Reconstruction:Proto-Bantu/dʊ̀kópè

*dʊ̀kópè class 11 (plural *nkópè class 10)[1]

1. (Common Bantu) eyelash

This term is shared between many Bantu languages, but a single form cannot be formally reconstructed to the level of Proto-Bantu because of historical or linguistic considerations. This form is not found in western Bantu languages, so likely can only be reconstructed for a subfamily of Bantu.

From *dʊ̀kópè:

• Rwanda-Rundi (J61/62): urugohe (“eyelid, eyelash”)
• Tooro (J12): orukohi
• Ikizu (J402): orogohe
• Kabwa (J405): orugohe
• Bwisi (B401): lukuhi (“eyelash”)
• Southern Bantu:
  • Nguni:
    • Xhosa (S41): ukhophe (“eyelid”)
    • Zulu (S42): ukhophe (“eyelash”)
• Swahili (G42): ukope (“eyelid, eyelash”)

From *kɪ̀kópè:

• Chichewa (N31): chikope (“eyelid”)
• Shona (S10): chikope (“eyelid”)
• Gwere (J17): kikowe (“eyelid”)

From *nkópè ("sleep, face"):

• Chichewa (N31): nkhope (“face”)
• Ikizu (J402): engohe (“eyelid”)
• Kabwa (J405): engohe (“eyelid”)
• Shona:
  • Shona (S10): hope (“sleep”)
  • Nambya (S16B): ihope (“eyelash”)
• Tswana (S31): kgofe (“nap”)