‖hili, noun

/ˈhi(ː)li/
Forms:
Also uhili, and with initial capital.
Plurals:
unchanged.
Origin:
IsiXhosa uhili.
Especially among isiXhosa-speakers: tokoloshe sense 1.
1904 D. Kidd Essential Kafir 127There is a wicked little dwarf called Tickoloshe or Hili.
1933 A. Werner Myths & Legends 289Tikoloshe, or Hili, the water-sprite, who comes out to make unlawful love to women.
1950 A.W. Burton Sparks from Border Anvil 177The dwarfish river monster ‘u-Tikoloshe’ or ‘hili,’ half man and half baboon.
1974 E. Prov. Herald 23 Feb. 12According to general belief, tokoloshe or uhili is formed after the pattern of a human being, is short and thickly covered with hair.
[1979 P. Miller Myths & Legends 102The ubiquitous tokoloshe, the water sprite, is probably the best known character in Xhosa folklore. They also call him hili.]
Especially among isiXhosa-speakers: tokoloshe sense 1.
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IsiXhosa
highwater, nounn.Hindoo, nounn. & adjectiveadj.
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