helu

See also: Helu and ħelu

Hawaiian

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈhe.lu/, [ˈhɛ.lu]

Etymology 1

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

helu

1. number
2. issue of a publication
3. list, directory

   Synonyms: papa, papa helu

Verb

helu

1. (transitive) to count

Derived terms

• helu lele (“to skip count”)
• heluhelu (reduplicated form)
• hoʻohelu (causative)

Etymology 2

From Proto-Central-Eastern Polynesian *seru "scratch the earth; scrape; dig". Cognate with Tahitian heru (“scratch the earth”).

Perhaps ultimately derived from Proto-Polynesian *selu (“comb”), from Proto-Oceanic, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *saʀu (“comb”).

Verb

helu(transitive)

1. to scratch (the earth), to paw
2. to dig with the fingers

Derived terms

• māhelu (“to dig”)

Further reading

• helu in Combined Hawaiian Dictionary, at trussel2.com.

Sranan Tongo

Interjection

helu

1. archaic form of eru

Tongan

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian *selu (“comb”), from Proto-Oceanic, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *saʀu (“comb”).

Noun

helu

1. comb