govi

See also: govī and gòvi

English

Etymology

From Haitian Creole [Term?], from Fon [Term?].

Noun

govi (plural govis or govi)

1. A sacred urn or pitcher in Haitian voodoo, used to hold the spirit of an ancestor.
   • 1953, Maya Deren, Divine Horsemen, McPherson & Company, published 2004, page 28:

     In due course of time, the parent in the govi becomes grandparent and the grandparent becomes ancestor.

   • 1995, Mama Lola & Karen McCarthy Brown, in Cosentino (ed.), Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou, South Sea International Press 1998, p. 232:

     So these govi used to sit on your father's family altar, but now they are on yours?

   • 2009, Ama Mazama, Encyclopedia of African Religion, volume 1, page 297:

     The importance and significance of the govi can hardly be overstressed because it enables as well as brings to light the Voduists' reverence for their ancestors, a ubiquitous and fundamental feature of African religion in general.

Anagrams

• Vigo

Latvian

Noun

govi f

1. accusative/instrumental singular of govs

Norwegian Nynorsk

Etymology 1

Participle

govi

1. (non-standard since 2012) feminine of goven
2. (non-standard since 2012) neuter of goven

Verb

govi

1. (non-standard since 2012) supine of gyva

Etymology 2

Noun

govi n

1. (non-standard since 2012) definite plural of gov
2. (non-standard since 2012) definite plural of gòv

Swahili

Alternative forms

• ngovi

Pronunciation

• Audio (Kenya):

  (file)

Noun

govi (ma class, plural magovi)

1. (anatomy) prepuce, foreskin

   Synonym: mzunga