kaffir

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun important for human and animal food; growth habit and stem form similar to Indian corn but having sawtooth-edged leaves
  2. noun an offensive and insulting term for any Black African

Etymology

Ultimately from Arabic كَفَّار (kaffār, “infidel”) or كَافِر (kāfir, “unbeliever”), both from كَفَرَ (kafara, “to cover, to hide”); in some (especially early) uses, via Spanish cafre, Dutch kaffer or other European languages. Doublet of kafir.

In classic literature

Synonyms

great millet, kafir corn, kaffir corn, Sorghum bicolor

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