selo

selo
Pronunciation	/ˈse.lo/ (listen)
Usage	2023: Core (98% → ) 2022: Core (98%)
Book and era	nimi pu
Part of speech	Content word
Codepoint	󱥘 U+F1958

selo is a core content word relating to the boundary or outermost layer of an object.

Etymology

The word selo is derived from Esperanto ŝelo, meaning "skin, peel", itself borrowed from English shell.

Semantic space

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The semantic space of selo includes the boundary, surface or outermost layer of an object. Some examples include skin, bark, shell, and peel, or more abstractly, an outline and perimeter. It may be further abstracted to a shape, form, and outer appearance.

pu

In the "Official Toki Pona Dictionary" section, the book Toki Pona: The Language of Good defines selo as:

NOUN  outer form, outer layer; bark, peel, shell, skin; boundary

ku

For Toki Pona Dictionary, respondents in ma pona pi toki pona translated these English words as selo:

skin⁵81–100% of respondents, boundary⁴61–80% of respondents, surface³41–60% of respondents, peel³41–60% of respondents, outer³41–60% of respondents, shape³41–60% of respondents, layer³41–60% of respondents, outline²21–40% of respondents, edge²21–40% of respondents, external²21–40% of respondents, border²21–40% of respondents, frame²21–40% of respondents, margin²21–40% of respondents, shell²21–40% of respondents, barrier²21–40% of respondents, cover²21–40% of respondents, appearance¹11–20% of respondents

sitelen pona

The sitelen pona glyph for selo (󱥘) represents the inner and outer layers of an object as seen from a cross-section. The glyph is normally drawn wider to avoid confusion with the glyph for sijelo.