ariki

[ ah-ree-kee ]

/ ɑˈri ki /

(in Polynesia) a chief or king.

Origin of ariki

From Maori

aries, arietta, arigato, aright, arikara, ariki, aril, arillate, arillode, arimathaea, arimathea

Next day the fern of his child is eaten by the Ariki (head chief).

Grammar of the New Zealand language (2nd edition) |Robert Maunsell
This misdemeanour was, in Maori eyes, fatal to his prestige as an ariki and a war-leader.

The adventures of Kimble Bent |James Cowan
For the ariki is thoroughly aware of the gradual extinction which is coming for his race.

Brighter Britain! (Volume 1 of 2) |William Delisle Hay
These communities collectively acknowledged the superior prestige of an Ariki, or hereditary high chief.

The City of Auckland |John Barr

ariki

/ (ˈɑːrɪkɪ) /

NZ the first-born male or female in a notable family; chief

Māori