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Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

mataara

1. (verb) to be alert, vigilant, keep awake.

Kia mataara koutou e hoa mā, kei te hāereere tō koutou hoa whawhai (PK 2008:119). / Be alert friends, your enemy is moving.

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2. (verb) to watch, witness, observe.

Hei whakaatu tēnā he mate te kohi nō ngā iwi katoa o te ao, ā, kei te mataara ngā tākuta o ia iwi, o ia iwi, me ngā iwi anō hoki, ki te kimi 'rākau' hei kaupare atu i te mate nei (TTT 1/5/1930:2050). / That shows that tuberculosis affects all peoples of the world and the doctors of each nation, along with the people themselves, are observing and seeking a 'weapon' to ward off this disease.

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Synonyms: mātātaki, titiro, tiro, mātaki, mātai, mātakitaki


3. (noun) vigilance, alertness, watchfulness.

I runga i tō rātou mataara ka mōhiotia e rātou te rā me te tima hei rerenga mōna, ka tāria mai nei e rātou i te moana (TKO 15/6/1916:9). / Because of their alertness, they knew the day and the ship he would sail on, which they waited for at sea.

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4. (noun) song of a watchman.

He mataara pā nā Ngā Puhi (W 1971:186). / A watchman's song of Ngā Puhi.

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See also mataaraara

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