Whatu (i), n. 1. Stone. Ehara i te tangata, he whatu tongarerewa (M. 329). Especially the stone swallowed by the pupil (tauira) during his initiation by the tohunga. Ka tangohia te kete o nga whatu whangai i nga tamaroa (W.W. 7). ‖ kowhatu, powhatu.
2. Stone, kernel, of fruit. Te whatu o Poutini is applied to hinau berries. ‖ Tr. xxxv, 101. Te whatu o Poutini, he taonga whakamoe i te whare (M. 329). ‖ whatuturei.
3. Hailstone. Ua whatu or ua a whatu, hail. Te ua nui, te ua roa, te ua whatu (W.M. viii, 113). Te ua a whatu e homai ki to kiri (M. 430).
4. Pupil of the eye, eye. Nga tirohanga whatu a te iwi kua ngaro (W.M. viii, 112). Ko te whatu kia kite. ko nga taringa kia rongo (W.M. x, 164).
5. Core of a boil or abscess.
6. In a canoe, probably the stone used as an anchor. “Nau mai koe ki te whatu nei, kia whanatu au hoki ki te hoe.” Ka whakatika mai a Tuau ki te whatu; ka haere atu a Turi ki te kei, ka mau ki te hoe.
7. Victim slain at the dedication of a house or pa, and buried at the base of one of the posts. Ka whaihanga Taraia i tona whare, ka makaia tana potiki hei whatu mo te pou tuarongo o tona whare, o Te Raroakiaki (J. v, 153).
Williams Dictionary
Whatu (ii) v.t. Weave garments, baskets, etc. Ka kite ia i te wahine ra e whatu ana i te kakahu (T. 187). Ka whatu manu taratahi mana.— A, no te otinga o taua hinaki te whatu (Pi. 132, 11).
Williams Dictionary
