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Historical loan words

kōwhatu turua

1. (noun) prized volcanic stone - used metaphorically as a tribute to important people.

Pērā anō mō te whakanui i te tangata. Māu tonu e kite iho te rerekētanga o te 'Koia kei a koe!' me te 'E taku purapura tuawhiti, e taku kōwhatu turua...' engari e rua, e rua he whakamihi (HM 2/1994:7). / Likewise for praising someone. You yourself can see the difference between 'Koia kei a koe! (You're awesome!)' and 'E taku purapura tuawhiti, e taku kōwhatu turua... (My special seed, my prized volcanic stone)', but both are tributes.

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See also kōhatu turua

Synonyms: kōhatu turua

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