Dictionary

pituri en · NOUN

Etymology

From Yandruwandha bijirri, and its source, Pitta-Pitta pijiri.

Meanings

1. (uncountable) The prepared leaves of an Australian shrub, Duboisia hopwoodii, chewed as a stimulant by Aboriginal Australians; also the shrub itself.
   • The Australians, although unacquainted with true spirituous liquors, knew how to obtain a similar effect by chewing the twigs of the pituri bush. 1931, Julius Lippert, translated by George Peter Murdock, The Evolution of Culture, London: George Allen and Unwin, page 194:
   • These sticks occasionally [...] suggest trade in such articles as ochres, pituri or weapons. 1937, Ion L. Idriess, Over the Range, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, published 1947, page 105:
   • Winston rolled his head and eyes from side to side, like a man ‘on’ pitjuri. 1987, Bruce Chatwin, The Songlines, Vintage, published 1998, page 258:

Forms

Synonyms

mingkulpa · native tobacco