Hottentot

(hot’n-tot), n. [ ‘hot and tot’ (D. en = E. and), a kind of imitative description of stammering, in ref. to the clucking sounds in the Hottentot speech; ef. OD. hateren, stammer (Kilian, Hexam), tateren, stammer, hesitate, speak imperfectly, also used of the harsh blare of a trumpet (Kilian). See clickl, 2. The native name for Hottentot is Quaqua.| A member of a race of South Africa, which differs from the other South African races, being of a dark yellowish-brown complexion, of smaller stature, of more ungainly build, and of inferior mental endowment. Some authorities infer from the language of the Hottentots (especially from its po e ion of the distinction of gender) that they are related to the Hamitic peoples of northeastern Africa; but this opinion is a very doubtful one. Linguistic clicks are shared with the Hottentots by the South African tribes nearest them, and are supposed to have been learned by the latter from the former.—Hottentot breadfruit, cherry, fig, etc. See the nouns.— Hottentot’s-bread, Hottentot’s-tea. See these entries.