xifa

Maltese

Root
x-j-f
1 term

Etymology

From Arabic شِيف (šīf, “prickles on the stems and branches of palm-trees”). The biological uses by analogy with the form of the beak and shell respectively.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈʃiː.fa/

Noun

xifa f (plural xifiet or xwejjef, diminutive xwejfa)

  1. shoemaker's or caulker's awl (tool)
  2. pied avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)
    Synonym: avożett
  3. tusk shell, especially of the genus Dentalium
    Synonym: xifa tal-baħar

Derived terms

  • xifa tal-baħar
  • xifa tal-għajn
  • xifa tal-iskarpan

See also

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