ibale

Yoruba

Etymology

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) +‎ bá (“to meet”) +‎ ilé (“home”), literally “The act of finding someone still at home”

  • This is referring to the notion of purity associated with virginity

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ì.bá.lé/

Noun

ìbálé

  1. virginity
  2. hymen
  3. hymeneal blood
    Synonym: ayèré
  4. virginity test

Derived terms
  • ìgbàbálé (“defloration”)
  • jábàálé (“to disvirgin”)

References
  • Renne, Elisha P. Population and Progress in a Yoruba Town , 2003
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