moriori: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency / Specialized)Academic / Historical / Anthropological
Quick answer
What does “moriori” mean?
An indigenous Polynesian people of the Chatham Islands (Rēkohu) and their language, historically distinct from but related to Māori.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An indigenous Polynesian people of the Chatham Islands (Rēkohu) and their language, historically distinct from but related to Māori.
The Moriori culture is particularly known for the principle of Nunuku's Law, a covenant of peace and non-violence, and for their tragic history of population decline following contact and conflict.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties, centered on New Zealand and Pacific history. The term is primarily encountered in academic, historical, and New Zealand-specific contexts.
Connotations
Historical significance, indigenous rights, colonial history, cultural revival.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general English. Higher frequency in New Zealand English and in specialized historical or anthropological texts.
Grammar
How to Use “moriori” in a Sentence
The Moriori [verb: lived, practiced, settled] on Rēkohu.Modern scholarship [verb: acknowledges, studies, recognises] the Moriori.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “moriori” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Moriori way of life was finely adapted to the cool climate of the Chathams.
- This is a significant Moriori archeological site.
American English
- Moriori carvings, known as dendroglyphs, are found on kopi trees.
- A key Moriori principle was the avoidance of warfare.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Frequent in historical, anthropological, linguistic, and post-colonial studies discussing Polynesian migration, cultural adaptation, and colonial impact in the Pacific.
Everyday
Very rare. May be encountered in New Zealand media or discussions of indigenous history.
Technical
Used in archaeology, ethnography, and Polynesian linguistics to denote a specific cultural and linguistic group.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “moriori”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “moriori”
- Using 'Moriori' as a synonym for 'Māori'.
- Misspelling as 'Moriory' or 'Mariori'.
- Assuming the people or language are extinct.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. They are distinct but related Polynesian groups. The Moriori developed a unique culture on the isolated Chatham Islands (Rēkohu) after settling there from New Zealand around 1500 CE.
The Moriori language, closely related to Māori, is considered extinct as a first language, but revival efforts are underway. Knowledge and words survive in historical records and among descendants.
After the 1835 invasion by two Māori tribes from Taranaki, many Moriori were killed, enslaved, or died from introduced diseases. Their population collapsed, but descendants survive today and are active in cultural revitalization.
It is a crucial case study in Polynesian adaptation, a powerful example of institutionalized pacifism, and a stark illustration of the devastating impact of colonialism and imported conflict on isolated societies.
An indigenous Polynesian people of the Chatham Islands (Rēkohu) and their language, historically distinct from but related to Māori.
Moriori is usually academic / historical / anthropological in register.
Moriori: in British English it is pronounced /mɒriˈɔːri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɔriˈɔri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'Māori' + 'ori' again → **MORI**-ori. They are another distinct **ori**ginal people of New Zealand's region.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LIVING HISTORY / A PACIFIST LEGACY. The Moriori are often conceptualized as a testament to a unique cultural philosophy and the devastating consequences of colonial disruption.
Practice
Quiz
What is the Moriori principle of peace called?