English

Noun

marae ‎(plural maraes)

1. (archaic) a Polynesian sacred altar or enclosure

   • 2004: The path ended down by the sea at a crumbling ‘ingot’ of black coral, twenty yards in length & in height two men. ‘A marae, this is called,’ Mr Wagstaff informed me. ‘All over the South Seas you see ’em, I’m told.’ — David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas

2. The courtyard of a Maori wharenui or meeting-house and the buildings around it.

Anagrams

• arame
• maare

Maori

Noun

marae

1. The courtyard of a wharenui or meeting-house and the buildings around it.

See also

• tahua

Rapa Nui

Noun

marae

1. A paved plaza in front of an ahu for ancestor worship.