| 释义 |
▪ I. ‖ toa1|ˈtəʊə|
Also tooa.
[Native name in many Polynesian langs.]
A species of Casuarina (C. equisetifolia) found in the South Sea Islands.
Its wood, known from its colour and hardness as South Sea Ironwood, is traditionally used by the native islanders for their clubs.
1792W. Bligh Voy. South Sea xii. 148 A wooden spear..pointed with the toa wood. Ibid. xvi. 213 The soil is little other than sand, yet it produced small toa-trees. 1817Mariner Acc. Tonga Isl. I. viii. 244 The whistling of the wind among the branches of the lofty toa. Ibid. 245 Restrictions respecting cutting down the Toa tree. 1823Byron Island ii. i, We will sit in twilight's face, and see The sweet moon glancing through the tooa tree.
▪ II. ‖ toa2 N.Z.|ˈtɔːa|
[Maori.]
A brave warrior.
1860A. S. Atkinson Jrnl. 25 Dec. in Richmond-Atkinson Papers (1960) I. 671 A remark of Manuka's was rather good—Maori chiefs (leaders) were toas & went out at the head of their men, Pakeha chiefs stayed in Town & ate biscuit. 1881C. W. Hursthouse Let. 12 June in Ibid. (1960) II. 486 Tuninia was a celebrated toa, and knew it. 1901A. H. Grace in D. M. Davin N.Z. Short Stories (1953) 19 You can imagine what joy it is to become the wife of such a brave toa. 1949P. H. Buck Coming of Maori (1950) iii. i. 338 Those who had distinguished themselves in battle were termed toa and were usually of the rangatira class, for ruling chiefs had to lead in war as well as in peace. |