polynesian

Everyday

1. To do with Polynesia, the large group of Pacific islands including Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti and New Zealand (Aotearoa), and with its peoples, languages and cultures. tree →
2. Noun: a person from one of these peoples, such as Māori, Samoan, Tongan or Hawaiian. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and history lessons Polynesian sailors crossed huge stretches of the Pacific Ocean in canoes, finding their way by the stars, waves and birds. In New Zealand and Australian schools Polynesian cultures, dance and languages are studied. Phrases: the Polynesian Triangle, Polynesian navigation.

Examples

• Polynesian navigators read the stars and the waves. tree →
• Māori are a Polynesian people of New Zealand. tree →
• Hawaiian is a Polynesian language. tree →
• Our class learned a Polynesian dance. tree →
• The Polynesian Triangle has Hawaii, New Zealand and Easter Island at its corners. tree →
• Many Polynesian families live in Auckland. tree →

Note

Written with a capital P in English (the input is lower case only). From Greek «poly» (many) + «nesos» (islands): «many islands». Compare Melanesian and Micronesian.