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Webster 1913 Edition

Kanaka

{

Ka-nack′a

,

Ka-na′ka

, }
Noun.
[Native name, prop., a man.]
A native of the Sandwich Islands.

Definition 2024

kanaka

kanaka

See also: kānaka and Kanakā

English

Alternative forms

  • Kanaka

Noun

kanaka ‎(plural kanakas)

  1. A person of Hawaiian descent.
  2. (historical) A South Pacific Islander, especially a labourer in Australia or Canada.

Translations

See also

Hawaiian

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian *taŋata

Noun

kanaka ‎(irregular plural kānaka)

  1. human being
  2. subject, retainer
  3. a Hawaiian

Tok Pisin

Etymology

Probably from German Kanake (see other entries on this page for more).

Noun

kanaka

  1. aborigine; native; tribesman

Derived terms

See also

Etymology

1840. From Hawaiian kanaka ‎(“person”), ultimately from Proto-Polynesian *taŋata.

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