An example search has returned 100 entries

-ko

affix yonder; away from

aces nohos

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[aɣes nohos] phr. I eat/bite a banana

achachadaliek

adj. tempestuous at sea

ae

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[ahe] v. prepare soil for taro planting, by removing the topsoil, putting down special leaves, and replacing topsoil

ahcedwei

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v.n. go in and out among

ahpeto

v. taro; yams

aso

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v. cover up

atumap̃

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v. rest

cauwan

n. tendrils; small branches

custard apple

Children sometimes eat this fruit but it smells bad. Adults do not eat it. An introduced species so there is no local name.

n. tree, 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3520)

Example: Children sometimes eat this fruit but it smells bad. Adults do not eat it. An introduced species so there is no local name.

dowag nadimi

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

ehyiyihi

v. to teaze, as cotton; also "ehyeiyihi"

Ek idivaig nenis ainyak

phr. I am quite useless

elainei

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[elajnej] n. after sundown, when the insects start to chirp

et alp̃as an

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[et alk͡puas an] phr. he is big

et amai incacen

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[et amai inɣaɣen] phr. he chews kava (traditional)

et atut

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[et atut] phr. is running

Et elwa nieg

phr. the reeds blossom.

ijmau

n. without branches

ijumgan nijomcan

1. The name of this plant translates as bad tooth, and relates to its use as a plant used to poison others. If one wants to commit an evil act against another, he or she will rub the leaves together and squeeze them over the targets food. It will make their teeth rotten and fall off quickly. More information witheld.
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n. small tree, 1-2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4020)

Example: 1. The name of this plant translates as bad tooth, and relates to its use as a plant used to poison others. If one wants to commit an evil act against another, he or she will rub the leaves together and squeeze them over the targets food. It will make their teeth rotten and fall off quickly. More information witheld.

ilihilo

adj. soft, as an infant’s foot, or new leaves.

incacen

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[inɣaɣen] n. kava (traditional)

incai upunupun

n. bramble

inceideuc

n. the white wood of a tree

incowos ates

Hedychium coronarium
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n. herb, 2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3676)

indrou

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[indraʊ] n. pandanus leaf wrapping for the preparation of fish

inewosneiak

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

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.

inhubej

n. calabash

injivij

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n. kind of fish

inlidija

n. summer, autumn

inmaan

n. old coconut leaves

inmathethi

n. Tabernaemontana padacaqui

Example: leaf used for for wounds; cold maceration taken internally against "skin cancer" (severe wounds?). Stalk, chewed, influences sex of an embryo in favor of a girl.

inmayinpak

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n. kind of fish

inmehei

People use the leaves of this plant to wrap lap-lap for cooking on the earth oven or when boiling foods. The leaves can also be used as serving plates and to cover the stones on the earth oven.
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n. herb to 1. 5 m tall, sterile. Growing in weedy patch behind buildings on edge of trail. (collection: Michael J. Balick #4986)

Example: People use the leaves of this plant to wrap lap-lap for cooking on the earth oven or when boiling foods. The leaves can also be used as serving plates and to cover the stones on the earth oven.

inmerimri

n. kind of breadfruit

inmetapau

Ixora aneityensis

n. treelet, 1. 75 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4077)

inrejei

Caryota ophiopellis
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n. trees, 3-4 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4133)

intaig um has

n. kind of taro

intelecha

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.
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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.

inteses

This plant is said to have a type of magical use. Young men take one node of the stem of this plant and use it in an unspecified way to attract young women.
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n. parasite in tree, flowers orange with reddish base. Growing in secondary forest. (collection: Michael J. Balick #5000)

Example: This plant is said to have a type of magical use. Young men take one node of the stem of this plant and use it in an unspecified way to attract young women.

intop̃ asiej

Wollastonia biflora
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n. herb, growing in coastal forest. Flowers yellow. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3446)

intoutau

Psychotria

n. shrub, 2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3486)

inwerinwei

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[inwerinɣweɪ] n. board (sg)

itounga

n. Synedrella nodiflora

Example: leaf rubbed in hands for toothache

kitip̃up anamecvai

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n. kind of bird

kumnyumoi ilpu hal u

n. the seven stars; the children of Kumnyumoi

lop̃ot lop̃ot

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n. kind of fish

masoa

n. arrowroot

maya ga o’oh

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[maja ga oʔo] phr. yes or no (traditional)

moa moa

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n. kind of fish

nabudwä

n. Vittaria lineata

Example: Frond: cold maceration taken internally against ciguatera

nadimi dero

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[nadimi deroʊ] phr. two men (there are)

nadouyatmas

Delarbrea paradoxa
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n. tree, 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4069)

nagaihos

The nut of this tree is edible. Crack open the fruit and eat the seed raw. It can also be used to plug holes in a canoe.
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n. tree, 14 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3710)

Example: The nut of this tree is edible. Crack open the fruit and eat the seed raw. It can also be used to plug holes in a canoe.

nahaijcai

n. kind of plant, grass, or fern

nahau ahii

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n. kind of turtle

naheñ

The wood of this species is very straight and people make fishing spears out of it. The wood, being straight, is used as well for roof rafters.
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n. shrub, 2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3488)

Example: The wood of this species is very straight and people make fishing spears out of it. The wood, being straight, is used as well for roof rafters.

nake

The very young leaves of this plant are edible.
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n. terrestrial fern, 1 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3712)

Example: The very young leaves of this plant are edible.

nakli pece

n. isle, island

nalau

Photo by K. David Harrison, April 2016.
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n. feathers

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

nalefpei

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n. kind of bird

namehe

n. kind of taro

napat apeig

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[napat apeiŋ] n. black cloud

natoga an wai

natoga an wai

n. the south-east wind

nauyerop̃

1. To cure spirit sickness of the niteitau. Use plants that also end with "au" : niditau, intoutau, naoyerop. Go to the top of the plant to get the soft leaves of the plants niditau, intoutau, naoyerop, also take the bark. The person making the medicine should be holding the these leaves with a piece of nelmaha. Nelmaha means go away. The sick person chews the leaves and bark and swallows the juice spitting out the fiber into the nelmaha the medicine maker is holding. The medicine person then takes the spit out fiber in the nalmaha leaf and throws it into the sea in front of the village. 2. Edible fruits, when ripe or green, does not taste when green, but sweet when ripe. 3a. Leaves (young) are edible, for example wrap around coconut meat and eat or cook with island cabbage and other leaves, boil and add coconut milk and eat. 3b. The young leaves are edible, after boiling for 5 minutes. A piece of coconut and a pinch of salt is wrapped in the leaves and eaten. The mature leaves are used to wrap food such as pig or cow meat and cooked in an earth oven. Tie this bundle with a piece of Pandanus fiber to secure it before putting in the earth oven. 4. During big feast, use this a lot – circumcison or wedding feast, harvest leaves and wrap around meat and bake on earth oven – sometimes we cut down a whole tree to gather leaves. 5. To make men’s custom belt – split stem, peel outer bark off to take inner bark and peel it, tear end to make strap that can be tied. Dry in sun but not direct sunlight. 6. Older large trunks were burned by ancestors to keep fire going – did not need matches (lefre(?) matches) because embers would stay for days and when make a fire add smaller branches to make a flame.
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n. tree, 2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3487)

Example: 1. To cure spirit sickness of the niteitau. Use plants that also end with "au" : niditau, intoutau, naoyerop. Go to the top of the plant to get the soft leaves of the plants niditau, intoutau, naoyerop, also take the bark. The person making the medicine should be holding the these leaves with a piece of nelmaha. Nelmaha means go away. The sick person chews the leaves and bark and swallows the juice spitting out the fiber into the nelmaha the medicine maker is holding. The medicine person then takes the spit out fiber in the nalmaha leaf and throws it into the sea in front of the village. 2. Edible fruits, when ripe or green, does not taste when green, but sweet when ripe. 3a. Leaves (young) are edible, for example wrap around coconut meat and eat or cook with island cabbage and other leaves, boil and add coconut milk and eat. 3b. The young leaves are edible, after boiling for 5 minutes. A piece of coconut and a pinch of salt is wrapped in the leaves and eaten. The mature leaves are used to wrap food such as pig or cow meat and cooked in an earth oven. Tie this bundle with a piece of Pandanus fiber to secure it before putting in the earth oven. 4. During big feast, use this a lot – circumcison or wedding feast, harvest leaves and wrap around meat and bake on earth oven – sometimes we cut down a whole tree to gather leaves. 5. To make men’s custom belt – split stem, peel outer bark off to take inner bark and peel it, tear end to make strap that can be tied. Dry in sun but not direct sunlight. 6. Older large trunks were burned by ancestors to keep fire going – did not need matches (lefre(?) matches) because embers would stay for days and when make a fire add smaller branches to make a flame.

nauyerop̃ u inman

1. When pig is cooked in an earth oven, branches of this speces are used to cover the pig, before hot rocks are heaped on top.
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n. treelet, 2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4067)

Example: 1. When pig is cooked in an earth oven, branches of this speces are used to cover the pig, before hot rocks are heaped on top.

necsap̃

This tree has very hard wood. 1. Use the small stems to plant dry land or swamp taro, sharpening the end and pushing it into the ground to make a hole. 2. It also is useful for fence, posts for houses. 3. Small stems are also used to make a comb for the hair. 4. Plant pole for taro kava. 5. A branch is shaped and used to husk coconut. 6. The wood is hard and in ancient times people would take a forked piece and put string on one side of it, sharpen the other side and use with the string as a fish hook – need to keep rope tight until it is in the canoe. Do not give it slack  – strong use AAM 17.
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n. shrub, 2 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3534)

Example: This tree has very hard wood. 1. Use the small stems to plant dry land or swamp taro, sharpening the end and pushing it into the ground to make a hole. 2. It also is useful for fence, posts for houses. 3. Small stems are also used to make a comb for the hair. 4. Plant pole for taro kava. 5. A branch is shaped and used to husk coconut. 6. The wood is hard and in ancient times people would take a forked piece and put string on one side of it, sharpen the other side and use with the string as a fish hook – need to keep rope tight until it is in the canoe. Do not give it slack – strong use AAM 17.

nefelelicai acen

n. hemlock

nefiag

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[nefiaŋ] n. January (lit. big wild sugar cane)

nejeg tau

People plant this tree near the coast, specifically as small fish and shellfish hide in it to breed and people know this.
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n. tree, 3 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3518)

Example: People plant this tree near the coast, specifically as small fish and shellfish hide in it to breed and people know this.

nekitau

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n. kind of bush

nemek

n. yellow leaves for making petticoats

nemetrei ai

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n. kind of bush

nenesanei neiang

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[nenesanej neijaŋ] n. coconut fiber for kava

nepig sepahai

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[nepiŋ sepahaj] n. night, the moon has not come up yet, "the moon is down"

nepjenwai

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n. kind of fish (folk name)

neplarou

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[neplaroʊ] n. April (lit. between good and bad weather month)

nerinasjiñ

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n. kind of shellfish

netokai

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n. clouds rising up against the wind (possibly black clouds)

netvo

n. a species of fruit

nidwunitei

Diplazium melanocaulon
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n. terrestrial fern, 1. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #4047)

nija

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[nija] n. cup for bait

nipjid aiyu

n. orange

nipʧinite

Photo by K. David Harrison, April 2016.
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[nipʧinite] n. cooking pot

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

niri

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n. kind of shellfish

nirid u numu

People who go fishing take this plant along with other unspecified leaves, crush them and rub them on the fishing line that the person is using. This is said to attract more fish to the bait. It is also a "message plant" to be put in a person’s hat when they come back from fishing and then people know that they caught fish. Local name means "fish gill." For performing a weather magic ritual to produce fog, this plant is fermented along with another plant (nap̃at) in a hole in a sacred stone (called "Naemoso") at a secret location on Aneityum.
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n. terrestrial fern on forest floor, growing in disturbed forest. (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3482)

Example: People who go fishing take this plant along with other unspecified leaves, crush them and rub them on the fishing line that the person is using. This is said to attract more fish to the bait. It is also a "message plant" to be put in a person’s hat when they come back from fishing and then people know that they caught fish. Local name means "fish gill." For performing a weather magic ritual to produce fog, this plant is fermented along with another plant (nap̃at) in a hole in a sacred stone (called "Naemoso") at a secret location on Aneityum.

nisjau

n. kind of tree

nispeheñ

This plant is used to make a grass skirt for women. There are two different methods decribed. In the first, collect the leaves, tear off 1/2 of the leaf and pleat the halves. Then dry these in the sun by hanging them from the midrib. After they are dry, weave them into a skirt. In the second, take one leaf at a time, tear the leaf down the center and throw away the midrib. The soft part is used in making the skirt by holding a piece of twine between your toes and under your armpit. Weave the length of the twine with the leaf. The let the pieces to dry in the sun for 2-3 days. The skirt can be thrown in the sea before drying to make the skirt white. Bark of inhao is usually used as twine. Retted strips of leaves, later sun dried, can be used to make pillows. When dogs or humans have fish poisoning this plant can help. Take 2 leaves and pound them (use 1 leaf for dogs) and mix with 1/4 cup of water. no further instructions given. (OR - Leaves to cure ciguatera, chew 1 leaf and swallow juice and spit out fiber. Or extract juice into a cup to drink 1x. Give juice + water in cup for dog that is sick.) There is also a belief that you can use the whole stem of this plant as a digging spade to plant sugarcane so the sugarcane is soft and sweet.
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n. sparsely branched tree, 2. 5 m tall (collection: Gregory M. Plunkett #3628)

Example: This plant is used to make a grass skirt for women. There are two different methods decribed. In the first, collect the leaves, tear off 1/2 of the leaf and pleat the halves. Then dry these in the sun by hanging them from the midrib. After they are dry, weave them into a skirt. In the second, take one leaf at a time, tear the leaf down the center and throw away the midrib. The soft part is used in making the skirt by holding a piece of twine between your toes and under your armpit. Weave the length of the twine with the leaf. The let the pieces to dry in the sun for 2-3 days. The skirt can be thrown in the sea before drying to make the skirt white. Bark of inhao is usually used as twine. Retted strips of leaves, later sun dried, can be used to make pillows. When dogs or humans have fish poisoning this plant can help. Take 2 leaves and pound them (use 1 leaf for dogs) and mix with 1/4 cup of water. no further instructions given. (OR - Leaves to cure ciguatera, chew 1 leaf and swallow juice and spit out fiber. Or extract juice into a cup to drink 1x. Give juice + water in cup for dog that is sick.) There is also a belief that you can use the whole stem of this plant as a digging spade to plant sugarcane so the sugarcane is soft and sweet.

nitetan

n. a fern

nohopcop

Collocalia esculenta
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[nohopɣop] n. Glossy swiftlet

Example: Photo by Lip Kee, License: CC BY-SA 2.0 via Flickr

nohos esjig inwai

n. a banana

nowanavin

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[nowanavin] n. sand

nucye

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

nugnyimtau noho

n. kind of palm

numu

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n. fish; life

nupsin

n. seed

par

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conj. conjunction to join sentences together

rohalrohal

adj. rough, applied to sugarcane-leaf thatch

sepam

adv. down here

weite

adj. perennial (applied to water); also "etweite", "inweite"