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.
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.
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.
Synonyms: tūmatarau
