krantz

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Borrowed from Afrikaans krans, from Dutch krans, from Middle Dutch crans, from Middle High German kranz, from Old High German kranz, probably altered from krenz, ultimately related to Proto-Germanic *kringaz (“circle, ring”). The English spelling seems to have been influenced by cognate German Kranz.

Noun

krantz (plural krantzes)

  1. (in South Africa) An encircling or overhanging wall of rock.
    • 1889, Henry Anderson Bryde, Kloof and Karroo: Sport, Legend and Natural History in Cape Colony:
      The awful silence of this sepulchral place was presently , as we rested for ten minutes , broken by a posse of baboons , who having espied us from their krantzes above, came shoggling down to see what we were.

Further reading
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