diwai

Etymology: Tryon (1995, part 3, p. 229), dewai (where ‘e’ is schwa). Roos (1992:371) suggests a more likely source is Ramoaana diwaai rather than Kuanua dawai.

See original Mihalic entry.

Modifier forms

1. wooden
   nil diwai a wooden peg, a dowel
   sia diwai a wooden chair

Noun forms

2. Trees: wood, log, tree
   as bilong diwai the base of a tree, a tree stump
   bel bilong diwai the tree trunk
   diwai nabaut a tree unfit for lumber
   het bilong diwai the crown of a tree
   liklik diwai a shrub, a small tree
   tel bilong diwai the upper, thin end of a tree trunk

3. a piece of wood
   hap diwai a piece of wood, also a trap set for pigs, wallabies etc
   diwai kruse, diwai kros cross, crucifix

Noun combination forms

4. Trees: diwai daka Piper aduncum, exotic shrub now widespread in the lowlands of Morobe, Madang, East Sepik and parts of Central Provinces. ® daka

© Revising the Mihalic Project, 26 Jan 2005 [Home]