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Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

mākutu

1. (verb) (-ria,-tia) to inflict physical and psychological harm and even death through spiritual powers, bewitch, cast spells.

E 200 pea ngā tāngata Māori e noho ana i reira i kī, he mea mākutu e tētahi tangata e karangatia ana ko Tango (KO 22/2/1887:6). / Approximately 200 Māori living there claimed that he was bewitched by somebody called Tango.

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2. (modifier) bewitching, magical, supernatural.

I herea e rātou a Tango mō ngā rā e rua kāhore he kai, kāhore he wai-inu i hoatu e rātou ki a ia, i whakapaea anō e rātou nā Tango i paihana a Toko ki tōna mahi mākutu (KO 22/2/1887:6). / They tied up Tango for two days without food and drinking water, and they accused Tango of poisoning Toko with his sorcery.

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Synonyms: whaiwhaiā


3. (noun) witchcraft, magic, sorcery, spell.

Ka mahi anō te kātipa kia wetekina a Tango nō te mea ko tēnā mea ko te mākutu kāhore he hara e mōhiotia ai e te ture, otirā nōhea e rongo ngā Māori (KO 22/2/1887:6). / The officer attempted to free Tango because mākutu is not an offence recognised by the law, but there is no way that the Māori would listen.

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Synonyms: tūmatarau

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