laʼbiriʼ

Makasar

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-South Sulawesi *ləbbiɣ (“to revere, to honor”). Compared Toraja-Sa'dan laʼbiʼ, Buginese lebbiʼ.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈlaʔbiriʔ/, [ˈlaʔ.ɓi.riʔ]
• Hyphenation: laʼ‧bi‧riʼ

Adjective

laʼbiriʼ (Lontara spelling ᨒᨅᨗᨑᨗ)

1. splendid, exalted, sublime, magnificent, lofty.

   Ammake laʼbiriʼ ― To be splendidly dressed.

2. noble, honorable, revered.

   Tau laʼbiriʼ ― Noble person.

3. reserved, dignified in manner.

   Laʼbiriʼna i Basseʼ nibattùi

   How reserved (or unapproachable) Basseʼ seems when receiving guests.

Affixations

• aʼlaʼbiʼ-laʼbiriʼ
• kalaʼbirang
• kalaʼbìri
• laʼbiranngang
• pakalaʼbiriʼ
• pakalaʼbiʼ-laʼbiriʼ

 

Further reading

• A. A. Cense (2024) Makassaars-Nederlands woordenboek‎^[1], Brill, →DOI