mia-mia

[ mahy-uh-mahy-uh ]

noun

1. a temporary, hutlike shelter built by Aboriginal tribes in Australia.

mia mia

/ ˈmiːə ˈmiːə /

noun

1. a native Australian's hut

Word History and Origins

Origin of mia-mia¹

First recorded in 1835–45; from Ganay or Kurnai (Australian Aboriginal languages spoken in Gippsland, Victoria), recorded as mai-mai “camp, hut”

Word History and Origins

Origin of mia-mia¹

from a native Australian language

Example Sentences

This evening I camped very comfortably in a mia-mia, about eleven miles from the depot.

From Project Gutenberg

No blacks, greatly to our disappointment; took possession of their best mia-mia and rested for the remainder of the day.

From Project Gutenberg

I feel much weaker than ever and can scarcely crawl out of the mia-mia.

From Project Gutenberg

Wills had at last suddenly collapsed, and could only lie in the mia-mia, and philosophically contemplate the situation.

From Project Gutenberg

The explorers took possession of the best mia-mia and rested.

From Project Gutenberg