humuhumunukunukuapua'a
[ hoo-moo-hoo-moo-noo-koo-noo-koo-ah-poo-ah-ah ]
noun
either of two triggerfishes, especially Rhinecantus aculeatus, of Indo-Pacific coral reefs.
Origin of humuhumunukunukuapua'a
1First recorded in 1900–05; from Hawaiian: literally, “pig-snouted triggerfish,” equivalent to humuhumu “triggerfish” + nukunuku, reduplication of nuku “snout” + a “like” + puaʾa “pig”)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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