Ava
/ˈɑː.və/noun
A traditional Polynesian drink made from the powdered or chewed root of the kava plant and mixed with water.
Did you know?In many Polynesian societies, ava—better known internationally as kava—was prepared for ceremonies, diplomacy, chiefly rites, and spiritually significant gatherings.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Polynesian
Proto-Polynesian
*kava
“The kava plant or its prepared drink”
Early Polynesian
Polynesian
*ʻawa
“A form of the word referring to kava and its intoxicating beverage”
Traditional Samoa
Samoan
ʻava
“Ceremonial kava drink”
Traditional Tonga
Tongan
ʻava
“Kava beverage used in formal and ceremonial contexts”
18th–19th Century
English
ava
“A Polynesian intoxicating drink, also called kava”
Modern English
English
ava
“A traditional drink made from the kava plant”