| 释义 |
Akanin.adj. Origin: Apparently a borrowing from an Akan language. Etymology: Apparently < a self-designation in an Akan language (compare Fante okanni : see Akan n.). Compare Akani , the name in English of an inland region (perhaps a state) in early modern West Africa (1704 as Acanny , or earlier; formerly also Arcany , Accany , etc.). Compare Portuguese Hacanys (apparently plural) Akani merchants (beginning of the 16th cent.), Akani , Acane , the name of the region, French Acanis , Acanes , Accanez , the name of the region and its inhabitants (second half of the 17th cent.). Compare also Dutch †Accany , the name of the region, and †Accanist (adjective) relating to the Akani, (noun) member of the Akani people (both 1704 or earlier). Compare Akan n. and Akan adj.The region referred to as Akani by early writers was apparently inhabited by Akan peoples and lay in the hinterland of the Gold Coast (now Ghana), also inhabited by Akan peoples. Not much known about the political make-up of the area. At the end of the 17th cent., the region was conquered by the Akan kingdoms of Denkyira and (subsequently) Asante, and, as trading networks changed, Akani ceased to be mentioned in European records, except historically (compare the use of the past tense in quot. 1705 at sense B.). Compare the discussions in R. A. Kea Settlements, Trade, & Polities in 17th-cent. Gold Coast (1982) and also by D. Kiyaga-Mulindwa in Current Anthropol. 21 (1980) 503–6. The β. forms apparently show an alteration in spelling to reflect the pronunciation of the initial vowel, perhaps influenced by Arcady n. Compare also †Arcania , used in English contexts both as a Latinizing variant of the West African name and as a variant of the name of Arcadia (see Arcadian adj.1). Now historical. A. n.the world > people > ethnicities > peoples of Africa > peoples of West Africa > [noun] 1662 S. Barnardiston et al. Let. 11 July in M. Makepeace (1991) 120/1 Wee are very glad to heare, that you have hopes that Trade in your parts will more and more increase, now that the Acannies are retorned. 1682 J. Nightingale Let. 15 Feb. in R. Law (1997) I. 36 The Comenda merchants and Arcanies likewise paid to the Cappusheers and fetishmakers 1 ounce 8 angles of gold. 1694 T. Phillips in (1732) VI. 224/2 The Arcanys, who are the best traders to our ships and castles, and have the purest gold, are an inland people. 1704 in 13 293 Beadoosha said that he had not taken from ye Arcanys two & twenty Bendys as they Complained of. 1971 12 192 The usual weapons of the 'Akany' and other inland peoples remained javelins, bows and arrows. 1989 16 245 The factors reported to the directors that the ‘treacherous’ Dutch had provoked the Akani to take this hostile action. B. adj.the world > people > ethnicities > peoples of Africa > peoples of West Africa > [adjective] 1686 W. Cross Let. 21 Sept. in R. Law (2001) II. 89 I have sent down eleaven marks, four ounces of good Arcany gold. 1704 in 13 293 He returned two of the Arcany people he had Seized. 1705 tr. W. Bosman vi. 77 Next..we come..to the Description of Acanny, whose Inhabitants..were famed for great Traders... And that which they vended was always so pure and fine, that to this day the best Gold is called by the Negroes, Acanni Sica, or Acanny Gold [Du. Acaniste Goud]. 1971 12 192 In I678 ‘Akany’ traders visited Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle in order to buy gunpowder. 1989 16 245 Cloice..immediately called away the Akani merchants from the mine and stopped Dutch trade at all the factories. 2000 D. Eltis vii. 174 Africans initially obtained these goods with gold carried down to the coast by the Arcany and Denkyra merchants in whose territory most of the deposits were to be found. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021). <  n.adj.1662 |
