whiri

Maori

Etymology 1

From Proto-Polynesian *firi (compare Hawaiian hili), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *piliN (compare Malay pilin).

Verb

whiri

1. to twist
2. to weave

   Ko ngā turu o aua taonga he mea uhi ki te kākahu pūtiotio, he mea whiri.

   The chairs of that furniture were covered in rough woven cloth.

3. to spin

Etymology 2

From Proto-Polynesian *fili (compare Tongan fili), from Proto-Oceanic, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *piliq (compare Malay pilih, Tagalog pili), from Proto-Austronesian *piliq.

Verb

whiri (usually reduplicated as whiriwhiri)

1. to choose, to select, to elect

   Tenei te oha atu nei ki a koe nga tamariki a tou teina whiriwhiri.

   The children of your elect sister greet you.

2. to pick
3. to decide

   Kua roa kē māua e whakatakoto mahere ana, e whiriwhiri ana mō āhea rā māua toro atu ai i a koe.

   He and I had been planning and deciding for a long time when we would visit you.