Moko. n. 1. Tattooing on the face or body. I taia to moko ki te aha (M. 78). Moko kuri was an ancient method of tattooing.
2. fig. Person. Homai kia kainga, kei puta mai hoki he moko ke (P. 41).
3. A general term for lizards (skinks and geckos) used with various epithets. Mokomoko, Leiolopisma (Lygosoma) spp., skink. Kia taka mai koe i roto i tou matoru, i te mokomoko e, me te ngarara, kia wehiwehi ai koutou (S.). Moko-papa, moko-piri-rakau, moko-tapiri, Hoplodactylus pacificus, brown gecko. Moko-kakariki, Naultinus elegans, green gecko. Moko-kata, moko-parae, mokopeke, unidentified species. Moko-tāwhana, caterpillar. Moko-tā, a sort of death-watch, said to live in the thatch of houses, never seen, but if heard regarded as an aitua; it is also called toke-whenua. Kua tangi te moko-tā.
4. Huge mythical creature of lizard-like shape.
mokomoko, n. 1. Head. Keria! ka tuwhera te poka ki te reinga, tupou ra te mokomoko.
2. Lizard. = moko, 3.
3. In the expression ana to mokomoko, it serves you right.
page 208
Mokoā = mokowa.
Williams Dictionary
