Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
toitoi

toitoi

9.9
A tall grass from New Zealand used to cover roofs and to make baskets and mats
  • noun
  • New Zealand
translation icon : toitoi
  • Maori artisans often use toitoi for thatching.

Examples

  • The roof of the traditional hut was made from carefully woven toitoi.

  • The toitoi grows abundantly near the lakes.

  • Maori people have long used toitoi as a material for thatching and weaving.

  • We saw large clumps of toitoi swaying in the New Zealand breeze.

  • The roof of the traditional hut was made from carefully woven toitoi.

  • Maori people have long used toitoi as a material for thatching and weaving.

  • We saw large clumps of toitoi swaying in the New Zealand breeze.

Synonyms

Chionochloa conspicua
vstoitoi
  • New Zealand
9.9

A large New Zealand grass with tall flower stems that Maori use to cover roofs

is the general common name rather than the specific botanical term
Arundo conspicua
vstoitoi
  • Specialized
9.9

A tall New Zealand grass with feathery flower heads that Māori use to cover roofs

is the general common name rather than this botanical label
toetoe
vstoitoi
  • New Zealand
9.9

A tall grass with feathery flower heads from New Zealand used for decoration and for making roofs

emphasizes use mainly for roof thatching rather than decorative use

Surface Forms

toitoi singular
toitois plural

Etymology

Toitoi comes from a Maori word that means 'tall grass' and names the strong native grass of New Zealand. People used toitoi for thatch and weaving, so today it means the tall grass often used to make roofs and baskets.