‖sterk, adjective

/stɛrk/
Origin:
Afrikaans, FanakaloShow more Afrikaans; the form sterrek reflects the word’s use in Fanakalo.
Strong, powerful.
Note:
Latterly, common in colloquial speech (pronounced /stɛːk/), used particularly of strongly-built people.
1864 J.S. Dobie S. Afr. Jrnl (1945) 174The psalmody in the evening..was so ‘sterk’ as to be nearly overpowering!
1899 ‘S. Erasmus’ Prinsloo 29‘Scotty’ was a sterk kerel, and had no fear of Landdrost, but preferred to steal their horses above everybody’s.
1911 L. Cohen Reminisc. of Kimberley 388The ragged groom regarded me with some admiration as having performed a gastronomic feat which he would like to emulate, the tousle-haired wench muttered, ‘I was (being) sterk’ (strong), the concerned hostess said ‘I ought to see the doctor’.
1913 J.J. Doke Secret City 256Wait, there’s a good soul, until you are quite strong, baaija sterk.
[1939 C. Delbridge in Outspan 20 Oct. 71The Baas hit you ‘maningi sterrek’ Nkos.]
Strong, powerful.
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18641939
stemvee, nounn.sterkte, nounn.
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