Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

afernan

noun
af·​er·​nan | \ ˈa-fər-ˌnan\
plural -s

Definition of afernan

: a desert shrub (Euphorbia balsamifera) native to the Canary islands that has leaves at the ends of the branches and inconspicuous yellow flowers

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of afernan

1920, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for afernan

borrowed from Arabic (Hassānīya dialects of the western Sahara) ivrənān (Mauritania), aafarnaan (Mali), borrowed from Zenaga

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about afernan

Statistics for afernan

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for afernan

The first known use of afernan was in 1920

See more words from the same year

Comments on afernan

What made you want to look up afernan? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

auxiliary

Listen to the pronounciation of auxiliary

providing supplementary assistance

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Farm Idioms Quiz

  • cow coming home
  • What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games