Great Trek, noun phrase
- Forms:
- Also with small initials.
- Origin:
- English, AfrikaansShow more English great + trek noun; or perhaps partial translation of Afrikaans groot trek.
1. In historical contexts. The voluntary exodus, from 1836, of Dutch-speaking families from the Cape Colony to the interior; trek noun sense 11; voortrek. Also attributive. See also Voortrekker sense 1.
1990 R. Gool Cape Town Coolie 19I come from the Cape Town branch of Stellenbosch Van der Merwes who..had more than a hand in the beginnings of the Great Trek.
2. Transferred and figurative senses. Any long and arduous journey or exodus to another place, especially one undertaken by a large number of people; a difficult or noteworthy change of attitude, opinion, or belief; groot trek.
1892 The Jrnl 10 Sept. 2Many of the Transvaal farmers are thoroughly disgusted with the recent course of events in that republic, and..a great trek — composed of nearly a thousand families — is being quietly organised.
1994 P. Dickson in E. Prov. Herald 26 Aug. 10They arrive in their dozens every month from the bleak droughtlands of the Eastern Cape in a modern great trek of hope to seek jobs and a future for their children in the big city.
The voluntary exodus, from 1836, of Dutch-speaking families from the Cape Colony to the interior; trek noun sense 11; voortrek. Also attributive.
Any long and arduous journey or exodus to another place, especially one undertaken by a large number of people; a difficult or noteworthy change of attitude, opinion, or belief; groot trek.
- Derivatives:
- Hence Great Trekker noun phrase (rare), Voortrekker sense 1.1975 Sunday Times 23 Feb. 16We thank God for our country’s early pioneers — 1820 Settlers, Great Trekkers and many others.
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