Details

General

Morphemic form: {agijaq}N
New orthography: agiaq, agissat
Old orthography: agiaĸ, agíssat
Sources: [MFSJLK10]
Combinations: View list
Right sandhi: Default/none
Inflection sandhi: Geminating
Stem type(s): Weak q-stem

Description and behaviour

Form and usage:

According to the Comparative Eskimo Dictionary [MFSJLK10], this word derives from a stem {aɣiɣ-} meaning 'to rub' (against something). The present stem may then either be an irregularly formed passive participle, i.e. 'something rubbed against' cf. V{-ðaq}N, or from a further derived form with V{-aq}V, denoting 'repeated/prolonged activity', cf. the verbal stem {agijaq}V, which is then used nominally, without a verbal ending.

In either case, the dictionaries [SK71], [CWSL58], [CBBJRPIKJR97] all record this stem as 'violin' or 'fiddle'. Schultz-Lorentzen [CWSL58] also adds a second meaning: 'grindstone' of a shaman/angakkoq, which seems to be a tool used for a ritualistic purpose, or as part of a meditative technique, in which the aspiring angakkoq would sit and continuously rub one stone against another.


Inflection

Declension pattern:

Stem type: Weak q-stem
Declension type: p-declined
Declension sandhi: Geminating
Gemination type: j⇒cc

Stem before consonant Stem before vowel Notable forms
New orthography agissa agia agiaq, agissap, agissat,
Old orthography agíssa agia agiaĸ, agíssap, agíssat,
Phonemic orthography agijja agija agijaq, agijjap, agijjat,


Meanings and examples

A shaman's / angakkoq's tool.

  • angakkussap agiaq agiummik agiarpaa, the (aspiring) shaman rubs one grindstone against the other [CWSL58]

    This seems to be some ritual or meditative technique.


Tags

References