rata

plural ratas

1. countableusuallyAny of various New Zealand plants of the genus Metrosideros.
2. uncountableusuallyThe hard dark red wood of trees of genus Metrosideros.

plural ratas

1. yellow mangosteen (Garcinia dulcis), a tree native to Indonesia, the Philippines, and India.

   Synonyms: Claudie mangosteen, eggtree

alternative Rātā

1. Polynesian mythologyAny of several legendary heroes in various Polynesian mythologies, notably associated with canoe building; in the context of comparative mythology, these figures are frequently identified with each other, resulting in as few as one or two distinct identities.

   The epics from other Polynesian islands may differ in detail, but in all of them, Rata (also known as Laska, Lasa, Aka, Raka) remains the illustrious canoe builder whose expertise in seafaring has never been surpassed.

   2004, Robert D. Craig, Handbook of Polynesian Mythology, Bloomsbury Publishing, page 218

   1 more example

   2009, Sarah Bartlett, Rata, entry in The Mythology Bible, Sterling Publishing Co., page 356, There are many versions of Rata′s adventures throughout the islands of Polynesia. Rata is a warrior hero with magical powers and is part of the Tawhaki cycle, a great cycle of dynastic myths. In this version from the islands of the South Pacific, it is Rata′s quest for vengeance that is told.

   Synonyms: 'Aka, Laka, Lasa, Raka