inkosikazi, noun
- Forms:
- Show more Also incosa-cãse, inkoosikaas, inkose kosi, inkosigas, inkosigaze, inkosikaas, inkosikasi, inkosikaze, inkosikosi, inkosikozi, inkoskaas, inkozikas, inkozikazi, inquosegose, khoskhaz, nikosikazi, nkosikaas, nkosikasi, nkosikazi, nkozkazi, and with initial capital.
- Plurals:
- unchanged, or inkosikazis.
- Origin:
- IsiXhosa, IsiZuluShow more IsiXhosa and isiZulu inkosi chief + feminine suffix -kazi.
1. A married woman of status (in a polygamous family): a. The highest-ranking wife of an African chief or king, and mother of his heir; great wife sense (a), see great. b. Any of the wives of an African chief or king. c. The highest-ranking wife of a commoner; great wife sense (b), see great. Also used as a title, and occasionally attributively or figuratively. See also right hand.
1835 A. Steedman Wanderings I. 256The Chief having many wives..the sovereignty devolves on the offspring of the Inkose kosi, female chieftain, or queen.
1978 A. Elliott Sons of Zulu 175A chief’s main wife, or nkosikazi, is chosen in consultation with his clan who provide the lobolo cattle for her and this marriage invariably takes place after the chief already has several wives. She is therefore likely to be younger than any of his first wives and she provides the heir for the chief...The first wife of a commoner as opposed to that of the chief, is his main wife or nkosikazi.
2. transferred sense. A respectful form of address or reference to any married woman (often an employer) who is perceived to be of superior status; also used as a title, with a name, and as a common noun. See also inkosazana.
1836 A.F. Gardiner Journey to Zoolu Country 146The appellation Incosa-cāse (literally female chief) is applied to all women of high rank...These are..generally placed as pensioners, one or two together, in the different military towns where they preside, and are particularly charged with the distribution of provisions.
1986 F. Karodia Daughters of Twilight 9Noting Ma’s heat-induced irritation, Gladys gave a sheepish grin, her dark cheeks glittering with perspiration...‘Hienie, Khoskhaz, almost finished now.’
The highest-ranking wife of an African chief or king, and mother of his heir; great wife sense (a), see great.
Any of the wives of an African chief or king.
The highest-ranking wife of a commoner; great wife sense (b), see great. Also used as a title, and occasionally attributively or figuratively.
A respectful form of address or reference to any married woman (often an employer) who is perceived to be of superior status; also used as a title, with a name, and as a common noun.
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