kukumakranka, noun
- Forms:
- Show more Also cokimakranki, koekmakranki, koekemakranki, koekoemakranki, kookamakranki, kukamakranka, kukumakrānki.
- Plurals:
- kukumakrankas, occasionally unchanged.
- Origin:
- Khoikhoi, AfrikaansShow more Probably a Khoikhoi name; koekoemakranka is the Afrikaans form.
- Note:
- An unlikely etymology is provided by L.G. Green in Beyond the City Lights, 1957, p.14: ‘This quaint name, which sounds like Hottentot, appears to have been corrupted from the Afrikaans words “goed vir my krank maag” (good for my sick stomach).’
Any of several species of the small perennial bulbous plant genus Gethyllis of the Amaryllidaceae, bearing fragrant white flowers and an edible underground fruit; this fruit. Also attributive.
1793 tr. of C.P. Thunberg’s Trav. Europe, Afr. & Asia I. 116Kukumakranka (gethyllis) is the name given to the legumen or pod of a plant, that grew at this time among the sand-hills near the town, without either leaves or flowers. This pod was of the length of one’s finger, somewhat wider at top than at bottom, had a pleasant smell, and was held in great esteem by the ladies. The smell of it resembled in some measure that of strawberries, and filled the whole room.
1991 E. Prov. Herald 5 Jan. 7Following up last week’s reports of the sightings of kukumakrankas, I pondered the behaviour of these strange little plants, which seem to spend most of their lives underground and appear as flowers only after a good shower of rain in December.
Any of several species of the small perennial bulbous plant genus Gethyllis of the Amaryllidaceae, bearing fragrant white flowers and an edible underground fruit; this fruit. Also attributive.
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