poi
[poi, poh-ee]
- a Hawaiian dish made of the root of the taro baked, pounded, moistened, and fermented.
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Origin of poi
Borrowed into English from Hawaiian around 1815–25
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for poi
Contemporary Examples
He is working to lift the POI restrictions placed on his client.
Historical Examples
For he said "Kai" must be "poi," or food must be swung to the spot.
An Old New ZealanderT. Lindsay Buick
We sat down to breakfast,—poi and salt, and not enough of that.
Memoirs of John R. YoungJohn Young
For commissary, he had a calabash of poi and a string of red peppers.
Memoirs of John R. YoungJohn Young
Poi, paakia, poverty and shame Were all endured for the blessed Savior's name.
Memoirs of John R. YoungJohn Young
There must be a large one to hold the "poi," and a smaller one for drinking-water.
Our Little Hawaiian CousinMary Hazelton Wade
poi1
- a Hawaiian dish made of the root of the taro baked, pounded to a paste, and fermented
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Word Origin
C19: from Hawaiian
poi2
- NZ a ball of woven flax swung rhythmically in poi dances
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Word Origin
Māori
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for poi
n.
1823, from Hawaiian poi "food made from taro root."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper