le- on top of, upon; locative applicative prefix for an applied P [...]

Part of Speech	prefix
Pronunciation	lɛ-

1. • on top of, upon; locative applicative prefix for an applied P that is in a locative relationship of being on top of , being above from, or being attached to a vertical surface

   Grammar Note

   On applicativisation, the original P of the verb becomes the P of the serial verb medi 'take'.

   • • Example 191:
       

       Gula medi bas legeti.

       Put the sugar on the shelf.

2. • from, out of; locative applicative prefix for an applied P that is a source location from which something issues

   • • Example 520:
       

       Sapi seri geku neta lemudili.

       I sucked the marrow out of the beef bone.

     • Example 589:
       

       Wota ayang letaing.

       A coconut fell from above.

3. • because of, on account of, from; applicative introducing a cause for the event denoted by the verb

   • • Example 590:
       

       Naida tèbaku ba nènaite ledudung.

       When I smoke these cigarettes, the result is that I cough.

4. • up until; up to a point where the property/event denoted by the verb is attained

   Grammar Note

   In this sense, le- is not applicative, but denotes continuation of an action until the achievement of a situation.

   • • Example 271:
       

       Api dali ba teta ledalite.

       Let's roast that fish until it is roasted.

     • Example 321:
       

       Teta tètai ledèlang.

       We will sleep until midday.

5. • into X number of items, pieces (on numerals)

   Grammar Note

   In this sense, le- is not applicative; used on numerals to signal that X number of items should result from an action.

   • • Example 591:
       

       Arak es bèkar leyoku.

       Divide the rice into two portions.

Related entries

• See also:
  • mi- in, at, into; locative applicative prefix for an applied P that denotes a location at, in(to), or around which the event denoted by a verb occurs / out of, from within; locative applicative prefix for an applied P that denotes that a referent issues from an interior location / more, further; denotes further movement into a state, that is, an increase in the state experienced by S / do again, repeat the action denoted by the verb root / do X number of times; occurs on a numeral denoting how many times an action denoted by preceding verb
  • leng¹ to, towards; verb encoding motion towards a non-locative referent (animate etc.) / have, possess
  • letaing¹ fall from (a location) / fall to (a location)