Tawhito, tahito. 1. a. Old, ancient, original, primeval. He tapu tawhito iho, he kauhou ariki na o tupuna (M. 281). Ko te ingoa tawhito o Rupe ko Maui-mua; no te whakamanunga i a ia ko Rupe (T. 25). Ka tango ia i nga kowhatu papai, rimurimu tawhito (T. 79). Tangata tawhito, Porphyrio melanotus, swamp hen. = pukeko, pakura.
2. n. Experienced person. Koi te kahui tipua, koi te kahui tawhito (M. 421). = tohunga.
3. Perineum, ? genitals. Ka whakahangia ki te rae e te tamaiti, muri iho ka whakahangia ki te tawhito, u tonu nga niho ki te tawhito o tona papa … Mo reira i ngaua ai te rae me te tawhito, kia hoki ake te mana o te papa ki a ia hei whakaako i a ia. ‖ Shortland, “Mythology”, p. 53, which is based on this quotation; ‖ also J. xiv, 208.
NOTE.—The word occurs frequently in karakia in senses related to the last two above. ‖ T. 114; M. 216, 264, 292, 306, 359.
Williams Dictionary
