zuurveld, noun

/ˈsyːrfɛlt//ˈsɪuəfelt/
Forms:
suurveld, suurveldtShow more Also suurveld, suurveldt, zureveld, zureveldt, zuur-velden, zuure-velden, zuurfeldt, zuurveldt, and with initial capital.
Origin:
South African DutchShow more South African Dutch, zuur unpalatable, sour + veld open, undeveloped countryside.
historical
a. sourveld, see sour sense 2. Also attributive. b. The Zuurveld: A name given to the Albany area of the Eastern Cape.
1785 G. Forster tr. of A. Sparrman’s Voy. to Cape of G.H. I. 249What are termed by the colonists Zuurvelden or Sour-fields, are such as lie somewhat higher and cooler than the shore, and thus are better supplied with rain than the other plains.
1827 T. Philipps Scenes & Occurrences 119The pasture is all zureveldt.
1850 R.G.G. Cumming Hunter’s Life I. 13Black, zuur-feldt oxen.
1878 T.J. Lucas Camp Life & Sport 208The flats..are covered with a wiry kind of grass, called ‘Suur veldt’ (sour grass).
a1880 W.G. Atherstone in S.W. Silver & Co.’s Handbk to S. Afr. 230Kruisfontein, belonging to Mr. John Atherstone, is..an unmitigated zuurfeldt farm, situated on a sandstone ridge. There is no limestone on the farm.
1887 S.W. Silver & Co.’s Handbk to S. Afr. 157Amongst the herbs, bushes, and shrubs found on the Zuurveldt are the Kanna bush.
c1936 S. & E. Afr. Yr Bk & Guide 179‘Zuurveld’ or ‘Sour Grass’ is found in many parts of the country, especially in areas of high rainfall.
1976 A.R. Willcox Sn Land 156They could use certain areas for grazing only seasonally. These were termed by the Dutch Zuurveld which..means land producing grass that is sour i.e. unpalatable to stock, in winter, but good grazing in summer.
sourveld, see sour sense 2. Also attributive.
The Zuurveld:A name given to the Albany area of the Eastern Cape.
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historical
Zulu love letter, noun phrasen. phr.AAC, nounn.
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