Hawaiian edit

Etymology edit

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 edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈui.la/, [ˈui.lə]

Noun edit

uila

  1. lightning
  2. electricity

Derived terms edit

Verb edit

uila

  1. (stative) electric

References edit

  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