uila

Hawaiian

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian *quhila (compare with Maori uira and Tahitian uira, Tongan ʻuhila, Samoan uila),[1] from Proto-Oceanic *qusila (compare with Fijian cila (“to shine”)), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *silaq (“outpouring or beam of light”)[2] related to Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qusilak (“lightning”).[3] Compare with Maori uira and Tahitian uira, Tongan ʻuhila, plus Maori hiko for semantic extension into "electricity".

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈui.la/, [ˈui.lə]

Noun

uila

  1. lightning
  2. electricity

Derived terms

Verb

uila

  1. (stative) electric

References
  1. Pukui, Mary Kawena, Elbert, Samuel H. (1986) “uila”, in Hawaiian Dictionary, revised & enlarged edition, Honolulu, HI: University of Hawai'i Press, →ISBN, page 365
  2. Ross Clark and Simon J. Greenhill, editors (2011), “quhila”, in POLLEX-Online: The Polynesian Lexicon Project Online
  3. Ross, Malcolm D., Pawley, Andrew, Osmond, Meredith (2008) The lexicon of Proto-Oceanic, volume 3: The Physical Environment, Canberra: Australian National University, →ISBN, page 149
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