kaffer

Afrikaans

/ˈkafər/

noun
Definitions
  • (originally) A non-believer or an infidel.
  • (offensive) A black person, notably a (Southern African) Bantu.

Etymology

Inherited from Dutch, Flemish kaffer (negro) derived from Arabic كَافِر (unbeliever, infidel, denier, concealer).

Origin

Arabic

كَافِر

Gloss

unbeliever, infidel, denier, concealer

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms