safarin.
/səˈfɑːri/, U.S. /səˈfɑri/ 1. Originally: a party or caravan undertaking an extensive cross-country expedition on foot for hunting or scientific research, typically in an African country (originally in East Africa). In later use: a party travelling, usually in vehicles, into unspoiled or wild areas for tourism or game viewing.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > traveller > [noun] > a company of travellers
comitive1597
convoy1612
caravan1665
caravanserai1836
outfit1848
safari1860
1860 R. F. Burton in Jrnl. Royal Geogr. Soc. 1859 29 410 These Safari are neither starved like the trading parties of Wanyamwezi nor pampered like those directed by the Arabs.
1871 D. Livingstone 28 Jan. in Last Jrnls. (1875) II. iv. 96 A safari, under Hassani and Ebed, arrived with news of great mortality by cholera..at Zanzibar.
1892 Daily News 15 July 5/6 It would be a great thing if the next sefari (caravan) brought up a small Nordenfelt or Hotchkiss gun.
1900 Geogr. Jrnl. Aug. 167 We collected our safari of 130 Manyema carriers.
1928 Blackwood's Mag. Oct. 549/1 It is seldom indeed that a safari passes through the bush without some news of it being ‘telegraphed’ ahead.
1955 V. W. von Hagen Highway of Sun v. 70 We followed the track with our safari of horses, llamas and Indians.
2006 D. Littlepage Steller's Island 32 The other Academy scientists had traveled in style, with a safari of field chefs, crates of fine food and wine, [etc.].
2.
a. A journey; a cross-country expedition, typically in an African country, esp. for exploration and (in the past) hunting, or (now) to see wild animals in their natural habitat. Frequently in on safari.Safaris frequently include camping in tents, but guest lodges are now also available.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [noun] > expedition > cross-country
safari1893
1860 R. F. Burton in Jrnl. Royal Geogr. Soc. 1859 29 413 Collect! pack! set out! Safari! safari leo!—a journey, a journey to-day!]
1893 Current Lit. Feb. 226/2 Zanzibaris porters could never be induced to go..on safari (journey) led solely by a woman.
1907 J. H. Patterson Man-eaters of Tsavo vi. 61 [He] had left me and gone on safari (a caravan journey) to Uganda.
1928 Daily Express 16 Nov. 9 The royal safari—as a shooting expedition of this nature is described in Africa—is complete to the minutest detail.
1935 E. Hemingway Green Hills Afr. ii. iii. 46 We had gone on a foot safari to hunt rhino in the forest.
1989 J. Trollope Village Affair ii. 24 The boys went skiing and both had been on safari in Kenya.
2005 Trav. Afr. Autumn 38/2 No safari is complete without a chorus of gasps at the first lilac-breasted roller or superb glossy starling.
b. In extended use.
ΚΠ
1958 Spectator 22 Aug. 249/3 As long as they pursue this safari down a cul-de-sac, this is all the audience they will either attract or deserve.
1975 T. Dinesen My Sister, Isak Dinesen vi. 79 I cannot help seeing it like our safari sometime in the future, in which we shall remember all the shauries as shadows and smile at them.
1977 P. Hill Liars viii. 105 His educated hands went on safari down her stomach.
1992 J. Torrington Swing Hammer Swing! x. 104 Safeguarding his dosh from his sister who was in the habit of going on midnight safaris through his pockets.
3. A sandy brown or beige colour, the colour of clothes typically worn on safari. Cf. Compounds 2b.
ΚΠ
1929 Chester (Pa.) Times 11 Dec. 7/3 (advt.) Sale! Of Dexdale silk stocking... In these new ‘Dexdale’ winter shades! Duskee. Safari. Beige [etc.].
1951 N.Y. Times Mag. 1 July 25/3 It is of the handsome new shade of Safari whose smoky tone entitles it to be called ‘cendre’.
1981 Woman's Jrnl. Mar. 6 (advt.) Gold for getaway people; safari is the colour, superb is the cut, fine poplin flying suit with hat.
2008 Vancouver Sun (Nexis) 11 Mar. e4 Neutral bags (in fawn, chocolate brown, safari, et al) are still strong.
Compounds
C1.
a. General attributive, as safari accounts, safari guide, safari horn, safari plan, safari work, etc.
ΚΠ
1890 F. D. Lugard Diary 30 Jan. (1959) I. ii. 89 Discussed a plan for working safari accounts &c. with Dick.
1890 F. D. Lugard Diary 3 Apr. (1959) I. vi. 170 Had a long talk over Safari plans and worked out the details of my idea of food supply &c.
1896 Geogr. Jrnl. 7 406 We struck a well-worn path, which turned out to be the main safari track between Meranga..and Kitwyi.
1928 Blackwood's Mag. Oct. 549/1 The sound of a safari horn came drifting across the bush.
1955 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 1 916/1 This post entailed much safari work, at which he was an expert and in which he took great pleasure.
1995 R. Barfield Seasoned by Salt 58 Men could shoulder the load at each end, much like the way safari bearers carried big game.
2008 P. Allison Whatever you do, don't Run 207 As a safari guide,..you spend more time with individual clients than you would working in a hotel.
b.
safari coach n.
ΚΠ
1961 Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg, Va.) 31 Aug. 21/1 (advt.) I will sell..6 Safari Coaches.
1973 ‘S. Harvester’ Corner of Playground iii. vii. 224 A safari coach of rich Americans drew up.
2009 Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 29 Dec. (Suppl.) 12 The air-conditioned comfort of a mini safari coach.
safari path n.
ΚΠ
1904 P. H. G. Powell-Cotton In Unknown Afr. xxix. 406 By a lucky chance we struck the safari path, and found the tents perched on the spur of a hill.
1920 Blackwood's Mag. Feb. 205/1 A good safari path winds through a deep valley in the Livingstone Mountains.
2005 West Australian (Perth) (Nexis) 29 Oct. 35 Lake Nakuru is slightly off the beaten safari path dominated by the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.
safari truck n.
ΚΠ
1930 G. F. Sayers Handbk. Tanganyika 441 A ‘safari’ truck or box-body car costs about £196 in Dar es Salaam.
1969 Life 5 Dec. 5/2 The two of us spend six weeks bouncing around in a four-wheel-drive Toyota safari truck.
2006 Vacations Nov.–Dec. 47/1 We arrived at Tarangire, removed sections of the roof of our safari truck and stepped up on our seats.
safari vehicle n.
ΚΠ
1954 Billboard 22 May 83/3 Semi-trailer truck carrying bandwagon and other parade equipment and Beatty's Safari vehicle were late in arriving and parade was lost.
1957 Idaho Sunday Jrnl. 10 Feb. 1/5 One maddened rhino prepared to charge the safari vehicles.
1983 N.Y. Mag. 19 Dec. 93/3 (advt.) Everyone has a window seat in safari vehicles.
2006 R. Buckley Adventure Tourism 448 In the private game reserves of eastern and southern Africa.., clients watch wildlife from open-topped 4WD safari vehicles.
C2. attributive.
a. Designating articles of clothing suitable for wearing on safari, or made in a similar style as a fashion for general or working wear, esp. in warmer climates.
safari boot n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > shoe or boot > boot > [noun] > for specific purpose > other
walking boot1854
skating-boot1895
Derby1901
ski boot1907
safari boot1912
bootee1974
1912 H. F. Ward & J. W. Milligan Handbk. Brit. E. Afr. 307 (advt.) English and American safari boots, sleeping blankets, trunks, &c.
1977 H. Innes Big Footprints iii. iii. 292 [We] took our safari boots off and dabbled our bare feet in a pool.
2005 H. Reinhorn Big Cats 61 As the zookeeper's safari boots rustle through the dry grass,..the lionesses lie right where they are.
safari hat n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > headgear > [noun] > hat > for specific purpose
pricking-hat1402
matinee hat1869
tinfoil hat1884
safari hat1935
1935 Lowell (Mass.) Sun 2 Mar. 2/3 Safari hats are all small sizes,..so I am out of luck in getting a new sunproof helmet.
1968 J. Ironside Fashion Alphabet 144 Topee or Safari hat, shaped like a pith-helmet with rounded crown and brim sloping down.
1993 M. Leigh Naked & Other Screenplays (1995) 79 Sandra wearing her jacket and shorts,..with her straw safari hat on her back.
safari kit n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > set or suit of clothes > [noun] > for specific purpose
sables1603
procation1650
business suit1854
frock-dress1854
suit1864
smoking-suit1898
rain suit1900
beach-pyjamas1928
safari kit1928
safari suit1935
1928 Daily Express 29 Nov. 1/1 The Prince, dressed in safari kit.
2004 Birmingham Post (Nexis) 11 Sept. 26 We had..people wearing jungle costumes and safari kit on the stage.
safari shirt n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > shirt > types of > other
bloody shirta1586
ruffle shirt1749
ruffled shirt1754
dicky1781
overshirt1805
camise1812
mill tog1821
boiled shirt1853
Crimean shirt1853
Crimea shirt1857
shirtwaist1859
shirt1867
polo shirt1887
zephyr1887
Ghost Shirt1890
Henley1890
negligée shirt1895
turtle-neck1897
rugby shirt1902
bush shirt1909
tunic shirt1918
safari shirt1921
button-down1924
thousand-miler1929
aloha shirt1936
buba1937
zoot shirt1942
Hawaiian shirt1955
sweater-shirt1964
beach shirt1966
kimono shirt1968
dashiki1969
1921 Living Age 12 Mar. 669/1 I got out of white uniform and into..khaki shorts and safari shirt—a much more comfortable rig.
1968 Vogue 15 Apr. 77 Safari shirt in brave bright red Linoseta over navy blue supraline trousers.
2006 Daily Tel. 5 Sept. 3/1 Irwin was famous for grappling with..saltwater crocodiles, in his khaki shorts and safari shirt.
b. Designating a sandy brown or beige colour, of the colour of clothes typically worn on safari, in safari beige, safari brown, safari colour, etc. Cf. sense 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > named colours > brown or brownness > [adjective] > yellowish brown
yellow-dun1593
honey-coloured1603
cinnamon-coloured1679
cinnamon1685
lurid1767
rhubarb1792
tombac-brown1794
sherry-bay1856
khaki1863
khaki coloured1879
golden oak1883
rhubarby1885
crotal1901
brown-gold1909
Sahara1923
safari1934
1934 N.Y. Times 19 Aug. x. 7/2 Above-the-waist-length fur jackets of black or Safari brown seal, mink, broadtail or beaver.
1976 Milton Keynes Express 18 June (advt.) 43/1 Ford Capri 3.0 Ghia, safari beige.
1981 Times 23 June 12/6 The safari and copper colours of clothing.
1990 Field & Stream Mar. 176/1 We are now sinewy and tan, dressed in safari khaki, with muscles in our jaw that set like steel cables.
2008 London Lite (Nexis) 2 June 18 Muted safari colours are all very well, but glam them up with accessories to make sure you don't resemble a mechanic.
c. Designating lightweight or folding furniture or equipment for use when camping or on safari.A proprietary name in the United States and United Kingdom for such furniture.
safari bed n. (cf. camp-bed n. at camp n.2 Compounds 2).
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > bed > types of bed > [noun] > folding bed for camp or travelling
trussing bed1398
letacamp1494
trussing bedstead1535
truss-bed1541
field bed1567
camp-bed1690
camp cot1785
camp-bedstead1825
stretcher-bed1842
stretcher1893
stretcher-bedstead1895
safari bed1936
zedbed1954
Z-bed1973
1936 G. Alexander Tanganyika Memories xii. 99 Our safari beds were placed in the card room.
1976 M. Birmingham Heat of Sun vii. 110 [We] dragged a safari bed from the bottom of the linen cupboard and set it up in..my room.
2008 Sun (Nexis) 8 July Tossing and turning on my safari bed, I try to get to sleep.
safari chair n.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > seat > chair > [noun] > folding chair
beach chair1878
hammock chair1881
deckchair1884
camp-chair1885
Savonarola chair1887
Roorkee chair1905
safari chair1913
picnic chair1920
director's chair1922
Roorkee1936
transat1968
1913 E. M. Crawford By Equator's Snowy Peak (front matter) 9 The author in her safari chair.
1967 H. Harrison Technicolor Time Machine (1968) viii. 75 Leaning back in her safari chair.
2006 Florida Times-Union (Nexis) 18 Nov. p1 His study with a zebra-striped rug, safari chairs, a small television and a desk.
safari mattress n.
ΚΠ
1971 E. Afr. Standard (Nairobi) 10 Apr. 2/1 (advt.) Garden umbrellas—picnic sets—safari mattresses.
2007 J. Moss Walking Back x. 111 I tried to haul our safari mattress onto the heaps of straw..laid over the hard earth floor of the tent.
C3.
safari ant n. a driver ant or army ant of the predominantly African genus Dorylus; also called siafu.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > order Hymenoptera > [noun] > suborder Apocrita, Petiolata, or Heterophaga > group Aculeata (stinging) > ant > member of genus Dorylus
driver ant1843
driver1847
army ant1870
safari ant1910
siafu1959
1910 T. Roosevelt Afr. Game Trails xi. 325 Whenever we came to such a safari ant column, in its sunken way, crossing our path, the porter in question laid two twigs on the ground as a peace-offering to the ants. He said that they were on safari, just as we were, and that it was wise to propitiate them.
1966 B. Kimenye Kalasanda Revisited 51 Safari ants..those large, shiny black insects whose jaws clamp into flesh.
1991 P. Matthiessen Afr. Silences ii. 82 Once again our path has crossed that of the safari ant, siafu.
safari camp n. a camp for travellers on an African safari; (also Australian) a camp in the outback.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > dwelling place or abode > camp or encampment > [noun] > type of
ordu1673
chantier1823
douar1829
outcamp1844
log-camp1858
lumbering-camp1858
yayla1864
refugee camp1865
cow-camp1873
gypsyry1873
work camp1877
tent town1878
logging-camp1880
lumber-camp1882
town camp1885
base camp1887
line-camp1888
wanigan1890
isolation camp1891
tent village1899
sheep-camp1911
safari camp1912
jungle1914
transit camp1919
Siwash camp1922
health camp1925
tent city1934
fly camp1939
bivvy1961
1912 E. Heller 2 Nov. in Smithsonian Misc. Coll. (1913) 60 11 The spot was within a stone's throw of the Safari camp at an elevation of approximately 10500 feet [in the Aberdare Range, Kenya].
1931 J. Miller Sammy & Silverband xxxvi. 218 The safari porters were..making ready for an early start... The wild, agonized cry..reached the safari camp.
1969 Northern Territory News (Darwin) (Focus '69 Suppl.) 97/1 Small plane links between Darwin and Arnhem Land safari camps, as well as other outback attractions.
1977 Bulletin (Sydney) 22 Jan. 65/1 One lives 48 kilometres away on the Nourlangie safari camp.
2007 Y. Short Kitchen Safari 9 A pioneering safari camp in the remote South African bushveld.
2009 Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 31 Oct. (Suppl.) 14 Our luxury safari camp, Kangaluna, an oasis in the middle of what seems like endless bush.
safari jacket n. a lightweight jacket, typically of beige or khaki cotton or linen and having four patch pockets with flaps.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > jacket > (suitable) for specific purpose
cork-jacket1762
tea-jacket1887
stroller1901
sports jacket1912
bed-jacket1914
smoking1922
hacking jacket1935
safari jacket1938
lumber jacket1939
judogi1944
loafer1959
1938 San Antonio (Texas) Express 2 Sept. 11/2–3 (advt.) Safari jacket by McGregor. Of fine gabardine in all popular colors.
1972 Vogue Feb. 86 Safari jacket, unlined seersucker.
1997 A. Bourdain Chef's Night Out in K. Williamson Rovers Return (1998) 120 ‘Zee rhino feels nussing as ze tranquiliser dart’,..delivered in heavily accented voice-over by some bucket-head in a safari jacket.
safari lodge n. a guest house used for temporary accommodation by people on safari.
ΚΠ
1953 G. T. Dow-Smith Brit. E. Afr. xii. 134 The construction of safari lodges in out of the way places.
1975 ‘D. Jordan’ Black Acct. xxxii. 163 There was a safari lodge with hot water and white sheets.
2000 You & your Wedding Mar. (Honeymoon Destinations 2000 Suppl.) 1 From..city hotels to intimate hideaways; from desert island fantasy-lands to remote safari lodges.
safari look n. a style of fashion imitating the design of clothing worn on safari (see quot. 1968).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [noun] > for specific purpose > other > appearance of
safari look1956
1956 Newport (Rhode Island) Daily News 30 July 4/3 (heading) New fall coats have safari look.
1968 J. Ironside Fashion Alphabet 27 Safari. This is a White-hunter look that has been in and out of fashion since the beginning of the twentieth century. Details such as belted and vented jackets..imitation pith helmets and epaulettes..in both skirt and trouser suits.]
1974 Times-Picayune (New Orleans) 4 Oct. iv. 1 (advt.) The safari look with shell and slacks in beige, belted jacket in brown.
2008 T. Okawa in R. L. Blaszczyk Producing Fashion v. 96 In February 1967,..Bohan had announced his Safari Look for Maison Dior.
safari park n. an area of parkland in which wild animals are kept in captivity while being able to roam, and through which visitors drive to view them.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > zoo > [noun] > wildlife park
animal park1887
park1909
wildlife park1965
safari park1969
1969 Rotarian Apr. 48/2 Rotarians..treated their guests to..a tour of the new Lion Safari Park.
1969 Times 1 Oct. 14/2 Windsor Safari Park covering an area of 140 acres on the north edge of Windsor Great Park.
1977 B. Pym Quartet in Autumn v. 45 There would be visits to a safari park and to the stately homes that offered the best attractions.
2007 Bizarre Sept. 12 Her mother was accidentally transferred from a German safari park to a ranch in Italy..before Eclyse—a zebra-horse hybrid known as a zorse—was born.
safari ranch n. a ranch where guests pay to lodge and participate in daily game viewing.
ΚΠ
1960 Arlington Heights (Illinois) Herald 1 Dec. 7/6–7 (caption) The small showroom of their Safari ranch.
1975 ‘D. Jordan’ Black Acct. xix. 104 Angel Engelbrecht has a safari ranch in Northern Transvaal.
2007 Sun (Nexis) 14 Apr. Kate flew to Kenya, Africa, to spend a month with her lover on a safari ranch.
safari suit n. a lightweight suit consisting of a safari jacket with matching trousers, shorts, or skirt.Commonly worn as work clothing in hot countries.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > set or suit of clothes > [noun] > for specific purpose
sables1603
procation1650
business suit1854
frock-dress1854
suit1864
smoking-suit1898
rain suit1900
beach-pyjamas1928
safari kit1928
safari suit1935
1935 Lowell (Mass.) Sun 18 Apr. 4/3 I went into an Indian store and had a safari suit made.
1979 P. Niesewand Member of Club xv. 115 A mild-mannered American..wearing a light blue safari suit.
1992 J. Wilhelm in Sunday Times 16 Feb. 11 The Swiss are known for neutrality and the cuckoo clock. We came up with apartheid and the safari suit.
safari supper n. originally U.S. a social occasion at which each course of a meal is eaten at a different host's house, sometimes with a different group of guests dining together for each course.
ΚΠ
1963 Los Angeles Times 17 Apr. k 16/6 Alpha Gamma chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha entertained husbands at a ‘Sweetheart Safari Supper’, recently, winding up at the Charles Dundores' home.
1990 Guardian 2 Jan. 4/5 (caption) The Baxter and Bond families get together round the computer to start planning the details and directions for another safari supper in the Roundhay district of Leeds.
2009 J. Orsi & E. Doskow Sharing Solution viii. 242 For a fun variation on potlucks, try holding a ‘safari supper’, where guests have three courses..at three different houses and with a different group at each house.
safari tent n. a tent for use on safari; (now usually) spec. a large, high tent with adequate space for the use of conventional furniture and a wide front aperture to allow unimpeded observation of wildlife, often erected on a permanent or semi-permanent basis in a safari park or other area of natural beauty.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > dwelling place or abode > a dwelling > tent > [noun] > other types of tent
tenticle1548
pal1656
marquee1690
gourbi1738
marquise1749
yurt1780
bell-tent1785
kibitka1799
shuldari1808
fly-tent1816
Swiss cottage1820
skin house1826
big tent1843
ridge tent1846
brush tent1862
dog tent1862
shelter tent1862
wall-tent1862
wedge tent1862
pup tent1863
A tent1863
tupik1864
tentlet1879
choom1889
pyramid1889
tortoise tent1890
safari tent1926
tent-sack1940
tent-trailer1963
tepee1970
trailer tent1971
Whillans box1971
1926 Chicago Tribune 13 Aug. iii. 1/1 The small canvas safari tents were quickly erected.
1971 Guardian 29 Sept. 18/4 A visit to Argungu can be organized through a travel agent but the accommodation would probably be a safari tent.
2010 K. Bain et al. Frommer's Kenya & Tanzania 20 The classic East African safari tent is a great deal more spacious than the kind of tent you'll come across at your average campsite—big enough to comfortably stand up in, with adequate space to move around your king-size bed.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2011; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
safariv.
/səˈfɑːri/, U.S. /səˈfɑri/ intransitive. To go on safari. Also in extended use.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (intransitive)] > go on expedition
safari1908
1908 Times Lit. Suppl. 19 Nov. 413/1 Mr. Chapman then has safaried twice for pleasure to British East Africa.
1915 S. E. White Rediscovered Country xxvii. 305 The wide country near Olbolosset and Rumeruti, where we safaried three years ago.
1928 M. Johnson Safari 29 We could safari out after game in trackless deserts on camels.
1977 W. McIlvanney Laidlaw xxxiv. 160 The receptionist was waiting... In the time it took Harkness to safari to her desk, she didn't look up once.
1987 P. J. Fetner Afr. Safari iv. 230 The author knows many persons who live in East Africa and safari often.
1999 B. Herne White Hunters (2001) xxi. 182 He safaried to the remotest parts of the mighty Rufiji and Ruaha rivers in Tanganyika, which in those times was virtually unknown bundu.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2011; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1860
v.1908