whai

Maori

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɸa.i/, [fɐ.i]

Etymology 1

From Proto-Polynesian *fai, from Proto-Oceanic *paʀi, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *paʀih, from Proto-Austronesian *paʀiS (“stingray”).

Noun

whai

1. stingray
2. skate (fish of family Rajidae)

Derived terms

• whai keo
• whai manu
• whai repo
• whai uku

 

Etymology 2

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *fai (“to follow”).

Noun

whai

1. pursuit

Verb

whai (passive whāia)

1. to follow, chase, pursue
2. to look for, search

References

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