maikuku

Māori

Etymology

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *maqikuku.

Cognate with Hawaiian māiʻuʻu and Rapa Nui ma'ikuku.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈmaikuku/ [ˈmɐikʉkʉ]

Noun

maikuku

  1. (anatomy) fingernail, toenail
    Haere ana ki a Mahuika, ka homai e Mahuika ko tētehi o ngā maikuku.
    He went to Mahuika, and she gave him one of her fingernails.
  2. (zoology, anatomy) claw, hoof
    Ka haere, ka whakahokia ōna maikuku ki roto, kei rangona ōna takahanga.
    It draws up its claws when it walks to prevent its tread from being heard.

Derived terms

  • pani maikuku (“nail polish”)
  • kuti maikuku (“nail scissor, nail clippers”)
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