ma-, prefix3

/ma/
A prefix found in some words originating in isiNdebele, isiXhosa, and isiZulu: a. An anglicized form of the plural noun prefix ama- found in these languages. b. The vocative form, in these languages, of the prefix ama-.
Note:
For examples, see mabela, Maburu, madumbi, mafufunyana, mafuta. Although this prefix is derived from an Ndebele, Xhosa, and Zulu plural prefix, words including it are sometimes treated as singular nouns in South African English, an -s being added to form the plural.
An anglicized form of the plural noun prefix ama- found in these languages.
The vocative form, in these languages, of the prefix ama-.
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