African

noun Af·ri·can \ ˈa-fri-kən also ˈä- \

Definition of African

1 : a native or inhabitant of Africa

2 : a person and especially a black person of African ancestry

See African defined for English-language learners

Origin and Etymology of african

Middle English Aufrican, Affrican, going back to Old English Africanas (plural), borrowed from Latin Āfricānus ²african

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First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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African

adjective

Definition of African

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the continent of Africa or its people

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Africanness

play \-kə(n)-nəs\ noun

Origin and Etymology of african

borrowed from Latin Āfricānus, from Āfrica (short for Āfrica terra, literally, "African land," from feminine of Āfricus "of the Roman province of Africa [present-day northern Tunisia], of the continent of Africa," from Āfr-, Āfer "of Africa, inhabitant of North Africa [other than Egypt]" —of unknown origin— + -icus ¹-ic) + -ānus ²-an

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First Known Use: 1548

in the meaning defined above

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