pareu

[ pahr-ey-oo ]

noun

1. lavalava.
2. Also pa·re·o []. a length of cloth, especially of a brightly colored print, wrapped on the body like a lavalava and worn by women as a cover-up, skirt, dress, or the like.

pareu

/ ˈpɑːreɪˌuː /

noun

1. a rectangle of fabric worn by Polynesians as a skirt or loincloth

Word History and Origins

Origin of pareu¹

Borrowed into English from Tahitian around 1855–60

Word History and Origins

Origin of pareu¹

from Tahitian

Example Sentences

All were garlanded with gold and crimson and orange flowers, while each wore about the hips a scarlet pareu.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Pottle's eyes fell on his own scarlet pareu and the brownish legs beneath it.

From Project Gutenberg

I made a tourniquet of a strip of my pareu and, with a small harpoon, 30 twisted it until the flow of blood was stopped.

From Project Gutenberg

Wrapped only in a gorgeous red pareu, I sat on the paepae of the chief's house, now become mine.

From Project Gutenberg

Nevertheless, as I smoked at ease in my pareu upon the paepae of my simple hosts I felt some misgivings rise in me.

From Project Gutenberg