safari
UK[səˈfɑːri]US[səˈfɑri]
n
an expedition to observe or hunt animals in their natural habitat, especially in East Africa
n
a journey or trip, especially one involving wildlife observation
Etymology
The word 'safari' entered English in the late 19th century from Swahili, a Bantu language of East Africa, where 'safari' means 'journey' or 'expedition'. The Swahili term itself was borrowed from Arabic 'safar', which carries the same core meaning of a journey. In English, its meaning was initially specialized to refer to the hunting or exploration expeditions popular in colonial East Africa. Over time, as hunting gave way to wildlife observation and photography, the term evolved to encompass any trip, typically in Africa, focused on viewing animals in the wild, while still retaining its fundamental sense of a purposeful journey.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword from Swahili. It originates from the Arabic word 'safar' meaning 'a journey'.
Examples
They went on a safari in Kenya to see the Great Migration.
The documentary crew embarked on a year-long safari to film rare species.
He bought a new camera lens specifically for his upcoming safari.