Afrikaans

1 of 2

noun

Af·​ri·​kaans ˌa-fri-ˈkän(t)s 

ˌä-,

-ˈkänz,

ˈa-fri-ˌkän(t)s,

ˈä-,

-ˌkänz

: a language developed from 17th century Dutch that is one of the official languages of the Republic of South Africa

Afrikaans

2 of 2

adjective

: of or relating to Afrikaners or Afrikaans

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Afrikaans & Dutch, literally, "of Africa, African," going back to earlier Africaansch, Africaensch, from Latin Āfricānus african entry 2 + Dutch -sch, adjective suffix of appurtenance, going back to Middle Dutch -sc -ish

Adjective

borrowed from Afrikaans & Dutch — more at afrikaans entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1885, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1914, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Afrikaans

noun

Af·​ri·​kaans

ˌaf-ri-ˈkän(t)s,

-ˈkänz

: a language developed from 17th century Dutch and used in the Republic of South Africa