ngākau
1. (noun) seat of affections, heart, mind, soul.
Ka tau mai ki ngā kura reo, e pau ana te hau, ka hoki atu e hikohiko katoa ana te ngākau (HM 4/2008:3). / I arrived at the language learning gathering worn out and when I returned home I was enthusiastic.
See also ngākau māhaki
Synonyms: whatumanawa, hinengaro, pīnati, hirikapo, ihomatua, poho
2. (noun) something used to indicate to a friendly tribe that their assistance was required in a warlike expedition. The ngākau might be an article sent or a song which was sung.
Ka kitea he kōhatu i roto i ana kai, ka mōhio te rangatira rā he ngākau tērā, e kimi āwhina ana tana hoa ki te rānaki i te mate o tana tamaiti (PK 2008:511). / When that chief saw a stone in his food he knew that that was a request that his ally was seeking help to avenge the death of his son.
