unene
1. (verb) to beg persistently.
E kore ēnei iwi e rua, a Ngā Puhi rāua ko Te Rarawa, e unene ki te Kāwanatanga kia homai he kai, he parāoa, he huka, he tī, nō te mea kei te ora ngā tāngata i te hua o te kūmara, o te pārete, o te kānga, o te tini noa atu o ngā kai e kī ai te kōpū (TWMNT 25/7/1876:173). / These two tribes of Ngā Puhi and Te Rarawa will not beg the Government for food, for flour, sugar, and tea to be provided, because the people live on the abundance of kūmara, potatoes, maize, and countless other things that fill their bellies.
2. (modifier) begging, pleading.
Tahuri mai tōu taringa, e Ihowā, ki taku inoi: whakarongo ki tōku reo unene (PT Nga Waiata 86:6). / Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
Synonyms: whakakuene
