marae

English

Etymology

Polynesian.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /məˈɹʌɪ/
• Rhymes: -aɪ

Noun

marae (plural maraes)

1. (archaic) a Polynesian sacred altar or enclosure

   • 2004: 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.’ — David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas

2. The courtyard of a Maori wharenui or meeting-house and the buildings around it.

Anagrams

• Amare, Ramea, arame, maare

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Maori

Noun

marae

1. The courtyard of a wharenui or meeting-house and the buildings around it.

See also

• tahua

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Rapa Nui

Noun

marae

1. A paved plaza in front of an ahu for ancestor worship.