Orion provides two etymologies, both parsing the word as a compound with νᾶμα as its first member. The second element is different and in that one it is understood as φέρω. This can be considered a functional etymology, as the function of the cloud is to bear the rain water. This etymology implies the segmentation νε-φέλη and, as far as the second member is concerned, a formal manipulation, the change of [r] into [l]. The first member also undergoes a formal manipulation: it is reduced to its first syllable and the vowel is changed.