kwedini

English

Etymology

From Xhosa kwedini, contracted form of nkwenkwendini, vocative form of nkwenkwe (“boy”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /kwiːˈdɪni/

Noun

kwedini (plural kwedinis)

1. (South Africa) A young boy, especially a Xhosa.
   • 1979, André Brink, A Dry White Season, Vintage, published 1998, page 38:

     A year later Jonathan – or Sipho, which Gordon said was his ‘real’ name – was back, no longer a kwedini but a man.

Usage notes

• Derogatory when used to refer to a man who has been circumcised.