kahili

English

Etymology

From Hawaiian kāhili.

Noun

kahili (plural kahilis or kahili)

1. (Hawaii) A feather standard mounted on a pole, as traditionally used in Hawaii on ceremonial occasions.
   • 1866, Mark Twain, Letter from Hawaii:

     A dozen or more of these gaudy kahilis were upheld by pallbearers.

   • 2012, Julia Flynn Siler, Lost Kingdom, Grove Press, page 118:

     Mourners carried a hundred or more kāhili, some highly unusual or old or with special names, such as the malulani (shade of the heavens), a handsome large kāhili of black ostrich feathers.

Derived terms

• kahili ginger