释义 |
Niuean, n. and a.|nɪˈuːən, ˈnjuːɪən| [f. Niue, native name (= ‘world’) of an island in the S. Pacific + -an.] A. n. a. A native or inhabitant of Niue. b. The language of the Niuean people. B. adj. Of or pertaining to Niue, the Niueans, or their language.
[1893Jrnl. Polynesian Soc. ii. 11 The words were obtained from the New Testament translated into Niue by the Rev. Frank Lawes. Ibid. 13 The missionaries..‘induced’ two of the Niue youths to accompany them.] 1901Jrnl. R. Anthrop. Inst. XXXI. 138 The Tongan mode of warfare was frontal attack by desperate charges; the Niuéan, a series of feints intended to frighten the enemy, and entice him into ambush. 1902B. Thomson Savage Island p. v, I went to the Niuéans in the name of the Queen and Empress whom the world is still lamenting. 1924R. W. Williamson Social & Pol. Syst. Cent. Polynesia II. xiv. 53, I have..referred to Tregear's dictionary and to a Niuean vocabulary provided by Williams. 1954K. B. Cumberland Southwest Pacific vi. 270 It was native missionaries, Samoans mainly, who converted the Niueans. 1962H. Luke Islands S. Pacific xii. 222 In the latter half of the [19th] century..Niuean men would voluntarily leave the island..to work phosphate for good wages on Malden Island. 1968Encycl. Brit. XVIII. 205/2 The best known of the dialects [of the Polynesian language] include Hawaiian,..Tongan, Tahitian, Niuean,..and Tuamotuan. 1973Guardian 21 May 13/4 The Cook Islanders and Niueans are New Zealand citizens, have free right of entry... The Fijians and Tongans need individual permits. |