Kāhu, n. 1. Circus approximans, hawk, harrier. Ano na te kahu i haro (P. 2). Buller says that the young bird is called kahu-pango; the adult, kahu-maiepa or kahu-komokomo; and a very old bird, kahu-korako: also that the term manu-tahae is sometimes used for kahu. Kahu pokere o te whenua is sometimes used for a very young bird.
2. fig. Chief. Ko te kahu te whakaora, waiho kia rere ana (P. 32). So, too, kahu korako. Haere i raro i te kahu korako (Tr. xxxv, 99).
3. Kite, for flying.
whakakāhu, v.i. Assume the shape of a hawk. Na peo ana mai a Maui, kua whakahahu (Tr. vii, 38).
Williams Dictionary
Kahu. 1. n. Surface. Ka ma te kahu o te wai, ka pango a runga o te rangi. Te kahu o te rangi, the blue sky.
2. Garment. He puahi te kahu (T. 101). Kahu-kekeno, sealskin cape (T. 153). Kahu-kereru, cape covered with pigeon feathers (J. xx, 22). Kahu-kiwi, cape covered with kiwifeathers (T. 153). Kahu-koka, a rough outer garment of undressed flax or kiekie leaves. Kahu-kukupa, cape covered with pigeon feathers. Kahu-kupenga, a kind of garment (D. ii, 365). Kahu-kura, a coarse flax cape coloured with red ochre (T. 101): this is not the same as kakahu-kura. Ka tango i te kahu-whero i nga kahu-kura me nga puahi (T. 96). Kahu-mamae, a garment sent to distant relatives of one who has been killed, to keep resentment alive. Kahu-motea, a cloak of mourning. Kahu-tāniko, a cloak of fine flax with ornamental border (T. 155). Kahu-toroa, cape covered with albatross down (T. 153). Kahu-waero, cape covered with skin of dogs' tails. Naku i kaiponu hei hoko kahu-waero mo taua (M. 405). = mahiti. Kahu-wai-a-rangi, some red ornament for the head in olden times; also a cloak woven in broad stripes of black, red, and white, as some korowai are. Me pehea taku hukihuki? Me kahuwai-a-rangi. Kahu-whero, cape covered with red feathers (T. 96).
3. Membrane enveloping a foetus. Whare kahu, a shed erected for lying-in for highborn women. Kia whitu nga ra i roto i te whare kahu, katahi ka heria ki te whare kowhanga.
4. Stillborn infant.
5. Spirit of a stillborn infant.
6. Young shoot, sprout.
7. v.i. Germinate, grow, sprout. Kua kahu te witi.
8. v.t. Put on garments. Katahi ka kahu te tangata nei i ana kahu whakapaipai (S. 26).
whakakahu, n. 1. Membrane of foetus. Whanau tonu mai a raua tamariki, takoto tonu i roto i te whakakahu.
2. The person who cuts the navel-string.
3. White of an egg.
kākahu. 1. n. Garment. Ka tae a Tutanekai ki tetahi o ona kakahu, ka whakahoroa atu ki a ia (T. 134). Strictly only those of fine texture. Ko Taharakau, e pokai ana i tona kakahu ki roto o te kaikaha tii (Pi. 126, 2). Kakahu-haehae, a feigned retreat for the purpose of drawing on an enemy (tearing off the clothes as if hardly pressed). ‖ hawaiki-pepeke, manukawhaki. Kākahu-kura, (a) cape covered with red feather (T. 153) this is not the same as kahu-kura; (b) butterfly, probably the red admiral, Vanessa gonerilla.
2. v.t. Put on clothes. Ka noho i raro, kakahu ai i ona (T. 39).
Note.—The noun kakahu is often omitted after the possessive pronoun, as in the previous example.
whakakākahu, v.t. Clothe. Ka oti te whakakakahu ki nga kakahu rangatira (Pi. 126, 3).
kahukahu, n. 1. Membrane enveloping a foetus.
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2. Spirit of a stillborn child.
whakakahukahu, v.t. Begin to grow, acquire size. Used with reference to fruits, roots, foetus, etc. Katahi ano ka whakakahukahu ake nga kai o te mara nei.
Williams Dictionary
