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ʻūpā. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
ʻūpā, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
ʻūpā in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
ʻūpā you have here. The definition of the word
ʻūpā will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
ʻūpā, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Hawaiian
Etymology
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “How did the same word come to mean both "scissors" and "compass"?”)
From Mandarin, ao “to boil”; pa “eight.” Mandarin Luópán. The original compass was made in a bowl, they put mercury in the bowl with a spoon in the mercury. The bowl was marked with eight spots. The handle of the spoon would point to the magnetic direction (Chinese magnetic compass.)
Synonyms
(Cantonese) 羅庚／罗庚
(Min Nan) 羅經／罗经, 干經／干经
Pronunciation
Noun
ʻūpā
- scissors
- compass
See also