taniwha

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Maori taniwha.

Pronunciation

Noun

taniwha (plural taniwha or taniwhas)

  1. (New Zealand) A spirit or monster in Maori mythology, especially one that dwells in the water. [from 19th c.]
    • 1983, Keri Hulme, The Bone People, Penguin, published 1986, page 168:
      Doom! doom! the taniwha hath come!
  2. (New Zealand) A person who embodies the spirit of a taniwha.

Maori

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian [Term?].

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈtaniɸa/

Noun

taniwha

  1. taniwha

Derived terms

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