tau
1. (verb) (-ria) to land, alight, come to rest, settle on, count, settle, perch, ride at anchor, resolve.
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.
Synonyms: pae, pūkeke, pūtohe, niwha, whakapau kaha
2. (verb) to settle down, subside, abate.
Ka tau te riri, ka hohou te rongo (TTR 1990:57). / Hostilities subsided and peace was made.
3. (modifier) neat, comely, smart, attractive, handsome, becoming, suitable, beautiful, cute, befitting.
(Te Kōhure Textbook (Ed. 2): 196;)
4. (noun) attractiveness, beauty, grace, elegance.
He rite te whiunga i te poi me te rite o te whiu o te waewae, me te tungoutanga o te māhunga, me te tau hoki o te tinana ki te titiro atu (TPH 16/4/1900:5). / The swinging of the poi and feet were in unison, together with the bowing of the head and how graceful the bodies were.
Synonyms: waiwaiā, ātaahua, hūmārie, hūmārire, ātanga, rerehua, purotu
