hongin.
/ˈhɒŋi/, U.S. /ˈhɔŋi/, /ˈhɑŋi/, New Zealand English /ˈhɒŋi/, /ˈhoːŋi/ New Zealand.
The touching or pressing of noses together as a traditional Maori greeting; a greeting consisting of this.Sometimes, esp. in earlier use, erroneously glossed as the rubbing of noses together.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > [noun] > greeting or salutation > gesture > Maori
hongi1838
1793 P. G. King Jrnl. Nov. in R. McNab Hist. Rec. N.Z. (1914) II. 547 After the ceremony of Ehonge (i.e., joining noses) he took off his how, how, [sic] or mantle, and put it on my shoulders.]
1838 J. S. Polack New Zealand I. 47 The ongi, or native salute of touching noses..immediately proved they were of New Zealand origin.
1843 E. Dieffenbach Trav. N.Z. I. i. ii. 61 Leaving him to indulge his natural feeling in hongi..or nose-rubbing.
1882 T. H. Potts Out in Open 23 The hongi, a method of salutation by rubbing noses together, we saw frequently performed.
1905 W. Baucke Where White Man Treads 63 Our chief..as is our custom, presented his nose for the ‘hongi’, which the stranger, not understanding, ignored.
1959 N. B. Tindale & H. A. Lindsay Rangatira xvi. 149 He greeted..Rona-Nui by gripping both her hands and pressing his nose and forehead against hers in the hongi salutation.
2012 N.Z. Herald (Nexis) 24 Apr. Mr Eru was then greeted by principal Keri Milne-Ihimaera who gave him a hongi and took him into her office.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
hongiv.
/ˈhɒŋi/, U.S. /ˈhɔŋi/, /ˈhɑŋi/, New Zealand English /ˈhɒŋi/, /ˈhoːŋi/ New Zealand.
intransitive. To touch or press noses (with a person) as a traditional Maori greeting; to perform a hongi. Also transitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > use formal courtesy in act or expression [verb (intransitive)] > greet > use other specific gestures
move1594
nod1600
bow1651
salaam1698
to rub noses1819
hongi1853
heil1939
namaste1969
wai1972
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > use courteous actions or expressions to [verb (transitive)] > greet or salute > by gesture > specific
salaam1684
heil1939
hongi1945
high-five1980
1853 T. S. Grace Let. 29 Dec. in S. J. Brittan et al. Pioneer Missionary among Maoris (1928) 35 They should shake hands and ‘hongi’ (press noses) in the presence of all, be good friends and neighbours.
1862 A. S. Atkinson Jrnl. 10 Sept. in Richmond–Atkinson Papers (1960) I. xiii. 791 A great many of them hongi'd with Parris & seemed very glad to see him.
1916 Jrnl. Polynesian Soc. 25 83 Wharepouri, in obedience to his daughter's words, hongied with the chiefs, and they were saved.
1945 Jrnl. Polynesian Soc. 54 97 She goes through the bus, shaking hands and hongi-ing everyone.
2003 Numen 50 136 The very last space between hosts and guests is closed as people hongi, press noses and share breath together.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1838v.1853