ʻau

See also: Appendix:Variations of "au"

Hawaiian

Etymology 1

From Proto-Polynesian *kau (compare with Maori kau), from Proto-Oceanic *kayu, from Proto-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, from Proto-Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kahiw (compare with Malay kayu), from Proto-Austronesian *kaSiw.

Noun

ʻau

1. handle
2. staff
3. stem; stalk
4. shaft
5. (anatomy) bone (of lower arm or leg)
6. a group (when followed by a qualifier)

Derived terms

• ʻau kī
• ʻau lima
• ʻau wāwae

Etymology 2

From Proto-Polynesian *kau, from Proto-Oceanic *kaʀu.

Verb

ʻau

1. (intransitive) to swim, travel by sea
2. (intransitive) to jut out, project

Further reading

• Pukui, Mary Kawena, Elbert, Samuel H. (1986) “‘au”, in Hawaiian Dictionary, revised & enlarged edition, Honolulu, HI: University of Hawai'i Press, →ISBN

Samoan

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian *kau, from Proto-Oceanic *kayu, from Proto-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, from Proto-Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kahiw, from Proto-Austronesian *kaSiw.

Noun

ʻau

1. staff
2. shaft
3. axle
4. handle
5. whisk

Tahitian

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian *kau, from Proto-Oceanic *kaʀu.

Verb

ʻau

1. swim