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Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

whakakai

1. (verb) (-ria) to use as an ornament.

Ka keria a Kaukaumatua, ka tangohia ake, kātahi ka whakakairia ki te taringa o Hine-te-kakara (W 1971:86). / Kaukaumatua was dug up, taken and used as an ornament for Hine-te-kakara's ear.

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2. (noun) earring, ear ornament, neck ornament.

Ko tōku reo, tōku ohooho, tōku māpihi maurea, tōku whakakai marihi (HM 2/1990). / My language is my precious gift, my object of affection and my prized ornament.

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Synonyms: mau kakī, tāhei

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