Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

whēke

1. (verb) to creak.

I rangona ake ki te waha e rarā iho ana i te tauwharenga kōwhatu o Moerangi, ānō he whēke rākau (NM 1928:134). / The voice was heard resounding down from the overhanging rock of Moerangi, as if it was a creaking tree.

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2. (verb) to squeeze, crush.

wheke

1. (verb) to be angry, fuming, livid, irate, furious, incensed, outraged, infuriated.

Kei te wheke noa iho te tangata rā, he kore nōna i pōhiritia kia haere (HM 1/1994:3). / The man over there is just angry because he wasn't invited to go.

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Synonyms: pukuriri, kua puhipuhi te tero o Tāwhiri, takariri, riri, whakatakariri, tūpehupehu

wheke

1. (noun) octopus, squid - a general term, particularly for octopuses.

Ko te pāpaka, te pātangaroa me te wheke ka hopukina anō ki te ākau (Te Ara 2012). / Crabs, starfish and octopus were also taken from the reef.

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mate wheke

1. (noun) death without putting up much of a fight.

Uru: He pai ake te mate ururoa i te mate wheke. Pare: E hika, he pai kē ake pea pēnā i kimihia he huarahi e ora tonu ai! (HJ 2012:144). / Uru: Dying bravely is better than giving in easily. Pare: Heavens, perhaps it's even better if a way is sought whereby you live!

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rau wheke

1. (noun) sea lily, Comanthus novaezelandiae - usually fixed to a solid object by small tentacles.

Mate wheke

1. Perish like an octopus: to give in or give up to easily.

Kia kaha e tama, kaua e mate wheke / Be strong lad, don't give up so easily.

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