Reconstruction:Proto-Yoruboid/é-lĩ

This Proto-Yoruboid entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Yoruboid

Etymology

Cognate with Proto-Edoid *E-ni (Urhobo eni, Edo ení), Proto-Igboid *é-níNī̀, (Igbo enyi). For roots in other related languages, see Proto-Nupoid *ɔ-dɔgba. See Benue-Congo cognates, Ibibio eniin, Tee ni, Proto-Lower Cross River *é-nì:n, Proto-Ogoni *ǹnĩ, Westerman constructs a possible reconstruction to Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-ni-, and in comparison to the similar root Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-nani (“four”), the term possibly may mean "four." This makes it a distant Doublet of *ɛ̀-lɪ̃. Compare with other Yoruboid terms for elephant, àjànàkú, àdzènàkúrú, likely a locally innovative root.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /é.lĩ̄/

Noun

*é-lĩ

elephant

Descendants

Yoruba: erin
Igala: éli
Olukumi: erin