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Africa

//ˈæf.ɹɪ.kə// name

Definitions

Proper Noun

1
The continent that is south of Europe, east of the Atlantic Ocean, west of the Indian Ocean and north of Antarctica. countable, uncountable
"the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa"
2
Sub-Saharan Africa, contrasted with the Maghreb. countable, nonstandard, proscribed, uncountable
"The Sahara stood as an important marker between the Maghreb and Africa, not only in modern times but in times immemorial."
3
A former province of the Roman Empire, containing what is now Tunisia, northeastern Algeria and portions of coastal Libya; existing from 146 BC (initially in the Roman Republic) through 698 AD, except for 439 through 534 AD, when it was occupied by the Vandals. countable, historical, uncountable
4
A surname. countable, uncountable

Etymology

From Middle English Affrike, from Old French Affrique, Affrike, from Latin Āfrica, from Āfrī, singular Āfer (inhabitant of the country of Carthage), in turn either from: * The Punic or Phoenician word 𐤏𐤐𐤓 (ʿpr /⁠ʿafar⁠/, “dust”), which has cognates in other Semitic languages. * The Berber word ifri (“cave”), plural ifran, in reference to cave dwellers of Tunisia (see Tataouine). Folk etymologies include: * Ancient Greek ἀ- (a-) + φρίκη f (phríkē), meaning "without cold" * Latin aprica (“sunny”).

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