16 ETYMOLOGY. 



indefinite signification, and is commonly used without any reference to the manner 

 in which the action is performed. 



Usually the signification of the verbal roots is the same with all the prefixes, as they only have respect 

 to the manner and instrument of the action : as, baksa, to cut in two with a knife, as a stick ; boksa, to 

 shoot off ; kaksa, to cut off with an axe ; naksa, to break off with the foot ; paksa, to break off with the 

 hand ; yaksa, to bite off ; yuksa, to break off. But the verbal root ika, appears to undergo a change of 

 meaning ; as, kaska, to tie, yu^ka, to untie. 



§ 35. These prefixes are also used with neuter verbs, giving to them an active 

 signification ; as, naiiq, to stand, yunaiiq, to raise up, cause to stand ; 6eya, to cry, 

 nadeya, to make cry by kicking. 



§ 36. We also have verbs formed from adjectives by the use of such of these 

 prefixes as the meaning of the adjectives will admit of; as, wa^te, good, yuwa^te, 

 to make good ; te6a, new, yuteda, to make new ; 6i6a, had, ya^i6a, to speak evil of. 



Compound Verbs. ' 



§ 37. There are several classes of verbs which are compounded of two verbs. 



1. ' Kiya ' and ' ya ' or ' yaq,' when used with other verbs, impart to them a 

 causative signification and are usually joined with them in the same word; as, 

 na^iq, he stands, naiiqkiya, he causes to stand. The first verb is sometimes con- 

 tracted (see § 11) ; as, waqyaka, he sees, waqyagkiya, he causes to see. 



2. In the above instances the first verb has the force of an infinitive or present 

 participle. But sometimes the first as well as the second has the force of an 

 independent finite verb ; as, hdiwarjka, he comes horns and sleeps ; hiqa^iq, he comes 

 and stands. These may be termed double verbs. 



§ 38. To verbs in Dakota belong conjugation, form, person, number, mood, and 

 tense. 



Conjugation. 



§ 39. Dakota verbs are comprehended in three conjugations, distinguished by the 

 form of the pronouns in the first and second persons singular which denote the agent. 



a. In the Jirst conjugation the nominative singular pronouns are ' wa ' or ' we,' 

 and ' ya ' or ' ye.' 



b. The second conjugation embraces verbs in ' }ai,' ' ya,' and ' yo,' which form the 

 first and second persons singular by changing the ' y ' into ' md ' and ' d.' 



c. Neuter and adjective verbs form the third conjugation, known by taking what 

 are more properly the objective pronouns, 'ma' and 'ni.' 



Form. 



§ 40. Dakota verbs exhibit certain varieties of form, which indicate corresponding 

 variations of meaning. 



1. Most Dakota verbs may assume a frequentative form, that is, a form which 

 conveys the idea of frequency of action. It consists in doubling a syllable, generally 

 the last ; as, baksa, to cut off with a knife, baksaksa, to cut off in several places. 

 This form is conjugated in all respects just as the verb is before reduplication. 



