parau
1. (verb) to be false.
Te take i whakataki ake ai au i tēnei wāhi o te kōrero nei, koi parau te tangata ki te kī, he pounamu anō tō ōna motu ake; kāore! (JPS 1913:113). / The reason I introduced this section of this account is in case any one should falsely say that his own island possesses pounamu. It does not!
See also kōrero parau
2. (verb) to be in vain, vainly, fruitless.
Ka kī ia te puku, ka parau noa ki te whakaruaki. Nōhea e taea (TWMNT 17/7/1877:171). / But his belly is full, and he vainly tries to vomit, but cannot.
3. (noun) deceit, lies, falsehood.
Ka mea atu te mea rahi o ngā tamariki nei, “He parau oti, e Pa! Ko te hinu i panipania nei ki ō māua ngutu." (JPS 1906:131). / The largest of the children said, “It is a lie, Father! Nothing but fat was smeared on our lips."
