ẹkun

Yoruba

Etymology 1

Ẹkùn

Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ́-kʊ̃̀, equivalent to ẹ- (“agent prefix”) +‎ kùn (“to growl, grumble”), literally “That which growls”. Cognate with Igala ẹ́kọ̀, Igbo agụ

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛ̄.kũ̀/

Noun

ẹkùn

1. leopard
2. (inexact) big cat; tiger

Usage notes

• In modern context the word is used to refer to non-African big cats (ex. tiger, jaguar)

Derived terms

• àmọ̀tẹ́kùn (“cheetah”)

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛ̄.kũ̀/

Noun

ẹkùn

1. district, region, neighbourhood

   Synonyms: àdúgbò, ọ̀gbọ́n

Derived terms

• ẹkùn ìjọba ìbílẹ̀ (“local government area”)

Etymology 3

From ẹ- (“nominalizing prefix”) +‎ kún (“to cry”)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛ̄.kṹ/

Noun

ẹkún

1. tears, cry, weeping

Derived terms

• sunkún (“to cry”)

Etymology 4

From ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) +‎ kún (“to fill”), literally “That which is fill, that which is complete”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛ̀.kṹ/

Noun

ẹ̀kún

1. fulfillment, fulness, completion