mata-mata

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See also: matamata, Matamata, matamatá, and mata mata

English

Etymology

From Malay mata-mata (“eyes”), plural of mata. Doublet of maka, from Hawaiian.

Noun

mata-mata (plural mata-matas)

  1. (Singapore, Malaysia, slang) A police officer.

Anagrams

Indonesian

Etymology

Inherited from Malay mata-mata. Equivalent to reduplication of mata (“eye”).

Pronunciation

Noun

mata-mata

  1. (rare) plural of mata

Noun

mata-mata (plural mata-mata or para mata-mara)

  1. spy (a person who secretly watches and examines the actions of another individual or organization)
    Synonyms: pengintai, agen rahasia, intelijen

Usage notes

Derived terms

Further reading

Malay

Etymology

Reduplication of mata (“eye”). From mata + mata.

Pronunciation

Noun

mata-mata (Jawi spelling مات٢)

  1. Plural of mata.

Noun

mata-mata (Jawi spelling مات٢, plural banyak mata-mata)

  1. A police officer.
    Synonyms: polis, perajurit
  2. A spy.
    Synonyms: ejen rahsia, pengintip, perisik, luluk

Usage notes

The word is part of false friends between Standard Malay and Indonesian due to shared etymology. The Indonesian usage can be seen in Indonesian mata-mata.

Descendants

Further reading

Portuguese

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

Noun

mata-mata m (plural mata-matas)

  1. (Brazil, sports) playoff
  2. (Brazil, sports) knockout, qualifying round, (UK) tie (tournament in which a team or player must beat the opponent in order to progress)

Etymology 2

Noun

mata-mata f (plural mata-matas)

  1. (Brazil) Alternative spelling of matamatá

Further reading

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia