[Tlhingan-hol] Klingon Word of the Day: 'ab

[Steven Boozer]

> Klingon Word of the Day for Monday, March 11, 2013
> 
> Klingon word: 'ab
> Part of speech: verb
> Definition: have a length/height of (object is length)
> Source: S32,HQ:v6n2p9; clarified by Okrand on MSN

st.k (10/22/1997):  There are two words used for length: {'aD} and {'ab}. Both of these can be translated as "have a length of", but they are used somewhat differently. {'aD} is used in contrast with {juch} "have a width of" in measuring, say, a table top. {'ab}, on the other hand, is used for (potentially) longish, skinnyish things (for example, spears) and also for heights.

wej 'ujmey 'ab 'oy'naQ 
Painstiks are a little over one meter long (S32)

jav 'ujmey 'ab SuvwI' 
the warrior has a length of six *ujs* 
the warrior stands six *ujs
the warrior is six *ujs* tall (st.k 10/22/97)

vagh 'ujmey vI'ab 
I have a length of five *ujs*
I'm five *ujs* tall (st.k 10/22/97)

wej 'uj 'ab naQjej 
the spear has a length of three *uj* 
the spear measures three *uj*
the spear is three *uj* long (st.k 10/22/97)

loSmaH jav vI' Soch loS 'uj 'ab meH 
Bridge Height: 16.28 M. (KBoP)

HIvtaHvIS toQDuj cha'vatlh wejmaH Soch vI' vagh
 chorgh 'uj 'ab 'oH 
Attack Formation Height: 82.75 M. (KBoP)

qughtaHvIS toQDuj HutmaH vI' jav wa' 'uj 'ab 'oH 
Cruise Formation Height: 31.56 M. (KBoP)

SaqtaHvIS toQDuj wa'vatlh loS vI' jav chorgh 'uj
 'ab 'oH 
Landing Formation Height: 36.46 M. (KBoP)


Related words:

juv 		measure (v)
	
[st.k (10/22/1997):  refers to the action of somebody who is taking a measurement]

  naQjej vIjuv 
  I measure the spear. (st.k)

'uj  		*uj* (unit of linear measure) (n)

[st.k (2/03/1999):  An {'uj} is a unit of linear measurement, roughly 35 centimeters; an {'uj'a'}, or "big *uj*" ... is nine times as long, or nine *ujes*, somewhat over three meters.]


--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons