Aneityum

[aɣes noraŋitei] phr. sing a song

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

n. time; weather; day; morning

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 61

n. kind of banana

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 118

[eroʊ nadimi] phr. two men

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. flax

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 151

n. kind of flowering plant (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4794)

Scientific name: Rivina humilis, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. the white wood of a tree

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 85

n. vegetables; herbs, as taro, bananas; every vegetable planted for food

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 85

n. herb to 1. 5 m, flowers white with pink tips. Growing on sandy path along coastal walk to ute. (collection: Michael J. Balick #4989)

Example: The leaves of this plant are used to finish the ridge of the house roof. Lay the leaves horzontally on top of the roof, and the sides of the roof are thatched with palms or grass. Layer 10 leaves on top of each other to enable this part of the roof (known as nitjintiniom) to last for a long time--perhaps up to 6 years. If this is used on the top of a roof where there is a fire burning, such as a kitchen, and this leaf gets a lot of smoke, it can last much longer a the top of the roof--perhaps 10 years or more.

Scientific name: Alpinia zerumbet, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. plant used to make ceremonial head wreath and neck garland

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. Whitespotted surgeonfish, southern dialect

Example: Photo by Jeffrey T. Williams / Smithsonian Institution, License: CC BY-SA 3.0 via Fishes of Australia

Scientific name: Acanthurus guttatus via FishBase, Speaker: Chris Nevehev

n. kind of fish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of fish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. the stem of a bunch of bananas, coconuts, etc.

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 86

n. a rainbow

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 113

[inʤupuram] n. nearly dark

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. coarse tassel fern (RPV #220) ("belt" + an ethnonym, plant used to make a type of ceremonial belt attrbuted to a specific ethnic group)

Scientific name: Huperzia phlegmaria, Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. the thick end of a coconut leaf used as a target

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 86

n. gaiac (RPV #43)

Scientific name: Acacia spirorbis, Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of fish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. terrestrial plant and epiphyte at base of trees, growing in cloud forest in valley between inrerow and adjacent summit. Inflorescences pale yellow. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3278)

Scientific name: Collospermum montanum, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. kind of flower or flowers (see def. for "elwa")

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 77

[inwerinɣweɪ] n. board (sg)

Speaker: Osiani Nerian

n. tree, 9 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4053)

Example: 1. Timber is often harvested and sold from this tree. 2. Flying foxes enjoy the fruits of this tree. Hunters gather nearby this species when the flying foxes are hunted.

Scientific name: Sideroxylon aneityense, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. Aneityum

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of crab

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

n. kind of sugarcane

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

adj. dry

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

adj. ripe; also "metto"

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 93

[naɣawʊnjit] n. fish (sp. with thick lips)

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. kind of crab

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. day

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 114

[nagag ~ naɣag] n. Sandpiper

Example: Photo by Frans Vandewalle, License: CC BY-NC 2.0 via Flickr

Scientific name: Tringa hypoleucos, Speaker: Jack Keitadi

n. species of pine

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 117

n. pendent epiphyte, growing in dense rainforest. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4039)

Scientific name: Ophioderma pendula, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

n. epiphyte on main trunk of large mango tree, growing in secondary forest above river. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3657)

Scientific name: Ophioderma pendula, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. vine to 3-4 m, aerial tubers brown (collection: Michael J. Balick #4872)

Example: Normally these fruits are considered poisonous. But, people have learned to peel off the skin of the fruits, put the peeled fruits in a conical basked and place a bamboo tube that is dripping water over it to wash the basket of fruits for 3-5 days. This is said to leach out the poison and the end result is similar in consistency to cheese. Wrap this up with leaves and put it in an earth oven to cook. This plant is eaten as a "starvation food" only, consumed in times of drought and famine.

Scientific name: Dioscorea bulbifera, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

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

[nakajaŋ a nijman] n. palm of hand

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

[nakro] v. share

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. tree to 7 m, dbh 20 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4860)

Example: This is a common tree. If a person travels from one district to another on Aneityum, and you see the tree planted in that other district, a person knows they are free to come into this area. When the leaves are yellow, as in a young tree, the local name is nala’gay. If a person carries a branch of this tree into a village it is a symbol that the person is coming with peaceful intentions.

Scientific name: Dendrolobium umbellatum, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. kind of plantain

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

n. a light wind; the beginning of a wind

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 95

n. shrub, 2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3490)

Example: 1. The larger stems of this plant can be used to build houses, for rafters. 2. It is also a good source of firewood. 3. Ancestors, before go to chief’s canal and want to talk about a complicated issue – a person would cut a branch and bring it to the sea and tap the water surface and would say what he wants, ask that he would want that issue to be solved and that others would follow his ideas and then go back to the meeting place and take stick, keep wind at his back, moving stick in all directions and then he will convince the people of his ideas. This is done by the chief’s spokesman. Helps convince the opposition. Helps keep power in hands of parent(??) chief rather than subchiefs who might have other ideas.

Scientific name: Glochidion ramiflorum, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. shrub, 2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3456)

Example: 1. The leaves of this plant are used as a fertilizer when a person plants taro "to help to feed the ground for next year." 2. Sapwood of this tree, and one more [GMP 3591], in old days take from west side and cross mountain to the east, and on red clay mountain, burn it to make spirits to give more sun instead of rain so that gardens will grow well.

Scientific name: Scaevola cylindrica, Speaker: Wina Nasauman

[napat ireɣpo] n. round clouds that bring rain

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. tree to 15 m, dbh 30-45 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4938)

Example: The wood is good for making paddles as well as to make canoes.

Scientific name: Adenanthera pavonina, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. kind of sugarcane

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 120

[napwat] n. cloud

Speaker: Chris Nevehev

n. kind of banana

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 118

n. a tree full of sap

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 96

n. native cabbage

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 132

n. kind of shellfish

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n a plant, with upright clumping. (collection: Ashley A McGuigan #25)

Example: 1. To cure the sea snake (nispev) curse that causes missed periods. First the husband must combine 4 young leaves of incispev and 4young leaves of nafanu and mash and squueze the juice into a small bamboo (1-1.5 inch diameter) The nafanu is important because it is a plant that connects to the sea. Use wildcane leaves cover the bamboo closed. Go to the sick person and unwrap the snake from her. Start from the top and let the woman drink a small part of the potion then wash her with the mixture, making sure to wash head, elbows, knees, feet, and belly. Then take a leaf of naha and break it over

Scientific name: Bambusa vulgaris

n. quicksands

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 176

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

Scientific name: Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. tree, 10 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3531)

Example: 1. For a child around 1 year of age, take the inside bark, mash it, boil in hot warter and then use it to wash the child. This will ensure that the child will grow strong and make them able to crawl fast. 2. If a woman who is one month pregnant would like to have a baby, she is given 4 of the tips of the branches to chew and swallow everything before breakfast 1x only. 3. For fishing, take 4 leaves, hold top side up, tear right half of leaves off, keep left side, roll it up and put with fishing gear to have good luck when fishing in the deep sea beyond the reef.

Scientific name: Ficus glandifera, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

[neijaŋ] n. coconut

Speaker: Osiani Nerian

n. tree, 18 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3667)

Example: Children suck the nectar from the young flowers just as they open. Wood from this plant is used for poles for rafters as well as for firewood. Flying foxes drink juice from the flowers.

Scientific name: Geissois denhamii, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. tree, 3 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3273)

Scientific name: Astronidium aneityense, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. cloth of coconut tree; anything useless. Ek idivaig nenis ainyak, I am quite useless

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 99

n. tree to 10 m, dbh 75 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4988)

Example: The young aerial roots are cut from the stems of the tree and used as a local rope, to tie things, help construct temporary shelters, as well as to make string for a hunting bow. Flying foxes like to eat this fruit so in the night when the fruit is mature hunters come by this tree to hunt flying foxes as well as hunting birds during the day. Hunters use bows and arrows for birds, and throwing sticks (natou) made from any plant to hunt flying foxes.

Scientific name: Ficus kajewskii, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

[ɲɛsŋa nɛmtan nʊmʊ] n. fish eye

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. a fresh coconut

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 100

n. Pacific litchee (RPV #114)

Scientific name: Pometia pinnata, Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. frankincense

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 152

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. 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. kind of banana

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 118

n. tree to 7 m, dbh 10 cm (collection: Michael J. Balick #4902)

Example: Leaves used to wrap fresh water fish before roasting on the fire.

Scientific name: Dillenia biflora, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

n. Yellow-Edged Moray

Example: Photo by Bernard Dupont, License: CC BY-SA 3.0 via Fishes of Australia

Scientific name: Gymnothorax flavimarginatus via FishBase, Speaker: Chris Nevehev

n. small tree-fern, 1 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3269)

Scientific name: Cyathea, Speaker: Natu Kenneth

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

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 102

n. orange

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 169

n. another name for "masoa"; arrowroot

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 103

[nipʧin ɲelas] n. crab

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

Speaker: Osiani Nerian

n. breadfruit leaf

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

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. ray of light in the morning

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 177

[nitaʔto] v. to bake

Speaker: Osiani Nerian

n. epiphytic liana on main trunk of Hernandia moerenhoutiana, growing in secondary forest above river. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3658)

Example: This plant has a secret, unspecified use.

Scientific name: Microsorum grossum, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. river

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 179

n. bank (of a river)

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 127

n. the duck (constellation), the Southern Cross

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 113

n. a large type of banana, lit. "whale banana" (see inyau)

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

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. tree, 3-4 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3540)

Example: The straight trunk of this tree is used to make canoes. The black seed in the fruit is used to make necklaces. The inner bark is peeled and crushed in sea water and rubbed in the hair to make it curly. People do this treatment every day to make long hair curl like a rasta.

Scientific name: Hernandia nymphaeifolia, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. tree, 10-15 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3673)

Example: The wood from this species is used to make the main crossbar of a roof, and also for house posts. Considered a good firewood.

Scientific name: Weinmannia denhamii, Speaker: Titiya Lalep

n. Sirius, the Dog Star

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 113

n. the red star, the "hand" in the constellation Orion; also "necye"

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 113

n. shoots of taro for planting

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 105

[nʊpsiʤman] n. finger (gen.)

Speaker: Ruben Nerian

n. wind-related term; no definition provided

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 114

n. the south-south-west wind

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 113

n. a brook that is dry in dry weather

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 131

adj. angry

Speaker: Kirk Keitadi

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

n. kind of taro

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 119

[tanaŋ] det. many

Speaker: David Nasauman

n. front of canoe

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

Speaker: Romario Yaufati

n. a sweet potato

Speaker: Inglis 1882, p. 111