1. n., General name for marine and land shells; beads, snail (Biblical).
- Examples:
- Lei pūpū ō Niʻihau, shell beads of Niʻihau. See lei pūpū.
- Mehe pūpū lā e heheʻe ana (Hal. 58.8), like the snail that dissolves [into slime].
- References:
2. n., Any circular motif, as in tapa.
- Examples:
- Kōnane pūpū, checkerboard pattern [with rounded pits on each square, as on tapa].
3. nvt., Relish, appetizer, canapé, hors d'oeuvre; formerly, the fish, chicken, or banana served with kava; to eat a pūpū.
- Examples:
- Ā pūpū i ka ʻanae (For. 5:491), and mullet as appetizer.
- References:
4. nvi., Bunch, tuft, bundle, as of grass; bouquet; to be bundled up; three or four ʻuo tied together, to be used for featherwork.
- Examples:
- Pūpū pili, bundle of pili grass.
- Pūpū husopa (Puk. 12.22), bunch of hyssop.
- Related:
- hoʻopūpū Caus/sim.; To arrange in bunches.
- References:
5. nvt., To draw or gather together; to draw tight, as a fishing net.
- Examples:
- Pūpū wahi kūʻōʻō ka mahi ʻai o uka; ola nō ia kini he mahi ʻai na ka ʻōiwi, the upland farmer gathers the small injured sweet potatoes; the multitudes find life, when the farmer farms for himself [though the potatoes may be small, the independent farmer supplies his kin].
- References:
6. See ʻupena papa.