Taumata. 1. v.t. Gaze on, let the eyes rest on. I wheteitei ai ko tawhiti, piki ake ai au ki runga o Whitireia, ki te taumata mai te marama i wheteitei te uiratanga mai (S. 60).
‖ matatau.
2. n. Brow of a hill. E whakaangi mai ra i tana manu i runga i te taumata (T. 59). Eke ake ai nga tangata ki tetahi taumata (T. 151).
3. Resting place, but only when on a hill. Taumata okiokinga, a figurative expression for a great chief.
4. A rite to weaken the enemy. ‖ J. vi, 54; Wai. 27. Hei taumata atu mohou ki te riri na (M. 407). Katahi ka hoatu i te oranga mo ratau, ko te kete, ko te ahi, ko te taumata; katahi ratau ka haere; ka tae ki runga ki te taumata (ridge) ka tahoka atu i te taumata ki te pa. Called also ahi taumata, ahi ta whakataumata, and ta whakataumata. The fire used was sometimes regarded as affording an omen for operations against the enemy.
whakataumata. ‖ taumata, 4.
Williams Dictionary
