niimas

ni- (“round shape”) + -yi- (semelfactive) + -∅- (3rd person subject prefix) + -∅- (classifier) + -mas (semelfactive imperfective stem of root -MÁÁZ, “to roll”).

The stem -máás (“globular, spherical, ball-like shape”) is cognate with -bą́ą́z (“hooplike, ringlike shape”), and they have the same origin, which possibly is Proto-Athabaskan *wątsʼ (“roll”)

• IPA^(key): /nìːmɑ̀s/

niimas

1. he/she/it is rolling up into a ball, is curling up (a cat, a person in a bed)

Paradigm: Semelfactive (yii/si).

• iiłbąąs