kōpatapata
1. (stative) be spotted, flecked.
Ka tahuri ki te hika ahi a Tama-āhua; he rere anake te kora o te ahi, ka wera a Arahura, koia i pau ai a Kahotea i te ahi, ka kōpatapata haere te āhua o tēnā pounamu i te ngārehu ahi (JPS 1914:8). / When Tama-āhua proceeded to light a fire by rubbing the sticks, the sparks flew out and set fire to Arahura, and hence was Kahotea [name of a variety of greenstone] burnt, for that kind of greenstone is spotted like drops on account of the embers of the fire.
2. (noun) light rain (falling in heavy drops).
E kōpatapata mai ana ngā roimata o Ranginui (PK 2008:308). / The tears of Ranginui are falling.
3. (noun) spots.
Mehemea ki te pōrori ngā kōpatapata ki te puta, mā te inu wai wera, mā te kaukau i rō wai mahana, e whakatere te puta (TTT 1/11/1927:688). / If the spots are slow to show, drinking hot water and bathing in warm water will speed up their appearance.
