maso
/ˈma.so/
noun
Origin
Proto-Bantu
*-jico — eye
Overview
Meaning Now
- A term used in various Bantu languages, most notably Chichewa, meaning 'eyes'.
Literal older meaning
eyes
Language path
Proto-Bantu → Chichewa
Earliest form
*-jico
Earliest period
Proto-Bantu era
Journey
The root 'maso' is a widespread reflex of the Proto-Bantu noun for 'eye', reconstructed as *-jico. In Chichewa and related languages of the region, the 'ma-' prefix denotes the plural form for nouns in the Class 6 noun category.
Evolution
- Proto-Bantu
*-jico
“eye”
- Early Bantu
*maso
“eyes”
Plural class prefix ma- added to root.
- Modern Chichewa
maso
“eyes”
Connections
Word parts
ma-
prefix
plural class prefix
-so
root
eye
Related across languages
Swahili
macho
eyes
Zulu
amehlo
eyes
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Related to maso
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.