kaona

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Hawaiian kaona, from Proto-Central Eastern Polynesian *taoŋa "treasured possession".

Noun

kaona

  1. A hidden or secondary meaning in Hawaiian poetry that can only be understood in cultural context; the use thereof.
    • 2004 September 7, Noenoe K. Silva, Aloha Betrayed: Native Hawaiian Resistance to American Colonialism, Duke University Press, →ISBN, page 8:
      Without the knowledge of cultural codes in Hawaiian, foreigners who understood the language could still be counted on to miss kaona

Hawaiian

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈkao̯.na/, [ˈkɐo̯.nə]

Etymology 1

From Proto-Central Eastern Polynesian *taoŋa "treasured possession". Cognatate with Maori taonga (“property, goods”).

Noun

kaona

  1. kaona (hidden or secondary meaning in Hawaiian poetry)
  2. concealed reference
  3. words with double meanings

Etymology 2

Borrowed from English town

Noun

kaona

  1. town
  2. downtown

Further reading

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