papatahi
1. (verb) to be flat, level.
Mēnā he tawhiti te waha i te hīnaki, ka rūmakina ki roto i te wai kia pai ai te pēhi, kia papatahi ai, kia āhei te here ki ngā pou (Te Ara 2016). / If the hīnaki was being carried a distance, it was soaked in water so that it could be pressed flat, and lashed to poles.
Synonyms: pātiki, kaupae, taumata, tautika, whakatūpā, tūpā, paparite, papatairite, whakapaparanga, apaapa, apa, kōeke, kōeketanga, paparanga
2. (modifier) flat.
Ahakoa he maunga, he kōawa, he whenua papatahi, he hanga mīharo te mātauranga o Matairangi ki te whakatū taiapa (HP 1991:27). / Whether it was mountains, waterways or flat land, Matairangi's skill at erecting fences was amazing.
3. (noun) flat area.
Nō te hekenga o te wai o te moana ki ngā motu teitei, kua hangaa ngā papatahi taha moana, pai mō te noho (Te Ara 2016). / With the declining sea levels on high islands coastal flats were formed that were suitable for settlement.
4. (noun) first floor.
