Mosilikatze, noun

Forms:
Moselekatze, MoselikatzeShow more Also Moselekatze, Moselikatze, Mosilikatse, Mosilikatzi, Mozilikatze.
Origin:
Named for Mzilikazi (Englished form Mosilikatze), founder of the Ndebele people; see quotation 1913.
obsolescent
In the phrases Mosilikatze’s bird or Mosilikatze’s roller, the lilac-breasted roller Coracias caudata of the Coraciidae.
1864 T. Baines Explor. in S.-W. Afr. 333Henry Chapman shot a couple of blue rollers..without the long feathers in the tail common to Moselekatze’s bird, on the Zambesi.
1903 Stark & Sclater Birds of S. Afr. III. 48Moselikatze’s roller,..‘Moselikatze’s Bird’ of English.
1913 C. Pettman Africanderisms 326Moselekatze’s bird, Coracias caudatus. This bird..is known by this name because Moselekatze (Umzilikazi, King of the Matabele, and father of Lobengula) claimed its feathers for his own exclusive use and ornament.
1940 A. Roberts Birds of S. Afr. 169Lilac-breasted roller or Mosilikatzi’s bird.
1975 Dict. of Eng. Usage in Sn Afr. 110Lilac-breasted roller,..alt: Mosilikatse’s (Mosilikatze’s) roller; colourful bird..has a light mauve breast, blue wings and long, straight tail feathers...Mosilikatse, King of the Matabele, claimed sole use of its plumage; hence the vernacular name.
1978 McLachlan & Liversidge Roberts Birds of S. Afr. 296It is often known as Mosilikatze’s roller.
In the phrases Mosilikatze’s bird or Mosilikatze’s roller,the lilac-breasted roller Coracias caudata of the Coraciidae.
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18641978