poonuu beetle

Part of Speech n2
    • beetle
      • animals, insects
      • Comment In the examples below three different words are used for the legs of a beetle: <kuna, moona, kurina> 'claws, legs, arms'.
      • Example 5359:
        O poonuu na tei me rori bono peha totoka kurina. O kukan tea papa matau, o meho kukan he tea papa keruka.
        The beetles have six arms. Three on the right side and an another three on the left side.
        Source: Joy 26W 067-068
      • Example 5806:
        A poonuu a paru. A kapa kikis. Na tei me nana bono peha totoka o kuna. Na hirihiri nana bara na naovo nana mee.
        The beetle is black. It has a strong cover (exoskeleton). It has six legs. It crawls and also flies.
        Source: Ond 03W 041-044
      • Example 5807:
        O pakapaka nae na varavihi batana teo kapa ponoto teve. Beve tau naovo, o paka teve repaa taparata. A poonuu na tei me nana bono peha totoka o moona.
        Its wings are hidden in its thick cover. When it is about to fly, its wings open. A beetle has six legs.
        Source: Sir 01W 124-126
      • Example 5808:
        O poonuu na rakerake rori tea toka teo naono.
        The beetles like to perch on the tree.
        Source: Joy 26W 064

Related entries

  • See also:
    • kuna1 claw of a crab or lobster; spine of a sea urchin; arm of an octopus
    • kurina2 hand; arm; foreleg
    • moona2 legs or feet (of humans and animals); hindlegs of animals