Taniwha, n. 1. A fabulous monster supposed to reside in deep water. Tera ano tetahi taniwha kai tangata kei te Awahou e noho ana (T. 153).
2. Shark, or any formidable marine creature. Te taniwha nui o te moana (T. 27). Na
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ka kitea he tikanga mana e mate ai tenei taniwha (i.e., an octopus) (T. 110). Mango taniwha, Carcharodon carcharias, white pointer shark.
3. fig. Chief. Waikato taniwha rau (P.).
4. Prodigy. He taniwha tenei tangata ki te whakairo.
5. Used of the human body. Kurekure noa ana ahau i taku taniwha (I am gashing my body aimlessly) (S.). Probably a bold poetic figure, i.e., as if it were some fierce monster.
tāniwhaniwha, n. 1. Blechnum discolor; a fern. = piupiu.
2. — He pitoitoi ketuketu para rau rakau, nana rawa i tiki mai taku pokai taniwhaniwha (M. 244).
Williams Dictionary
