Reconstruction:Proto-Polynesian/qaitu

This Proto-Polynesian entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Polynesian

Etymology

From Proto-Central-Pacific *qanitu, from Proto-Oceanic *qanitu, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qanitu, from Proto-Austronesian *qaNiCu.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈʔaitu/

Noun

*qaitu

ghost (spirit of the dead)

Descendants

Nuclear Polynesian:
- Eastern Polynesian:
  - Marquesic:
    - North Marquesan: aitu
    - South Marquesan: aitu
  - Tahitic:
    - Maori: aitu
    - Rarotongan: aitu
    - Tahitian: aitu
- Western Polynesian:
  - Ellicean–Outlier:
    - Nukuoro: eidu, itu
    - Takuu: aitu
    - Tuvaluan: aitu
  - Futunic:
    - Pukapukan: aitu
    - Futuna-Aniwa: fegaitua
  - Samoic:
    - Samoan: aitu
    - Tokelauan: aitu
Tongic:
- Niuafo'ou: aitu
- Niuean: aitu
- Tongan: ʻeitumatupuʻa