āwhā

Maori

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian *afa, from Proto-Central-Pacific *avaa, from Proto-Oceanic *apaʀat, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *habaʀat, from Proto-Austronesian *Sabaʀat (“southwest monsoon”).

Noun

āwhā

1. gale
2. storm
3. heavy rain

   Nā te nui o te āwhā me te karawhiu o ngā haumātakataka kīhai i taea te māngoingoi ika (TWK 45:5).

   Because of the heavy rainfall and force of the hurricane fishing was not possible.

4. torrential rain

References

• “āwhā” in John C. Moorfield, Te Aka: Maori–English, English–Maori Dictionary and Index, 3rd edition, Longman/Pearson Education New Zealand, 2011, →ISBN.