kiwi
[ kee-wee ]
/ ˈki wi /
|
noun, plural ki·wis.
any of several flightless, ratite birds of the genus Apteryx, of New Zealand, allied to the extinct moas.
Also called Chinese gooseberry. the egg-sized, edible berry of the Chinese gooseberry, having fuzzy brownish skin and slightly tart green flesh.
Slang.
- a member of an air service, as in World War I, who is confined to ground duty.
- a former pilot or member of a flight crew.
Informal. a New Zealander.
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Nearby words
Origin of kiwi
Borrowed into English from Maori around 1825–35
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for kiwis
British Dictionary definitions for kiwis (1 of 2)
Kiwis
/ (ˈkiːwiːs) /
pl n
the Kiwis the men's international Rugby League football team of New Zealand
British Dictionary definitions for kiwis (2 of 2)
kiwi
/ (ˈkiːwiː) /
noun plural kiwis
any nocturnal flightless New Zealand bird of the genus Apteryx, having a long beak, stout legs, and weakly barbed feathers: order ApterygiformesSee ratite
short for kiwi fruit
informal a New Zealander
Word Origin for kiwi
C19: from Māori, of imitative origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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