Word
tiki
Phoneticsti·ki
US/ˈtiˈki/
UK/tˈɪki/
Definition
n. a large stone or wood carving of a human-like figure from Polynesian cultures. It often represents a god or an ancestor and is used in art and decoration.
n. a large wooden or stone carving of a humanoid figure, originating in Māori and other Polynesian cultures. It typically represents an ancestor or a mythological figure and serves as a boundary marker or ritual object.
Examples
“The garden was decorated with a large wooden tiki.”
“During the mid-20th century, many American restaurants adopted a tiki theme, using tropical decor and carved figures to create an exotic atmosphere.”
“While modern commercial use often reduces the tiki to a kitsch aesthetic, in its original cultural context, the carving functions as a potent symbol of ancestral protection and spiritual presence.”
Examples
simple
“The garden was decorated with a large wooden tiki.”
contextual
“During the mid-20th century, many American restaurants adopted a tiki theme, using tropical decor and carved figures to create an exotic atmosphere.”
complex
“While modern commercial use often reduces the tiki to a kitsch aesthetic, in its original cultural context, the carving functions as a potent symbol of ancestral protection and spiritual presence.”
Usage
Often used as a modifier in compound nouns like 'tiki bar' or 'tiki torch'.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/tiki