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abee. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
abee, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
abee in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
abee you have here. The definition of the word
abee will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
abee, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Scots
Alternative forms
Etymology
Perhaps a combination of let be and let alone, to give let a-be.
Pronunciation
Verb
abee
- leave undisturbed, let alone, let be.
Adverb
abee
- not to mention, much more, far less.
References
- ^ Lesley Brown, editor-in-chief, William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, editors (2002), “abee”, in The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, 5th edition, Oxford, New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 3.
Swahili
Alternative forms
Etymology
Borrowed from Arabic لَبَّيْكَ (labbayka).
Pronunciation
Interjection
abee!
- answer given in response to being called
- Synonyms: labeka, naam
- at your service
- yes sir, yes madam
Usage notes
This word is only used by women.
References
- Eastman, Carol M. (1983) “Exclamations in Standard Swahili as Cultural Communication”, in Journal of African Languages and Linguistics, volume 5, number 2, →DOI, page 162 of 157-180:
When someone wants you to do something for him or her you may indicate willingness by saying labeka! or abee! Abee! is more general and has the sense of 'at your service'. Labeka! is the response used when a superior calls on you. It is a response often associated with women only - particularly as a polite response made by a woman who hears her name called.
- Almasi, Oswald, Fallon, Michael David, Nazish, Pardhan Wared (2014) Swahili Grammar for Introductory and Intermediate Levels, Lanham • New York • Oxford: University Press of America, →ISBN, page 371: “Bee! – Response used by females when someone is calling them.”