Sao

See also: Appendix:Variations of "sao"

English

Etymology 1

From Ancient Greek Σαώ (Saṓ, literally “the rescuer”), from the verb σῴζω (sṓizō, “to save”).

Proper noun

Sao

1. A nereid (sea nymph) in Greek mythology.
2. (astronomy) A moon of Neptune, named after the nymph.

Etymology 2

Presumably named after the nereid (see Etymology 1). H. tubicola was initially assigned to the genus Nereis.

Noun

Sao

1. (rare) Any marine annelid of the genus Hyalinoecia, especially Hyalinoecia tubicola of Europe, which inhabits a transparent movable tube resembling a quill in color and texture.
   • 1865, George Johnston, A Catalogue of the British Non-Parasitical Worms in the Collection of the British Museum, London: Taylor & Francis, →OCLC, page 138:

     The use of the tube is to protect the body from the pressure of the soft mud in which it stands immersed. When the tube is overset or cast out by the waves or accident, the worm leaves it, and becomes, in its turn, exposed to enemies. To protect itself from these while a new tube is being secreted, nature has amply furnished the Sao with a series of bristling lances on each side. These arms are of exquisite make, very fine and very sharp; and those of the upper bundle have their points bent and inclined towards those of the lower bundle, which are likewise bent to meet them.

   • 1869, William Baird, “The Annelidan Worms, or Annelides (Annelida)”, in The Student and Intellectual Observer, volume 3, London: Groombridge & Sons, →OCLC, page 169:

     Amongst the other genera belonging to this group of Euniceans, there are one or two which inhabit tubes. Such is the Sao (Northia tubicola of Johnston, the Nereis tubicola of Müller), and the Onuphis conchilega of Sars.

   • 1896, Peter Martin Duncan, editor, Cassell's Natural History, volume 6, London: Cassell & Co., →OCLC, pages 230–231:

     The family Eunicidæ is distinguished by a long and numerously segmented body, and a distinct and projecting head. […] The Sao, [Northia tubicola] one of this family, lives in a tube which it constructs for itself, and which presents the exact appearance of a quill pen.

Anagrams

• AOS, AOs, ASO, Aso, OAS, OSA, Oas, SOA, Soa

Turkish

Proper noun

Sao

1. (astronomy) Sao

Yoruba

Etymology

Possibly of Edo origin, its existence in other Ekiti towns may also suggest an Ekiti origin, an association with Edo may be the Sao's role in fighting against Bini invasions into Ekitiland. The first Sao of Akure is believed to have arrived to Akure during the reign of Oba Gbogi (late 17th century).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sà.ò/

Proper noun

Sàò

1. (Ekiti) a high-ranking warrior chief in several Yoruba towns. The Sàò is usually the highest ranking chief in the warrior class of a kingdom (in Akure, this class is known as Ùkómọ). Sàò is also a chief priest of the deity Ògún.

Related terms

• Balógun
• ogun
• Ológun