hanai

See also: hānai

English

Etymology

From Hawaiian hānai.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈhɑːnaɪ/

Noun

hanai (uncountable)

1. (Hawaii) The practice of traditional Hawaiian adoption of one child into another family.
   • 2012, Julia Flynn Siler, Lost Kingdom, Grove Press 2012, page 8:

     The practice of hānai was abhorrent to the New England missionaries, who discouraged it.

Adjective

hānai (not comparable)

1. (Hawaii) Adopted in the traditional Hawaiian way, made a complete part of the family.

   This is Kimo, my hanai brother.

Coordinate terms

• adopted
• foster

Anagrams

• Anahi, Hai'an, Haian, Hania