Fanti, n. and a.
(ˈfæntɪ)
Also Fante, Fantee.
[Native name.]
The name of a Negro people inhabiting Ghana, and their language; a member of this people. Also attrib.
| 1819 T. E. Bowdich Mission to Ashantee 344, I have heard about half a dozen words in the Fantee, which might be said to be not unlike the same nouns in the Welsh language. Ibid. 345 The Fantee word umpa (true, indeed). [1868 Carr & Brown (title) Mfantsi grammar.] 1875 [see Ashanti]. 1879 Encycl. Brit. X. 756/1 Fante dialects are spoken, not only in Fanti proper, but in Afutu or the country round Cape Coast. Ibid., A Fanti..can converse without much difficulty with a native of Aquapem or Ashantee. Ibid., The Aquapem, which is based on the Akem but has imbibed Fanti influences. 1923 [see Akan a. and n.]. 1955 P. Strevens Papers in Lang. (1965) ix. 115 The Kwa Larger Unit, comprising such languages as Twi, Ga, Fante, Ewe, Yoruba and Ibo. 1962 [see Ashanti]. |
b. Phr. to go fantee: to join the natives of a district and conform to their habits.
| 1885 Kipling Departm. Ditties (1886) 59 ‘Went Fantee’—joined the people of the land. Turned three parts Mussalman and one Hindu. 1887 ― Plain Tales from Hills (1888) 23 He was perpetually ‘going Fantee’ among natives. 1906 Daily Chron. 9 Aug. 8/5 Caluna, too, had ‘gone fanti’, and was raiding and pillaging. 1930 Chesterton Four Felons 190 He was a white man, or whitish man, who had gone fantee, and wore nothing but a pair of spectacles. |