katjiepiering, noun

/ˌkaɪkiˈpirəŋ/, /ˌkaɪciˈpirəŋ/
Forms:
catch-peeren, catjepiringShow more Also catch-peeren, catjepiring, katjepeerang, katjepeering, katjepiering, katjepiring, kæzschebyring.
Origin:
Afrikaans, MalayShow more Afrikaans, katjie kitten + piering saucer (adaptation of Malay katja-piring, kachapiring literally ‘glass saucer’: the gardenia).
Any of several species of Gardenia with sweetly-scented flowers, including G. jasminoides, G. thunbergia, and G. florida; the wood of these shrubs. See also Cape jasmine (Cape sense 2 a).
1731 G. Medley tr. of P. Kolben’s Present State of Cape of G.H. II.There is a Shrub at the Cape, transplanted from Madagascar, which is call’d, by the Natives of that Island, Kæzschebyring; and such is the Name ’tis known by among the Cape-Europeans.
1795 C.R. Hopson tr. of C.P. Thunberg’s Trav. II. 111Wilde Catjepiring (Gardenia Thunbergia) is a hard and strong kind of wood, and on this account used for clubs.
1798 S.H. Wilcocke tr. of J.S. Stavorinus’s Voy. to E. Indies II. 79Among the various sorts of timber, earlier unknown, or extremely rare in Europe, the following abound here,..wilde catjepiering (gardenia thunbergia), a strong kind of wood used for clubs.
1809 J. Mackrill Diary. 74Gardenia florida, produces that elegant & sweet flower called by the Dutch (Catch-peeren) they have a yellow & a white, the latter the sweetest.
[1837 Ecklon & Zeyher Enumeratio Plantarum Africae 3602290 Gardenia florida...Ubique in totius Coloniae hortis, et ex India aut China versimiliter advecta Nov. Dec. — Incolis europaeis: katjepiering.]
1869 W.G. Atherstone in R. Noble Cape & its People 373The wagons..stand on a bed of wild flowers..fragrant clematis — the ‘traveller’s joy’, — vying in sweetness with the wild ‘katjepeering’.
1910 D. Fairbridge That Which Hath Been (1913) 269Friends bring..the richest purple violets, the sweetest katjepierings, until the house is heavy with the perfume of flowers.
1916 S. Black in S. Gray Three Plays (1984) 241Here, come with your flowers into the chief’s office...He wants to order a big bunch of special katjepeerangs.
1949 Cape Argus 3 Dec. 18Gardenias (Katjiepering), flowering, 4s. 6d. each.
1951 N.L. King Tree-Planting 68Gardenia thunbergia (Katjiepiering), A small bushy tree. Occurs in moist forests in eastern Cape and Natal. Bears strongly scented, snow-white flowers. Needs shade and is best suited to moist localities where frosts are not severe.
1966 C.A. Smith Common Names 284Katjiepiering,..A shrub up to 5 ft high, cultivated for its sweet-scented flowers which turn brownish if touched and bruised.
1972 Std Encycl. of Sn Afr. V. 120Gardenia. Katjiepiering. Genus of evergreen shrubs..which bear sweetly scented white flowers.
Any of several species of Gardenia with sweetly-scented flowers, including G. jasminoides, G. thunbergia, and G. florida; the wood of these shrubs.
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Afrikaans
Malay
katil, nounn.katonkel, nounn.
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