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no-de-ma · W129

nodema · salt, preservative matter · ✅

← Word Registry · Building words
Domain material / ethics (metaphorical)
Class entity / material quality
Type compound
Register standard / culinary / metaphorical
First use Matthew 5:13 ("you are the salt of the earth" = la-yu no-de-ma go-pa-ma).

Composition

no (negation/resistance) + de (decrease/decay) + ma (matter) = non- decay matter = matter that resists the decay process. Head-final: ma (matter) is head; no-de specifies the kind of matter — that which prevents decrease.

Definition

salt; preservative matter; substance that resists or prevents decay. The material form notable for its decay-resisting function. Greek halas (salt) in its metaphorical Sermon usage: "you are the salt of the earth."

Notes

The metaphorical use (Matthew 5:13) is the primary Tonesu attestation. The compound is structurally transparent in both directions: physical salt (a material that prevents rot) = no-de-ma; also the figurative sense (a community that prevents moral decay in the world) = la-yu no-de-ma go-pa-ma. The compound carries both readings simultaneously. "If salt loses its saltiness" = "if the no-de-ma loses its no-de quality" = lo-no-de-ma no-de-vo de = the preservative's decay- resistance value decays away.

no (primitive), de (primitive), ma (primitive), ma-no-de (W046: medicine — note: different root order; W046 = matter that decreases-not = preventive substance; W129 = non-decrease-matter = preservative. Related but distinct.)

Generated from registry/entries.yaml.