I. ˈhülə noun
also hula-hula | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷
( -s )
Etymology: Hawaiian
1. : a sinuous mimetic Polynesian dance of conventional form and topical adaptation performed by men and women singly or together and usually accompanied by chants and rhythmic drumming
the hula was in essence a magical ritual designed to bring rain and cause fertility — E.S.C.Handy
a lovely brown maiden performed a hula in the aisle of the cabin to entertain the passengers — Horace Sutton
2. : the music to which a hula is performed
snatches of hulas being sung — Armine von Tempski
II. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to dance a hula
III. noun
( plural hula or hulas )
Usage: usually capitalized
1.
a. : a people of the Territory of Papua
b. : a member of such people
2. : the Austronesian language of the Hula people