ENGLISH
REFERENCE

kylie

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈkaɪˌɫi// kylie

n. a curved wooden stick used by some Australian Aboriginal people for hunting or fighting. It is a type of boomerang that is designed to hit a target rather than return to the thrower.

n. a curved throwing stick or non-returning boomerang used by Aboriginal Australians for hunting and warfare. Derived from the Nyungar word 'karli'.


SIMPLE

The hunter used a kylie to catch small animals.

CONTEXTUAL

Unlike the returning boomerang often seen in tourist shops, a kylie is a heavy weapon designed to fly straight and strike with force.

COMPLEX

Archaeological finds of ancient kylies suggest that these non-returning throwing sticks were essential tools for survival in the diverse landscapes of prehistoric Australia.

Synonyms
Origin

Uncertain, possibly from kylie (“boomerang”). Originally popular in Australia, the name has gained popularity elsewhere in the English-speaking world due to the fame of Kylie Minogue. Unrelated to Kyle, though often seen as its feminine equivalent.

Usage

Primarily used in Australian English or anthropological contexts.

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