whakamataku
1. (verb) (-tia,-ria) to terrify, scare, frighten.
Ka mahia e taua tangata nei he mea hei whakamataku i ngā peihana nei (TWK 6:9). / That man made something to scare these pheasants.
Synonyms: whakaataata, whakawehi, whakawehiwehi
2. (modifier) frightening, scary, terrible.
He hanga whakamataku ki te titiro atu ki ngā kanohi e whākana ana, ki ngā makawe e rere ana i te hau, ki te hūare e heke ana i ngā kauae, ki ngā niho e tetē haere ana, me ngā tinana e hurori noa ana i runga hōiho (TWM 14/5/1868:2). / It was somewhat frightening to look at the eyes staring wildly, the hair flying in the wind, the saliva dripping from the jaws, the teeth gnashing, and the bodies just rolling about on the back of the horse.
Synonyms: whakahaehae
3. (noun) fright, fear.
Kei hea rā ana kurI? Tērā te oma ki rō ngahere ngawī haere ai i te whakamataku (TWMNT 24/12/1873:190). / Where were his dogs? They had fled into the forest, howling with fright.
