கிழவி

See also: கிளவி

Tamil

Alternative forms
  • கொளவி (koḷavi), கெளவி (keḷavi), கெயவி (keyavi) — colloquial

Etymology

From கிழவு (kiḻavu, “old age”), from the root கிழ (kiḻa​, “old”). See Tamil கிழமை (kiḻamai) for more cognates. Cognate with Malayalam കിഴവി (kiḻavi).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /kɪɻɐʋɪ/, [kɪɻɐʋi]
  • Audio(file)

Noun

கிழவி • (kiḻavi)

  1. old lady, grandmother
    Coordinate term: கிழவன் m (kiḻavaṉ)
  2. (impolite, rude) old female

Usage notes

Referring to an elderly woman with this noun is often considered rude and disrespectful. Respectful and polite alternatives are அம்மா (ammā), பாட்டி (pāṭṭi).

References
  • University of Madras (1924–1936) “கிழவி”, in Tamil Lexicon, Madras [Chennai]: Diocesan Press
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