vlakte, noun
/ˈflaktə/
- Forms:
- Formerly also vlaakte, vlackte.
- Plurals:
- vlaktes, formerly vlakten or vlaktens.
- Origin:
- Dutch
1.
a. An open plain; an extent of flat country; vlaat. Also attributive.
1786 G. Forster tr. of A. Sparrman’s Voy. to Cape of G.H. II. 222The vlaksteen-bok was the name given at Agter Bruntjes-hoogte to animals (probably of the gazel kind) two feet in height, which used, in some sort, to herd together on the vlaktens, or plains.
1985 Fair Lady 3 Apr. 139Taking of cuttings or collecting of seed in the wild or in public gardens is strictly prohibited and even in the vlaktes of Namaqualand you are not alone — there’s a man from Flora and Fauna behind every kokerboom.
‖b. In the phr. ver verlate vlaktes /ˌfɛːr fərˌlɑːtə ˈflaktəs/ [Afrikaans, ver far, verlate deserted], ‘the far, deserted plains’, a phrase from Die Stem van Suid-Afrika (see Stem). Usually used ironically.
2. combinations Especially as an element in the names of animals:
vlakte haas /-hɑːs/, also vlakhaas [Afrikaans haas hare], the Cape hare (see Cape sense 2 a), Lepus capensis;
1786vlaksteenbok: [see sense 1].
An open plain; an extent of flat country; vlaat. Also attributive.
In the phr. ver verlate vlaktes /ˌfɛːr fərˌlɑːtə ˈflaktəs/ [Afrikaans, ver far, verlate deserted],‘the far, deserted plains’, a phrase from Die Stem van Suid-Afrika (see Stem). Usually used ironically.
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