New Zealand. [a. Maori utu return for anything, satisfaction, reward, reply.] Recompense, satisfaction, return or price paid for injuries received.
1840. J. S. Polack, Manners & Customs N. Zealand, II. 63. Utu or payment is invariably expected for any injustice committed [by the Maoris].
1852. Mundy, Antipodes, x. II. 89. ‘Utu,’ (which may be freely translated,) ‘blood for blood,’ is with him [sc. the Maori] a sacred necessity.
1890. J. M. Moore, N. Zealand, iii. 49. The utu, or satisfaction for murder (lex talionis), theft, or any other crime,… was rigorously carried out among the Maoris.
b. transf. (See quot.)
1902. Webster’s Suppl., 226/3. Utu,… any compensation, as for services rendered; reward, payment, wages; often corrupted to hoot.
