Afric
/ˈæf.rɪk/noun
An archaic or poetic English name for Africa.
Did you know?“Afric” survived mainly in poetic and literary language, including phrases such as “Afric’s golden sands,” rather than in everyday English.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Rome
Latin
Āfrica
“The Roman name for the region and continent of Africa, probably meaning “land of the Afri”; the deeper origin of Afri is uncertain.”
Old French
Old French
Affrique
“The medieval French form of the continental name, inherited from Latin Africa.”
Middle English
Middle English
Affrik
“A Middle English form referring to Africa.”
16th–17th Century
English
Afric
“A shortened poetic or literary form of Africa.”
Modern English
English
Afric
“An archaic or poetic term, now largely replaced by Africa.”
Explore more surprising origins