Jump to content

pounamu

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

[edit]

Alternative forms

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

Borrowed from Maori pounamu.

Noun

[edit]

pounamu (uncountable)

  1. (New Zealand) greenstone
    • 2021 December 6, Charlotte Graham-McLay, “In New Zealand, the Fishhook Pendant Called Hei Matau”, in The New York Times[1]:
      Over time, the hooks became increasingly stylized and now are a popular shape for decorative pounamu pendants called hei matau, the first word indicating that the matau is worn around the neck.

Hawaiian

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

Borrowed from Maori pounamu.

Noun

[edit]

pounamu

  1. jade, jadeite

Maori

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Adjective

[edit]

pounamu

  1. dark green

Noun

[edit]

pounamu

  1. greenstone, nephrite
    Synonym: pounemu
  2. glass bottle

Descendants

[edit]
  • English: pounamu
  • Hawaiian: pounamu