[tlhIngan Hol] Klingon Word of the Day: maghwI' (noun)

[Steven Boozer]

Klingon Word of the Day for Saturday, March 07, 2026

Klingon word: maghwI'
Part of speech: noun
Definition: traitor
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maghwI'Daq jISIq 
I point at the traitor with my index finger. 
I point out the traitor with my index finger. (HQ 10.2)

maghwI'Daq SIq naQjej 
The spear points at the traitor. 
He/she points at the traitor with his/her spear. (HQ 10.2)

maghwI'Daq SIq naQjejwIj 
My spear points at the traitor. 
I point at the traitor with my spear. (HQ 10.2)

maghwI'Daq SIqmeH naQjejwIj lo' SuvwI' 
The warrior uses my spear to point at the traitor.
The warrior points at the traitor with my spear. (HQ 10.2)

(KGT 147):  "This word [{bolwI'}] actually means drooler -- that is, one who drools. The nonslang word meaning traitor is {maghwI'} (literally, "one who betrays").

(KGT 157):  compare {maghwI'} "traitor" and {maghwI'na'} "definite traitor, without a doubt a traitor" 

TREK TRIVIA:  If the traitor survives, {naDHa'ghach} (discommendation) is the usual punishment. Crossing one's wrists in front of the chest and turning one's back on the traitor is part of the ritual. (TNG "Sins of the Father, "Reunion")

 PUN/MNEMONIC:  
Surrealist René Magritte painted his famous "La Trahison des images. Ceci n'est pas une pipe") ["The Treachery of images (This is not a pipe)"] in 1929.

SEE:
magh  		betray,  act against (v) 

SEE ALSO:
'ur  		commit treason (v) 
'urwI' 		traitor (n)
  -- [difference from {maghwI'} unknown]
  -  'urwI' HoHmeH ghopDu'Daj neH lo'meH qeylIS 'etlhDaj chagh 
        And Kahless dropped his sword to kill the traitor with bare hands (PB)
  -  HumanvaD 'urwI' wIDam 
        We treat the human as a traitor. (qep'a' 2019)
  -  'urwI' ghaH 'e' vIDam 
        I consider him (to be) a traitor. (qep'a' 2019)
'urmang 	treason (n) 
  - (Lieven, 10/29/2024):  The syllable {-mang} also appears on the words {chotmang} "assassination" and {Sorghmang} "sabotage", but Maltz said you can't stick it freely onto any verb. It's not a nominalizing suffix.

TREK NOTES:
  "Treason, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder." (Garak, DS9 "Second Skin")

  The renegade Korris spoke disparagingly of  "the traitors of Kling." (TOS "Heart of Glory") 

--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons