bunya

British  

/ ˈbʌnjə /

noun

1. Also called: bunya-bunya.   bunya-bunya pine.  a tall dome-shaped Australian coniferous tree, Araucaria bidwillii , having edible cones ( bunya nuts ) and thickish flattened needles

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Etymology

Origin of bunya

C19: from a native Australian language

Example Sentences

One emblematic aspect for which Hackford takes sole credit is the invention of the symbolic El Pino, the bunya pine tree that became an East Los landmark through the film.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2023

There’s even a bunya nut, which may have been a favorite snack among the dinosaurs, and another nugget from a rain forest tree called the Atherton oak.

From New York Times • Mar. 1, 2016

Many Siamese strike a balance between bunya and bapa by agreeing to observe commandments 4 and 5 only on alternate days.

From Time Magazine Archive

The bunya is remarkable as being the only hereditary property which any of the aborigines are known to possess, and it is therefore protected by law.

From Austral English A dictionary of Australasian words, phrases and usages with those aboriginal-Australian and Maori words which have become incorporated in the language, and the commoner scientific words that have had their origin in Australasia by Morris, Edward Ellis

“Then I tell you what, sir: just you tell our three that, as they’ve been very good boys, they may have a holiday and go and get a good lot o’ bunya nuts.”

From First in the Field A Story of New South Wales by Rahey, L.