kina

American  

[kee-nuh] / ˈki nə /

noun

1. a cupronickel coin and monetary unit of Papua New Guinea, equal to 100 toea.

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kina ¹ British  

/ ˈkiːnə /

noun

1. the standard monetary unit of Papua New Guinea, divided into 100 toea

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kina ² British  

/ ˈkiːnə /

noun

1. Also called: sea egg.  a green sea urchin, Evichinus chloroticus , eaten in New Zealand

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Etymology

Origin of kina¹

from a Papuan language

Origin of kina²

Māori

Example Sentences

“Crayfish was probably as close as you’ve got to it — but now kina has become a real delicacy, and paua is so hot everywhere.”

From New York Times • Dec. 9, 2022

But what about the strains of the spiky kina sea urchin?

From Science Magazine • Feb. 25, 2022

The bare rock is overgrazed by sea urchins, or kina, which flourish in the absence of snapper and crayfish, their natural predators.

From The Guardian • Mar. 11, 2020

There is a Yiddish word for the evil eye: When people relate their accomplishments or blessings, they say kina hora to ward off evil.

From Slate • Sep. 11, 2015

“He says they are taking the kina down to the port, and that they will halt here to rest.”

From Real Gold A Story of Adventure by Fenn, George Manville