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nānā. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
nānā, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
nānā in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
nānā you have here. The definition of the word
nānā will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
nānā, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Hawaiian
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “from "nanny"?”)
Noun
nānā
- goat
Etymology 2
From Proto-Polynesian *naa-naa (“to look at something”)[1][2]
Verb
nānā
- (transitive) to look, observe
Derived terms
References
- ^ Ross Clark and Simon J. Greenhill, editors (2011), “naa-naa”, in POLLEX-Online: The Polynesian Lexicon Project Online
- ^ Pukui, Mary Kawena, Elbert, Samuel H. (1986) “nānā”, in Hawaiian Dictionary, revised & enlarged edition, Honolulu, HI: University of Hawai'i Press, →ISBN, page 260
Maori
Etymology
From Proto-Polynesian *naa-naa (“to look at something”).[1][2] Doublet of nana.
Pronunciation
Verb
nānā
- to tend carefully
- to indulge, pamper
References
- ^ Ross Clark and Simon J. Greenhill, editors (2011), “naa-naa”, in POLLEX-Online: The Polynesian Lexicon Project Online
- ^ Tregear, Edward (1891) Maori-Polynesian Comparative Dictionary, Wellington, New Zealand: Lyon and Blair, page 261
Further reading
- “nānā” in John C. Moorfield, Te Aka: Maori–English, English–Maori Dictionary and Index, 3rd edition, Longman/Pearson Education New Zealand, 2011, →ISBN.