Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Proto-Gbe *-lɔ, cognates include Fon alɔ̀, Saxwe Gbe alɔ̀, Adja alɔ, Ayizo alɔ, Kotafon Gbe alɔ

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /à.lɔ̀/
  • Audio (Nigeria):(file)

Noun

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àlọ̀ (plural àlọ̀ lẹ́) (Nigeria)

  1. hand

Derived terms

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Yoruba

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Etymology

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From à- (nominalizing prefix) +‎ lọ́ (to twist, to make confusing).

Pronunciation

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Noun

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àlọ́

  1. (idiomatic) riddle, quiz
    Synonyms: ààrọ̀, àlọ́ àpamọ̀
    mo já àlọ́ náàI solved the riddle
  2. (idiomatic) folktale, fable
    Synonym: àlọ́ àpagbè

Interjection

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àlọ́ o!

  1. Used by the storyteller to the listeners to introduce a folktale or riddle
    Àlọ́ ooo! Àlọ̀ ọ̀ọ̀ọ̀! Àlọ́ ooo! Àlọ̀ ọ̀ọ̀ọ̀! Àlọ́ mi dá fùrù gbá gbòó, ó dá lórí...The introduction to a folktale

Usage notes

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(interjection): It is said several times and each time the reply from the listeners is àlọ̀!, typically with the last vowel drawn out.

Derived terms

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  • òwe (proverb, adage)
  • ìtàn (history, story)