Aneityum

affix yonder; away from

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 91

v. to open, as leaf; to expand

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

adj. sharp

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

v. rest

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

[dowaŋ nadimi] phr. six men (there are)

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. strength

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

phr. the flowers are come out.

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 77

n. kind of bird

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

v. to sprout largely; also "ujipsotan"

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 81

[iɲara] n. Honeyeater, grey and orange (Vanuatu Honeyeater)

Example: Photo by Olivier Boissier, IBC973343. Photo of Vanuatu Honeyeater Gliciphila notabilis at Sola, Vanuatu. License: All rights reserved. Accessible on Internet Bird Collection

Scientific name: Gliciphila notabilis, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. kind of shellfish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. shrub, 0. 7 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3445)

Example: Remedy new cuts – rub leaves together or chew them and put on cut, cover with leaf or cloth.

Scientific name: Lantana camara, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. liana climbing on Fagraea tree (8 m tall), growing in secondary forest (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3663)

Scientific name: Piper macropiper, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. taro (RPV #146b)

Scientific name: Caladium bicolor, Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. herb to 1 m, flower bracts yellow. (collection: Michael J. Balick #4921)

Example: Introduced species, used for decoration. Planted near houses and roads. Use the flower for decorating hair.

Scientific name: Alpinia purpurata, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. small tree, 2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3528)

Example: 1. This plant is used as firewood, but also the heartwood is sold. 2. In 2016, the first grade wood was 2500 VT per kilo, the second grade wood was 2000 VT per kilo. 3. The ancestors used to take the oil or wood chips from this tree and bathe with it to keep away evil spirits of the forest. It is currently planted on Aneityum for commerce. Scrape bark of sandalwood into coconut oil in same wat as GMP 3513 (gardenia) boil and take out the bark. 4. The leaves can be fed to pigs to make them strong and heavy.

Scientific name: Santalum austrocaledonicum, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. shrub, 1. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3560)

Example: In ancient times this plant was used as a fiber to make skirts and rope. Take the stems, remove the leaves, rett the stems in sea water for a few weeks, sun dry the stems and then weave into rope or skirts. This plant is not much used for this purpose at the present time. This plant is used to make a medicine with an unspecified use.

Scientific name: Abutilon indicum, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. shrub, 1 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3441)

Example: Flowers put in hear as an ornament that has power because it is so beautiful. Leaves are burned and added to a bamboo pipe and mix with a foam that forms in fresh water, when people go to a traditional dance, men paint part of their face eyebrows and beard to attract attention, hence the name, pone part of which "am̃a" means "staring", because it will cause people to stare at the one wearing it.

Scientific name: Abutilon indicum, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. astronomy word, no def. given--possibly referring to a common shellfish "inhudaig". no def. for "ecro" or any feasible alternate spellings.

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 113

n. type of seashell

Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, Dec. 2018, Aneityum island.

Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. epiphyte on a fallen branch, growing in rain forest on the mountain slope. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3287)

Scientific name: Huperzia phlegmaria, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. old coconut leaves

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 87

n. sea bird

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

n. a convolvulus with white flowers; also "inmauwad picad"

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

n. tree, 6 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3692)

Scientific name: Acacia spirorbis, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

[inmopon] n. liver

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

n. shrub to 2 m tall, dbh 2 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4996)

Example: This is an ornamental plant, grown around the home. People crush the leaves to enjoy the fragrance released. When bathing, grate coconut meat and crush the leaves of this plant and rub all over the body, before bathing and afterwards your body will smell very nice. To repel mosquitoes, crush these leaves and put them in the house.

Scientific name: Melicope bonwickii, Speaker: Tony Keith

n. tree, 3-4 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3563)

Example: Children like to eat the fruit of this plant. It is said to taste like pineapple/mango. It must be very ripe to be eaten. Peel and discard the skin. The fruit is most sweet when it is on the ground for a few days. Some children eat the seeds of this fruit but it has a strong oily taste--too many cause vomiting and if a person eats 1-2 seeds it can cause diarrhea.

Scientific name: Ximenia americana, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. well branched tree, 10 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4025)

Example: 1. Hardwood is used to make a fishing spear. Wire is fashioned at the point to make a spear head. 2. Young plants are used to fasten coconut leaves to the rafters, in the thatching process.

Scientific name: Arytera brackenridgei, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. kind of plant, grass, or fern

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

adv. a long time ago

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 91

n. kind of flowering plant (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4772)

Scientific name: Cerbera manghas, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. a native pudding made of taro, coconut milk, etc.

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 91

n. shrub, 1 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3602)

Example: This plant produces an edible fruit, but it is smaller than the cultivated guava, and is considered the wild type. Firewood. Pinch 4 tops and chew and swallow for stomach ache and diarrhea.

Scientific name: Psidium guajava, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

[kuretemain] n. dog (male)

Speaker: Osiani Nerian

n. kind of flowering plant (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4767)

Scientific name: Leucaena leucocephala, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. the stem of a coconut leaf used for a butt

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 96

n. kind of banana

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 118

n. cloth (related to nelmai)

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 99

[nadimi desiiʧ] phr. three men (there are)

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. low-growing vine, growing next to airstrip just beyond coastal vegetation. Flowers purple. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3544)

Example: To trap fish, the vine of this plant is rolled in large quantity and put on the reef in a circle at high tide in order to corral and trap the fish. At low tide the fish are then speared and harvested. Placement of the circle depends on the rocks and the reef. Children fold the large leaves and bite parts of the leaf to make designs as a craft object. This is a "message plant." If a person wants to build a house or garden in a specfic place, put a piece of the vine on a stick near the area to tell others that they should not build a garden or house hear this area--this is a Tabu message. There are a few other unspecified leaves added to the stick, not only this one.

Scientific name: Canavalia rosea, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. tree, 8-10 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4017)

Example: 1. Aerial roots have a natural curve that allows them to be used as a clothing hanger. The outer bark is peeled and dried all day in the sun, before the roots are used. 2. Leaves are used to help remove fish bones lodged in one’s throat. When bones are stuck in one’s throat, then you apply young leaves to the outside of the throat. Apply once and leave until the bones are removed.

Scientific name: Myristica fatua, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. seed of a fig

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 150

n. kind of plantain

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

n. preserved breadfruit

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 95

n. kind of breadfruit

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 118

n. tree to 15 m tall, dbh 40 com (collection: Michael J. Balick #4857)

Example: The wood of this tree is good for carving. The fibers go in one direction so it is easier to carve, for example, to make a kava bowl. In general, this is the species used to make kava bowls. If your kava is not strong, then making it in this bowl will make it stronger. The kind of bowl made from this tree has a handle on each side of the bowl and it is held with 2 hands. The place name Anumwmamlau is named after this tree. There are said to be two types of this tree--one with all green leaves (this specimen) and one with white and green leaves. If a person is going to a Tabu place and is concerned about spirits, they should take a handful of these leaves and wash the body all over with it--take a swim (bath) with it. Then the person can go to the Tabu place without risk. There are other unspecified spiritual uses of this tree.

Scientific name: Flueggea flexuosa, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. tree to 15 m tall, dbh 40 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4859)

Example: The wood of this tree is good for carving. The fibers go in one direction so it is easier to carve, for example, to make a kava bowl. In general, this is the species used to make kava bowls. If your kava is not strong, then making it in this bowl will make it stronger. The kind of bowl made from this tree has a handle on each side of the bowl and it is held with 2 hands. The place name Anumwmamlau is named after this tree. There are said to be two types of this tree--one with all green leaves (this specimen) and one with white and green leaves. If a person is going to a Tabu place and is concerned about spirits, they should take a handful of these leaves and wash the body all over with it--take a swim (bath) with it. Then the person can go to the Tabu place without risk. There are other unspecified spiritual uses of this tree. The second part of this local name "elwa" refers to the variegation of the leaves.

Scientific name: Phyllanthus ciccoides, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

n. epiphytic orchid, growing in dense rainforest along river. Flowers pink. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4058)

Scientific name: Dendrobium rarum, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. sparsely branched tree, 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3493)

Example: The leaves of this plant are used in cooking, particuarly with the earth oven. Use a fire to heat stones, then when the fire burns down and the stones are hot, pile these leaves on top of the hot stones and then place the food being cooked--taro, fish, pig, cassava, banana or other foods--on top of the leaves. Then pile more of these leaves on top of the food and then place additional hot stones on top of that pile of leaves. While the food is cooking--each type of food takes a different amount of time--the leaves give off a very nice smell and help flavor the food.

Scientific name: Polyscias schmidii, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. tree to 5 m, dbh 10 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4889)

Example: The leaves are used to cover meat when baking it in a stone oven (inmawum). This will soften the meat and keep it moist. Used when other species of this genus are not available, for example if you are in the bush.

Scientific name: Polyscias cissodendron, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

[narasɛn] n. skin

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. skin, peel (of fruit)

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. shrub to 3 m tall, dbh 4 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4995)

Example: The flowers are cut and used in the house and the plant is grown as an ornamental around the house.

Scientific name: Euphorbia pulcherrima, Speaker: Tony Keith

n. a gathering of inmops or horse-chestnuts

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 96

n. kind of crab

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. lentils

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 162

[narisin nɛpʧinoʊɣsin] n. lips

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. tree, 8 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4125)

Example: 1. The fruits can be cooked with coconut milk and consumed. 2. Green leaves can be used to wrap fish, when they are cooked in a fire.

Scientific name: Ficus smithii, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. kind of plant, grass, or fern

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

n. a bulrush; a flag

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 97

n. tree, 3 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3444)

Scientific name: Ficus scabra, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. large-leafed orange mangrove (RPV #93)

Scientific name: Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. tree, 8 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4129)

Scientific name: Semecarpus, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. tree, 5-6 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3449)

Example: 1. Wood used for roof rafters. 2. Leaves of this plant can be used to cover an earth oven while baking food. 3. Name means bird footprint.

Scientific name: Plerandra actinostigma, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. tree, 4 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3271)

Example: Used as a leaf compost for planting taro, layered on the bottom of the hole and covering the taro as well.

Scientific name: Melicope triphylla, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. bunch of bananas; also "nigainohos"

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 98

n. a stock; a bunch, as of fruit; also "negan" or "nigan"

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 98

n. small tree, 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4059)

Scientific name: Leukosyke australis, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. kind of plant, grass, or fern

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

n. kind of palm

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 118

[ɲɛsŋa nɛmtan nʊmʊ] n. fish eye

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. the center sprout of a coconut tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 100

n. coconuts used for sea fermentation

Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, April 2016.

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. the stump of a tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 101

n. hysteranthous geophyte in flowering stage, growing in primary rainforest. Flowers white tinged with pink. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3625)

Scientific name: Dipodium pictum, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. brow of a hill

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 131

[niʧinɛθoʊn] n. knee

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. green foliage

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 151

[nepjeŋ] n. fish bait

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. type of seashell

Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, Dec. 2018, Aneityum island.

Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. the center rib of the coconut leaflet; wire

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 103

n. kind of tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

n. kind of bird

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. tree to 5 m, dbh 10 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4881)

Example: The wood of this tree is used to make house-posts, it is strong. The leaves are used as a compost for the taro patch; line the hole with the leaves of this tree, then place soil over that and plant the taro. When the fruits are ripe, local people say that the hermit crabs are "fat" and ready to collect and eat. When a person is in the forest and there is no coconut fruit fiber to start a fire with, use a dry stick, shave it and use a match to start a pile of this tinder to make a good fire. The wood is said to be "oily." This gives it a nice aroma. To perfume coconut oil, drop the dry flowers in it--use 1 handful of dried flowers added to a pot of oil boiling on the fire while making it. Strain out flowers and the oil smells good. Flowers can also be added to the oil once it is bottled to perfume it.

Scientific name: Fagraea berteroana, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. dry coconut

Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, April 2016.

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. a dried or withered breadfruit tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 104

n. the ebbing tide

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 104

n. liana, growing at edge of forest. Fruit. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3475)

Example: 1. When the stems of this plant are older, and it is a vine, is used to tie thatch on roof rafters as it bends well. 2. Burned leaves and rubbed on fishing line and spear to increase catch – used with other unspecified leaves, that are forageable. When you are fishing and if you set a basket or mat it means danger and you have to return to shore – the spirit is telling you that it is enough fishing.

Scientific name: Durandea pentagyna, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. the rib of a leaf

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 105

n. kind of fish (folk name)

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. stem of coconut leaf

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 188

adj. unripe

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 106

n. blossom (open)

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 129

adj. adjacent

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 121

adj. made of branches

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 111

n. sweet potato

Example: Photo by K. David Harrison, April 2016.

Speaker: Romario Yaufati