Dictionary

kiwikiwi en · NOUN

Etymology

Borrowed from Māori kiwikiwi.

Meanings

1. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) The kiwi, a flightless bird of the order Apterygiformes native to New Zealand.
   • The kiwikiwi, or Apteryx Australis, placed under the head of Struthionidæ, by Mr. Gould, who has admirably figured the male and female, in his splendid work on Australian birds, is the most curious specimen of ornithology in New Zealand. 1838, The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Volume 32, J. Limbird:
   • As there have always been very few kiwi-kiwi, and those few exceedingly hard to find, it follows naturally that the skins are very scarce, and consequently highly prized. 1883, Sunshine at Home: Sparkling Pages for the Child, the Youth, the Parent : a Family Portfolio of Natural History, Biography, and Bible Scenes, Review and Herald, page 107:
2. (countable, uncountable) A star fern or creek fern, of species Blechnum fluviatie.

Forms