pali

¹ American  

[pah-lee] / ˈpɑ li /

noun

1. (in Hawaii) a steep slope or cliff.

---

Pali ² American  

[pah-lee] / ˈpɑ li /

noun

1. the Prakrit language of the Buddhist scriptures.

---

Pali British  

/ ˈpɑːlɪ /

noun

1. an ancient language of India derived from Sanskrit; the language of the Buddhist scriptures

---

Etymology

Origin of pali¹

From Hawaiian

Origin of Pali²

1685–95; short for Sanskrit pāli-bhāsa language of the canonical texts, equivalent to pāli line, row, canon + bhāsa language

Example Sentences

A red British passport was a prized possession for those who had been in the UK long enough to own one alongside the Nigerian document, known as a green pali.

From The Guardian • Aug. 24, 2019

Ho’omaluhia Botanic Garden, at the foot of the pali, is richly replanted in native species.

From New York Times • Sep. 2, 2011

Kane wanted to send Lanihuli and Waipuhia, their daughters, living near the pali of Waolani and Nuuanu.

From Legends of Gods and Ghosts (Hawaiian Mythology) Collected and Translated from the Hawaiian by Westervelt, W. D. (William Drake)

The pali, the precipice, stands for any difficulty or obstacle of magnitude.

From Unwritten Literature of Hawaii The Sacred Songs of the Hula by Emerson, Nathaniel Bright

Aiai was not with the party, but overlooked their operations from the pali of Puhiai.

From Hawaiian Folk Tales A Collection of Native Legends by Thrum, Thomas G. (Thomas George)