Reconstruction:Proto-Bantu/dʊ̀kópè

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Reconstruction:Proto-Bantu/dʊ̀kópè

This Proto-Bantu entry contains reconstructed words and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Bantu

Noun

*dʊ̀kópè class 11 (plural *nkópè class 10)[1]

1. eyelash

Usage notes

This term is shared between many Bantu languages, but a single form cannot be formally reconstructed to the level of Proto-Bantu because of historical or linguistic considerations. This form is not found in western Bantu languages, so likely can only be reconstructed for a subfamily of Bantu.

Descendants

From *dʊ̀kópè:

• Rwanda-Rundi: urugohe (“eyelid, eyelash”)
• Southern Bantu:
  • Nguni:
    • Xhosa: ukhophe (“eyelid”)
    • Zulu: ukhophe (“eyelash”)
• Swahili: ukope (“eyelid, eyelash”)

From *kɪ̀kópè:

• Chichewa: chikope (“eyelid”)
• Shona: chikope (“eyelid”)

From *nkópè ("sleep, face"):

• Chichewa: nkhope (“face”)
• Shona: hope (“sleep”)
• Tswana: kgofe (“nap”)

References

1. Entry 1954 at Bantu Lexical Reconstructions 3