Reconstruction:Proto-Polynesian/kau

This Proto-Polynesian entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Polynesian

Etymology

From Proto-Central Pacific *kayu, from Proto-Oceanic *kayu, from Proto-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *kayu, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kahiw, from Proto-Austronesian *kaSiw.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kau/

Noun

*kau

1. wood; tree

Descendants

• Proto-Nuclear Polynesian:
  • Proto-Eastern Polynesian:
    • Hawaiian: ʻau
    • Maori: kau
    • Rarotongan: kau
    • Tahitian: ʻau
  • Western Polynesian:
    • Pukapukan: kau
    • Samoan: ʻau
    • Tokelauan: kau
    • Tuvaluan: kau
• Tongic:
  • Niuean: akau
  • Tongan: kau