weka

[ wey-kuh, wee- ]

noun

1. any of several large, flightless New Zealand rails of the genus Gallirallus.

weka

/ ˈweɪkə; ˈwiːkə /

noun

1. any flightless New Zealand rail of the genus Gallirallus, having a mottled brown plumage and rudimentary wings AlsoMāori henwood hen

Word History and Origins

Origin of weka¹

Borrowed into English from Maori around 1835–45

Word History and Origins

Origin of weka¹

C19: from Māori, of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Soon there will be a rustle, then a rush, and another furious weka will attack the decoy.

From Project Gutenberg

He now had a collection of eggs of all birds which nest on the island, with the exception of the weka and the tern.

From Project Gutenberg

I looked round, and there was a weka bent on thoroughly investigating the intruder into its domain.

From Project Gutenberg

Brisk, too, blundered after them, but I had no fear of his destroying the charm of the day by taking even a weka's life.

From Project Gutenberg

During the day these blankets were always hung outside on a tree, out of the reach of the most investigating weka.

From Project Gutenberg