Reconstruction:Proto-Polynesian/fai

This Proto-Polynesian entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Polynesian

Etymology

From Proto-Central Pacific *vai, from Proto-Oceanic *paʀi, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *paʀih, from Proto-Austronesian *paʀiS.

Noun

*fai

1. ray (marine fish with a flat body, large wing-like fins, and a whip-like tail)

Descendants

• Proto-Nuclear Polynesian:
  • Proto-Eastern Polynesian:
    • Marquesic:
      • Hawaiian: hailepo, hīhīmanu
      • Mangarevan: ʻai
      • North Marquesan: hai
      • South Marquesan: fai
    • Rapa Nui: rahai
    • Tahitic:
      • Maori: whai
      • Rakahanga-Manihiki: fai
      • Tahitian: fai
      • Tuamotuan: fai, hai
  • Western Polynesian:
    • Ellicean–Outlier:
      • Kapingamarangi: hai
      • Nuguria: hai
      • Pileni: fai, hai
      • Takuu: fai, hai
      • Tuvaluan: fai
    • Futunic:
      • Anuta: pai
      • East Futuna: fai
      • Futuna-Aniwa: fai
      • Mele-Fila: fai
      • Pukapukan: wai
      • West Uvean: fai
    • Samoic:
      • Niuatoputapu: fai
      • Samoan: fai
      • Tokelauan: fai
• Tongic:
  • Tongan: fai

Further reading

• Blust's Austronesian Comparative Dictionary – *paRiS
• Polynesian Lexicon Project Online – FAI.1

References

• Wolff, J. U. (2010) Proto-Austronesian Phonology with Glossary, NY: Cornell Southeast Asia Program Publications, page 922.