Matariki

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Maori Matariki, in turn derived from Proto-Eastern Polynesian *matafiti, Proto-Eastern Polynesian *matasiti

One Maori folk etymology claims it represents ngā +‎ mata +‎ o +‎ te +‎ ariki +‎ o +‎ Tāwhirimātea, meaning "the eyes of the [wind] god Tāwhirimātea". In Māori legend, the Pleiades star cluster which it is named after was from Tāwhirimātea's plucked eyes.

Cognate with Hawaiian makahiki.

Proper noun

Matariki

  1. The season, in late May or early June, when the Pleiades star cluster first rises, treated as the beginning of the new year by the Maori.

Maori

Etymology

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *matafiti, Proto-Eastern Polynesian *matasiti.

One Maori folk etymology claims it represents ngā +‎ mata +‎ o +‎ te +‎ ariki +‎ o +‎ Tāwhirimātea, meaning "the eyes of the [wind] god Tāwhirimātea". In Māori legend, the Pleiades star cluster which it is named after was from Tāwhirimātea's plucked eyes.

Cognate with Hawaiian makahiki.

Proper noun

Matariki

  1. The season, in late May or early June, when the Pleiades star cluster first rises, treated as the beginning of the new year by the Maori.
  2. The Pleiades star cluster

Descendants

  • → English: Matariki
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