antu

Brunei Malay

Etymology

From Proto-Malayic *qantu (compare Malay hantu), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qanitu (compare Samoan aitu), from Proto-Austronesian *qaNiCu (compare Bunun hanitu).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /an.tu/

Noun

antu

1. ghost (spirit appearing after death)

   Ia takut antu.

   He is afraid of ghosts.

2. demon (evil spirit)

   Ia sakit lapas kana rasuk ulih antu.

   He fell ill after being possessed by demons.

Derived terms

• burung antu (“owl”)

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Iban

Etymology

From Proto-Malayic *qantu (compare Malay hantu), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qanitu (compare Samoan aitu), from Proto-Austronesian *qaNiCu (compare Bunun hanitu).

Noun

antu

1. devil, demon (wicked spirit)

   Nya alai, sida takutka antu.

   Therefore, they fear the devil.

2. ghost, familiar spirit (especially of ancestor, in whatever guise it appears)
3. the dead