cuna: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Literary, Anthropological/Specialist (when referring to the people or music), Archaic in some extended senses.
Quick answer
What does “cuna” mean?
A small bed with high sides for a baby or very young child, often on rockers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small bed with high sides for a baby or very young child, often on rockers.
The earliest stages or place of origin of something; a piece of furniture, structure, or location providing support, protection, or early development. In music (Latin-American), a specific folk music style from Panama, often a lullaby. In Spanish: means 'cradle'. In archaeology/anthropology: Can refer to the Cuna people (now more commonly called the Guna) or their culture/language of Panama.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is equally rare in both dialects. 'Cot' (UK) / 'crib' (US) are the everyday terms. 'Bassinet' is also common in both.
Connotations
In both, connotes a literary, old-fashioned, or specifically Latin-American cultural flavour.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in everyday speech for the 'baby bed' sense. Higher relative frequency in academic contexts discussing Panama, anthropology, or Latin-American music.
Grammar
How to Use “cuna” in a Sentence
[the] cuna of + [noun phrase] (origin/place)[verb: be, serve as] + a cuna + [prep: for, to]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cuna” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not used as a verb in English)
American English
- (Not used as a verb in English)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Rarely used attributively, e.g., 'Cuna society', 'Cuna textiles')
American English
- (Rarely used attributively, e.g., 'Cuna music', 'Cuna traditions')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in anthropology (Cuna/Guna indigenous group), history ('cuna of democracy'), and ethnomusicology (Cuna music).
Everyday
Rare. Might be used by Spanish speakers or in regions with Spanish influence to refer to a baby's crib.
Technical
Specific term in anthropology/ethnography for an indigenous group and culture of Panama and Colombia.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cuna”
- Pronouncing it as /ˈkjuːnə/ (like 'cute'); correct is /ˈkuːnə/.
- Using it in everyday conversation where 'crib' or 'cot' is expected, sounding affected.
- Misspelling as 'cunna' or 'kuna' (which is a currency).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Crib' (US) and 'cot' (UK) are common. 'Cuna' is a direct Spanish borrowing used for literary effect or in specific cultural contexts.
They refer to the same indigenous people of Panama. 'Cuna' is the traditional Spanish-derived term, while 'Guna' is the term preferred by the people themselves and increasingly used in modern anthropology.
No, 'cuna' is not used as a verb in English. The related action would be 'to cradle'.
Pronounce it as /ˈkuːnə/ (KOO-nuh), with a long 'oo' sound as in 'food', not /kjuːnə/ like 'cute'.
A small bed with high sides for a baby or very young child, often on rockers.
Cuna is usually formal, literary, anthropological/specialist (when referring to the people or music), archaic in some extended senses. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The cuna of civilization”
- “From the cuna to the grave (archaic/variant of 'cradle')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COOing baby in a NUrsery's mAternal cradle -> CUNA.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORIGIN IS A CRADLE (The cuna of democracy), PROTECTION/CARE IS A CONTAINER (Safe in the cuna of the family).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'cuna' MOST likely to be used in standard English?