Yoruba

edit

Etymology

edit

From ì- (nominalizing prefix) +‎ ṣú (to inherit (a widow)) +‎ opó (widow), literally The act of inheriting a widow of one's male relative as a wife.

Pronunciation

edit

Noun

edit

ìṣúpó

  1. levirate marriage, widow inheritance
    Synonym: opó-ṣíṣú

Usage notes

edit
  • While a widow is normally inherited by the brother or half-brother of her late husband, in some Yoruba societies, it may extend to any male relative of the late husband (older than the widow), including nephews, sons, and cousins.