chʼíhonítʼiʼ

Navajo

Etymology

chʼí- (“out horizontally”) + -ho- (“space, area, things”) + -ní- (ni-perfective 3rd person subject prefix) + -∅- (classifier) + -tʼiʼ (neuter perfective stem of root -TʼIʼ, “a slender flexible object extends”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /tʃʔɪ́.hò.nɪ̃́.tʔɪ̀ʔ/

Verb

chʼíhonítʼiʼ

1. a space extends horizontally outward

Noun

chʼíhonítʼiʼ

1. exit, outlet, way out
2. (weaving) spirit line, spirit pathway (a woven line of contrasting color extending out from the center to the textile's edge which allows the weaver's spirit to exit the object, separating the weaver from the weaving and from any harmful thoughts that may come into contact with it as it is used or exhibited)