2. (verb) (-a) to rub backwards and forwards, saw.
Otirā meake pai ai, nā te mea e kanikania ana he rākau mō tētahi whare hou, e kore e maha ngā marama kua pai he nohoanga (TWMNT 31/8/1875:195). / But soon it will be fine because timber is being sawn for a new house and it won't be many months before it will be a good place to live.
3. (modifier) sawn, milled (of timber).
He rākau kanikani, he pata, ngā utanga mai. / Sawn timber and butter formed the shipment.
4. (noun) dance, dancing.
Waiho atu ngā rīpene me ngā kākahu o te Pākehā mō ā te Pākehā kanikani (TP 5/1901:3). / Leave the ribbons and Pākehā clothes for the Pākehā dances.
