humuhumunukunukuapua'a

[ hoo-moo-hoo-moo-noo-koo-noo-koo-ah-poo-ah-ah ]

noun
  1. either of two triggerfishes, especially Rhinecantus aculeatus, of Indo-Pacific coral reefs.

Origin of humuhumunukunukuapua'a

1
First recorded in 1900–05; from Hawaiian: literally, “pig-snouted triggerfish,” equivalent to humuhumu “triggerfish” + nukunuku, reduplication of nuku “snout” + a “like” + puaʾa “pig”)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024