mako
UK[ˈmeɪkəʊ]US[ˈmeɪkoʊ]
n
A large, fast-swimming shark of the mackerel shark family, with a pointed snout and long teeth.
Etymology
The term 'mako' entered English in the early 19th century as a direct borrowing from the Māori language, where it refers specifically to the shark. It is a prime example of a loanword where the entire form was adopted without morphological segmentation. The word's journey from Polynesian languages into English reflects the colonial and maritime exchanges of the period, where local fauna were named using indigenous terms. Its adoption into scientific and common usage underscores how specific, local knowledge becomes integrated into global vocabulary.
Analysis
The word 'mako' is a simplex loanword from the Māori language of New Zealand. It does not contain separable morphemes within the English spelling system.
Examples
The mako shark is renowned for its incredible speed and powerful leaps out of the water.
Anglers prize the mako for its fighting spirit when hooked.
Conservation efforts are increasing due to the declining population of the shortfin mako.