pāpaka
1. (noun) paddle crab, swimming crab, Ovalipes catharus - a large strong crab with brownish-grey shell and legs. Common on shallow, sandy beaches.
Ka kī ngā kete i te pāpaka ka hoatu ki ngā tāngata hei hari ki te kāinga (NIT 1995:157). / When the baskets were full of crabs they gave them to the men to carry home.
2. (noun) scab, eczema, variety of potato with dark flesh, skirting board.
Nā me titiro e te tohunga: ā ki te mea he mā mangu nei ngā wāhi kanapa o te kiri o tō rātou kikokiko; he pāpaka tēnā e tupu ana i te kiri; kāhore ōna poke (PT Rewitikuha 13:39). / Then the priest shall look: and, behold, if the bright spots in the skin of their flesh be darkish white, it is a freckled spot that groweth in the skin: he is clean.
Synonyms: tongako
3. (noun) herpes.
Ko te pūputa te putanga o te pāpaka, ki ngā ngutu o te tangata, ki ōna taihemahema rānei (RP 2009:311). / Blisters on a person's lips or genitals are the symptom of herpes.
4. (noun) a weaving pattern.