n. pl. ka·ka·pos A nocturnal, flightless New Zealand parrot (Strigops habroptila) with greenish plumage. [Maori kākāpō : kākā, parrot; see KAKA + pō, night (from Proto-Polynesian *pō, probably back-formation from Proto-Polynesian *poŋia, to be overtaken by night (interpeted as *po- + *-ŋia, passive suffix), from Proto-Oceanic *boŋia : Proto-Oceanic *boŋi, night, of Proto-Malayo-Polynesian origin (compare Kapampangan (Malayo-Polynesian language of central Luzon) *béŋi and Old Javanese weŋi) + possibly *a, suffix meaning “abounding in, overrun with“).] |
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