kālepa

Hawaiian

Etymology

From kā (“to wave”) +‎ lepa (“flag”), as merchants historically raised white flags when carrying their wares.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kaːˈle.pa/, [kaːˈlɛ.pə]

Noun

kālepa

1. merchant, trader
2. salesman

Verb

kālepa

1. (transitive) to trade, to peddle

   Synonym: kūʻai

2. (stative) mercantile, trading

   moku kālepa ― trading ship

Derived terms

• kumukūʻai kālepa (“wholesale price”)
• waiwai kālepa (“merchandise”)

References

• Elbert, Samuel H.; Pukui, Mary Kawena (1979), Hawaiian Grammar, Honolulu: University of Hawaiʻi Press, →ISBN, page 69
• kālepa in Combined Hawaiian Dictionary, at trussel2.com.