Otaheite

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English

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English Wikipedia has an article on:
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Etymology

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From (misinterpretation of) Tahitian 'o Tahiti.

Proper noun

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Otaheite

  1. (obsolete) Tahiti. [18th c.]
    • 1791, James Boswell, Life of Johnson, Oxford, published 2008, page 525:
      The custom of eating dogs at Otaheite being mentioned, Goldsmith observed, that this was also a custom in China [] .

Adjective

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Otaheite (comparative more Otaheite, superlative most Otaheite)

  1. (now only in compound terms) Tahitian. [from 18th c.]
    • 1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], chapter XXXVII, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. [], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, [], →OCLC, page 175:
      ...and two Otaheite princes, nearly seven feet, swathed in white calico, with naked arms and legs, would stand on each side, holding a laurel crown over the heads of the fair cherubs, with a massive club in their right hands, threatening destruction to all who approached.

Derived terms

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Noun

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Otaheite (uncountable)

  1. (obsolete) The Tahitian language. [18th c.]
    • 1774, Frances Burney, Journals & Letters, Penguin 2001, 1 December:
      I found Omai seated on the Great Chair, and my Brother next to him, and talking Otaheite as fast as possible.
  2. (obsolete, rare) A Tahitian. [19th c.]