myall

• IPA^(key): /maɪˈɔːl/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

From Dharug mayal, miyal.

myall (plural myalls)

1. (obsolete, Australian Aboriginal) A stranger; an ignorant person.
   • 1938, Xavier Herbert, chapter V, in Capricornia‎, page 75:

     He […] flung himself into the outstretched arms of Anna. "Wazzer madder liddle man?" she crooned. "Aw wazzer madder wid de liddle myall now?"

2. (Australia) An Aborigine living according to tradition.

myall (comparative more myall, superlative most myall)

1. (Australia) According to Aboriginal tradition; traditionally indigenous. [from 19th c.]
   • 2006, Alexis Wright, Carpentaria, Giramondo, published 2012, page 99:

     It was some kind of gadget that can take away all your myall words, transcribe what you say in better language so people can understand what you are talking about.

Aboriginal, perhaps a transferred use of Etymology 1, above.

myall (countable and uncountable, plural myalls)

1. Any of various Australian acacias, especially the weeping myall, Acacia pendula, or the wood of such trees.
   • 1859, John McDouall Stuart, journal entry, Third Expedition (In the vicinity of Lake Torrens, Explorations in Australia - The Journals of John McDouall Stuart, Echo Library, 2006, page 57,

     Friday, 30th December, Hanson Range. […] Changed our course to a very prominent hill (which I have named Mount Arthur) bearing 275 degrees, and after crossing two small myall creeks and a stony plain with salt bush and grass, at ten miles we struck a large myall and gum creek, coming from the north-west, with some very deep channels.

   • 1968, Thomas H. Everett, Living Trees of the World, page 185:

     The durable, dark-colored wood of the coast myall or mountain brigalow (A. glaucescens) has been likened to that of English walnut.

• Mally