Details

General

Morphemic form: {atausiq}N
New orthography: ataaseq, ataatsit
Old orthography: atauseĸ, atautsit
Sources: [13, 16]
Combinations: Click here
Constituents: ?, V{-usiq}N,
Right sandhi:
Default/none,
Inflection sandhi:
Geminating,
Stem type: Weak q-stem

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

This stem denotes the number one (numeral), which is used both for counting and for telling the time. For the ordinal (first) see {sivulliq}N.

Its meaning is inherently singular, so it is normally only used with singular endings (e.g. when telling time). However, it can be used with plural endings in some special cases, if it relates to a noun that is inherently plural (like a car).

According to the Comparative Eskimo Dictionary [18], this stem may derive from a combination of a verbal stem {ata-}, 'be attached, persist, manage' and V{usiq}N, but if so, the origin of the meaning is obscure. However, it declines like V{usiq}N, so we record it here as a combination.


Inflection sandhi:

Inflection sandhi is inherited from the right-most component, V{-usiq}N. See this for details.


Meanings and examples

  • illu ataaseq, one house
  • ataatsimut, at 1 o'clock
  • allakkat ataatsit, one letter (mail) [10]

    Here, allakkat is used in plural (which was customary in older writing), even though it refers to a single letter.

  • ataaseq assigaa / naligaa, his condition is unchanged [10]

    Literally: 'he is equal to one (and the same)'. The meaning of this phrase is not very obvious from the constituents.


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