ai ai aiaiaiai aiai.

n.  a joyous cry of the Yanomama Indian shaman of South America.

<[H]is voice sounded clear, vibrant with joy, as he shouted, “Ai ai aiaiaiai, aiai!”  —Florinda Donner, Shabono: A Visit to a Remote and Magical World in the South American Rain Forest.>

Ai Aoua.

n.  a spring in the Al Biqa region of Lebanon.

ai eee.

n.  a yelp which begins a chant of the Pulap people of Oceania.  This “beautiful chant is a greeting of respect to Sagur, the legendary chief of Pulap,” who “resides in bamboo floating at sea” (Stephen D. Thomas, The Last Navigator).

ai-eee.

interj.  a cry of happiness.

<”Ai-eee!” she cried.  “I am happy.  Thank you.”  —Anna L. Waldo, Sacajawea.>

ai-yaaa.

interj.  a cry of impatience at oneself.

<Ai-yaaa!  I’m so clumsy!  So awkward and stupid.  —Gus Lee, Chasing Hepburn: A Memoir of Shanghai, Hollywood, and a Chinese Family’s Fight for Freedom.>

- END OF PREVIEW - To read more, see the "Search Inside" feature at Amazon.com