assegai

or as·sa·gai

[ as-uh-gahy ]

noun

, plural as·se·gais.

1. the slender javelin or spear of the Bantu-speaking people of southern Africa.
2. a southern African tree, Curtisia dentata, of the dogwood family, from whose wood such spears are made.

verb (used with object)

, as·se·gaied, as·se·gai·ing.

1. to pierce with an assegai.

assegai

/ ˈæsəˌɡaɪ /

noun

1. a southern African cornaceous tree, Curtisia faginea, the wood of which is used for making spears
2. a sharp light spear, esp one made of this wood

Word History and Origins

Origin of assegai¹

First recorded in 1615–25; earlier azagaia, from Portuguese, from Arabic az zaghāyah, equivalent to al “the” + Berber zaghāyah “assegai”

Word History and Origins

Origin of assegai¹

C17: from Portuguese azagaia, from Arabic az zaghāyah, from al the + zaghāyah assegai, from Berber

Example Sentences

It was that wrested from Pandulu at the point of the assegai under those same dark forest shades.

From Project Gutenberg

From under the suspicious-looking coat was drawn a broad assegai, and he whipped round barely in time to avoid its full stroke.

From Project Gutenberg

The sound of voices coming along the river bank, and with it the unmistakable rattle of assegai-hafts.

From Project Gutenberg

If he had had an assegai or a stick perhaps the other would not have had things all his own way, he added meaningly.

From Project Gutenberg

A sound of deep-toned voices and the rattle of assegai hafts caused both to turn.

From Project Gutenberg

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