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Idioms

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Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

whakapiri

1. (verb) (-ngia,-a,-hia,-tia) to stick, fasten, remain close to, keep close, keep watertight, paste.

Ka ngangautia e ia kia ngāwari, kia pakupaku, ka āta whakapiritia ki te mamae, hāware katoa atu nō te mea he pai tonu hoki te hāware mō te whakaora (HP 1991:23). / She chewed it until it was soft and small and carefully applied it to the sore part. It had saliva throughout because saliva is quite good for healing.

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Synonyms: piripiri, rūnā, piri


2. (verb) to define one's relationship and position with someone using whakapapa.

Arā kē te mokopuna tika a Tamahau ko Maata nō te mea ko tā rāua mokopuna tērā ko Hikawera, arā kē te tamāhine tūturu a Tamahau ko Hōriana, ko au i whakapiri noa atu i tōku whakapapa ki te taha o Tamahau (TPH 31/12/1903:3). / The correct grandchild of Tamahau is Martha because Hikawera is their grandchild and the real daughter of Tamahau was Hōriana, I established my relationship in my whakapapa with Tamahau's side.

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3. (modifier) closely associated.

I whakatūria anō e Rīpeka me ētahi atu wāhine rangatira, tētahi rōpū whakapiri, arā, ko Te Rōpū Māori Girls' Club (TTR 1996:76). / Rīpeka and some other leading women set up an association called Te Rōpū Māori Girls' Club.

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4. (noun) close association.

Na, nō muri ka whakapaengia nā tōna whakapiri pea ki ngā Wēteriana i whai ai ia i te ngāwari (TTR 1990:66). / Later it was claimed that perhaps it was because of close association with the Wesleyans that he pursued an accommodation.

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