rata
UK[ˈrɑːtə]US[ˈreɪtə]
n
A fixed amount, share, or proportion, especially one calculated on a per-person basis.
n
(New Zealand) A portion or share of profits, especially from a Maori land lease.
Etymology
The word 'rata' entered English in the 19th century as a borrowing from Maori, the indigenous language of New Zealand. In Maori, 'rata' refers to a share, portion, or individual quota, particularly in the context of collective resources or payments. The term was adopted into New Zealand English to describe the proportional shares of rent or profit, especially from communally owned Maori land leased to settlers. Its journey from a Polynesian language concept to a specific legal and financial term in New Zealand English illustrates the direct borrowing of cultural and economic terminology through colonial contact.
Analysis
This word is a loanword from Maori, where it functions as a simplex term. Its structure is not productively segmentable using English or classical morphemes.
Examples
Each shareholder received their rata of the annual dividend.
The rent from the farm was distributed according to a pre-agreed rata among the iwi members.
Calculating the individual rata for such a large consortium can be complex.