afro
UK[ˈæfrəʊ]US[ˈæfroʊ]
n
A hairstyle consisting of a mass of very tight curls that stand out from the head, worn especially by people of African descent.
Etymology
The term "afro" is a mid-20th century clipping of the adjective "Afro-", meaning "African." It emerged specifically in the 1960s within the United States as a name for the natural, voluminous hairstyle that celebrates the texture of Black hair, rejecting chemical straightening. The name directly connects the style to a celebration of African heritage and identity. Thus, the word's journey is not one of classical morphology but of cultural reclamation, transforming a geographical prefix into a specific and powerful symbol of pride.
Analysis
This word is a loanword and proper noun derivative, not productively formed from combinable morphemes in English. It originates from the prefix "Afro-", itself from "Africa" (Latin Afer, "African").
Examples
She decided to wear her hair in a full, round afro.
The afro became an iconic symbol of the Black Power movement.
Maintaining a healthy afro requires specific moisturizing techniques.