| 释义 |
rata|ˈrɑːtə|
Also 8 ratta(h).
[Maori.]
a. An evergreen tree or woody climber belonging to one of several species of Metrosideros, of the family Myrtaceae, esp. a New Zealand species, the small M. lucida or the much larger M. robusta, both bearing terminal clusters of red flowers with long stamens; also, the fruit or the heavy reddish timber of a tree of this kind.
See Morris Austral Eng., s.v.
[a1771S. Parkinson Jrnl. Voy. to South Seas (1773) 40 E ratta, or e pooratta... This tree, or shrub, grows upon the Tooarao, or Lower-hills... The flowers are full of beautiful scarlet stamina.] 1792W. Bligh Voy. to South Sea xi. 139 The rattah, not much unlike a chestnut,..grows on a large tree. 1829W. Ellis Polynesian Researches I. xiii. 376 The wood of the rata has a fine straight grain. 1835W. Yate Acc. New Z. 50 Rata.., this is a fine and useful tree, producing a heavy, close-grained, durable red⁓wood. 1843Dieffenbach Trav. New Z. I. xiv. 224 The venerable rata, often measuring forty feet in circumference, and covered with scarlet flowers. 1847[see nikau]. 1853A. S. Atkinson Jrnl. 7 Sept. in Richmond-Atkinson Papers (1960) I. 130 We found a beautiful little scorpion spider—it was under a rata log. 1889T. Kirk Forest Flora New Z. 99 The southern rata is easily cultivated, and, although of slow growth, is of value for ornamental planting. Ibid. 263 The northern rata is one of the largest trees in the New Zealand flora. 1896[see pakihi]. 1935[see nikau]. 1949F. Sargeson I saw in my Dream 127 Mr Anderson and Dave sat with their backs against the twisted barrel of a fallen rata. 1968[see inanga 2]. 1974Nat. Geographic Aug. 195 The nightmare tree called rata, which begins as an innocent-seeming vine, and, in the end, strangles the tree to which it attaches itself.
b. attrib., as rata-flower, rata-root, rata-tree.
1835W. Yate Acc. New Z. Index. Rata-tree. 1843Dieffenbach Trav. New Z. I. xiv. 224 Of other parasitical plants, however, the rata-trees are very free. 1860Donaldson Bush Lays 37 The rata flowers whisper a message of death. 1872A. Domett Ranolf & Amohia i. i. 1 Its butt against a rata-root. |