tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Tue Dec 27 08:44:40 2005

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Re: Klingon WOTD: chetvI' (noun)

Steven Boozer ([email protected])



>This is the Klingon Word Of The Day for Tuesday, December 27, 2005.
>
>Category: Weapons/War
>
>Klingon word:   chetvI'
>Part of Speech: noun
>Definition:     torpedo tube
>
>Additional Notes:
>KGT p. 56: Ships are also equipped with an explosive weapon called a 
>{peng}, usually translated as "torpedo," though "missle" might work just 
>as well.  The plural form of {peng} is a different word, {cha}.  A {peng} 
>is launched from a tube usually called a {DuS}, but another term, 
>{chetvI'}, is also used, the distinction having something to do with how 
>the projectile is actually loaded into the tube.  The verb used for 
>"launch" or "fire" a weapon of this type is {baH}, and there is even a 
>special word, {ghuS}, meaning "prepare to launch."  The warhead of the 
>torpedo is called its {jorneb} (which seems to contain the verb {jor} 
>["explode"] but is otherwise not analyzable).
>
>Synonyms: DuS

   DuS wa'
   torpedo tube number 1  (TKD)

   wa' DuS
   one torpedo tube  (TKD)

>Homonyms:
>     chetvI' (noun) - spear-throwing device

KGT p. 65:  It may have been noticed that some of the terminology 
associated with spears is identical to that associated with modern 
weaponry, and certainly the vocabulary of spear-throwing was adapted for 
the newer technology. [... ] The word {chetvI'} refers to both the tool 
used to help throw the {tlhevjaQ} spear and also a torpedo tube of a 
particular kind.

KGT p. 64f.:  There is, in addition, at least one type of spear, the 
{tlhevjaQ}, which employs a {chetvI'}, a stick with a hook at the end, as 
an aid for throwing. There is a single verb, {wob}, that is used to 
describe the full range of activities involved in putting the spear 
properly into the spear-throwing aid and using the aid to hurl the spear: 
{tlhevjaQ wob} ("He/she puts the tlhevjaQ into the chetvI' and hurls the 
spear"). In speaking of this type of spear and spear-throwing technique, it 
is still proper to use the verb {chuH} when talking about throwing the 
spear at a target.

KGT p. 131:  The word {chetvI'} ("torpedo tube") in the second expression 
is also the name of a hooked stick used in throwing certain type of spear, 
the {tlhevjaQ}. [...] While the {chetvI'} stick is certainly most useful 
when used to hurl a spear, it cannot be said that it is worthless 
otherwise. For example, if necessary, it can serve as a weapon in its own 
right, as if a long cudgel.



--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons






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