Kafir

[kaf-er, key-fer, kah-]

noun, plural Kaf·irs, (especially collectively) Kaf·ir.

Also called Nuristani. a member of an Indo-European people of Nuristan.
(lowercase) Islam. an infidel or unbeliever.
Kaffir(def 1).

(lowercase) Also kaffir. Also called kafir corn. a grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor caffrorum, having stout, short-jointed, leafy stalks, introduced into the U.S. from southern Africa.

Origin of Kafir

From Arabic, dating back to 1795–1805; see origin at Kaffir

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for kafir

Historical Examples of kafir

It had nothing whatever to do with the Kafir tribes who dwelt in the country.
Impressions of South Africa
James Bryce
Ucatella, with all a Kafir's love of fire-arms, clapped her hands with delight.
A Simpleton
Charles Reade
Now, Mafuta,” he continued, turning to the Kafir; “what about the lions?
The Adventures of Dick Maitland
Harry Collingwood
At that very time they had a Kafir girl in training as a housemaid.
Six Months at the Cape
R.M. Ballantyne
The Kafir thief had driven them off in the direction of Somerset.
Six Months at the Cape
R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for kafir

Kafir

noun plural -irs or -ir

another name for the Nuri
a variant spelling of Kaffir

Word Origin for Kafir

C19: from Arabic; see Kaffir

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012