Mm

maak       

[maak] nominal

 

message stick
• Wirin maak, denh-denh ba-bu-ng, jowk ba-ra-ng, neyenggun-a-gu, gu-ba-di woerrkge-may-gu. 'They cut a message stick, and sent it to another lot, to tell them they were coming to work.' (LM)

mabahang       

[maba/aN] nominal

   1.

ripe
• Galbanyin mabahang. 'The green plums are ripe.' (HL)

   2.

ready, cooked
• Lamang mabahang. 'The meat is cooked.' (LM)

ma-bak-ga-yin       

[mabakgajin] nominal

 

broken

 

see also bak-ga¹.

mabitjbaran       

[mabicbaÓan] nominal
variant mabipbaran (HL)

 

long time
• Gahan woerrkge-ma ngi-ya-nggi mabitjbaran. 'We worked there for a long time.' (LM, text)
• Yawey mabitjbaran-gunda gay-gorden marlarluga ba-di-jan ngal-martiwa, wangga-gu, burrhburr-may-gu. 'Yes, in the olden days, all the old men and women used to come for dancing.' (LM)

mabok       

[mabok] nominal

 

tailbone

mabol       

[mabol] nominal
dialect PH, LL
variant mabul (LL)

 

semen, spunk

mabukbukgan       

[mabukbukgan] nominal

 

lancewood Acacia shirleyi

 

note: The timber from this tree is strong and very hard. It can be used to make boomerangs, nulla-nullas and, in more recent times, ornamental carvings, fence railings and house frames.

mabula       

[mabula] nominal
dialect PH

 

foreskin

ma-burrburr       

[maburbur] nominal

 

broken up, in pieces
• Gahan jilimakgun yonggornh-na lagiban jumbany denh-na bu-ni, ngerrp-ngerrp-ba ma-burrburr. 'The woman first and then the man, he cut them up into pieces.' (LM, text)
• Ma-burrburr gahan danganyin doborrk-ga ya-nggi. 'The tucker is all broken up and crumbled.' (LM)

madaru       

[madaÓu] nominal
often reduplicated mada-k-madaru

 

short
• Wirin ga-ga-n mada-k-madaru gotnon-gu gu-bu-ja-min. 'He has a short stick for killing geese.' (LM)
• Lagarra madaru ga-ya, marluga gahan. 'The old man is short-legged.' (LM)

ma-dit-da-wun       

[maêitdawun] nominal

   1.

round
• Ga-yu nart-da gawu, gahan danganyin ma-dit-da-wun-ma-dit-da-wun. 'It is ready over there, that round tucker.' (LM)

   2.

rough

   3.

lumpy
• Gahan danganyin lihwa ga-ya. Ma-dit-da-wun-ma-dit-da-wun. 'This tucker is no good. It is lumpy.' (LM)

 

see also dit-da, ngaringgirr-ma.

ma-dorrhdorr-ma-yin       

[maêor/dormajin] nominal

 

torn

 

see also dorrhdorr-ma.

ma-dowk-ga-yin       

[maêowkgajin] nominal

 

burst, split, cracked

 

see also dowk-ga¹.

ma-doyhdoy       

[maêoj/doj] nominal

 

promiscuous
• Ma-doyhdoy gi-ya jahan-gu gi-durdurt-da-n yimbama jilimak-gu? 'You're always sleeping around. Why do you run around after women all the time?' (LM)

 

see also doyhdoy-ma.

ma-gelgel       

[magelgel] nominal
dialect PH, LL

 

shiny

 

see also gelgel-ma.

magu       

[magu] locative nominal

   1.

that over there
• Mahan nendo, magu-buga-gu. 'This horse belongs to that mob over there.' (HL)
• Magu-giwu-gu marluga-giwu-ma. 'It belongs to those two old men over there.' (LM)

   2.

over there
• Ngi-ya-nggi-guju jorro-ma-wu magu. 'Us two went back far over there.' (LM, text)

 

see also magu-malan, magu-baban.

magu-baban       

[magubaban] locative nominal
dialect HL, PH

 

other side

 

see also muny-baban, magu.

magulbu       

[magulbu] nominal
dialect HL

 

nulla-nulla

 

see also majangarrin.

magu-malan       

[magumalan] locative nominal

 

over there
• Wanh ngi-bula-ng magu-malan. 'We left it over there.' (LM, text)

 

see also magu.

mahan       

[ma/an] demonstrative
stem may- ~ mayh- (HL); plural may-gorden ~ mayh-gorden (HL)

   1.

this
• Mahan lahan maman yu-nginy bulikgi-du nga-ga-jan manan, bewh-ma. 'This place was good, I used to take the cattle across this way.' (LM, text)

   2.

here
• Me-rega dup-bay-ga mahan! 'Bring him to sit here!'

mahanan       

[ma/anan] locative nominal

 

this way
• Boyh mahanan jowk-ga ba-ra-ndi. 'They sent them this way.' (LM, text)
• Mahanan gi-ya-ngana! 'We'll go this way!' (HL)

 

see also mahan, mawu, mayh-baban.

majalin       

[maïalin] nominal
stem majal-

 

fish
• Lewa-yan ga-ya majalin-gu, berretjjen. 'The white crane is looking for fish.' (LM)

 

note: This is the general word for all kinds of fish.

majangarrin       

[maïaNarin] nominal
stem majanga-

 

nulla-nulla, round fighting stick
• Nga-bu-ni gohrdal, majangarrin-yi. 'I whacked him on the head with a nulla-nulla.' (HL)

 

see also magulbu.

majardi       

[maïaêi] nominal
dialect LM

 

pubic tassle

maji-yan       

[maïijan] n.f. verb (impfv., intr.)
often reduplicated maji-k-maji-yan

 

playing
• Maji-yen-nehen guda-leying! Mi-ya-ngga ngatjbarra guda-nehen-leying maji-yen mi-ya! 'No more playing by the fire! Go and play somewhere a long way from the fire!' (PH)

makgurrin       

[makgurin] nominal
stem makgu-

 

axe, tomahawk
• Makgurrin mahan wirin nung-gin, bak-ga-yi-ma. 'The handle of this axe is broken.' (LM)

makwurrin       

[makwurin] nominal
dialect PH

 

clitoris

malgin       

[malgin] nominal

 

spinifex grass Plechtrachni spp. & Triotia spp.

 

note: The wax or resin from this grass is used as cement to attach heads to spears and hooks to woomeras. It sets hard and strong. The sharp leaf tips can be poked in around the base of a wart. This is repeated several times and the wart will disappear. The strong smelling wax causes this grass to burn very hot, much hotter than other grasses

malirawin       

[maliÓawin] nominal

 

bulb of white and blue lilies Nymphaea violacea

 

see also lalin¹.

malitj       

[malic] nominal
dialect PH

 

small barramundi Lates calcarifer

 

see also marnamnyan.

malitjbin       

[malicbin] nominal

 

eel, also called snake fish

malitjjin       

[malicïin] nominal

 

thick forest, jungle

 

see also gorlondin.

malmalmatj       

[malmalmac] nominal

 

native tobacco

malmatj       

[malmac] nominal
dialect HL

 

spiny gooseberry Solanum echinatum

 

note: The fruit can be eaten when they are soft and pale yellow. When ripe the fruit have a strong sweet smell. The stems and fruit calyx are very prickly, making it difficult to collect the fruit.

mamak       

[mamak] interjection

 

goodbye
• Mamak ngi-yama-ny nung niji-gu. 'We said goodbye to uncle.' (HL)

maman       

[maman] nominal

 

good
• Lahan maman yowtj ge-ge-n-ngana mi-guk-ga-ngana-wa. 'We'll find a good place to sleep.' (PH)

mamatj-ja       

[mamacïa] coverb (intr.)
dialect HL, PH

 

to wave
• Mamatj-ja nga-yu borroju. 'I'm waving to them.' (PH)

mamin       

[mamin] nominal
stem mam-

   1.

ghost, devil
• "Menuny mamin mawu ga-yu-ma wah-laying" yaha-ny. '"Maybe there is a ghost here in the water" he said.' (LM, text)

   2.

white man
• Yondorrin ba-dipba-yi, mam-buga. 'They made a road, the white men.' (LM)

 

see also wurrgurru.

maminakbun       

[maminakbun] nominal
variant maminakgun (PH)

   1.

pretty
• Maminakgun jilimakgun-buga. 'The women are pretty.' (PH)

   2.

nice
• Lawel gahan lemh mi-du-min, maminakbun! 'Put on those clothes, the nice ones!' (LM)

   3.

new
• Goron maminakbun ba-dipba-yi. 'They built new houses.' (LM)

ma-mubay       

[mamubaj] nominal
variant mubay (HL, PH)

 

raw
• Mahan lamang mubay. 'This meat is raw.' (HL)

mangayawa       

[maNajawa] nominal
variant manguyawa (HL)

 

poison
• Mangayawa-yi ba-nawu-ndi gahan marluga neyenggun. 'They poisoned that other old man.' (LM)

mangelk       

[maNelk] nominal

 

safe
• Yilkgawu mangelk gahan mi-ya bewh-ma. 'It's okay, it's safe to cross there.' (HL)

manggalin       

[maNgalin] nominal

 

woomera

manghmang-nga       

[maN/maNNa] coverb (intr.)

 

to dance slapping lower legs together
• Lagarra-ma manyimiyan, manghmangh-manghmangh ga-ya. 'They dance like this slapping their lower legs together.' (LM)

 

see also mangumangu.

mangh-nga       

[maN/Na] coverb (intr.)

 

to hurt
• Labali-giwu yurrup-ba-gunda mangh-nga nga-yu. 'My legs are hurting from standing up (for ages).' (PH)
• Gahan neyenggun warren, ngan-ma-ny-ma mangh-nga mahan lari! 'That other kid hurt my arm!' (LM)

mangiman       

[maNiman] nominal
stem mangima-

 

policeman
• "Jahan-gu-bi ngerrp-ba ngi-bu-ni?" yaha-ny nung mangiman-yi. '"Why did you cut him?" the policeman asked him.' (HL, text)

mangordordo       

[maNoêoêo] nominal

 

ankle

mangumangu       

[maNumaNu] nominal

 

women's dance style

 

see also manghmang-nga.

mangurdal       

[maNuêal] nominal

   1.

throat
• Nga-bey-ma-n mangurdal. 'My throat is dry.' (LM, text)

   2.

front of neck
• Mangurdal nganing-gin bijip-ba nga-bu-ji-na. 'I twisted my neck.' (LM)

 

see also lagirdal.

mankarrh-ma       

[mangar/ma] coverb (intr.)

 

to be lonely and dejected
• Mankarrh-ma ga-ni lagiban-yi nung-gin-yi bula-ndi menuny. 'She's sitting down lonely and dejected, perhaps her boyfriend has left her.' (HL)

manyimiyan       

[maøimijan] nominal

 

this kind

manyunu       

[maøunu] pronoun

 

self
• Mahan danganyin nga-ma-yi nganing-gin manyunu. 'I got this tucker for myself.' (LM)

mapbun       

[mapbun] nominal

 

cicatrices
• Mapbun ngerrp-ba ga-ba-bu-n. 'They are cutting cicatrices.' (HL)

mara       

[maÓa] nominal

 

large intestine, big guts
• Mara dorroh-dorroh ba-ma-yi, gahan gangaman. 'They pulled out the kangaroo's intestines.' (PH)

marak       

[maÓak] nominal

 

leaf
• Ga-ba-guk-ga-n marak-ba. 'They're camping on the leaves.' (HL)

 

see also wurinyjulin.

marartdan       

[maÓaÿêan] nominal
dialect PH

 

root of penis

mardawuk       

[maêawuk] nominal
variant mardawk (HL, PH)

   1.

wild passionfruit Passiflora foetida

   2.

native cucumber Cucumis melo

 

note: It is not clear which of these two plant species this word refers to. But in any case, speakers seem to suggest that this word is not proper Wagiman.

 

see also ngambatj², mundukban.

mardawukmardaw       

[maêawukmaêaw] nominal
dialect HL

 

small intestine, little guts

 

see also ngujakgarrin.

mardigilgun       

[maêigilgun] nominal
variant mardegelhgun (HL, LL)

 

chewing tobacco

mardit       

[maêit] nominal
dialect PH, LL

   1.

black-breasted buzzard Hamirostra melanosternon

   2.

whistling kite Haliastur sphenurus

   3.

black kite Milvus migrans

 

note: Black kites and whistling kites are often seen near fires where they hunt for lizards, grasshoppers and other small insects. They carry burning sticks to grassy areas to start new fires and flush out more prey.

marlimarli       

[mañimañi] nominal

 

butterfly

marluga       

[mañuga] nominal
plural marlarluga

 

old man
• Marluga dorh yaha-ny nganung. 'The old man collected me.' (LM, text)

marnakgin       

[ma÷akgin] nominal

 

beeswax

marnamanmerri       

[ma÷amanmeri] nominal
dialect HL

 

dwarf

 

note: A mythological figure.

marnamin       

[ma÷amin] nominal

 

billygoat plum Terminalia ferdinandiana

 

note: The fruit are eaten when they are pale green. Generally they are collected off the ground.

 

see also ngamulgu.

marnamnyan       

[ma÷amøan] nominal

 

barramundi Lates calcarifer
• Nge-re-jan-wu marnamnyan. 'We used to spear barramundi.' (PH, text)

 

see also malitj.

marnapbam       

[ma÷apbam] nominal

 

ready
• Wait mey marnapbam-gu! 'Wait until it's ready!' (HL)
• Marnapbam ga-yu danganyin nga-berda-yi. 'The tucker is ready, I've cooked it.' (LM)

marnburlu       

[ma÷buñu] nominal
variant marnburlun (PH)

 

king quail Coturnix chinensis

marndarin       

[ma÷êaÓin] nominal

 

freshwater mangrove Barringtonia acutangula

 

note: Can be used as fish poison.

marndayang       

[ma֐ajaN] nominal

 

gum tree sp. Terminalia platyphylla

marndulga       

[ma֐ulga] nominal

 

lungs

 

see also mawupban.

marnh-na       

[ma÷/na] coverb (intr.)

   1.

to emerge
• Ga-di-n longon, marnh-marnh ga-ba-bu-n longon. 'Clouds are coming, they are building up.'
• Marnh-na ga-bu-n magu. 'He's emerging (from out of the water) over there.'
• Bornh, marnh nga-bu-ni. 'I dived in and came up again.' (PH)

   2.

to hatch
• Langawarin wayi-tjjalbu, jarruk-gunda marn-na bu-ni. 'The baby turtles have hatched from their eggs.'

   3.

to shoot up
• Marnh-na ga-bu-n garatjjin. 'New grass is shooting up.'

   4.

to float
• Wurinyjulin ga-ya marnh-na. 'The leaves are floating.' (LM)

marnmarn       

[ma÷ma÷] nominal

 

alive
• Bort yaha-ny nungarin, marnmarn yu-nginy nungarin. 'One died, but one was still alive.' (LM, text)

marral-ma       

[maralma] coverb (intr.)

 

to be frightened; to frighten
• Marral-marral ga-ya now. 'He is frightened now.' (LM)
• Jahan-gu marral-ma gi-bu-n gahan nubuny wayi-tjjalbu? 'Why did you frighten that little boy?' (LM)

 

see also ngotjje-yi.

marranyin       

[maraøin] nominal

   1.

sand

   2.

sugar

marrinyin       

[mariøin] nominal

 

young girl
• Lerr-ma ngan-ma-ny mahan berlin-ga ga-yu nganung marrinyin mahan. Wal-ma-yi gabarn-na-wu. 'This young girl has caught up to my shoulder. She has grown quickly.' (LM)

 

note: A marrinyin is about ten to twelve years old.

marrkmarrk       

[markmark] nominal

 

cramp
• Marrkmarrk-yi ngan-ma-n, labali. 'A cramp has got my leg.' (PH)

 

see also menyjirrtjjirr.

marrngh-nga       

[marN/Na] coverb (intr.)

 

to flash (of lightning)
• Marrngh-nga ga-yu mirningilin. 'Lightning is flashing.' (HL)

martdal       

[maÿêal] nominal

   1.

foot
• Martdal-garang wilh-ma ngi-ya-nggi-guju. 'We went on foot.' (LM, text)

   2.

footprint
• Martdal barnbarn-na ya-nggi. 'He has left footprints.' (LM)

martgul       

[maÿgul] nominal
dialect PH

 

strychnine tree Strychnos lucida

 

note: The fruit are poisonous. The fruit and leaves can be crushed and added to waterholes to poison fish, which can then be collected and eaten.

marun       

[maÓun] nominal
stem maru-

   1.

banyan tree Ficus virens
note: The fruit of the banyan tree is eaten by birds and fish, but not by Wagiman people. The fibrous inner bark from the prop roots can be used to make a very strong string.
• Marun ga-yu yurrup-ba buluman. Marluga gawu ga-yu, jibirrin. 'A big banyan tree stands there. The old man (Mick Fleming) is buried there.' (LM, text)

   2.

rock fig Ficus platypoda
note: The fruit of the rock fig can be eaten when they are ripe: red to brown in colour. The bark off the long roots can be used to make string for dilly bags and other purposes.

matjgul       

[macgul] nominal
dialect LL

 

a clump of trees
• Matjgul magu ga-yu. 'There's a clump of trees over there.' (LL)

matjjin       

[macïin] nominal

   1.

language
• Jahan lamang gahan matjjin-garang Wagima-garang? 'What is that animal called in the Wagiman language?' (CM, text)
• Gornkorn-na ga-ya Jaminjung, Wagiman, Wardaman, matjjin gornkorn-na ga-ya, murrkgun. 'He speaks Jaminjung, Wagiman and Wardaman. He speaks three languages.' (PH)

   2.

story
• "Maa ngonggo matjjin" yaha-ny nung. '"I'll tell you a story" he said to her.' (LM, text)
• Wihya now matjjin-nehen nga-yu. 'No, I don't have any stories.' (HL, text)

   3.

word
• Matjjin lihwa-lihwa gaa gahan. 'He's always saying bad words.' (PH)

ma-werri-gun       

[mawerigun] nominal
variant ma-wirri-gun (HL)

 

dangerous place
• Jamba ngi-ya gayh-ba ma-wirri-gun gahan lahan. 'We can't go there because it's a dangerous place.' (HL)

mawuduwudu       

[mawuduwudu] nominal
dialect HL

 

throwing stick
• Ba-bu-ni gortnon, wir-yi, mawuduwudu-yi. 'They killed the goose with a throwing stick.' (HL)

mawupban       

[mawupban] nominal
dialect HL, LL

 

lungs

 

see also marndulga.

mayamaya       

[majamaja] nominal

 

pelican Pelecanus conspicullatus
• Mayamaya, majalin ga-riwo-n. 'The pelican is looking for fish.' (LM)

 

note: Pelicans make good eating because a lot of meat can be obtained from one bird.

mayh-baban       

[maj/baban] locative nominal
dialect HL, PH, LL

 

this side
• Mayh-baban ga-yu garra-ba. 'He's on this side of the hill.' (HL)

 

see also banagan.

ma-yi       

[maji] infl. verb (tr.)
root -ma-; past -yi; ppfv -ny

   1.

to get
• Jabutj ya-ngga-jan lek-ga garradin ma-jan. 'Grandfather used to go down and get money.' (LL, text)

   2.

to do (a general transitive auxiliary in complex predicates)
• Ngerrp ma-ny gahan mamin, knife-yi. 'He stabbed that white man with a knife.' (HL, text)

mayiwa       

[majiwa] nominal

 

sister
• Mayiwa, mi-di nganung! 'Sister, come here!' (LM)

 

see also biyakgin, ngal-biyak-mang.

melel-ma       

[melelma] coverb (intr.)

 

to ripple
• Borlwon-yi ga-bu-n melel-ma wahan. 'The wind is making the water ripple.' (HL)

mele-ma       

[melema] coverb (intr.)

 

to be black
• Gayh-gorden-yi mele-ma ga-ba-boro-n nganing-gin borndedi. 'That lot are making my billycan black (from boiling tea).' (HL)
• Wahan ga-di-n mele-ma. 'Black rain clouds are coming.' (HL)

 

see also no-mele-ma.

mengey-ma       

[meNejma] coverb (tr.)
dialect HL, PH

 

to peep
• Neywurnh-na labu-ndi gahan goron, mengey bu-ni nguynguy ngitjjin-ba. 'He crept up to that house, and peeped in at night, in the dark.' (HL, text)

menmen       

[menmen] nominal
dialect LL

 

plant sp. Carallia brachiata

 

note: The fruit can be eaten when they turn red. They are often produced in large numbers and are eaten by birds as well. The wood can be used to make woomera shafts and spear shafts.

menuny       

[menuø] particle

 

maybe
• Menuny gawu ga-ba-yu-guju bora-leying. 'Maybe those two are there by the river.' (LM, text)

menwu       

[menwu] particle

 

always, all the time
• Ngagun wakban nga-yu menwu guk-ga-yan. Wornka-ma nga-yu. 'Me, I always sleep alone. I am lonely.'

 

see also yimbama.

menyin       

[meøin] nominal
stem meny-

   1.

angry, wild
• Jamba mi-yu may-laying menyin-garang ga-ya ngonggo marluga. 'You can't stay here because the old man is angry with you.' (LM, text)
• Nyimbur-ma ga-yu now gahan marluga meny-gunda. 'That old man has calmed down now from being angry.' (LM)

   2.

trouble
• Yimbama menyin ga-jewo-n gahan, gahan lagiban-yi, baba nganing-gin. 'He is always looking for trouble, my brother.' (LM)

   3.

fighting
• Ba-di-jan, jorro-ma-wu, meny-gunda ba-bu-ji-jan magu-malan. 'They came back from fighting in the war a long way away.' (LM, text)
• Ba-bu-ji-na buluman menyin-ma. 'They had a big fight.' (LM)

menyjirrtjjirr       

[meøïircïir] nominal
dialect LM, LL

 

cramp
• Lari menyjirrtjjirr ngan-bu-n. 'I have a cramp in my arm.' (LM)

 

see also marrkmarrk.

merlunghmerlung-nga       

[meñuN/meñuNNa] coverb (intr.)

 

to have waves
• Wahan melel-ma ga-bu-n, merlunghmerlung-nga ga-yu. 'The wind is rippling the water and making waves.' (LM)

merrepben       

[merepben] nominal

 

sand palm Livistona humilis & inermis

 

note: The inner cabbage in the growing point can be eaten raw or cooked. The fibre from new leaves is used to make string bags.

 

see also gumilan.

merrh-ma       

[mer/ma] coverb (tr.)

 

to add together
• Mani-nawu gahan garradin merrh men-ge. 'Give me that money, and we'll add our money together.' (HL)

mert-da       

[meÿda] coverb (tr.)

   1.

to touch
• Jamba mert-mert mi-ma gahan wirin, jip-ba gunyju-bu, gorro-ma. 'Don't touch that tree, or it will make you itchy later.' (LM)

   2.

to feel
• Danganyin mert mi-ma! 'Feel the tucker! (to see if it's ripe)' (HL)
• Nibulin lihwa ga-ya mert-mert-mert-mert. 'He's blind so he has to feel his way around.' (HL)

merun       

[meÓun] nominal

 

tear
• Warren gahan merun ga-yu gururu-ma. 'Tears are streaming down that kid's face.' (HL)

milijun       

[miliïun] nominal

 

morning star
• Milijun werrh jumbany nendo yurrup-ba-yan nebe-jan. 'The morning star would come up behind were the horses were standing.' (PH, text)

milil-ma¹       

[mililma] coverb (intr.)
variant melel-ma (PH)

 

to shine
• Ngurrun mahan ga-yu milil-ma. 'The sun is shining.' (LM)
• Milil-ma ngan-ba-bu-ng, gilatj-garang. 'They shone me (in the eye) with a mirror.' (LM)

 

see also militjmilitj-ja.

milil-ma²       

[mililma] coverb (intr.)

 

to bear your teeth
• Nimurdal milil yaha-ny gahan lamarra-ma menyin. Ngunyju-badi ngonggo. Mililh gaa nimurdal. 'That dog has beared its teeth in anger. It might bite you. It's bearing its teeth.' (LM)

militjmilitj-ja       

[milicmilicïa] coverb (intr.)
dialect PH

 

to shine
• Militjmilitj-wa ba-yebe-jan mornen. 'They used to wash (the horses') backs.' (PH, text)
• motorcar militjmilitj ga-yu. 'The car is shiny.' (PH)

 

see also milil-ma.

milmilma       

[milmilma] nominal

 

prickle heat stick

mimurdal       

[mimuêal] nominal
variant nimurdal (HL, PH, LL)

 

hip

mindilpbiny       

[mindilpbiø] nominal
variant minditjbirriny (PH)

 

mullet Mugil sp.

minggamin       

[miNgamin] nominal
variant menggamin (HL, LL)

 

northern death adder Acanthophis praelongatus

 

note: The needle at the end of the tail is distinctive for this very dangerous snake. While it has a sleepy appearance it can move quickly and has fast-acting poison. When it is angry it flattens its body close to the ground. It often sits very still and is difficult to see.

minyga       

[miøga] nominal

   1.

all over the place
• Marluga, ga-ya wilh-ma minyga-minyga wakban-u-bi. 'The old man walks about all over the place by himself.' (LM)

   2.

deep
• Ga-yu minyga-ma wahan. Wangirrk gey-ma! 'The water is deep. You might drown!' (LM)

   3.

far away

minyjinyin       

[miøïiøin] nominal
variant minyjinin (HL)

 

sandpaper fig Ficus opposita & scobina

 

note: The small dark fruit of Ficus scobina can be eaten, though they are not particularly tasty. Bream also eat the fruit. The leaves can be used like sandpaper to smooth wooden implements, such as boomerangs and spear shafts.

mirda       

[miêa] nominal
dialect PH, LL

 

shield

mirnh-na       

[mi÷/na] coverb (tr.)

 

to plait
• Mirnh-mirn-na nga-bu-ng gordal nganing-gin lardili. 'I have plaited my hair.' (LM)

mirnimirnim       

[mi÷imi÷im] nominal

 

torch
• Gi-gondo-n mirnimirnim? 'Do you have a torch?' (LM)

mirnim-ma       

[mi÷imma] coverb (intr.)

 

to flash
• Mirnim-mirnim-mirnim gaa-ma linmulinmu. 'The fireflies are flashing.' (LM)

mirningilin       

[mi÷iNilin] nominal

 

lightning
• Mirningilin-yi bu-ni gahan wirin, dok ma-ny wolok-gundaaa munya. 'Lightning hit the tree and split it from top to bottom.' (HL)

 

see also ngararin.

mirritj-ja       

[miricïa] coverb (tr.)

   1.

to bake
• Danganyin gahan mirritj-ja ngi-bu-ni? 'Did you bake the damper?' (LM)
• Danganyin ma-ma mirritj-ja. 'I am going to bake some bread.' (HL)

   2.

to knead

mirr-ma       

[mirma] coverb (intr.)

   1.

to make a roaring noise
• Mirr-mirr-ma ga-di-n motorcar. 'A car is coming up making a roaring noise.' (PH)

   2.

to thunder
• Mirr-ma ga-yu wahan. 'There is a thunderstorm.' (HL)

   3.

to growl
• Mirr-mirr-ma ga-ya gahan ngal-martdiwa ngan-warle-n. 'The old lady is growling me.' (LM)

mirrngh-nga       

[mirN/Na] coverb (intr.)
dialect HL, PH, LL

 

to be very hot
• Mirrngh gaa gitjjiya ngurrun. 'It's very hot now in the sun.' (LL)

mok-ga       

[mokga] coverb (ambitr.)

 

to smell
• Lihwa-tjjondony mok-ga ga-yu gahan lamang. 'That animal smells bad.' (CM, text)
• Lamarra gahan, mok ma-ny-wa, menuny walanyja. 'The dog has smelt something, maybe a goanna.' (PH)
• Mok-ga ga-ya, but maman danganyin jamh-ma-gu. 'It smells, but it is good tucker to eat.' (HL, text)

molgornong       

[molgo÷oN] nominal
variant molgornon (HL, PH)

 

small of back

molinyin       

[moliøin] nominal

 

tree sp.

momboh-ma       

[mombo/ma] coverb (intr.)

 

to close your eyes
• Gay-gunda nyarh ngaha-ny momboh-ma nga-yu-nginy nga-guk-ga-yi yilkgawu. 'From that I was tired. I closed my eyes and went to sleep.' (LM)

mon-na       

[monna] coverb (intr.)
variant mun-na (HL, PH)

 

to bend down
• Mun-na ga-ya gordal, lewa-yan bakga-gu menuny. 'He's going along bent down, looking for his tobacco maybe.' (PH)

moratjjan       

[moÓacïan] nominal
variant morotjjan (PH)

 

spider

mordon       

[moêon] nominal

 

emu berry Grewia retusifolia

 

note: The fruit are eaten when they turn brown; they are sweet and tasty. The fruit are also eaten by emus. The leaves can be boiled in water and the liquid drunk to treat diarrhoea. A little sugar may be added to sweeten the liquid. The root can also be used for the same purpose.

mordu       

[moêu] nominal
variant murdu (HL)

 

women's dance style

 

note: Not a Wagiman dance, but from further south.

morna-ji-na       

[mo÷aïina] infl. verb (intr.)
root -morna-ji-; past -na; ppfv -ng

 

to love yourself
• Gahan lagiban-yi ga-morna-ji-n, motorcar ga-gondo-n. 'That man loves himself because he's got a car.' (HL)

mornen       

[mo÷en] nominal

 

back
• Mornen nyirrng-nga ngan-bu-ng-ma, gurnagun-yi. 'She rubbed my back with fat.' (LM)

mornitjjal       

[mo÷icïal] nominal

 

net
• Mornitjjal berrh-ma-yan ga-ba-ra-n majalin gu-ba-ma. 'They're throwing out a net to catch fish.' (PH)
• Mornitjjal mi-ma nganung! Ma-ya-min guk-ga-yan! 'Get me a mosquito net! I am going to sleep.' (LM)

mornotj-ja       

[mo÷ocïa] coverb (intr.)

   1.

to be hunched up
• Mornotj-ja ga-ya warren gahan. 'That kid is going along hunched up.' (LM)

   2.

to bend down
• Mornotj-ja ga-yu. 'He's bending down.' (PH)

   3.

to be humpy-backed
• Mornotj-ja ga-yu mornen. 'He's got a humpy back.' (HL)

   4.

to be flash
• Mornotj-mornotj-ja ga-ya wilh-ma. 'He walks flash.' (PH)

morratdan       

[moratdan] nominal

 

crab

morrol-ma       

[morolma] coverb (intr.)

   1.

to be ashamed
• Morrol-ma ga-yu gahan jilimakgun. 'That woman is ashamed.' (HL)

   2.

to be shy
• Nga-morrol-ma-n getj-jay-gu. 'I am shy about asking.' (LM)

 

see also no-morrol-ma.

mortdang-nga       

[moÿêaNNa] coverb (intr.)
variant murtdang-nga (HL)

 

to be hollow-backed
• Murtdang-nga ga-ya wilh-ma. 'He's walking along with his bum stuck out.' (HL)

mow-ma¹       

[mowma] coverb (tr.)

   1.

to nurse
• Mow-ma ga-gondo-n labingan, ngapbuny ga-nawu-n. 'She is nursing the baby, giving it milk.' (LM)

   2.

to hug

moyh-ma       

[moj/ma] coverb (ambitr.)

   1.

to feel sorry
• Moyh-ma nga-yu gayh-gu, mamin-gu. 'I feel sorry for that white man.' (HL)

   2.

to worry

   3.

to dislike
• Moyh-ma nga-ma-n, marluga gahan. 'I don't like that old man.' (PH)

mugatj       

[mugac] nominal

 

yam sp. Typhonium sp.

 

note: The flesh of this yam is hot like chili. It has to be cooked and then bashed a lot to get the heat out of it.

mukmuk       

[mukmuk] nominal

 

barking owl Ninox connivens

mule-na       

[mulena] infl. verb (tr.)
root -mule-; past -na

 

to make love to

mulubahmin       

[muluba/min] nominal

 

grass lily sp. Aponegeton elongatus

muludu       

[muludu] nominal

 

lying head-to-tail
• Muludu ga-ba-yu. 'They are sleeping head-to-tail.' (LM)

mululubuny       

[mululubuø] nominal
dialect PH

 

grown man
• Birriman ga-na-n-wa mululubuny. 'He is becoming a grown man.' (PH)

mululuk       

[mululuk] nominal

 

initiation ceremony

 

note: Mululuk is where the young men who are being initiated are taken on a long walk all around the country, visiting many different camps.

 

see also yingiwana.

mulurru       

[muluru] nominal

 

old lady

 

note: This word is only occasionally used and seems not to be proper Wagiman.

 

see also ngal-martdiwa.

mulyi-ma       

[muljima] coverb (intr.)

   1.

to go backwards
• Mulyi-ma gi-ya jahan-gu? 'Why are you going backwards?' (HL)

   2.

to wriggle
• Jamba mulyi-ma mi-ya-ngga! Nunga-gun dup-ba mi-yu! 'Stop wriggling around! Sit down one place!' (LM)

mundukban       

[mundukban] nominal
variant mundupban (HL, PH)

 

native cucumber Cucumis melo

 

note: The fruit can be eaten when they turn pale green to yellow. The fruit smell sweet when they are ready to eat. They often need to be washed or rubbed to remove the small hairs.

munmunin       

[munmunin] nominal
dialect HL, PH, LL

 

dew

munya       

[muøa] locative nominal

   1.

under, underneath
• Gahan lari-lari-garang wirin gahan. Munya ga-yu-ma. 'The tree has lots of roots. They are down underneath.' (LM)
• Dangarrh-ma mi-ma gahan teapot, let mi-nanda munya! 'Lift the lid of the teapot, and have a look what's underneath!' (HL)

   2.

down
• Bardatj-ja ga-ba-ya gordal munya ga-ba-ge-n. 'They're going along with their heads down.' (LM)

   3.

deep
• Wahan munya ga-ni. 'The water is deep.' (HL)

muny-baban       

[muøbaban] locative nominal
variant muny-jaban (LL)

 

other side
• Muny-baban ga-yu garra-ba? 'Is he on the other side of the hill?' (HL)

 

see also magu-baban.

murlany-nya       

[muñaøøa] coverb (tr.)

 

to pull apart, to pull up
• Murlany bu-ng-ma garatjjin. 'She parted the grass.' (LM, text)
• Gahan lahan murlany-nya gi-bu-n. 'You pull the bed up.' (LM)

murnhmurnin       

[mu÷/mu÷in] nominal
variant murnhmurn (LL)

 

water rat Hydromys chrysogaster

murnin       

[mu÷in] nominal

 

sleepy cod, also called mud cod Oxyeleotris selheimi & lineolatus

murrgurk-ga       

[murguÓkga] coverb (intr.)
dialect PH

 

to swell up arse
• Murrgurk-ga ga-yu gabarn-na jek-ga gu-ya. 'His arse is swollen up and he'll have to quickly go and shit.' (PH)

murrkgun       

[murkgun] nominal

 

three
• Murrkgun jilimakgun-buga, ba-ya-ngga-jan bulikgi muster-im-about-wu. 'The three women used to go mustering cattle.' (PH, text)

murr-ma       

[murma] coverb (intr.)
dialect HL

 

to walk along in the water looking for something with your feet
• Murr-ma nga-ya, wepbun-gu mahan, lewa-yan nga-ya. 'I'm walking along in the water looking for mussels with my feet.' (HL)

murrurrutj       

[mururuc] nominal
dialect PH

 

stacked up and covered over
• Murrurrutj nga-bula-ndi danganyin. 'I left the tucker stacked up and covered over.' (PH)

murtdal       

[muÿêal] nominal
dialect HL, PH

 

arse hole

murtdu-yi       

[muÿêuji] infl. verb (tr.)
root -murtdu-; past -yi; also murtdu-yan n.f. impfv, murtdu-yh n.f. pfv

 

to chase
• Gahan lagiban yimbama murtdu-yan ga-ba-yu-ma jilimakgun. 'That man is always chasing women.' (LM)
• Durdu-durdurt ga-ba-murtdu-ji-n. 'They're running around chasing one another.'

mutduma       

[mutduma] nominal

 

crippled, lame
• Ngagun mutduma. 'I am crippled.' (HL)

mutjjimbirritj       

[mucïimbiric] nominal
dialect PH

 

bum cheek

mutjmutjja       

[mucmucïa] nominal
variant mitjmitjjin (HL)

 

sandfly