Aneityum

adj. tempestuous at sea

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 48

v. to fish (in the deep sea)

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. moonlight

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

v. sleep

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

v. to prepare pandanus leaves for making mats or baskets

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. sunset

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 62

adj. made of branches

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

[arinʤi] adj. very strong (?)

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

v. go down; go down into something

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

v.a. to spread abroad; to go everywhere

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 73

v. to blossom, as reeds; also "elwa"

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 77

n. cloth (related to nelmai)

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 99

[eseʧ] num. three

Speaker: Chris Nevehev

[et elel] phr. is dripping

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

n. fish poison tree (RPV #57)

Scientific name: Barringtonia asiatica, Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. tree to 8 m, dbh 5 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4896)

Example: The young stems of this tree are used to make spears, either by sharpening the end or attaching several wires to the tip.

Scientific name: Alangium vitiense, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

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

[inhɛlɛk] n. my penis

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

[inhuleɣ] n. Yellow-throated White-eye

Example: Illustration by John Gerrard Keulemans / Wikimedia Commons, License: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Scientific name: Zosterops metcalfii, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

[inʤupurapni] phr. Good evening. (greeting around sunset)

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. daylight

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 141

n. tree to 5 m, dbh 8 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4855)

Example: To treat a flu that has resulted in a thick, runny nose, collect sap of this tree, drink 2-3 drops directly (not in water). This is for treating the type of flu that provokes yellow mucus coming out of the nose. Drinking the sap breaks up the stuffy nose. Use once, it tastes very sour. In 3-4 days the mucus will be expelled. Do not use too much! If a person has a new cut, and the bleeding will not stop, place the sap on the cut and the bleeding will stop. If you have a burn that is bleeding, applying the sap will stop the blood and oozing sore. If a person has a sore on their body, cover it with a layer of the sap from this plant. This will ensure that the sore will not get larger from infection, flies, etc. but stay its original size. This plant is also used for unspecified spiritual practices. To determine if a fish you have caught is poisonous, e.g. with ciguatera, take an 8’ piece of small branch from this tree, peel the bark and put it inside the fish before you cook it on the earth oven. If the stick turns black, then you know that the fish is not good to eat--it has a poison so should be thrown away.

Scientific name: Tabernaemontana anguinea, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. breadfruit crop in October

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 87

n. tree, 3 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3686)

Example: This tree is a source of sawn timber.

Scientific name: Syzygium nomoa, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

[inmoiʤev at̚poij] n. the Aurora Australis; streamers (lit. "smoke star")

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. kind of fish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. Blacktail snapper

Example: Photo by zsispeo, License: CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 via Flickr

Scientific name: Lutjanus fulvus via FishBase, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. a brook that is dry in summer

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 131

n. kind of fish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

n. Samoan tropical-almond (RPV #29)

Scientific name: Terminalia samoensis, Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. terrestrial orchid, growing in open area at edge of forest (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3480)

Example: This plant is a "message flower." If a person puts this flower behind their ear or in their hat, and looks at another person, it is an invitation to that person to go with you to the nakamal. Or a man invites a woman to go somewhere with him. Alternatively, you can leave the flower on a table and this is also a message to go with a person. Leaves also used to wrap foods. Decorate yard around the house.

Scientific name: Spathoglottis petri, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. high tide

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

n. rose

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 179

n. kind of sugarcane

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

n. Pacific ironwood, horsetail tree (RPV #26)

Scientific name: Casuarina equisetifolia, Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. vine running many meters long over clay soil and grassy area on hillside where the triangular wooden signs are that used to be a landmark for ships coming to the island. Sterile. (collection: Michael J. Balick #5008)

Example: This plant is the focus of an important legend on Aneityum. When the missionary John Geddie and colleaguse first arrived on the island in July of 1848, the Chiefs welcomed them but some of the people did not like the idea. So these people sent a basket containing a peeled coconut and a fish (nopom) to the Chief in Umej to ask him to support the idea of getting rid of the missionary that the Chief of Analcahuat had welcomed. If the Chief of Umej were to eat the fish and coconut meat, it would mean that he agreed with the opposition. The Chief refused to eat the food in the basket and he told the people a parable involving this plant. A person cannot find the tip of the stem or the end of the root in the ground. So if they were to eliminate the missionary, his activity would continue because of God’s power. As it is with this plant, it will continue to grow and flourish if you cut it or try to dig up the root. So he sent a message about this plant to the people in Analcahuat who objected to the presence of the missionary stating this parable. Those people in Analcauhat held a secret meeting and they chose a powerful and strong person to kill the missionary. During the night the person went to the missionary’s house while he was in the toilet. Returning to the house, the missionary found the person in his doorway, and that person lifted his club to strike the missionary. But at that point the attacker’s hands suddenly had no power and the club fell from his hands, and he fell over. The missionary told him to get up, and not come back. After that experience, the people of Umej realized that God’s power was great and they could not go against it. The Chief took the peeled coconut that was sent him and covered it with the skin of another coconut and planted it instead of eating it. This coconut grew and the missionary’s work continued to grow on the island. So this vine played an important role in communicating the power of God to the people of Aneityum.

Speaker: Tony Keith

n. tree, 3 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3683)

Example: Ornamental. Some have red flowers. Red birds drink the juice. Normally flowers July, August, September.

Scientific name: Metrosideros collina, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

[inʧatamaɪjn] n. rooster

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

Speaker: Osiani Nerian

adj. afar

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 121

[kuretemain] n. dog (male)

Speaker: Osiani Nerian

n. low tide

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

n. arrowroot

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 92

n. kind of fish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

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

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. shrub, 1. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3725)

Scientific name: Leucaena forsteri, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

[naŋeseŋa] n. sun

Speaker: Chris Nevehev

n. kind of shellfish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

n. kind of banana (short fruits)

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. kind of crab

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

n. a species of grass

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 96

n. Canarium vulgare

Example: leaf--cold maceration in coconut milk and seawater, taken internally against diarrhea or ciguatera. Cold maceration of chewed leave, spat into a cup and mixed with coconut water: taken internally against ciguatera

Speaker: Bradacs 2011, p. 440

n. bamboo; a mountain

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 97

n. herb. Swamp areas. (collection: Ashley A McGuigan #8)

Example: 1. Cervical pain and to return it to normal size - Get a handful of Naurakiti and boil it in a pot of water. This can also be done by rubbing the handful of leaves together and squeezing out the juice into the boiling water but the leaves do not go inside. Sit in this for 2 hours or until cold for 1 a day for a week. 2. Medicine: leaf juice put on fresh cut to stop bleeding. Stomachache, headache – use 1 handful of leaves, squeeze these, put in cup, put in some water and drink it 1x day. 3. Women menstruation that will not stop, take 1 handful of leaves into a cup of water and drink 1x day for 3 days. 4. If a person’s joints are sore, take a handful of leaves, crush them and rub on the sore joints. Some people don’t like to use it internally as it can make some people sick, especially small children, but others say it is OK to use.

Scientific name: Ageratum conyzoides, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. sedge, 0. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3610)

Scientific name: Cyperus involucratus, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

[nawuraniŋ upni] phr. thank you very much

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. yellow and black fish

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. grass; weeds; thistle

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 98

n. kind of plant, grass, or fern

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

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

Scientific name: Leukosyke australis, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. terrestrial fern, 30 cm tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3716)

Example: The leaves of this plant, along with other leaves, are used to make an unspecified traditional medicine.

Scientific name: Tapeinidium denhamii, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. wind-related term; no definition provided

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 114

n. kind of flowering plant (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4757)

Scientific name: Melochia odorata, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. spiny holy mangrove (RPV #118)

Scientific name: Acanthus ilicifolius, Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. epiphyte on syzygium tree, growing in secondary forest along trail above river. old fruits. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3660)

Example: Put several leaves of this species together to wrap food, especially the fresh water eel, and to carry plants of taro, kava, holding the leaves over one’s shoulder to carry these crops.

Scientific name: Procris pedunculata, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. tree, 8-10 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4141)

Scientific name: Ficus obliqua, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. kind of shellfish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

[neriseris] n. spider (house)

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

[nijaʊ] n. March (lit. a kind of plant like bamboo but smaller)

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. shrub to 2 m ,fruits green (collection: Michael J. Balick #4884)

Example: When the new leaves form on this plant, people say that it is time to plant taro. The wood of the larger tree is good for posts.

Scientific name: Decaspermum neoebudicum, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. tree, 8 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3636)

Example: The green fruits are edible, as are the young leaf apices--cook these in water and eat them. The wood is used for temporary houses, for example, to provide shade in a garden. For planting taro, or any root crop, sharpen the end of a stick of this tree and use it for making holes, particuarly in river sand where some crops are planted. This tree grows near the river and is an indication that this land is good for agriculture. The wood from the tree is very good for firewood. Name means "who are you." Plant used as an indicator of a tabu place. Take a branch and put it where another person is building or gardening and there is a dispute over that area of land. When this plant is placed there the person who is using the land should stop working it.

Scientific name: Ficus adenosperma, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. shrub, 1. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3537)

Example: This plant is an aphrodisiac. Eat with coconut meat to make the body strong. Take 1/2 handful of leaves and mix with coconut leaves, use as needed. Mostly men eat this combination. It is best to eat with dry coconut that has no water in it. Eat it any time you wish.

Scientific name: Pemphis acidula, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. kind of flowering plant (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4775)

Scientific name: Commersonia bartramia, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. a species of orchid (there are three on the island)

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 102

n. laplap leaf (RPV #154)

Scientific name: Heliconia indica var. austrocaledonica, Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n sea snake

n. kind of shellfish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

large tree, 13 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4052)

Example: 1. Considered to be a relative of textit{Morinda citrifolia}.

Scientific name: Neuburgia corynocarpa

n. a species of seaweed

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 103

n. the sweet banana

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 118

n. kind of banana (sweet)

Speaker: David Nasauman

[nohos u natmas] n. kind of banana

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. kind of shellfish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. raisin

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 176

[nombrɛ niʧinin] n. hair

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. Blue-lined large-eye bream

Example: Photo by Jean-Lou Justine / Wikimedia Commons, License: CC BY-SA 3.0 via Fishes of Australia

Scientific name: Gymnocranius grandoculis via FishBase, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. plat (a map, drawn to scale, showing divisions in a piece of land)

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 172

n. kind of plant, grass, or fern

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

n. the morning

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. dwarf (South dialect)

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. stem of coconut leaf

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 188

v.n. get off the reef

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 154

n. pig

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

[rak͡pad] n. black hawk

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

[jaŋ] n. yellow (color)

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi