ọ [`][ɔ̀] {SS::} pron. 3rd per. sgl. pronoun: he,
she, it; usually functions as subject
of the clause or sentence in which
it occurs: Ọ gbe ẹwe ― “He killed
a goat.”
ọba- [ ][ɔba] {SS:gr:} int. a formula of salutation
which is prefixed to various words
designating times, seasons, occupa-
tions, dispositions, etc. in greeting
on appropriate situations: ọbota (<
%%
ọba ― ota) “greetings of the evening.”
Good-evening! ọbiwinna (< ọba ―
iwinna) “Greetings as you work!”, etc.
Ọba [' '][ɔ́bá] {SM:pe:} n. 1. The ruler of Benin
kingdom; 2. (without the captial
letter): king; ruler. Ẹvbo na i mwẹn
ọba ― “This town has no ruler.”
ọbadan [` ` `][ɔ̀bàdã̀] {SS:pl:} n. almond tree;
ọmọbadan ― “almond fruit and seed.”
$Page 118$
ọbafi [` ` '][ɔ̀bàfí] {SS:act:} n. hunting trip; hunting:
Erhae rrie ọbafi ― “His father is going
a-hunting.”
ọbaikpo [` ` '][ɔ̀bàik͡pó] {SS:an:} n. male lizard.
ọbavan [' ' `][ɔ́bávã̀] {SS:gr:} int. Good afternoon
(cf. Ọba).
ọbevbaru [' ' ` '][ɔ́béʋàɽú] {SS:int:} int. well-done (cf.
ọba).
ọbiro [` ' `][ɔ̀bírò] {SS:pe:re:} n. oracler; a diviner.
ọbo [` '][ɔ̀bó] {SM:pr:} n. 1. a general term for
various categories of doctors: ọbo-
ọrọnmila ― “diviner”; ọbo-itan ―
“ordeal doctor”; ọbo-ebe ― “a Ph.D.
holder”^; etc.; 2. ritual priests of various
gods or deities.
ọbokhian [' ' `][ɔ́bóxyã̀] {SS:gr:} int. welcome!
ọbolokan [' ` ` `][ɔ́bòlòkã̀] {SS::} adj.; adv. without
soup or sauce: Ẹba ọbolokan ẹre ọ
mu nẹẹn re ― “It was eba without
soup that she gave him to eat.” Ọ
rri ọre ọbolokan ― “He ate it without
soup.”
ọbota [' ' `][ɔ́bótà] {SS:gr:} int. Good evening!
ọbowa [` ` `][ɔ̀bòwà] {SS:pr:} n. house-builder.
ọbowa [' ' `][ɔ́bówà] {SS:gr:} int. a greeting ex-
pressed by a new arriver to people
met at home on arrival. “Greetings
for staying at home.”
ọbowiẹ [' ' `][ɔ́bówiɛ̀] {SS:gr:} int. Good morning!
ọbude [` ` `][ɔ̀bùdè] {SS:pr:} n. adviser; counsellor.
ọbuohiẹn [` ` `][ɔ̀bwòhyɛ̃̀] {SS:pr:} n. judge.
ọdafẹn [` ` `][ɔ̀dàfɛ̃̀] {SM:fa:} n. 1. husband (usually
occurs with noun or pronoun indicat-
ing whose husband it is)^: Ọdafẹn
mwẹn ― “My husband”; ọdafẹn
%%
ọnrẹn ― “her husband, etc.” (also
ọdọ).; 2. a man who is a head of
household.
ọdan [` '][ɔ̀dã́] {SS::} n. gum; glue.
ọdayọn [` ` `][ɔ̀dàyɔ̃̀] {SS:pe:} n. an excessive drinker
of alcoholic drinks; a drunkard.
ọdẹkuẹn [` ` '][ɔ̀dɛ̀kwɛ̃́] {SS:ec:} n. sale on credit.
ọdẹn [' `][ɔ́dɛ̃̀] {SS:act:} n. joke; jest.: Ọ gha gu
iran gbe ọden ― “He is having a joke
with them.”
ọdiọn [` '][ɔ̀dyɔ̃́] {SM:time:} n. 1. oldest (chronological-
ly). Ozo ọ re ọdiọn vbe uwu iran ―
“Ozo is the oldest among them.”;
2. the primary thing; the most im-
portant; the first; Vbe uwu emwin
hia ne u ziro ẹre re na, owa nabọ ọre
ọdiọn: “Of all the things you have
just suggested, house-building is the
most important.”
ọdọ [` `][ɔ̀dɔ̀] {SM:fa:} n. 1. husband; 2. an ad-
dress term for relatives of husband
Lahọ, ọdọ mwẹn, daeyi mẹ ― “Please,
my husband’s relative, hold it for
me.”
ọdọlukpọn [` ` ` `][ɔ̀dɔ̀lùkpɔ̃̀] {SS:pr:} n. tailor (< ọ
― dọlọ ― ukpọn) “mender of cloth.”
ọduẹki [` ` `][ɔ̀duɛ̀kì] {SM:pr:} n. 1. trader; 2. a
small measuring aluminium bowl used
for selling commodities like garri,
rice, beans, etc. mwaan ọduẹki isẹn
mẹ ― “Measure 5 bowls for me.”
ọdukpọn [` ` `][ɔ̀dùkpɔ̃̀] {SS:pr:} n. weaver (of
fabrics).
ọfẹndin [` ` `][ɔ̀fɛ̃̀dĩ̀] {SS:pr:} n. palm-nut reaper.
ọfiontọ [` ' `][ɔ̀fĩṍtɔ̃̀] {SS:an:} n. a big bush rat
(edible); locally referred to as a
“rabbit” in English, but is quite
different from the real rabbit.
$Page 119$
ọfọ [` '][ɔ̀fɔ́] {SS:bf:} n. sweat; perspiration: Ọfọ fọ
gbe vbe ẹghẹ na ― “Sweat sweats a
lot at this time: one sweats a lot a
at this time.”
ọfuan [` `' ][ɔ̀fùán] {SS:act:} n. destruction; annihila-
tion (cf. fuan).
ọfunmwengbe [` ` ` `][ɔ̀fũ̀ɱẽ̀gbè] {SS:st:} n. com-
fort; peace. (< ọ― fu ― vbe ― egbe)
“coolness of the body”.
ọfurre [` ' `][ɔ̀fúrè] {SS:em:} n. (< ọ ― furre) “cool-
ness”: calmness, tranquility.
ọ̀ga [` '][ɔ̀gá] {SS:pe:} n. boss; master.
ọ́ga [' `][ɔ́gà] {SS:to:} n. net.
ọgiodẹ [` ` `][ɔ̀gẏòdɛ̀] {SS:pe:} n. guide.
ọgiọrọ [` ' '][ɔ̀gyɔ́ɽɔ́] {SS:to:} n. heavy chain.
ọgọ́ [` '][ɔ̀gɔ́] {SS:hh:} n. bottle.
ọgọ̀ [` `][ɔ̀gɔ̀] {SS:fo:} n. palm-wine tapped from
the top of the raffia palm. (also ọgọrọ).
ọgọgọ [` ` `][ɔ̀gɔ̀gɔ̀] {SS:an:} n. (of a cock) cock’s
crest. (also etọghọtọghọ).
ọgọrọ [` ` `][ɔ̀gɔ̀ɽɔ̀] {SS:fo:} n. same as ọgọ.
ọgua [` '][ɔ̀gwá] {SS:ho:} n. the room which serves
as a “parlour” in the traditional
Edo house.
ọgueva [` ` `][ɔ̀gwèvà] {SS:pe:} n. a double-faced
person, who fosters trouble by
stealthily backing both parties in a
quarrel.
ọguiẹzọ [` ` `][ɔ̀gwyɛ̀zɔ̀] {SS:pe:} n. (< ọ-gui-ẹzọ)
“one who argues a case”: litigant.
ọguọmwandia [` ` ` `][ɔ̀gwɔ̀ɱã̀dyà] {SS:pr:} n. “he
who stays with one”: a servant; a
house-help.
%%
ọgba [` '][ɔ̀g͡bá] {SS:hh:} n. tap; faucet.
ọgbagba [` ` `][ɔ̀g͡bàgbà] {SS:nu:} n. a row of
(things): ọgbagba owa ― “a row of
houses (on a street).”
ọgbakha [` ` '][ɔ̀g͡bàxá] {SS:act:} n. conference.
ọgbalama [` ` ` `][ɔ̀g͡bàlàmà] {SS:pe:} n. a nosey per-
son; a busy-body.
ọgban [' `][ɔ́g͡bã̀] {SS:nu:} num. thirty.
ọgbehẹn [` ` `][ɔ̀g͡bèhɛ̃̀] {SS:pr:} n. (< ọ ― gbe ―
ehẹn) fisherman.
ọgbekpa [` ` `][ɔ̀g͡bèkpà] {SS:an:} n. (< ọ ― gbe ―
ekpa) boxer.
ọgbenbe [` ` `][ɔ̀g͡bẽ̀bè] {SS:pe:} n. (< ọ ― gbẹn ―
ebe) clerk.
ọgbeni [` ` `][ɔ̀g͡bènĩ̀] {SS:pr:} n. (< ọ ― gbe ― eni)
elephant-killer, elephant-hunter.
ọgbọlọfo [` ` ' `][ɔ̀g͡bɔ̀lɔ́fò] {SS::} n. public knowl-
edge; the open. Ẹmwẹn na dinna
ọgbọlọfọ nẹ ― “This word has now
become publicly known; it has reached
the open.”
ọgbọn [' `][ɔ́g͡bɔ̃̀] {SS:st:} n. new, fresh.
ọgbugbo [` ` `][ɔ̀g͡bùgbò] {SS:pr:} n. (< ọ ― gbe ―
ugbo) “one who makes farms”, farmer.
ọghae [` `][ɔ̀ɣaè] {SS:st:} n. heat; warmth: mwọ-
ọnghae (< mwẹẹn ― oghae) “to
have heat”; hot.
ọghe [' '][ɔ́ɣé] {SM::} prep. 1. possessive particle:
of; belonging to: ọghe Ozo ― “Ozo’s”;
ọghe ima ― “ours”; 2. pertaining
to, concerning: ọghe owiẹ ― “pertain-
ing to the moming”; uyinmwẹn ọghe
ẹghẹnẹdẹ ― “behaviour of the old
days: traditional behaviour.” It
combines with pronouns and pro-
nominals to form expressions such
$Page 120$
as: ọghuẹ ― “yours” (e.g.): ọghọe/
ọghẹe ― “his/hers/its”; ọghomwan ―
ours; oghiran ― theirs; ọghua ―
“yours” pl.; etc.
ọghẹdẹ [` ` `][ɔ̀ɣɛ̀dɛ̀] {SS:fo:} n. plantain.
Ọghẹnnẹ [' ` '][ɔ́ɣɛ̃̀nɛ̃́] {SS:pn:} n. 1. the Ẹdo name
for the Oni of Ife.
ọghẹrẹ [` ' `][ɔ̀ɣɛ́ɽɛ̀] {SS:bi:} n. hymen; okhuo ne a
ma he fian ọnrẹn ọghẹrẹ ― “a woman
whose hymen has not been cut”:
a virgin.
ọghesi [' ' `][ɔ́ɣésì] {SS::} adv. very much; exceed-
ingly: iran gbẹe ọghesi ― “They
flogged him very much.”
ọghọ [` `][ɔ̀ɣɔ̀] {SS:em:} n. respect; deference.
ọghọdọ [` ` `][ɔ̀ɣɔ̀dɔ̀] {SS:loc:} n. pond.
ọghọdọgbọ [` ` ' `][ɔ̀ɣɔ̀dɔ́gbɔ̀] {SS:pl:} n. a kind of
weed: wild sugar-cane, not edible.
ọhá [` '][ɔ̀há] {SS:fa:} n. bride.
ọhà [` `][ɔ̀hà] {SS:bs:} n. catarrh; head-cold.: ọha
kpokpo mwẹn “catarrh is worrying
me”: I have catarrh.
ọhae [` '`][ɔ̀háè] {SM:fa:} n. 1. bachelor; 2. widower.
ọhẹ [` '][ɔ̀hɛ́] {SM:act:} n. 1. gift; 2. present.
ọhẹn [` `][ɔ̀hɛ̃̀] {SS:in:} n. a variety of red ants
that are found on fruit trees.
Ọhẹn [' `][ɔ́hɛ̃̀] {SS:pn:} n. the name of a past
Ọba of Oba of Benin, who became
crippled in the later days of his reign.
He was the father of Ọba Ẹwuare.
ọ́ka [' `][ɔ́kà] {SS:fo:} n. corn; maize.
ọ̀ka [` '][ɔ̀ká] {SS:pe:} n. leader; usually followed
by the noun or pronoun denoting
what òka is leader of: ọ̀ka ẹgbẹe ―
%%
“leader of clan; head of family”;
ọ̀ka idunmwun ― “head of the
neighbourhood (same as ọdiọnwere).”
ọkade-ọkade [` ' ' ][ɔ̀kádéɔkade] {SS::} adv. step
by step; gradually.
ọkaruosa [` ' ` `][ɔ̀káɽwòsà] {SS:pe:ec:} n. debtor.
ọkemwionkọ [` ` ` `][ɔ̀kèɱĩõ̀kɔ̀] {SS:pr:} n. (< ọ-kọ-
emwin-ọkọ) “crop-planter” large-scale
farmer; cash-crop farmer.
Ọkiẹkiẹ [` ' '][ɔ̀kyɛ́kyɛ́] {SS:act:} n. fore-play; love-
play.
ọkotọ [' ` `][ɔ́kòtɔ̀] {SS:loc:} n. the bottom position;
the last: ọmọ-ọkotọ ― “the last born
child”.
ọkuẹkuẹ [` `' `][ɔ̀kùɛ́kwɛ̀] {SS:act:} n. jog; trot.
ọkuu [` '`][ɔ̀kúù] {SS:st:} n. disaster; calamity; total
damage: Okuu ọkuu ọ ru lele oghian
mwẹn khian ― “Constant calamity
is what he keeps having after me;
i.e. He is forever encountering disaster
in all he does for me.”
ọkha [' '][ɔ́xá] {SS:pl:} n. the cotton-seed tree (ceiba
pentandra).
ọkhaẹmwẹn [` '` `][ɔ̀xáɛ̀ɱɛ̃̀] {SS:pe:} n. chief;
special rank of traditional elders,
appointed by the Ọba. They discharge
various responsibilities within the tradi-
tional judicial system. The ọkhaẹmwẹn
status is less important than that
of an Ogie ― “a titled ruler” ― though
every ogie is by implication an
ọkhaẹmwẹn.
ọkhaẹn [` '`][ɔ̀xã́ɛ̃̀] {SS:an:} n. porcupine.
ọkhan [` `][ɔ̀xã̀] {SM:in:} n. 1. termites; 2. white
ants.
ọkhẹ [` '][ɔ̀xɛ́] {SS:act:} n. hunter’s ambush in the
wild.
$Page 121$
ọkhẹn [` `][ɔ̀xɛ̃̀] {SS:pe:ec:} n. clientele; customers!
Obọ ọre tie okhẹn ― “His hands
invites clientele; i.e. His patronage
attracts additional clientele”.
ọkhẹrhẹ [` ` `][ɔ̀xɛ̀řɛ̀] {SS:pl:} n. a young palm tree.
ọkhọe [' ][ɔ́xɔe] {SS:an:} n. worm; larva.
ọkhọkhọ [` ' `][ɔ̀xɔ́xɔ̀] {SS:bird:} n. chicken; hen;
fowl: iyọkhọkọ (iye ọkhọkhọ)
“mother-hen”: a fully-developed hen.
ọkhọnmwọn [` ' `][ɔ̀xɔ́ɱɔ̃̀] {SS:bs:} n. a person suf-
fering from a long-term or chronic
illness: ọkhọnmwọn ― oti ― “leprosy
patient”.
ọkhọọ [` `'][ɔ̀xɔ̀ɔ́] {SS:act:} n. evil deed; malicious
act; mischief: ọkhọọ bun ibieka na
gbe ― “These children are fond of
(performing) mischief.”
Ọkhuahẹ [` `' `][ɔ̀xùáhɛ̀] {SM:pn:} n. 1. the name of
a river in an Edo village by the same
name, situated along Benin-Asaba road;
2. the name of a famous magician
during the reign of Oba Ewuare. He
is said to have transformed himself
into the river Ọkhuahẹ, and is wor-
shipped today as a deity.
ọkhuẹ̀ [` `][ɔ̀xwɛ̀] {SS:bird:} n. parrot.
ọkhuẹ́ [` '][ɔ̀xwɛ́] {SS:fo:} n. “small chop”; snacks
bought and consumed compulsively
(usually due to lack of selfdiscipline)
Ọ ya ígho ẹre hia rri ọkhuẹ́ foo ―
“She spent all her money compulsively
buying and consuming snacks.”^
ọkhuẹn [' '][ɔ́xwɛ̃́] {SS:pl:} n. a tree (Brachystegia
eurycoma).
ọkhuẹnkhuẹn [' `][ɔ́xwɛ̃xwɛ̃̀] {SS:pl:} n. a variety
of thorny creeping plant.
ọ́kpa [' '][ɔ́k͡pá] {SS:nu:} num. one; single: ebe
ọkpa ― “one book.”
%%
ọ̀kpa [` `][ɔ̀k͡pà] {SS:bird:} n. rooster (also ọkporhu).
ọkpá [` '][ɔ̀k͡pá] {SM:unit:} n. 1. rod, staff; 2. a yard
measure: Ọkpa enẹ ukpọn na khin ―
“This cloth is four yards long.”
ọkpakpata [` ` ` `][ɔ̀k͡pàk͡pàtà] {SS:mu:} n. (< ọ-kpe-
akpata) akpata player (usually
accompanies the playing with a chant
of folk narratives).
ọkpan1 [' '][ɔ́k͡pã́] {SS:to:} n. plate.
ọkpan2 [' '][ɔ́k͡pã́] {SS:nu:} num. odd number.
ọkpankpan [` ' `][ɔ̀k͡pã́k͡pã̀] {SS:em:} n. anger born
of frustration: Ghẹ ya ọkpankpan
so mwẹn ― “Don’t vent your frustra-
tion on me.”
ọkpatalẹ [` ` ` `][ɔ̀kpàtàlɛ̀] {SS:bs:} n. severe case of
gonorrhoea.
ọkpayan-uri [' ' `][ɔ́kpáỹãurì] {SM:nu:} num. 1. 201;
2. (idiomatic): innumerable.
ọkpema [` ` `][ɔ̀kpèmà] {SS:pe:mu:} n. drummer.
ọkpẹn [` '][ɔ̀kpɛ̃́] {SS:loc:} n. side of; edge of: Ọ
mudia ye ọkpẹn úkpo ― “He stood
at the side of the road.”
ọkpẹnzẹ [` ' `][ɔ̀kpɛ̃́zɛ̀] {SS:loc:} n. (< ọkpẹn-ẹzẹ)
bank of the river.
ọkpẹtu [` ` '][ɔ̀kpɛ̀tú] {SS:pe:} n. a disagreeable
event, or person: a nuisance.
ọkpo1 [` `][ɔ̀kpò] {SS:bs:} n. pile; haemorrhoids.
ọkpo2 [` `][ɔ̀kpò] {SS::} n. goal; score (e.g. in a
soccer game).
ọkporhu [` ` `][ɔ̀kpòřù] {SM:an:pe:} n. 1. rooster; 2.
preacher.
ọkpọ [` '][ɔ̀kpɔ́] {SS:to:} n. walking stick; staff.
ọkpọkpa [' ' `][ɔ́kpɔ́kpà] {SS:nu:} n. one by one.
$Page 122$
ọkpọmwan [` ` `][ɔ̀kpɔ̀ɱã̀] {SS:pr:} n. attendant; as-
sistant; servant.
ọkpọnmwẹnse [` ` ` `][ɔ̀kpɔ̃̀ɱɛ̃̀sè] {SS:pe:} n. a grate-
ful person.
ọlẹla [` ` '][ɔ̀lɛ̀lá] {SS:ho:} n. hall-way; passage way.
ọlọghọmwan [` ` ` `][ɔ̀lɔ̀ɣɔ̀ɱã̀] {SS:st:} n. problems;
hardship.
ọma [` `'][ɔ̀mã̀ã́] {SS:st:} n. goodness.
ọmada [` ` `][ɔ̀mã̀dà] {SS:pr:} n. the Ọba’s cere-
monial sword bearer (pl. emada).
ọmaẹn [` `][ɔ̀mãɛ̃̀] {SS:pe:} n. old person; the
aged.
ọmakhe [` ` `][ɔ̀màxè] {SS:pr:} n. (< ọ ― ma ―
akhe) potter.
ọmamwaenmwin [` ` ` `][ɔ̀màɱãẽ̀ɱĩ̀] {SS:pr:} n. (<
ọ ― ma ― emwan ― emwin) teacher
(also etisa).
ọmerhan [` ' `][ɔ̀méřã̀] {SS:fo:} n. (< ọmọ ― erhan)
fruit.
ọmiọmwanfan [` ` ` `][ɔ̀myɔ̀ɱã̀fã̀] {SS:re:} n. (< ọ ―
miẹ ― ọmwan ― fan) saviour (in the
Christian sense).
ọmiwu [` ' `][ɔ̀míwù] {SS:fa:} n. direct off-spring, as
opposed to eyẹ ― “grandchild.”
ọmobọ [` ' `][ɔ̀móbɔ̀] {SS:fa:} n. (< ọmo-obọ) “child
of the arm”: infant.
ọmotọ [` ' `][ɔ̀mótɔ̀] {SS:fa:} n. (< ọmo-otọ): “child
of the soil”: native, indigene.
ọmọ [` '][ɔ̀mɔ̃́] {SM:fa:} n. 1. child; off-spring (pl.
emọ): Emọ eha ọ mwẹn ― “He has
three sons”^; 2. (of a plant or tree):
fruit.
Ọmọ [` '][ɔ̀mɔ̃́] {SS:pn:} n. an appellation for the
Ọba: “Ọmọ n’Ọba n’Ẹdo” ― “Ọmọ,
%%
the ruler of Benin.”
ọmọbe [` ` `][ɔ̀mɔ̃̀bè] {SS:fa:} n. problem child.
ọmọmọ [' ' '][ɔ́mɔ̃́mɔ̃́] {SS:fa:} n. baby; infant.
ọna [` `][ɔ̀nã̀] {SS::} dem. pronoun. this one (pl.
ena): Ọna ọ ma sẹ ehia: “This one
is the best of them all.” (also ọnọna).
ọnii [' `'][ɔ́nĩ̀ĩ́] {SS::} dem. den.pron. that one (pl.
enii): Ọnii ọ yẹ mwẹn ― “That one
is what I like.”
ọpakharha [` ' ' '][ɔ̀páxářá] {SS:act:} n. empty boasts;
bluff.
ọpẹkhẹrhẹ [` ` ` `][ɔ̀pɛ̀xɛ̀řɛ̀] {SS:fo:} n. yam pottage.
ọpia [' `][ɔ́pià] {SS:to:} n. cutlass; machete.
ọpọrhipọ [` ` ' `][ɔ̀pɔ̀řípɔ̀] {SS:pl:} n. a tree, Sterculia
tragacaniha.
ọra [` '][ɔ̀ɽá] {SS:fo:} n. dried okra (sliced and dried
in the sun, to last longer).
ọre1 [` `][ɔ̀rè] {SM::} cop. 1. serves as the link
between a focalized element in a
sentence and the rest of the sentence:
owa ọre ọ na vbaa re ― “Home it was
that he met him: it was at home that
he met him.”; 2. serves as a link
between clauses or sentences in a
narrative discourse: Iran ghi sẹ evba,
ọre iran na tuẹ ọre; ọre iran na tota ―
“When they got there, they greeted
him, they then sat down . . . ” (variant
form is ẹre).
ọre2 [' `][ɔ́ɽè] {SS::} pron. 3rd pers. sg. posses-
sive pron: his, her, its: owẹ ọre ― “his/
her/its feet.” (Variant forms: ẹre,
ọnrẹn, ẹnrẹn, re, rẹn).
ọrẹrẹ [` ` `][ɔ̀ɽɛ̀ɽɛ̀] {SS:fo:} n. a variety of beans.
ọrọ [` `][ɔ̀ɽɔ̀] {SS:bs:} n. paralysis.
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ọrọgiọ [` ` `][ɔ̀rɔ̀gyɔ̀] {SS:an:} n. a kind of wooden
rattle.
ọrue [` '`][ɔ̀ɽúè] {SS:fa:} n. co-wife.
ọruero [` ` `][ɔ̀ɽwèɽò] {SS:pe:} n. (< ọ-ru-ero) a
cunning person; a deceitful person.
ọruẹbọ [` ` `][ɔ̀ɽwɛ̀bɔ̀] {SS:pe:re:} n. (< ọ-ru-ẹbọ) pagan.
ọruosa [` ` `][ɔ̀ɽwòsà] {SS:pe:ec:} n. (< ọ-ru-osa) debtor.
ọrhẹnrhẹn [` `' `][ɔ̀řɛ̃̀ɛ̃́řɛ̃̀] {SS:nu:} n. a lot; a large quan-
tity: Ígho ne ọ mu rre ọrhẹnrhẹn ― “The
money he brought was a whole lot.”
ọrhẹnrhẹnbiẹnrhẹn [` ` ` `][ɔ̀řɛ̃̀řɛ̃̀bĩɛ̃řɛ̃̀] {SS:nu:} adj.
very large or numerous.
ọrhiae [` '`][ɔ̀řiáè] {SS:pe:} n. useless thing; a no-
good (person or thing).
ọrho [` `][ɔ̀řò] {SS:ob:} n. mud; slush.
ọrhọre [` ` '][ɔ̀řɔ̀ɽé] {SS:loc:} n. waterfall.
ọrhomwungborrie [` ' ` ' `][ɔ̀řɔ́ɱũ̀gbóryè] {SS:nu:} adj.
numerous: Ma dẹghe ọrhọvbungborrie
ẹvbo ne i rre ― “We saw the numerous
people that came.”
ọrriegie [` ` `][ɔ̀rẏègẏè] {SS:pe:} n. (< o-rri-egie) title-
bearer; a titled person.
ọrriọvbe [` ` `][ɔ̀rẏɔ̀ʋè] {SS:pe:} n. alien; stranger;
foreigner.
ọrriukhu [` ` `][ɔ̀ryùxù] {SS:fa:} n. (< ọ-rri-ukhu)
heir; inheritor.
ọsa [` `][ɔ̀sà] {SS:an:} n. big ape: gorilla; chimpanzee.
ọsama [` ` `][ɔ̀sàmà] {SM:pr:} n. 1. (< ọ-sa-ama) brass-
smith; 2^.^ sculptor.
ọsara [` ' `][ɔ̀sáɽà] {SS:to:} n. saw (carpenter’s imple-
ment).
ọse [` `][ɔ̀sè] {SM:fa:} n. 1. friend; 2. lover.
%%
ọsegbe [` ' `][ɔ̀ség͡bè] {SS:nu:} n. in turns; turn by
turn (also the reduplicated form:
ọsegbe-ọsegbe).
ọsẹlẹ [' ` '][ɔ́sɛ̀lɛ́] {SS:an:} n. cricket (also asẹlẹ).
Ọsẹmwẹndẹ [` ' ` '][ɔ̀sɛ́ɱɛ̃̀dɛ́] {SS:pn:} n. name of a
past Ọba of Benin.
ọsiwu [` ` `][ɔ̀sìwù] {SS::} n. the tribal mark cutter
(no longer in practice).
ọsuohuan [` ` `][ɔ̀swòhw̃ã̀] {SS:pr:} n. (< ọ ― su ―
ohuan): “leader of sheep”: shepherd.
ọta [` '][ɔ̀tá] {SS:la:act:} n. speech; conversation: Iran
gha gbe ọta vba ― “They are con-
versing there.”
ọtakhọ [` ` '][ɔ̀tàxɔ́] {SS:act:} n. back-biting; slander.
ọtan [` `][ɔ̀tã̀] {SS:an:} n. squirrel.
ọ́tẹn1 [' '][ɔ́tɛ̃́] {SS:fo:} n. a very sweet drink
made from fermented ripe plantains.
ọ̀tẹn2 [` '][ɔ̀tɛ̃́] {SM:fa:} n. 1. general blood rela-
tive: Ọtẹn ma khin ― “We are blood
relatives”; 2. sibling; 3. an address
term for anybody one feels favourably
disposed toward: Ghe gui ọtẹn mwẹn
― “Don’t be offended please.”
ọtọn [` `][ɔ̀tɔ̃̀] {SS:st:} n. rust.
Ọvia [` '][ɔ̀vyá] {SM:pn:} n. 1. the name of a river;
2. the name of the goddess of Ovia
river, and the cult that worships it.
ọviẹn [` '][ɔ̀vyɛ̃́] {SS:pr:} n. slave; servant.
ọvo [` '][ɔ̀ʋó] {SS:em:} n. half-heartedness; disinclina-
tion. (also in the reduplicated form:
ọvọvo): Ọvọvo o ya ru iwinna na ―
“He did this work half-heartedly.”
ọmwan [` '][ɔ̀ɱã́] {SS:pe:} n. person; human being
(pl.: emwan): emwan nibun ― “Many
people.”
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ọmwanbabe [` ` ` `][ɔ̀ɱã̀bàbè] {SS:pe:} n. a witch
(also azẹn).
ọmwẹnmwẹn [` ' `][ɔ̀ɱɛ̃́ɱɛ̃̀] {SS:pe:} n. a mad per-
son.
ọvbehe [' ` '][ɔ́ʋèhé] {SS:nu:} n. another one; an-
other.
ọvbokhan [` ' `][ɔ̀ʋóxã̀] {SM:fa:} n. 1. child; a young
person, hence ọvbokhonkhuo (<
ọvbokhan-okhuo): girl; ọvbokhonkpia
(< ọvbokhan ― okpia) “boy”; 2.
servant, assistant; 3. (also with low
tones: ọvbokhan ) “wife” ― always
occurs with a possessive: ọvbokhan
mwẹn ― “my wife.”
ọvbokhunvbi [` ' ` '][ɔ̀ʋóxũ̀ʋí] {SS:fa:} n. a girl or
young woman (in her mid to late
teens).
ọ́wa [' '][ɔ́wá] {SS:bs:} n. epilepsy.
ọ̀wa [` `][ɔ̀wà] {SS:an:} n. castrated animal: ẹwe
ọwa ― “castrated goat.”
ọwara [` ` `][ɔ̀wàɽà] {SS:loc:} n. 1. straight, uninter-
rupted stretch (of time or space):
ọwara uki eha ― “for an uninter-
rupted period of three months.”
ọwẹ [` `][ɔ̀wɛ̀] {SS:an:} n. male (used of animals
only).
ọwẹe [` '`][ɔ̀wɛ́è] {SS:pr:} n. farmer (also ọgbugbo).
%%
ọwẹwẹ [` ' '][ɔ̀wɛ́wɛ́] {SS::} n. a kind of native
explosive fired like a gun at second
burial ceremonies.
ọwiẹyi [` ` '][ɔ̀wiɛ̀yí] {SS:ob:} n. used item; second-
hand.
ọwọ [` `][ɔ̀wɔ̀] {SS:an:} n. a variety of house-bat.
ọyarra [` ` '][ɔ̀yàrá] {SS:pe:} n. an uncouth person.
ọyẹnmwẹn [` ` `][ɔ̀ỹɛ̃̀ɱɛ̃̀] {SS:em:} n. joy; merriment.
ọyunnua [` ` '][ɔ̀ỹũ̀nw̃ã́] {SS:act:} n. a surprise;
amazement.
ọza [` '][ɔ̀zá] {SS:cl:} n. a sash used by a woman
for tying a baby to the back.
Ọza [` `][ɔ̀zà] {SS:pn:} n. the name of an Edo-
speaking community, whose dialect
of Edo is quite distinct.
ọzedu [` ` `][ɔ̀zèdù] {SS:pr:} n. (< ọ-zẹ-edu) inter-
preter.
ọzẹba [` ` '][ɔ̀zɛ̀bá] {SS::} n. a sticky and unanti-
cipated problem.
Ọzọlua [` ` `][ɔ̀zɔ̀luà] {SS:pn:} n. the name of a
past Oba of Benin. He was the father
of Ọba Ẹsigie.
ọzuọ [` `][ɔ̀zuɔ̀] {SS:pe:} n. fool; idiot.