Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
pounamu

pounamu

1 9.9
A hard green stone from New Zealand used to make carved ornaments and tools
  • noun
  • New Zealand
: pounamu
  • Many people treasure their pounamu necklaces as symbols of their heritage and identity.

Examples

  • One such example is pounamu, from which taonga such as mere pounamu and a range of personal adornments are made.

    Academic text (2016)

  • Originally thought to have been made from bone (Buck 291), later our artists used pounamu.

    Academic text (2016)

  • One such example is pounamu, from which taonga such as mere pounamu and a range of personal adornments are made.

    Academic text (2016)

  • Māori artisans carve intricate designs into pounamu to create beautiful jewelry.

  • The significance of pounamu in Māori culture is seen in its use for making traditional weapons and ornaments.

Synonyms

greenstone
vspounamu
  • New Zealand
1 8.1

A hard green stone used by Maori people for jewelry and carving

is the specific New Zealand name for that jade prized in Maori culture

Surface Forms

pounamu singular
pounamu plural

Etymology

The word pounamu comes from the Māori language and simply means 'greenstone', the hard green jade found in New Zealand that people see as a treasure. So a pounamu today is a precious greenstone used for necklaces, carved gifts, and pieces that are passed down in families.