Congolese, a. and n.
(kɒŋgəʊˈliːz, ˈkɒŋgəʊliːz)
[ad. F. Congolais, f. Congo, the name of a region and a river in Central Africa: see -ese.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to the Congo (the Congo Republics of Kinshasa (Léopoldville) (now called Zaïre) and Brazzaville, formerly the Belgian and French Congo respectively), or the inhabitants thereof. B. n. An inhabitant of either of the Congo Republics; freq. collect.; also, the language of the Bakongo people.
| 1900 N. & Q. 9th Ser. V. 413/1 ‘Goober’ and ‘Pindar’..are synonyms for the ground-nut or pea-nut... ‘Goober’ is Angolan, and ‘pindar’ Congolese. 1904 Daily Chron. 15 Feb. 7/3 The Congolese are, indeed, worse off than slaves. 1905 Westm. Gaz. 10 Oct. 2/1 The Congolese ‘groups’ of Antwerp and Brussels found most of the capital. 1932 Times Educ. Suppl. 30 Apr. p. iv/4 Peeps at Congolese villages. 1934 A. J. Toynbee Study Hist. I. ii. iii. 259 A level of culture which is hardly less primitive than that of the Congolese. 1955 Times 6 July 11/6 The spontaneous enthusiasm of the greetings of the Congolese people, black and white alike, for their ruler. 1960 Daily Tel. 7 July 1/1 They want a Congolese in charge, with no Belgians holding any command. |