Marae
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /məˈɹaɪ/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Marae is a noun meaning (archaic) A Polynesian sacred altar or enclosure.
Meaning
(archaic) A Polynesian sacred altar or enclosure.
More Meanings
- (chiefly New Zealand) The courtyard of a Maori wharenui or meeting-house, seen as a cultural and spiritual focal point; (by extension) the buildings and people around it; a spiritual or cultural centre.
Example Sentences
The path ended down by the sea at a crumbling ‘ingot’ of black coral, twenty yards in length & in height two men. ‘A marae, this is called,’ Mr Wagstaff informed me. ‘All over the South Seas you see ’em, I’m told.’
Word Forms
- maraes
- marai
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include marai, morai, markee, marish, maidmarian, marisca.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.