wi noun, plural ki·wis.
1.
any of several flightless, ratite birds of the genus Apteryx, of New Zealand, allied to the extinct moas.
2.
Also called Chinese gooseberry. the egg-sized, edible berry of the Chinese gooseberry, having fuzzy brownish skin and slightly tart green flesh.
3.
Slang.
a.
a member of an air service, as in World War I, who is confined to ground duty.
b.
a former pilot or member of a flight crew.
4.
Informal. a New Zealander.
Origin:
1825–35; < Maori
1825–35; < Maori
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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|
Link To kiwi
00:10
Kiwi
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
kiwi (ˈkiːwiː) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n , pl kiwis | |
| 1. | See ratite any nocturnal flightless New Zealand bird of the genus Apteryx, having a long beak, stout legs, and weakly barbed feathers: order Apterygiformes |
| 2. | short for kiwi fruit |
| 3. | informal a New Zealander |
| [C19: from Māori, of imitative origin] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
kiwi
"type of flightless bird," 1835, from Maori kiwi, of imitative origin. As slang for "a New Zealander," it is attested from 1918. The kiwi fruit (Actinia chinesis), was originally imported to the U.S. from China (c.1966) and is known in New Zealand as Chinese gooseberry (1925).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Place oranges, banana, kiwi and berries in each papaya half.
The greenest of green drinks on our list: spinach, spirulina, broccoli and parsley is masked by green apple and kiwi juice.
They remind me of kiwi fruit and perhaps they are related.
The kiwi plant industry represents one of the major sources of income from fresh fruits for several countries around the world.
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