ran around in circles
Today’s expression is:
póoyalkiliikaʔyxqana
pó-oya-lkilii-kaʔyx-qana
pée- (3→3) + weye- (quickly) + likilíi- (move.in.circle) + keʔéy- (change.position) + k- + qana (HAB.PST)
‘He ran around in circles.’
This is actually a compound verb expression containing two verb forms: likilíi (move.in.circle) + keʔéy (change.location/position). Such combinations are common in Nez Perce, a polysynthetic language.
A curious compositional feature of this expression is pée- (3→3). This operates as a 3rd Person acting upon a 3rd Person. In this instance, the action of running around in circles repeats itself to the point of causing the speaker to disambiguate the single actor into two actors!
Hope all is well with you this day!