assegai

noun

as·​se·​gai ˈa-si-ˌgī How to pronounce assegai (audio)
variants or assagai
: a slender hardwood spear or light javelin usually tipped with iron and used in southern Africa

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Arabic al-zaghāya the assegai, from al- the + Berber zaghāya spear

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of assegai was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near assegai

assed

assegai

Asselar man

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Assegai.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assegai. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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