The h is used in Arawak in order to indicate “gentle affirmation”; in some cases it means “to exhale”; in ahe, yes, both these meanings are included. In a few words the h has been found to alternate with g and k (§§ 88 h), 104 b) 2)).

ahe! yea! ibi-ka bajia ie oaboddi-n ahe b-a-ni o-bora, and now are they ready, looking for a promise, lit. ready-is also they waiting yes thine doing future-moment;

S. ehé, yes, t-aha-muté rubu t-adiâ-n, but she constantly affirmed (her words); Sm. ehé, yes, ehé-ka|d-a, I say yes, G. ehé (nasalized), yes (A. M. § 182, 132A);

Sm. hüwa, blow-gun;

ahaka, to tell, to command, to bring word, ahaka … bu-iri (l-iri, etc.), to accuse thee (him, etc.), misi-tu ahaka-hu, the law (iri, name, misi, right);

ahaki- … da-ri-wa (l-iri-wa, etc.), I (he, etc.) bid farewell;

ahakobu-, ahakobo-, to breathe, to rest, ahakoba-hu, breath, rest, refreshing;

l-ahako fa jiaro, when he should have swollen (or … Acts XXVIII, 6), abar-li ahako-ci, a certain man, … which had the dropsy; S., Sm. ahaku-(nn-ua), to swell;

Sm. hanna-hanna-(n), dick sein, da-llerukku ahanna-hanna, my lips, d-adikka ahanna-hanna, my ear-lap, hán-iju, gnat, mosquito (= swelling-producing);

Sm. wuini burreha-ttu, sour, strong paiwari, báiwaru, a fermented drink, prepared from cassava (Creole paiwari, tapana); B. a-boraada, to leaven, a-boraada-sia, vinegar; Sm. búrreha, to be sour, a-búrahadü-, to make sour;