ina
n. countable C2 Proficiency US //ˈinə// ina
n. a person's inner self or spirit. In some cultures, it refers to the mother or a female ancestor who protects the family.
n. the internal essence or spirit of an individual; in specific Austronesian linguistic contexts, it denotes a mother or female progenitor.
She felt a deep connection to her ina.
The traditional stories often speak of the ina as the guiding spirit of the household.
Scholars of Austronesian mythology examine how the concept of ina transcends the biological mother to encompass a broader spiritual guardianship within the community.
Usage
Often used in specific cultural or anthropological contexts; may be capitalized when used as a title.