Motu
noun
a member of an aboriginal people of S Papua
Motu
1 British
/ ˈməʊtuː /
noun
-
a member of an aboriginal people of S Papua
-
the language of this people, belonging to the Malayo-Polynesian family
-
Also called: Hiri Motu. Police Motu. a pidgin version of this language, widely used in Papua-New Guinea Compare Neo-Melanesian
motu
2
British
/ məʊˈtuː /
noun
Etymology
Origin of motu
C21: Hindi
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She extends her unbeaten record to 10 wins, as New Zealander Motu, 35, was defeated for the first time in 21 professional bouts.
From BBC • Jan. 25, 2025
When, in 1628, William Harvey published “De Motu Cordis,” his theory of the circulation of blood, he relied on vivisections of dogs and sheep.
From New York Times • Aug. 2, 2023
A bigger statue — carved by a local artisan for Hoki Mai — will be taken to Motu Motiro Hiva in March.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 3, 2022
Before the lockdown, New Zealand appeared to be on a trajectory similar to Italy’s, said John McDermott, executive director at Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, who has been modeling the virus’s transmission.
From Washington Post • Apr. 28, 2020
“I use no medicine, only Motu strong arms.”
From Adventures in New Guinea by Chalmers, James
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
