atua

British  

/ ˈɑːtuːə /

noun

1. a spirit or demon

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Etymology

Origin of atua

Māori

Example Sentences

“The mama’s doing the ugly cry! I didn’t show her any rehearsals. She’s never heard me speak in Samoan to that extent. As I’m calling, I’m speaking to God and to atua, and we start our movements and I say, ‘This will be the last face you see before you die,’ and she’s bawling.

From Los Angeles Times

The move was announced by head of state Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi to crowds gathered in the capital, Apia.

From BBC

When the evening meal was cooked, they brought me a fair allowance, and set it down at a respectful distance from where I sat, fully expecting, I suppose, that I should bob at it as Maori kai tango atua or undertakers are wont to do.

From Project Gutenberg

The fugitives had fairly escaped; and what the relations wanted was that the atua, or familiar spirit of the tohunga, should bring the ship back into port, so that they might have an opportunity to recover the lost ornament of the family.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he ran away to where he had seen Te Atua Wera standing on the path trying to rally those who were flying, and to collect them on that spot to fight again.

From Project Gutenberg