Define the word kaffir"Kaffir" gcide "The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48"
Kaffir \Kaf"fir\ (k[a^]f"f[~e]r), Kafir \Ka"fir\
(k[aum]"f[~e]r), n. [Ar. k[=a]fir infidel, pagan, fr. kafara
to be skeptical in religious matters; -- a name given to
certain infidel races by the Mohammedans. Cf. Giaour.]
1. (Ethnol.)
(a) One of a race which, with the Hottentots and Bushmen,
inhabit South Africa. They inhabit the country north
of Cape Colony, the name being now specifically
applied to the tribes living between Cape Colony and
Natal, including the Ponda, Xosa, and Tembu; but the
Zulus of Natal are true Kaffirs.
(b) One of a race inhabiting Kafiristan in Central Asia.
[Spelt also Caffre.]
[1913 Webster]
2. Any Black African; -- a disparaging and offensive term
used by white South Africans. [South Africa]
Syn: kaffir, caffer, caffre.
[WordNet 1.5]
Kaffir corn (Bot.), a Cape Colony name for Indian millet.
[1913 Webster]
"kaffir" wn "WordNet (r) 2.0"
kaffir
n 1: important for human and animal food; growth habit and stem
form similar to Indian corn but having sawtooth-edged
leaves [syn: great millet, kafir corn, kaffir corn,
Sorghum bicolor]
2: an offensive term for any Black African [syn: kafir, caffer,
caffre]
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