‖ utu N. Z.
(ˈʊtʊ)
[a. Maori utu return for anything, satisfaction, reward, reply.]
a. Recompense, satisfaction, return or price paid for injuries received.
| 1828 in W. Colenso Papers (typescript) III. 18 Until another chief has been killed as an utu or payment. 1840 J. S. Polack Manners & Customs N. Zealand II. 63 Utu or payment is invariably expected for any injustice committed [by the Maoris]. 1852 Mundy Antipodes x. II. 89 ‘Utu’, (which may be freely translated,) ‘blood for blood’, is with him [sc. the Maori] a sacred necessity. 1890 J. M. Moore N. Zealand iii. 49 The utu, or satisfaction for murder (lex talionis), theft, or any other crime,..was rigorously carried out among the Maoris. |
b. transf. (See quot.)
| 1902 Webster's Suppl. 226/3 Utu,..any compensation, as for services rendered; reward, payment, wages; often corrupted to hoot. |