Reconstruction:Proto-Polynesian/qaitu

This Proto-Polynesian entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Polynesian

Etymology

From Proto-Central-Pacific *qanitu, from Proto-Oceanic *qanitu, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qanitu, from Proto-Austronesian *qaNiCu.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈʔaitu/

Noun

*qaitu

1. ghost (spirit of the dead)

Descendants

• Nuclear Polynesian:
  • Eastern Polynesian:
    • Marquesic:
      • North Marquesan: aitu
      • South Marquesan: aitu
    • Tahitic:
      • Maori: aitu
      • Rarotongan: aitu
      • Tahitian: aitu
  • Western Polynesian:
    • Ellicean–Outlier:
      • Nukuoro: eidu, itu
      • Takuu: aitu
      • Tuvaluan: aitu
    • Futunic:
      • Pukapukan: aitu
      • Futuna-Aniwa: fegaitua
    • Samoic:
      • Samoan: aitu
      • Tokelauan: aitu
• Tongic:
  • Niuafo'ou: aitu
  • Niuean: aitu
  • Tongan: ʻeitumatupuʻa