marae

Definitions

1. A Polynesian sacred altar or enclosure.
   archaic
2. The courtyard of a Maori wharenui or meeting-house, seen as a cultural and spiritual focal point; (by extension) the buildings and people around it; a spiritual or cultural centre.
   New-Zealand

Equivalents

Examples

“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.’”

CEFR level