwin
ne ọ ru nii ke ghi kpa agbọn hia odin ―
“That thing that he did indeed
disturbed everyone’s mind; i.e.: as-
tonished everyone.”^

odiyeke [` ' ` `][òdíyèkè] {SS:loc:} n. behind; at the
back of.

odiyekowa [` ' ` '][òdíyekòwá] {SM:ho:} n. 1. behind
the house; 2. a euphemism for toilet
facilities.

odò¹ [' `][ódò] {SS:fo:} n. a kind of potash used
for thickening certain native soups.

odò² [' `][ódò] {SS:bs:} n. a disease: a variety of
abdominal dropsy.
$Page 104$

odó [' '][ódó] {SS:ob:} n. mortar, used for pound-
ing.

ododo [' ` '][ódòdó] {SS:cl:} n. scarlet-cloth, used
for ceremonial outfits by priests of
various gods.

odore [` ' '][òdóɽé] {SS:loc:} n. the front of a house
(facing the street).

odọ [` '][òdɔ́] {SS:loc:} n. over there: Yaa mudia vbe
odọ ― “Go and wait over there.”

odọnghọn [` ` `][òdɔ̃̀ɣɔ̃̀] {SM:bf:} n. 1. the sticky
saliva emitted by a drivelling child
or invalid; 2. inner membrane en-
closing foetus.

odukhunmwun [` ' ` `][òdúxũ̀ɱũ̀] {SM:loc:} n. 1. top
(of); top side; up: Mu ẹnrẹn ye
odukhunmwun ― “Place it at the
top”^; 2. the skies: Ọ gbaro ghee
odukhunmwun ― “He raised his
eyes toward the skies.”

oduma [` ` '][òdùmã́] {SS:an:} n. lion.

oduwowa [` ' ' `][òdúwówà] {SS:ho:} n. the sleeping
quarters of a house, usually not ac-
cessible to strangers or visitors.

ofẹn [` '][òfɛ̃́] {SS:an:} n. mouse, rat.

ofi [` '][òfĩ́] {SS:to:} n. yaws.

ofigbọn [' ' `][ófĩ́gbɔ̃̀] {SS::} n. palm-oil (also
ẹvbii).

ogi [` `][ògì] {SS:fo:} n. the melon creeper; its fruit
and the seeds which are used for
making a variety of native soup, also
known as egusi (cf. Yoruba egusi).

ogiasọn [` ` `][ògyàsɔ̃̀] {SS:time:} n. mid-night; dead of
the night.

ogiavan [` ' `][ògyávã̀] {SS:time:} n. mid-afternoon,
when the sun is at its brightest and
hottest: also ogiavan-ogiohogho.
%%

Ogidigan [` ' ' `][ògídígã̀] {SS:pn:} n. a praise-name for
Ọba Ewuare, which reflects his power
and military exploits; equivalent of
“the great”.

ogie [` `][ògyè] {SS:pe:} n. a titled ruler; a ruling
chief; 2. an outstanding or superior
variety of any set of things: ogie-
ukpọn ẹre emitin ima dẹe ùkpo na ―
“It is a very superior cloth that our
society bought this year.”

ogiemwin [` ' `][ògyéɱì] {SS::} n. a most surpris-
ing thing; an unusual thing: Ogiemwin
ọna khin ― “This is a most surprising
thing.”

ogienebo [` ` ' `][ògyènébò] {SS:pe:} n. “The white
ruler”: the British Monarch, or the
white local administrator during the
colonial rule.

ogieva [' ` `][ógyèvà] {SS:pe:} n. comrade; friend, as-
sociate, etc.: Ogieva mwẹn nọ ―
“He is my friend.”

ogiẹ [` '][ògyɛ́] {SS:em:} n. laughter: Ọ rhie mwẹn
ogiẹ ― “He takes my laughter; i.e.
he makes me laugh.”

Ogiso [` ` '][ògìsó] {SS:pn:} n. the title of an early
set of kings of Benin who are set
to have reigned from about 900 ―
1200 AD.

ogiukpo [` ` `][ògyùkpò] {SM:re:} n. 1. altar (in the
Christian church); 2. the dais on
which shrines are made.

ogiurro [` ' `][ògyúrò] {SS::} n. the frame of the
Isẹ game.

ogolobiẹyẹn [` ` ` ` '][ògòlòbyɛ̀yɛ̃́] {SS:an:} n. praying
mantis.

ogologo [' ` ' '][ógòlógó] {SS:pe:} n. a dancer on
stilts; 2. a nickname for an excessively
tall person.
$Page 105$

ogoro [` ` '][ògòɽó] {SS:an:} n. male cricket.

ogue [` '`][ògúè] {SS:st:} n. state of poverty; de-
stitution.

oguerhan [' ' `][ógwéřà] {SS:st:} n. the shade cast
by the foliage of trees; the shaded
area under trees.

oguẹga [` ' `][ògwɛ́gà] {SS:re:} n. a method of
divination in which the seeds of
the oguẹga tree (Detarium senegalense)
are used.

ogui [' '][ógwí] {SS:pl:} n. Bush-mango tree (Irvingia
gabonensis) and the fruit.

ogunmagala [' ' ` ` `][ógṹmã̀gàlà] {SS:an:} n. chamele-
on (also ẹrokhin).

oguo [' `][ógwò] {SS:act:} n. rioting; mass fighting.

oguozizi [' ' ` `][ógwózìzì] {SS:bs:} n. high fever in-
volving much shivering.

ogba¹ [' `][óg͡bà] {SS:to:} n. stake for digging yams.

ogba² [' `][óg͡bà] {SM:ho:} n. 1. fence: Ọ ya okpa
ematọn gba ogba lẹga owa ọre ―
“He fenced his house around with
iron rods.”; 2. a fenced yard or plot.
Iran vẹ laọ ogba esuku ― “They
rushed into the (fenced) school com-
pound.”

Ogbe [' `][óg͡bè] {SS:pn:} n. the section in Benin
where the palace is. Other important
public facilities in this area are the
Sports Stadium and the air-port.

ogbee [' ``][óg͡bèè] {SS:time:} n. next year.

ogbigbi [` ' `][òg͡bígbì] {SS:em:} n. excitement, sensa-
tion, commotion: (e.g. a running
crowd): Iran lẹ dee ogbigbi ― “They
are approaching with excitement and
commotion.”

ogbodu [` ` '][òg͡bòdú] {SS:bird:} n. a bird: the pin-
%%

tailed whydah.

ogboi [` `][ògboì] {SM:pe:} n. 1. an ignorant person;
an uninformed person: Ogboi nọ
vbe egbe owa ne a bọ ― “He is un-
informed about house construction.”
2. someone who has not been initiated
into the mysteries of a particular cult.

ogboleghan [' ' ' `][ógbóléɣã̀] {SS:loc:} n. “the yard of
prisoners”: prison yard.

Ogboni [` ' `][ògbónĩ̀] {SS:pn:} n. the name of a
secret society.

oghagha [` ' '][òɣáɣá] {SS:act:} n. brag, boast, swag-
gering.

ogheghe [` `][òɣeɣè] {SS:pl:} n. the edible berries
of okhikhan tree.

oghẹ [` `][òɣɛ̀] {SS:act:} n. prostitution; adultery.

oghẹn [` `][òɣɛ̃̀] {SM:pe:} n. 1. crowd; a large collec-
tion: Iran ya oghen khian ― “They
are going in a crowd.”; 2. (of animals)
a flock.

oghian [' `][óɣyã̀] {SM:pe:} n. 1. enemy, adversary;
2. a euphemism used in reference
to anybody favoured by the speaker,
when the event concerning the
referent(s) is unpleasant or unfavour-
able: Oni waa gbe oghian mwẹn ―
“Fever is afflicting my enemy (i.e.
me)”^: A wẹ erha oghian Ozo wu ―
“They said the father of Ozo’s enemy
is dead (i.e. poor Ozo’s father) etc.”

oghoo [` '`][òɣóò] {SS:an:} n. ram.

oghodan [` ` `][òɣòdã̀] {SS:em:} n. ingratitude:
Ọmwan ẹse oghodan Ozo khin ―
“Ozo is an ungrateful person.”

oghodua [' ' `][óɣóduà] {SS:re:} n. the Christian
equivalent for the “Almighty.”

oghogho [` ` `][òɣòɣò] {SS:an:} n. beetle.
$Page 106$

oghohẹn [` ' `][òɣóhɛ̃̀] {SS:pl:} n. a tree (Musanga
smithii).

oghohọn [' ` '][óɣòhɔ̃́] {SS:an:} n. the vulturine fish-
Eagle; the feathers are used ornament-
ally in various ceremonies.

oghoroko [' ' ' ][óɣóɽóko] {SS:act:} n. hopping;
springing along on one foot.

oghọghọ [` ` `][òɣòɣɔ̀] {SS:em:} n. joy; happiness.

oghunmwun [ ][oɣũɱũ] {SS:pe:} n. prisoner of
war; a captive, traditionally used for
sacrifice.

òha¹ [` '][òhá] {SS:pl:} n. 1. bush; forest: àranmwẹn
bun vbe oha ― “Beasts are plentiful
in the forest.”

òha² [` '][òhá] {SS:act:} n. a mission of search (for
something): Ọ rrie oha-erhan ― “He
is going in search of firewood.”

óha [' `][óhà] {SS:to:} n. a spike; a staff with a
pointed tip used for piercing things.

ohaha [` `][òhahà] {SS:pl:} n. a tree used mainly
for firewood. Its Latin name is
Macaranga barteri.

ohan¹ [` '][òhã́] {SS:em:} n. fear; terror: Ohan mu
Ozo gbe ― “Ozo gets too easily
frightened.” Ibiẹka mu ohan erhẹn ―
“Children fear fire.”

ohan² [` '][òhã́] {SS:act:} n. gift: ọ ya ẹwe ẹre
mu ohan guẹ ― “He made a gift of
his goat to you.”

ohanabe [` ' ' `][òhánábè] {SS:st:} n. of a severe sort;
an intense variety: Ohanmwẹn gbẹe
ọghe ohanabe ― “Hunger hit him
in a severe way: He was severely
hungry.”

ohanmwẹn [` ` `][òhã̀ɱɛ̃̀] {SS:bs:} n. hunger: Ohan-
mwẹn gbe mwẹn ― “Hunger is hitting
me: I am hungry.”
%%

ohẹn [` '`][òhɛ̃́ɛ̃̀] {SS:re:} n. priest; religious min-
ister.

ohia¹ [' `][óhyà] {SS::} n. pod: ohia-ẹvbẹe ―
“kola-nut pod.”

ohia² [' `][óhyà] {SS:pl:} n. a tree, reputed to burn
well as firewood; it also has medicinal
value.

ohiamẹ [` ' `][òhyámɛ̀] {SS:loc:} n. (< ohio-ame) hole
in tree-trunks filled with rain water,
in which birds bathe, and other small
animals drink water.

ohian [` `][òhyɛ̀] {SS:cl:} n. leather; also unpro-
cessed skin of animal.

ohie [` '][òhié] {SS:time:} n. a brief period of cessa-
tion of rains during the rainy season,
usually in August.

ohiẹn [` '][òhyɛ̃́] {SS:act:} n. judgement.

ohindin [` `][òhydĩ̀] {SS:to:} n. the looped rope
used for climbing palm trees.

ohinmwin [' ` `][óhĩ̀ɱĩ̀] {SS:loc:} n. the Edo name
for the River Niger.

ohio [` '][òhyó] {SS:st:} n. hole; dent.

ohioro [' ' `][óhyóɽò] {SS:em:} n. solitude; loneliness:
Tẹ ohioro mu ọmwan vbe owa
negẹdẹẹgbẹ na ― “One must feel
solitary in such a big house”.

ohogha [' ` '][óhòɣá] {SS:st:} n. an empty state (e.g.
of a container). Ikoroba ohogha ẹre
o mu ke ọgba rre ― “It was an empty
pail that he brought back from the
tap.”

ohoghe [` ' `][òhóɣè] {SS:st:} n. falsehood; lie. Ọ
ba mwẹn ohoghe ― “He told a lie
against me.” (also ohoghoi).

ohoghoi [` ' ` ][òhóɣòi] {SS:st:} n. cf. ohoghe.
$Page 107$

òhoho [` ' `][òhóhò] {SS:ob:} n. a whole or complete
thing, as opposed to a part or portion
thereof: Rhie ohoho mẹ; Ii gualọ
ukhiọnmwẹn ― “Give me a whole
one, I do not want a part.”

óhoho [' ` '][óhòhó] {SS:fo:} n. (of soups) the variety
cooked without palm oil: ikhiavbọ
ohoho ― “Okra prepared without
palm oil.”

ohọnmi [' ` '][óhɔ̃̀mĩ́] {SS:pe:} n. the person who is
free from faults; the faultless person
in a dispute, or in comparison to
others.

ohọhọ [` ` `][òhɔ̀hɔ̀] {SS:st:} n. slovenliness; untidi-
ness: Ohọhọ okhuo na bun gbe ―
“This woman’s slovenliness is too
much.”

ohu [` `][òhù] {SS:em:} n. anger; aggravation: Iran
ya ohu mu mwẹn ― “They caused
anger to catch me: They made me
angry.”

ohuan [' '][óhwã́] {SS:an:} n. sheep.

ohuẹ [` '][òhuɛ́] {SM:in:pr:} n. 1. hunter; 2. dragon-
fly.

ohuẹn [' '][óhwɛ̃́] {SS:bs:} n. cough: ohuẹn si ẹre
― “cough is worrying him: He has
cough.”

ohukpọ [` ' `][òhúk͡pɔ̀] {SS:fo:} n. a variety of okra.

okan [` '][òkã́] {SM:act:} n. 1. blame; censure: vbe
ne ọ gae sẹ, okan ọ miẹ vbọ ― “In
spite of how much service she rendered
to him, it was censure that she got
out of it.”; 2. what one is lacking
in; one’s deficiency: gbe okan ―
“to hit (on) one’s deficiency: to
taunt with”^: ọ ya ígho gbe mwẹn
okan ― “He taunted me with money
(which I lack).”

okaro [` ` `][òkàɽò] {SS:nu:} n. (also okao): the first;
%%

the primary (thing).

oke [` '][òké] {SS:loc:} n. hill; cliff.

okeke [` ' `][òkékè] {SS:act:} n. false pretences, de-
signed to cover up misdemeanours
committed.

okerhẹn [` ' `][òkéřɛ̃̀] {SM:trans:} n. (< okọ-erhẹn) 1.
steamship; 2. all motor boats and
ocean liners.

okẹhoho [` ' ` `][òkɛ́hòhò] {SS:trans:} n. (< okọ-ẹhoho)
“boat of the air”: aeroplane; aircraft.

okieke [` ` `][òkyèkè] {SS:time:} n. the last; the end:
Okieke emwin ne u ru na i khian
gha maa ― “The end of this thing
that you are doing will not be good.”

okin [' `][ókĩ̀] {SM:act:} n. 1. spinning continuously;
2. giddiness: Ọ ghi ze gbe ọkin, okin
na mu ẹnrẹn ― “After spinning con-
tinuously for a while, he became giddy.”

okiogho [' ` '][ókyòɣó] {SS:act:} n. disturbance;
noise; fighting: Okiogho bun iran
gbe vbe owa na ― “There is too much
fighting and rioting among them in
this house.”

okiribọtọ [` ` ` ` `][òkìɽìbɔ̀tɔ̀] {SS:bs:} n. a rash infec-
tion of the scrotum.

okitikiti [` ` ' ` `][òkìtíkìtì] {SS:act:} n. a state of rush;
stampede: Iran gha vẹ khian okitikiti ―
“They are stampeding along.”

òko¹ [` '][òkó] {SS:pe:} n. an address term used
by peers for each other: oko, gu
mwẹn ru ẹre ― “Please mate, help
me to do it.”

òko² [` '][òkó] {SS:an:loc:} n. nest (usually of a bird;
but also applicable to other small
animals, such as lice): Ahianmwẹn
bọ oko ye ẹrhunrhunmwun-owa na
― “A bird built a nest in the eaves
of this house.”
$Page 108$

óko [' `][ókò] {SS:mu:} n. a horn (usually of ivory
or from cattle) blown by native
doctors in some of their rituals.

oko [` `][òkò] {SM:ob:} n. 1. a packaged gift; 2. a
parcel. (also ako).

okobo [` ' '][òkóbó] {SS:pe:} n. a foolish person.

okodẹ [` ' `][òkódɛ̀] {SS:st:} n. something misap-
propriated; an instance of misappropri-
ation.

okoro [` ' '][òkóɽó] {SM:pe:} n. 1. prince; 2. the
address and reference term for the
male offsprings of the Oba, and some
chiefs.

okọ [` '][òkɔ́] {SS:trans:} n. boat, canoe.

okuku [` ` '][òkùkú] {SS:st:} n. traditional method
of hair dressing by women, in which
the simplest style is where the hair
is packed up and bunched to form a
nut at the top of the head; different
varieties of the hair-style exist, some
of which are still worn on ceremonial
occasions by women of royal con-
nections.

òkun¹ [` '][òkṹ] {SS:loc:} n. sea; also ocean.

òkun² [` '][òkṹ] {SS:ob:} n. the decorated box
carried on the head in the funeral
procession known as “isotọn”.

ókun³ [' `][ókũ̀] {SS:to:} n. 1. twine; thick rope.

okuo [` '`][òkúò] {SS:cat:} n. war; battle: Okuo i
mose ― “War is not nice.”

okuta [` ' '][òkútá] {SS:ob:} n. rock; stone.

okha [` '][òxá] {SM:la:} n. 1. story; folktale: Ọ
ta okha nọrhiẹnrhiẹn ma ima ― “He
told us an interesting story.”; 2.
History: okha Ẹdo ― “The history
of Benin.”
%%

okhan [` `][òxã̀] {SS:an:} n. a rodent with a long
snout, that lives in the ground. It
gives off a very strong and unpleasant
smell. It is not edible.

okhi [' `][óxì] {SS:loc:} n. circle, ring.

okhian [` `][òxỹã̀] {SS:in:} n. a variety of ants
known as “soldier-ants”. They go
in very large bands, and are usually
found crowded over leftover food
or oily surfaces.

okhiẹ¹ [` '][òxẏɛ́] {SS:loc:} n. edge; margin: Ọ
mudia ye okhiẹ úkpo gha khẹ imọto ―
“He stood at the edge of the road
to wait for a vehicle.”

okhiẹ² [` '][òxyɛ́] {SS:to:} n. plug, stopper; cork:
Rhie okhiẹ mẹ ne i ya khiẹ ọgọ na ―
“Give me a stopper to cork this bottle
with.”

okhikhan [' ' `][óxíxã̀] {SS:pl:} n. a tree whose
berries (ogheghe) are edible.

okhiokhi [' ` `][óxyòxì] {SS::} n. ripples: Amẹ ne
ọ rre ọghọdọ naa gha lẹẹ okhiokhi ―
“The water in this pond is flowing
in ripples.”

okhiọnkpa [` ` `][òxỹɔ̃̀kpà] {SS:pe:} n. a solitary per-
son; a loner. (cf. akhiọnkpa).

okhogbo [` ' '][òxóg͡bó] {SS:ho:} n. a shack; a hut
made of pitched stakes and roofed
with thatched leaves.

okhokho [' `][óxoxò] {SS:act:} n. a knock on the
head made with the knuckles: Ọ
gbe okhokho yọ mwẹn uhunmwun ―
“He hit me on the head with his
knuckles.”

okhokho-eve [` ' ` '][òxóxòevé] {SS:em:} n. a burst
of tears: Ọ sa okhokho-eve ― “She
burst out crying.”

okhokho-ogiẹ [` ' ` ` '][òxóxò-ògyɛ́] {SS:em:} n. a burst
$Page 109$

of laughter ― Ọ sa okhokho-ogie ―
“He burst out laughing.”

okhọ [` `][òxɔ̀] {SS:em:} n. 1. sternness; severity; (of
children) crankiness; irritability: okhọ
ovbokhan naa tua gbe ― “This child’s
crankiness is too severe.”

okhuae [` '][òxwaé] {SS:to:} n. basket.

okhuakhua [ ` `][oxwàxwà] {SS:time:} n. the harmat-
tan season, which usually extends
from mid-November to late January.

okhualema [` ' ` `][òxwálèmã̀] {SS:fo:} n. (< okhuae
― ọlema) “the cook’s basket.” ― a
little basket with a cover, in which
the ingredients for cooking are stored;
it is usually hung above the fire-place.

okhuẹ [' `][óxwɛ̀] {SS:fo:} n. fruit: walnut. It is
boiled to be eaten.

okhuẹn [` `][òxwɛ̃̀] {SS:pl:} n. a tree: Ricinod-
endron africanum.

okhuò [` `][òxwò] {SM:fa:} n. 1. woman; 2. wife:
Ẹ i mwẹn okhuo ― “He has no wife.”;
3. female: ọmọ-okhuo ― “female
offspring: daughter.” (pl. = ikhuo).

okhuó [` '][òxwó] {SS:ec:} n. assigned portion of
work or labour in a communal enter-
prise: Iran fian okhuó mẹ ― “They
assigned a portion of work to me.”

okhuohanmwẹn [` ' ` `][òxwóhã̀ɱɛ̃̀] {SS:fa:} n. (<
okhuo-ohamnwẹn) a pregnant woman
(also ẹkponiyẹkẹ/ẹkpoliyẹkẹ).

okhuọba [` ' '][òxwɔ́bá] {SS:fa:} n. (< okhuo-ọba)
an adult female; a full-grown woman.

okpa [` '][òk͡pá] {SS:loc:} n. path; passage; track:
okpa-ame ― “drain”; okpa àranmwẹn
― “The track through which animals
pass.”

okpagha [` ` `][òk͡pàɣà] {SS:pl:} n. a tree, Pentacle-
%%

thra macrophylla.

okpamẹ [` ' `][òk͡pámɛ̃̀] {SS::} n. (< okpe ― amẹ)
“big rain”: heavy downpour, the
type that causes flooding everywhere.

okpan [` `][òk͡pã̀] {SS:fo:} n. calabash, esp. the
round variety cut and used as dishes
in the home.

okpe- [` ' ][òk͡pé-] {SS::} adj. usually occurs as
a bound constituent of a compound
it forms with the noun it modifies;
it indicates that the noun is big,
large, great or heavy, etc.: Okpemwin
ẹre ọ ru nuẹ na: “It is a great thing
that he has done for you.”

òkpe [` `][òk͡pè] {SS:fo:} n. wine-tapper (usually
palm wine).

ókpe [' `][ók͡pè] {SM:mu:} n. 1. a flute (usually
made from a variety of calabash);
2. also generally for any resonating
musical trumpet; saxophone, etc.

okpemwin [` ' '`][òk͡péɱíì] {SS::} n. (< okpe- ―
emwin) “a big thing”: a great event;
a big service, etc.

okperhan [` ' `][òk͡péřã̀] {SS:pl:} n. (< okpe- ―
erhan): a big tree.

okpẹhoho [` ' ` `][òk͡pɛ́hòhò] {SS::} n. (< okpe- ―
ẹhoho) a big wind; a storm.

okpẹvbo [` ' `][òk͡pɛ́ʋò] {SS:loc:} n. (< okpe- ―
ẹvbo) a big town, country, etc.

okpẹzẹ [` ' `][òk͡pɛ́zɛ̀] {SS:loc:} n. (< okpe- ― ẹzẹ)
a big river.

okpia [` '][òk͡pyá] {SM:fa:} n. 1. man; 2. male:
ọmọ-okpia ― “male offspring: son”
(pl. = ikpia).

okpiokhuo [` ' `][òkpyóxwò] {SS:fa:} n. (< okpia-
okhuo) “woman’s man”: a henpecked
husband.
$Page 110$

okpiọba [` ' '][òkpyɔ́bá] {SS:fa:} n. (< okpia ― ọba):
an adult male; a full-grown man.

okpo¹ [` '][òk͡pó] {SS:an:} n. male dog.

okpo² [` '][òk͡pó] {SS:ho:} n. the ridge beam of a
roof.

okpokhuo [` ' `][òk͡póxwò] {SS:pe:} n. (< okpe ―
okhuo) “a great woman”; an illustrious
woman.

okpoto [` ` '][òk͡pòtó] {SS:an:} n. toad.

okpovbiẹ [` ` '][òk͡pòʋiɛ́] {SS:act:} n. wake-keeping;
overnight vigil (usually involves
dancing and singing).

okpowẹ [` ' `][òk͡pówɛ̀] {SS:act:} n. (< okpe ― owẹ)
“big leg”: long, confident strides.:
Ọ ghaze okpowe dee ― “He is approach-
ing with confident strides.”

okpọta [` ' `][òk͡pɔ́tà] {SS:act:} n. (< okpe- ― ọta)
“big talk”: talking big; boasting.

okpọmwan [` ' `][òk͡pɔ́ɱã̀] {SS:pe:} n. (< okpe- ―
ọmwan) “big person”: an eminent
person.

okpunu [` ' `][òk͡púnũ̀] {SS:st:} n. (< okpe ― unu)
“big mouth”: word of mouth (not
backed by action); empty talk.

ola [` `][òlà] {SS:bf:} n. the flow of the menses.

olaga [' ' '][ólágá] {SS:pe:} n. chairman (e.g. of an
occasion).

olakpa [' ' `][ólák͡pà] {SS:pr:} n. law-enforcement
officer; police.

oleghan [' ' `][óléɣã̀] {SS:pe:} n. prisoner.

oleghere [' ' ` '][óléɣèɽé] {SM:act:} n. 1. a swing; 2.
swaying on a swing.

olẹtin [' ' `][ólɛ́tĩ̀] {SS:pe:} n. a very strong person.
%%

oligbegbe [' ' ` `][ólíg͡bèg͡bè] {SS:bs:} n. goitre; morbid
enlargement of thyroid gland, often
showing as a large pendulous swelling
in the neck.

olighi [' ` '][ólìɣí] {SS:st:} n. confusio; disruption.

Oliha [' ' `][ólíhà] {SS:pn:} n. the name of a chief
who is first in rank at the Uzama.

olikẹmwẹn [' ' ' `][ólíkɛ́ɱɛ̃̀] {SS::} n. (< olike ―
ẹmwẹn) the gist of a statement; the
essence of a message.

olima [` ' `][òlímã̀] {SS:to:} n. file (a carpenter’s
tool).

olimehi [' ' ` `][ólímèhì] {SS:fo:} n. a variety of yellow
yam.

olodẹ [` ` `][òlòdɛ̀] {SM:to:} n. 1. sewing needle; 2.
injection.

ologbo [' ' `][ólóg͡bò] {SS:an:} n. cat (also ovbiẹdẹn).

oloi [' ' ][ólói] {SS:fa:} n. a wife of the Oba (pl.
= iloi).

olokun [' ' `][ólókũ̀] {SS:re:} n. the name of a god,
believed to be “the owner of the sea”;
He is believed to bestow wealth,
prosperity and fertility on his fol-
lowers; has many women priests
and worshippers.

olokun [' ' `][ólókũ̀] {SS:loc:} n. the sea (also okun).

olose [' ' `][ólósè] {SM:an:} n. 1. a kind of snake;
2. the embodiment of beauty.

olotu [' ' `][ólótù] {SS:pe:} n. the chairman or head
of a society.

olọ [' '][ólɔ́] {SS:to:} n. grinding stone, used as a
kitchen utensil.

olọghọ [` ` `][òlɔ̀ɣɔ̀] {SS:st:} n. hardship; difficulty.

olọkọmwẹnho [' ' ' ` `][ólɔ́kɔ́ɱɛ̃̀hò] {SS::} n. (<
$Page 111$

olọkọmwẹn ― ẹho) wind-pipe.

oluku [` ` `][òlùkù] {SS:an:} n. the young of animals:
oluku-ẹwe ― “kid or/the young of
a goat”; oluku ohuan ― “lamb.”

òmẹ [` `][òmɛ̃̀] {SS:act:} n. hiss.

ómẹ [' '][ómɛ̃́] {SS:pl:} n. the fresh yellow leaves
of young palm leaves, often used in
the construction of masquerade
dancers’ outfits, as well as for dressing
shrines. It is also used for making
crosses and decorating churches by
Christians during the celebration of
Palm Sunday.

omi [' '][ómí] {SS:pl:} n. a variety of new yam,
that is considered to be of very good
quality.

omiamwẹnzẹ [' `][ómyãɱɛ̃zɛ̀] {SS:an:} n. iguana.

ominigie [` ` ` `][òmĩ̀nĩ̀gyè] {SS:pe:} n. class of titleless
people; the common people.

ominigbọn [` ` ` ][òmĩ̀nĩ̀gbɔ̃] {SS:re:} n. a more ex-
clusive term for the ogwẹga divination.

omugui [` ` '][òmùgwí] {SS:pr:} n. lawyer; advocate.

omuhẹn [` ` '][òmùhɛ̃́] {SS:time:} n. beginning; start.

omuyan [` ` `'][òmùyã̀ã́] {SM:ho:} n. 1. upper layers
or levels of things stacked; 2^.^ upper
storeys in a building.

omwan [` '][òɱã́] {SS:unit:} n. measure; gauge.

ona [` '][ònã́] {SS::} n. design; pattern.

oni [` `][ònĩ̀] {SM:bs:} n. 1. fever; cold; 2. cold
weather, capable of causing a cold:
Oni naa fi gbe ― “This cold weather
is too severe.”

Onioni [' ' `][ónyónĩ̀] {SS:pn:} n. the name of the
son of Arhuaran who was noted for
his excessive might.
%%

onioni [' ' `][ónyónĩ̀] {SS:act:} n. doing things with
excessive force and strength but with
little evidence of rationality: Ọ gha
kun ẹnrẹn onioni ― “He is packing
them with a lot of show of strength.”

onisan [` ` `][ònĩ̀sã̀] {SS:be:} n. 1. anus; the terminal
outlet of the alimentary canal.

onurho [` ' `][ònṹřò] {SS:ho:} n. door-way; entrance.

ope [' `][ópè] {SS:to:} n. calabash bowl used for
drinking palm wine.

opirhi [' ` '][ópìří] {SS:mu:} n. a kind of dance which
entails swinging the waist back and
forth; it is native to the Delta peoples
and danced mainly by women.

òre [` '][òɽé] {SS:hh:} n. native mat, woven from
a variety of reed.

òre [' '][óɽé] {SM:loc:} n. 1. outdoors; outside (i.e.
from the house.) Erhae rrie òre ―
“His father has gone outside.”; 2.
the streets of a town; within the
boundaries of the town: Óre Ẹdo ―
“within the City of Benin”; óre ẹvbo ―
“centre of town”. (also orere).

oregbe [` ` '][òɽègbé] {SS:act:} n. over-feeding.

órere [' ' '][óɽéɽé] {SS::} n. cf. ore.

òrere [` ' `][òɽéɽè] {SS:an:} n. hare.

ori [` '][òɽí] {SS:hh:} n. body cream; pomade (usu-
ally made from coconut or palm
kernel oil).

orinmwin [` ' `][òɽĩ́ɱĩ̀] {SS:be:} n. corpse; dead-
body.

oriwo [' ' `][óɽíwò] {SS:pl:} n. bitter-leaf; the leaves
of a cultivated shrub, used as vege-
tables in soup.

oro [' `][óɽò] {SS:act:} n. secret practices; usually
associated with witchcraft and juju
$Page 112$

cults; confidential communication;
secret meeting.

oroboto [` ` ` '][òɽòbòtó] {SS:an:} n. hippopotamus
(also eniamẹ).

orogo [` ' '][òɽógó] {SS:an:} n. dog (also ekita; awa).

orogho [` ` `][òɽòɣò] {SS:loc:} n. muddy puddle (esp.
of rain on the road).

oroka [` ` '][òɽòká] {SS:hh:} n. ring (worn on the
finger).

orokẹ [` ` `][òɽòkɛ̀] {SS:an:} n. horse-tail used as a
whisk, or carried as part of a cere-
monial dress by chiefs and native
priests.

oroviẹ [` ' `][òɽóvyɛ̀] {SS:ob:} n. filth; messy condi-
tion or situation: Sẹrae ye oroviẹ ne ọ
yẹ ― “Leave her in the mess that
she is in.”

orọnmwẹn [` ' `][òɽ̃ɔ̃́ɱɛ̀] {SS:st:} n. state of mar-
riage; married state: Ọ rre orọnmwẹn
vbe igue ― “She is in marriage in the
village: She is undergoing her married
state in the village.”

oru [` '][òɽú] {SM:cl:} n. (also oruru) 1. cotton
(the plant and the fibre); 2. cotton
thread; 3. thread in general: iku-
oru ― “a piece of cotton fibre”;
ikpẹ-oru ― “cotton seeds, used for
preparing a variety of native soup.”

oru [' `'][órùú] {SS:fo:} n. an edible lava found
in the stem of fallen palm trees.

orubu [' ` '][óɽùbú] {SS:an:} n. a smooth-skinned
lizard with a red under-side; it is
said to be poisonous.

orueghe [` `` `][òɽẁèɣè] {SS:act:} n. bother; disturb-
ance; nuisance.

orukuru [` ` ' '][òɽùkúɽú] {SS:st:} n. havoc; reckless
misbehaviour.
%%

orukhọọ [` ` `'][òɽùxɔ̀ɔ́] {SS:re:} n. sin (in the Christ-
tian sense); wrongdoing. (cf. ru-khọọ).

orunmwun [' ' `][óɽṹɱũ̀] {SS::} n. pear, mainly
native variety; orunmwun-ebo ―
“avocado pear”.

oruoru [' ' `][óɽwóɽù] {SS:act:} n. reckless action; rash
deeds, heedless of consequences:
Oruoru ne ọ ya ru vbe odọ ẹre iran
na iyẹn ọnrẹn ma mwẹn ― “It is
the rash deeds which he went to
perform over there that they are
narrating to me.”

orhiekoko [` ` ` '][òřyèkòkó] {SS:fa:} n. an adopted
child: Ẹ i mwẹn erha, ẹi mwẹn iye;
orhiekoko nọ vbe owa na ― “She
has no father, she has no mother;
she is an adopted child in this house.”

orhiẹrhiẹn [` ` `][òřỹɛ̃̀rỹɛ̃̀] {SS:st:} n. sweetness; de-
light: Ọ gha miẹ orhiẹnrhiẹn iwinna
rẹn vbe okiekie ― “He will see the
happy reward of his work in the end.”

orhikhan [` ` `][òřìxã̀] {SS:act:} n. struggle; worry; ef-
fort; exertion: Ọ si orhikhan lele ivbi-
ẹre gbe ― “She takes too much trouble
over her children: She exerts herself
much over her children.”

orhiọn [` '][òřyɔ̃́] {SM:ob:} n. 1. spirit; soul (esp.
the religious sense, both traditional
and Christian): Orhiọn Nọhuanrẹn ―
“The Holy Spirit”; 2. strength; power:
Okhuo naa i mwẹn orhiọn ― “This
woman has no strength; she is lazy.”

Orhionmwọn [' ` `][óřĩɔ̃̀ɱɔ̃̀] {SS:pn:} n. the name
of an Edo river after which a local
govemment area has been named.
Anglicized form is Ossiomo.

orhiọnni [` ' `][òřyɔ̃́nĩ̀] {SS:em:} n. laziness; idleness.

orhokhua [` ` `][òřòxwà] {SS:to:} n. a staff; a walk-
ing stick. (also ukpokpo).
$Page 113$

orhọ [` `][òřɔ̀] {SM:time:} n. 1. rainy season: usually
from late April to early November;
2. harvest season, when new crops
flood the market: ọkorhọ ― “new
corn”^; iyan orhọ ― “new yam”. etc.

orhọnmwẹn¹ [' ' `][óřɔ̃́ɱɛ̃̀] {SM::} n. 1. heavenly
star; 2. spotty design: ukpon ọnrẹn
filo orhọnmwẹn ― “Her cloth has
a spotty design.”

orhọnmwẹn² [' ' `][óřɔ̃́ɱɛ̃̀] {SS:bird:} n. guinea fowl.

orhue [` `][òřwè] {SS::} n. chalk (white chalk),
traditionally regarded as a symbol
of happiness and good fortune it
is therefore used in all joyous oc-
casions: wa gun mwẹn gbe orhue ―
“Rub on some chalk with me: rejoice
with me by rubbing on some chalk.”

orhuọ [` ``][òřẁɔ̀] {SS:act:} n. bragging; boasting.

orhunmwun [' ` `][óřũ̀ɱũ̀] {SS:pe:} n. (cf. arhun-
mwun) individual; person.

orhunmwunyẹn [` ' ` '][òřṹɱũ̀ỹɛ̃́] {SS:pe:} n. visitor;
guest.

Orra¹ [' `][órà] {SS:pn:} n. the Ora people and
their language.

orra [' `][órà] {SS:st:} n. stain; soil; smear: Ọ
ya orra ye ukpọn ne ọ rhuaẹn ―
“She got some stain on the cloth
she was tying.”

orre [' `][órè] {SS:fa:} n. the young generation; the
youth: Orre ne a ghi miẹ na ya egbe
ta ivbi-eghọẹn gbe ― “The youth
that one encounters these days like
to imitate foreigners excessively.”

orrẹ [` '][òrɛ́] {SS:ho:} n. pillar.

orriamugho [' ' ' `][órẏámúɣò] {SS:act:} n. wandering;
perambulating: Ọ gha gbe orriamugho
khian ― “He is wandering about.”
%%

orriara¹ [` ` `][òrẏàɽà] {SS:bf:} n. bile.

orriara² [` ` `][òryàɽà] {SM:em:} n. 1. bitterness; sour
taste: orriara ukhunmwun na ma
ye khuia vbe unu mwẹn ― “The bitter
taste of this medicine has still not
cleared from my mouth: The bitter-
ness of this medicine has still not
left my mouth.”; 2. sorrow: Ọ mu
iyẹe fi orriara ― “She plunged her
mother into sorrow.”

orrirri¹ [` ` `][òrìrì] {SS:an:} n. electric eel.

orrirri² [` ` `][òrìrì] {SS:em:} n. tremor; thrill of fear.

orruaẹn [ ][orw̃ãɛ̃] {SS:fa:} n. any relative-in-law.

osa [` '][òsá] {SS:ec:} n. debt; indebtedness.

Osa [` `][òsà] {SS:pn:} n. the Supreme God; also
Osanobua (esp. in the Christian
context). (also Osalobua).

ose [` '][òsé] {SS:st:} n. beauty.

oseghe [` ` `][òsèɣè] {SS:act:} n. (with sinmwin) de-
fence, support: ọ sinmwin oseghe
ne ọtẹn ọnrẹn ― “He provided defence
for his relative: He defended his
relative.”

osẹ [' `][ósɛ̀] {SS:pe:} n. 1. witness.

osẹka [` ' `][òsɛ́kà] {SS:ec:} n. debt: Ọ mu osẹka
yo mwẹn urhu ― “He placed debt
on my neck: He put me into debt.”

osi [` '][òsí] {SS:em:} n. worry; anxiety.

osiba [` ` `][òsìbà] {SS:act:} n. a gesture, in the form
of bowing and extending folded
hands to a skilled dancer, as a mark
of acknowledgement of or admiration
for his/her dancing ability: Ọ mu
osiba mẹ ― “She gestured to acknowl-
edge my dancing ability.”

osisi [' ' '][ósísí] {SS:to:} n. gun; ammunition.
$Page 114$

óso [' '][ósó] {SS:pe:} n. wizard; sorcerer.

Osodin [' ` `][ósòdĩ̀] {SS:pn:} n. the title of a chief;
he stands for the Oba’s departed
father.

osorhue [` ` '][òsòřwé] {SS:an:} n. a variety of por-
cupine.

osọnnọ [` ` `][òsɔ̃̀nɔ̃̀] {SS:em:} n. irritating sight; eye-
sore; thing that offends the sight.

osọnmwẹn [` ' `][òsɔ̃́ɱɛ̃̀] {SS::} n. 1. a broken piece
of something that has (been) broken
off it: e.g. osọmwẹn erhan ― “a
chip of wood.”

osọnmwẹnhẹn [` ' ` '][òsɔ̃́ɱɛ̃̀hɛ̃́] {SS::} n. a broken
piece from a clay pot, large enough
to be used as a make-shift plate or
dish.

osọnmwinyan [` ' ` ][òsɔ̃́ɱĩ̀ỹã] {SS:pl:} n. (< osọn-
mwẹn ― iyan) a cut piece of yam.

osọnmwunkpọn [' ' ' `][ósɔ̃́ɱṹkpɔ̃̀] {SS:cl:} n. (<
osọnmwẹn ― ukpọn) a piece of rag.

òsu [` '][òsú] {SS::} n. a lump; a chunk; a whole
piece: oso-orhue ― “a chunk of white-
chalk.”

Osun [` '][òsṹ] {SS:pn:} n. the magical spirit of
herbs from which herbalists derive
their healing power. It is worshipped
as a god.

osuakọn [` ' `][òswákɔ̃̀] {SS:be:} n. incisors, front
teeth.

osuan [' `][ósw̃ã̀] {SS:act:} n. contest; competition.

osughu [` ` `][òsùɣù] {SS:st:} n. trouble; disturbance:
we ne ọ mu osughu ẹre ghe odọ ― “Let
him take his trouble elsewhere.”

osukhọn [' ` '][ósùxɔ̃́] {SS:pe:} n. a person with a
raised navel.
%%

Osuma [' ` '][ósùmã́] {SS:pn:} n. a chief, fourth in
rank among the Eghaẹvbo n’Ogbe.

osuru [` ` `][òsùɽù] {SS:time:} n. at a single instance;
at a first attempt: Ọ rra isẹ nii hia
vbe osuru ― “He caught all the seeds
at a single instance.”

osùsu [` ` `][òsùsù] {SS:an:} n. a crown of feathers
on the head of certain birds (e.g.
esikpogho; awe; etc.).

osúsu [` ' '][òsúsú] {SS::} n. an organized monthly
contribution engaged in by two or
more people, in which a single member
receives the total monthly collection
in turn by agreement.

ota [` `][òtà] {SS:time:} n. evening time; from about
4 p.m. till night fall; (also akota);
ota-khuẹrhẹẹ ― “late evening.”

oti [` '][òtí] {SS:bs:} n. leprosy.

otiegba [` ` '][òtiègbá] {SS:act:} n. full assembly: Iran
na tie iko otiegba ― “They summoned
a full assembly.”

otiẹn [' '][ótỹɛ̃́] {SS:pl:} n. an edible berry of the
tree ― Chrysophyllum albidum.

otighi [' ` '][ótìɣĩ́] {SS:st:} n. disturbance; disrup-
tion.

otiku [` ' `][òtĩ́kù] {SS:act:} n. (< otọ ― iku): refuse
dump.

otiti [' ` '][ótìtí] {SS:st:} n. fame; popularity.

otoro [` ` '][òtòɽó] {SM:bs:} n. 1. diarrhoea; 2^.^ fluid
faeces: Ọ sa otoro kue egbe ― “He
passed fluid faeces on his body.”

otota [` ' `][òtótà] {SS:time:} adv.; adj. (< ota ― ota):
every evening; evenings: Rẹn ọ levbare
otota ― “She is the one who cooks
every evening.”

ototọ [` ' `][òtótɔ̀] {SS:loc:} n. bottom of; under:
$Page 115$

ototọ erhan ― “under the tree.”

otọ¹ [` `][òtɔ̀] {SM:loc:} n. (also otọe, esp. in the
speech of the elderly). 1. ground;
soil: Ghẹ gie ẹre ya owẹ kan otọ ―
“Don’t let him touch the ground with
his feet.”; 2. bottom of: (e.g. of a
container): Iku hẹnhẹn ye otọ ọre ―
“Dust particles have settled at the
bottom of it”; (in this sense, also
ototọ): Ọ rhie ẹre lẹre ye otọ (or
ototọ) ẹkpẹtin: “He hid it at the
bottom of the box”; 3. floor; ground:
Ọ tota ye otọ ― “He sat on the floor.”

otọ² [` `][òtɔ̀] {SS::} n. reason; explanation: Rhan
otọ emwin ne ọ gu kpaọ ma mwẹn ―
“Explain to me the reason for his
leaving.”

otọlọ [` ` `][òtɔ̀lɔ̀] {SS::} n. an itch; itching sensa-
tion. Ebe na si otọlọ ― “This leaf
causes itching.”

otọn [` '][òtɔ̃́] {SS:to:} n. a decorated box carried
along with dancing in one of the
procession ceremonies of the tradi-
tional second burial.

otọwa [` ' `][òtɔ́wà] {SS:loc:} n. the floor of a room
(as opposed to iba (slab) or úkpo
(bed))^.

otu [` `][òtù] {SM::} n. 1. a society; a social
club: otu Ahuẹmwengbe ― “The
Ahuẹmwengbe society”.; 2. age-
group; age-mate; peers: Otu ma vbe
ọre khin ― “We are age-mates.”

otuẹ [` '][òtwɛ́] {SS:gr:} n. greeting; salutation.

otutu [` ` '][òtùtú] {SS::} n. a frightening object
or sight (esp. to children): Otutu
dee, ne u ghẹ ghi viẹ ― “A frightening
object is approaching, so don’t you
continue to cry.”

ovan [` '][òvã́] {SS:la:} n. nickname: De eni ne
ọ ya rri ovan yi? ― “What did he use
%%

as a nickname: What is his nickname?”

ovẹn [` `][òvɛ̃̀] {SS:loc:} n. sun; sunshine: Ovẹn
yunmwun: “The sun is shining.”

ovian [` `][òryã̀] {SS:act:} n. complaints; expression
of regrets; grumbling.

Ovọnrramwẹn [` ' ' `][òvɔ̃́ráɱɛ̃̀] {SS:pn:} n. (also
written as Ovọramwẹn): the reigning
Oba of Benin during the British
“Punitive Expedition” of 1897.

ovba [' `][óʋà] {SS:em:} n. spleen.

ovbamẹ [` ' `][òʋámɛ̃̀] {SS:bs:} n. thirst: Ọ kpẹre
ne ovbamẹ ke gbe mwẹn sin ― “It
is a long time since I have been suffer-
ing from thirst.”

ovbe [` '][òʋé] {SS:act:} n. sleep: Ovbe hun mwẹn ―
“Sleep is affecting me: I am sleepy.”

ovbeni [' `][óʋěnĩ̀] {SS:an:} n. elephant trunk.

ovbẹkhẹ [' `][óʋɛxɛ̀] {SS:pl:} n. a timber tree: Tri-
plochiton Scleroxylon.

ovbẹvbẹ¹ [` ` `][òʋɛ̀ʋɛ̀] {SS:to:} n. spade.

ovbẹvbẹ² [` ` `][òʋɛ̀ʋɛ̀] {SS:an:} n. centipede.

ovbi- [` `][òʋì] {SM:fa:} n. (pl. ivbi) 1. child of;
offspring of (always occurs with a
noun or pronoun as possessor): ovbi
Ozo ― “Ozo’s child”; ovbi-mwẹn ―
“my child.”; 2. the young or small
of anything; also things generally
small-sized: obvi-ẹwe ― “a kid”;
ovbi-aga ― “a small chair”; “^a small
stool”; ovbi-erhan: “a small piece
of stick, or a young plant”; ovbi-ẹho ―
“a small voice, like that of a child”
etc.; 3. member of a group, society
or social category: ovbi-esuku: “a
pupil of a school”; ovbi-Ẹdo ― “a
native of Edo” ovbi-esọsi ― “a Chris-
tian”, etc.
$Page 116$

ovbi-abẹe [` ' `][òvyábɛè] {SS:to:} n. pen-knife; small
knife.

ovbi-akota [` ' ` `][òvyákòtà] n.; {SS:an:} (idiom) dog.

ovbi-aleke [` ' ` `][òvyálèkè] n.; {SS:pe:} (idiom) young
lady; miss. (also uvbi).

ovbi-alumẹ [` ' ` `][òvyálùmɛ̃̀] {SS:bird:} n. a small bird.

ovbi-aro [` ' `][òvyáɽò] n.; {SS:be:} (idiom) pupil (of
the eye).

ovbi-ẹrinmwin [` ' ` `][òvyɛ́ɽ̃ĩ̀ɱĩ̀] n.; {SM:fa:} (idiom)
1. the child of a deceased person
who is being buried; 2. an infant;
a young child.

ovbi-ẹrrẹe [` ' '`][òvyɛ́rɛ́è] n.; {SM:pe:} (idiom) 1.
poor fellow; poor innocent person;
Sẹ ovbi-ẹrrẹe rae ighẹ ọ ma ruẹ emwin
rhọkpa ― “Leave the poor fellow
alone, for he did you no wrong.”;
2. someone else’s child.

ovbi-ẹvbo [` ' `][òvyɛ́ʋò] n.; {SS::} (idiom) same as
ovbi-ẹrrẹe.

ovbi-odo [` ' '][òʋiódó] {SS:to:} n. pestle.

ovbi-urumnwun [` ' ' `][òvyúɽṹɱũ̀] n.; {SS:to:}
(idiom) implement shaped like a
dumb-bell used for grinding things
in a wooden tray known as “urro”.

ovbiakhowẹ [` ' `][òvyáxowɛ̀] n.; {SS:be:} (idiom)
(< ovbiakhe ― owẹ): “small pot of
the leg”: shin.

ovbieghoẹn [` ' `][òvyéɣɔ̃ɛ̃̀] {SS:pe:} n. foreigner;
non-native.

ovbiogue [` ' `][òvyógwè] {SS:pe:} n. a poor person;
a destitute.

ovbiọha [` ' `][òvyɔ́hà] {SS:fa:} n. bride.

ovbivbiẹ [' ` '][óvỳʋiɛ́] {SS:an:} n. a snake: “black
mamba”; it spits, and is poisonous.
%%

ovbukhọ [` ' `][òʋúxɔ̀] {SS:an:} n. he-goat.

òwa [` '][òwá] {SM:ho:} n. 1. house, dwelling; 2.
building.

ówa [' '][ówá] {SS:loc:} n. market stall.

owamẹ [` ' `][òwámɛ̃̀] {SS:loc:} n. (< òwa ― amẹ):
water tower.

owebe [` ' `][òwébè] {SM:ho:} n. (< òwa ― ebe) 1.
school; 2. a house roofed with thatch.

owekẹn [` ' `][òwékɛ̃̀] {SS:ho:} n. (< òwa ― ekẹn)
mud house.

owere [` ` '][òwèɽé] {SS:fa:} n. senior elder; a re-
spected elderly person; ọdiọnwere ―
most senior, by age, of the senior
elders.

owẹ [` `][òwɛ̀] {SM:be:} n. 1. foot; 2. leg.

owẹe [' '`][ówɛ́è] {SS:hh:} n. broom.

owẹn [` `][òwɛ̃̀] {SS:loc:} n. sun; setting sun.

owiẹ [` '][òwyɛ́] {SS:time:} n. morning: owie vbirh-
ivbirhi ― “dawn”; owiẹ fiororo or
owiẹwiẹmwọnkpa ― “day-light”;
owiowiẹ ― “every morning.”

owinna [' ` '][ów̃ĩ̀nã́] {SS:pr:} n. carpenter (also
ekabita).

owo¹ [` '][òwó] {SS:nu:} num. one (in counting).

owo² [` '][òwó] {SS:fo:} n. a palm oil sauce used
for eating boiled yam and plantain.

owogho [' ` '][ówòɣó] {SS:act:} n. noise (in partic-
ular created by loud talk or laughter).

owowo [` ` `][òwòwò] {SM:st:} n. 1. heat (e.g. from
proximity to a burning fire), 2.
hot-temper; reactionary disposition:
Owowo ẹre tua gbe ― “His hot temper
is too intense.”
$Page 117$

owọkhọnmwọn [` ' ' `][òwɔ́xɔ̃́ɱɔ̃̀] {SS:bu:} n. (< owa
― ọkhọmwọn) “house of the sick”:
hospital.

owọn [' `][ówɔ̃̀] {SM:in:} n. 1. bee: Ọ gha gui
vbe owọn ― “He is grumbling like
a bee.”; 2. wax (used by brass-smiths);
3. honey: Ọ rhiẹnrhiẹn vbe owọn ―
“It is sweet like honey.”

owọnwọn [` ` `][òwɔ̃̀wɔ̃̀] {SS:bird:} n. a bird: toucan;
it has an immense beak.

owọrọ [` `' `][òwɔ̀ɔ́ɽɔ̀] {SS:nu:} num. eleven.

oya [` `][òyà] {SS:act:} n. insult; humiliation: Ọ ya
oya nẹ ― “She gave insult to him:
She insulted him.”

oyanghan [` ` `][òỹã̀ɣã̀] {SS:act:} n. worry; bother;
harassment.

oyaya [` ` `][òyàyà] {SS:em:} n. excitement, enthusi-
asm; warmth: Ọ sa oyaya mu ẹnrẹn
“She received him enthusiastically.”

oyi [` '][òyí] {SS:pe:} n. thief; robber: oyi ẹrinmwin
(idiom) ― “a very crafty thief.”

oyiya [` ` `][òyìyà] {SS:hh:} n. comb.
%%

ozan [` `][òzã̀] {SM::} n. 1. defect; shortcoming;
fault: Ozan i rrọ ọre egbe hiehie ―
“There is no fault in her body at
all: she is absolutely faultless!”; 2.
criticism: Ozan ne ọ zan rẹn ẹre ọ
ya ohu mu ẹnrẹn “The criticism that
he criticized her is what made her
angry: The way he criticized her
is what angered her.”

oze [` '][òzé] {SS:ob:} n. lead (the metal).

ozi¹ [` `][òzì] {SS:an:} n. crab.

ozi² [` `][òzì] {SS::} n. a gentle breeze.

oziguẹ [' ` `][ózìgwɛ̀] {SS:pr:} n. a boat-handler; the
rower of a boat or canoe.

ozikpalọ [' ` ' `][ózìkpálɔ̀] {SS:an:} n. lizard.

oziya [` ' '][òzíyá] {SS::} n. frankincense; a kind
of aromatic gum resin produced by
the oziya tree, Daniellia thurifera,
which is burned as incense, and also
by hunters on their hunting trips.

ozubu [` ` '][òzùbú] {SS:an:} n. a fluffy-haired
puppy.

ozuọba [' ` '][ózwɔ̀bá] {SS::} n. same as oloi.