Austral English / A dictionary of Australasian words, phrases and usages with those aboriginal-Australian and Maori words which have become incorporated in the language, and the commoner scientific words that have had their origin in Australasia

by Edward Ellis Morris

". . . Then the monster, then the man;
Tattoo'd or woaded, winter-clad in skins,
Raw from the prime, and crushing down his mate."

1859. A. S. Thomson, `Story of New Zealand,' vol. i. c. iv. p. 74:

"First among the New Zealand list of disfigurations is tattooing, a Polynesian word signifying a repetition of taps, but which term is unknown in the language of the New Zealanders; <i>moko</i> being the general term for the tattooing on the face, and <i>whakairo</i> for that on the body." [But see Moko.]

1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf,' p. 17:

"Lips no stain of tattoo had turned azure."

Ibid. p. 104:

"A stick knobbed with a carved and tattoo'd wooden head."

1873. J. B. Stephens, `Black Gin,' p. 3:

"Thy rugged skin is hideous with tattooing."

<hw>Tawa</hw>, <i>n</i>. Maori name for a New Zealand tree, <i>Nesodaphne tawa</i>, Hook., <i>N.O. Laurineae</i>. The newer name is <i>Beilschmiedia tawa</i>, Benth. and Hook. f. Allied to <i>Taraire</i> (q.v.). A handsome forest tree with damson-like fruit.