1. s., The bottom or foundation of a thing, as the bottom of a tree or plant, but not the roots; as, kumu laau, the bottom of a tree; kumu maia, banana stumps for planting; the stump of a tree; the stalk or stem of plants; the but end of a log, &c.; hence,
2. s., The beginning of a thing, as work or business.
3. s., The foundation, that is, the producing cause.
4. s., An example; a pattern; a copy; kumu hoohalike, a pattern; a model. Puk. 25:9. A socket. Puk. 26:19.
5. s., A fountain of water.
6. s., The price of a thing, or the property to be given for a valuable.
7. s., The property to be paid for hire. NOTE.—Formerly all trade among Hawaiians consisted of barter, and the price of a thing was not a cash price, but one article became the kumu of another if it could be exchanged for it.
8. s., A shoal of fish; a flock; a herd; kumu puaa, a herd of swine; kumu hipa, a flock of sheep.
9. s., Civil power; legal authority. NOTE. The word mana, out of its ancient and legitimate meaning, has lately been used for power or legal authority.
10. s., A teacher; an instructor from the highest to the lowest class, including the ministers of religion.
(11. s., A cough; a hard breathing; a pestilence; he mai ahulau, he mai kumu, he aheahe; this is a vicious pronunciation for kunu. See KUNU.) Kumu ole, without cause. Ioan. 15:25. Kumu mua, elements of things. 2 Pet. 3:10.
12. s., A species of fish of a red color, forbidden to women to eat by the ancient kapus.