Dictionary

cunjevoi en · NOUN · etymology 1

Etymology

Unknown; likely from a Pama-Nyungan language. English sources from the 19th century describe it as an Australian word.

Meanings

1. (Australia) A coastal sea squirt (Pyura stolonifera), found in some parts of Australia and South Africa.
   • All along our coast, cunjevoi are destroyed by fishermen, who use them for bait and, as a result, the other animals and plants that live in association with them are also killed. 1993, A. J. Underwood, M. G. Chapman, Seashores: A Beachcomber's Guide, page 39:
   • The cunjevoi is an unusual animal, being born as a larvae with a notochord or primitive backbone, before becoming attached to the rocks and growing its brown leathery coat. Cunjevoi grow in colonies and form their own ecosystem around them, from the absolute bottom of the lowest tide to above the half mean tide on exposed rocks. 2006, Frank Prokop, Australian Fish Guide, page 275:
   • There were three types of natural bait: ugari, worms and cunjevois. 2011, Graham Smith, “Pre-War Fishing at Point Lookout”, in Shadows of War on the Brisbane Line, Salisbury, Qld.: Boolarong Press, →ISBN, part I (Living at Goombi), page 31:

Forms

Deriveds

cunji

Synonyms

red bait (Pyura stolonifera) · rooi aas (Pyura stolonifera)

cunjevoi en · NOUN · etymology 2

Etymology

Uncertain; likely from Bandjalang kanjibuy, or from another Pama-Nyungan language. Attested in English from the 19th century.

Meanings

1. A large flowering plant, Alocasia macrorrhizos, native to tropical islands from Asia to Australia.
   • Then we found the name when Tina bought a book about scented plants for Australian gardens. Our green lily is a cunjevoi, botanical name Alocasia macrorrhiza. 1997, John Griffin, Back Yard: A Gardening Life, page 62:
   • It is stated that the pain caused by the sting of this plant will be instantly relieved by the milky juice of the lower part of the stem of Colocasia macorrhiza (“Cunjevoi” of the natives), being rubbed on the affected part. 1889, Joseph Henry Maiden, The Useful Native Plants of Australia (including Tasmania), page 192:

Forms

Synonyms

giant taro · giant alocasia