pūihi
1. (modifier) afraid, shy, retiring, timid.
Ki te kōrero a Kuki, kāore i aro atu ki ana whakarata - he iwi pūihi, ā, kāore e rata mai ki ngā inoi atu mō te kai, mō te wai, mō te aha rānei (TWK 19:17). / According to Cook, they took no notice of his friendly overtures - they were a shy people and would not respond in a friendly way to the pleas for food, water and other provisions.
Synonyms: tōngā, memeke, hūnguengue, whakatōngā, moke, konekone, matakakā, matakā, matawhiwhiu, matakana, whakamā, hūiki, hihira, mokepūihi
2. (noun) antenna (of crayfish, etc.).
See also pūhihi
