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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

motu ² British

/ məʊˈtuː /

noun

derogatory a fat man or boy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

What followed was another old-school video packaged as a "herpes destigmatisation course", featuring other national icons like former health ministry chief Sir Ashley Bloomfield and professional boxer Mea Motu.

From BBC

Briton Ellie Scotney outpointed a tougher-than-expected Mea Motu in a stylish defence of her IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine super-bantamweight titles at Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena.

From BBC

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

Motu took the centre of ring and showed strong fundamentals and a willingness to trade, landing an impressive combination in the fourth.

From BBC

Motu, vying to become New Zealand's first unified world champion, did not alter her gameplan but Scotney was wise to it.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023