lubra

[ loo-bruh ]

noun

, Australian: Offensive.

1. an Aboriginal girl or woman.

lubra

/ ˈluːbrə /

noun

1. an Aboriginal woman

Word History and Origins

Origin of lubra¹

First recorded in 1840–50; probably from Aboriginal language of southeastern Tasmania lubərə

Word History and Origins

Origin of lubra¹

C19: from a native Australian language

Example Sentences

“The female skull, my father got himself. The lubra was known to my mother and father. She used to help my mother with the rough work about the house. I’ve often heard my mother and father speak of Betty as a very supreme black,” reads the daughter’s response to Stirling.

From The Guardian

The West Australian senator Alexander Matheson moved the amendment denying the vote to Indigenous people, saying, “Surely it is absolutely repugnant to the greater number of the people of the commonwealth that an Aboriginal man, or Aboriginal lubra or gin – a horrible, dirty, degraded creature – should have the same rights, simply by virtue of being 21 years of age, that we have, after some debate today, decided to give to your wives and daughters.”

From The Guardian

Probably five minutes passed in this way, when an old lubra, on being directed in an undertone by her husband, took some fire and a few sticks, and, approaching the messenger, laid them close before him, and walked slowly away without addressing him.

From Project Gutenberg

The woman is also a good representative of the Victorian lubra.

From Project Gutenberg

Norman feasted her on cold roast bustard, chutney, tinned peaches jam; she became his lubra.

From Time Magazine Archive