‖turksvy, noun

/ˈtɜːksfeɪ//ˈtərksfeɪ/
Forms:
Formerly also turksvij.
Plurals:
turksvye/ˈtɜːksfeɪə/.
Origin:
Afrikaans, South African DutchShow more Afrikaans (earlier South African Dutch turksvij), see Turkish fig.
Turkish fig.
1913 C. Pettman Africanderisms 519Turksvij,..The Cape Dutch name for the Prickly pear.
1970 H.M. Musmeci Informant, Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha), Eastern CapeThese turksvye are delicious (prickly pears).
1972 L.G. Green When Journey’s Over 44My coloured wagon crews gathered herbs and other veld medicines: turksvye for sores, wild garlic for many ailments, grilled Hottentot fig for ear-ache.
1990 Weekend Post 14 Apr. 4The common name of the prickly pear is Indian fig and the Afrikaans name is turksvy.
Entry Navigation

Visualise Quotations

Quotation summary

Senses

19131990

Browse Related Words

By Category

Succulents

By Origin

Afrikaans
Turkish fig, noun phrasen. phr.turlington, nounn.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Unit for South African English