coolibah

English

Alternative forms

• coolabah
• coolibar
• coolobar (obsolete)
• coolybah (obsolete)

Etymology

From Gamilaraay gulabaa.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkuːlɪˌbɑː/

Noun

coolibah (plural coolibahs)

1. Any of a number of eucalyptus trees of central and northern Australia, in particular Eucalyptus microtheca.
   • 1895, “Waltzing Matilda”, Banjo Paterson (lyrics)‎^[1]:

     Oh there once was a swagman camped in the billabong,
     Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
     And he sang as he looked at the old billy boiling,
     'Who'll come a'waltzing Matilda, with me.'

Derived terms

• bastard coolibah
• gum coolibah

 

References

• (2003) Gamilaraay Yuwaalaraay Yuwaalayaay Dictionary