puka

[ poo-kuh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a small white shell found on Pacific, especially Hawaiian, beaches and strung in clusters to make necklaces.

puka

/ ˈpuːkɑː /

Origin of puka¹

First recorded in 1970–75; of uncertain origin

Origin of puka¹

Māori

From the word puka, abrupt phenomenon, and the verb saugi, outflowing.

When the kumu reached the door on his return, he made himself known by reciting a mele wehe puka, the conventional password.

Here, in the dense puka and mangrove scrub, there was hope of safety.

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

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