imọlẹ

Yoruba

Alternative forms

• ụmọlẹ̀ (Èkìtì)

Etymology 1

i- (“nominalizing prefix”) +‎ mọ (“to mold, to shape”) +‎ ilẹ̀ (“land”), literally “The creators of the land”, compare with Itsekiri umalẹ̀, if the term existed in Proto-Yoruboid, perhaps it was Proto-Yoruboid *ʊ́-mɔlɛ̀

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ī.mɔ̃̄.lɛ̀/

Noun

imọlẹ̀

1. primordial spirits or energies in Ìṣẹ̀ṣe. The first four hundred and one of these spirits who were sent to Earth are regarded as the irúnmọlẹ̀. Humans chosen or inhabited by the imọlẹ̀ are known as òrìṣà

   Synonyms: irúnmọlẹ̀, òrìṣà

2. earth spirit, ancient ancestor (that are worshipped)

   Synonyms: ẹbọra, alálẹ̀

   Àjàlémògún jẹ́ imọlẹ̀ tí ìlú Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín ― Àjàlémògún is the patron earth spirit of the town of Ilara-Mokin

Derived terms

• ugbómọlẹ̀ (“forbidden forest, forest inhabited by the imọlẹ̀”)
• abọmọlẹ̀
• ilé-imọlẹ̀

Related terms

• òrìṣà
• ẹbọra

Etymology 2

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) +‎ mọ́lẹ̀ (“to shine, to light, to brighten, to make clear”)

Alternative forms

• ụ̀mọ́lẹ̀ (Èkìtì)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ì.mɔ̃́.lɛ̀/

Noun

ìmọ́lẹ̀

1. light, brightness, glow

Derived terms

• ìmọ́lẹ̀ bàìbàì (“dim light”)
• ìmọ́lẹ̀ oòrùn (“sunlight”)
• ìmọ́lẹ̀ òṣùpá (“moonlight”)