Reconstruction:Proto-Polynesian/niu

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 *niu, from Proto-Oceanic *niuʀ, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *niuʀ.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈni.u/

Noun

*niu

coconut

Descendants

Nuclear Polynesian:
- Eastern Polynesian:
  - Marquesic:
    - Hawaiian: niu
    - Mangarevan: niu
    - South Marquesan: niu
  - Rapa Nui: niu
  - Tahitic:
    - Maori: niu (“divining stick”)
    - Rakahanga-Manihiki: niu
    - Rarotongan: nū, niu (dialectal)
    - Tahitian: niu (archaic)
- Western Polynesian:
  - Ellicean–Outlier:
    - Kapingamarangi: niu
    - Nukumanu: niu
    - Sikaiana: niu
    - Tuvaluan: niu
  - Futunic:
    - Anuta: niu
    - East Futuna: niu
    - Futuna-Aniwa: niu
    - Tikopia: niu
  - Samoic:
    - Pukapukan: niu
    - Samoan: niu
    - Tokelauan: niu
Tongic:
- Niuafo'ou: niu
- Niuean: niu
- Tongan: niu

References

Tyron, Darell (1994) “Oceanic plant names”, in A.K. Pawley and M.D. Ross, editors, Austronesian Terminologies: Continuity and Change, Caberra, Australia: Australian National University, →ISBN, pages 490-1