Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Kafir
{
Kaf′fir
(kăf′fẽr)
, Ka′fir
(kä′fẽr)
, } Noun.
[Ar.
kāfir
infidel, pagan, fr. kafara
to be skeptical in religious matters; – a name given to certain infidel races by the Muslims. Cf. Giaour
.] 1.
(Ethnol.)
(a)
One of a race which, with the Hottentots and Bushmen, inhabit South Africa. They inhabit the country north of Cape Colony, the name being now specifically applied to the tribes living between Cape Colony and Natal, including the Ponda, Xosa, and Tembu; but the Zulus of Natal are true Kaffirs.
(b)
One of a race inhabiting Kafiristan in Central Asia.
[Spelt also
Caffre
.] Kaffir corn
(Bot.)
, a Cape Colony name for Indian millet.